Whoops! That’s A
Marlow Prowler and A Half
Ed. Note: In the Down East-Style Guide of our April issue, Murphy’s Law happened to Marlow. The specs given on page 104 to accompany the Prowler 375 Classic were incorrect, and not just by a little bit; in order to match the dimensions invented by our computer gremlin, the Prowler would have had a five-foot swim platform! And, if you thought the Prowler sounded like a deal at $591K, you’ll really like it at the true base price of $359,000. Here are the actual specifications for the 375 Marlow Prowler Classic:
LOA: 37' 6"
Beam: 12’
Draft: 2' 3"
Displacement: 16,000 lbs.
Fuel: 350 gals.
Power: 2 x Yanmar @ 315 hp
Range: 400 miles @ 18 knots
Top Speed: 28 knots
Here’s A Challenge
This week we rented a runabout for a day and cruised the ICW from Tarpon Springs to Clearwater–magic. We stopped at Frenchy's dock in Clearwater for lunch, and were greeted by the helpful and cheery dock manager holding two dock lines in her hand! Seems that boats approach the dock OFTEN with no lines or fenders in sight, so she has to pick up the slack. C'mon Florida boaters, we can do better than that.
Jeff Morris
Palm Harbor, Florida
The Walkers Cay Option
Last year you wrote that Walkers in the Abacos was completely closed. Not so! I just cleared Customs and Immigration at Walkers Cay the last part of April. True, the marina and hotel are closed, but Grand Cay next door is open with docks, rooms, fuel, and food. I want to thank all those boaters who are staying away from the Bahamas. As a visitor for over 30 years, I have seen a decline in all water activities there. So, please, have [other cruising folks] go to the Keys and catch their conch–the marine patrol is waiting.
Walter Quick
Ed. Note: Walter, thanks for confirming our report on the availability of Customs and Immigration at Walkers in Southern Boating’s May ’07 Bahamas Update. As for the conch, we’ve had lots of letters from people who, it turns out, would rather buy the beasties from Bahamians than clean the things themselves, and now they appreciate having an excuse.
Same Time Next Year
I want to report that as of April 9, 298 people visited the Web site (scioccodiaprile.com) mentioned in Southern Boating’s April Engine Room article to obtain further information on the amazing, single engine Sciocco Propulsion/Maneuvering System designed by Paolo Sciocco and marketed by his lovely wife, Aprile. What’s even more interesting is that after wading through the crafty Web site designed by my son, Lawrence, 12 of those folks–including reps of two OEMs–went so far as to request more information in an e-mail. Which, dear reader, brought them the electronic response that sciocco di aprile is Italian for “April Fool!” Perhaps the best joke is that this week “Paolo Sciocco” received an appllication for a credit card at our address.
Chuck Husick
Ed. Note: We hope you enjoyed Chuck’s annual April Fool surprise! May we live so long as to see the thing invented.
Maybe I’ll Take the Train
I believe your publication should spearhead the adoption of a federal law requiring all airline passengers and crew to wear parachutes at all times when on board an aircraft, on the ground or in the air. Why should the government protect only people on boats, and not on airplanes? The same logic should apply to both.
Alen Sands York
Ed. Note: What logic?
|