The trailerable lines of Catalina, Hunter, and Precision were well
represented, and we checked them over to see if we liked any better than
our P-19. Again, we felt that we got the best boat for our needs, and
there is not yet an easily trailerable boat that we like better.
After checking out the boats, we wandered past the booths of various
vendors, picking up a brochure here and there. We stopped at a booth
showing an interesting ice substitute product - Techni Ice. Imagine a
flat sheet, about 12"x14", with half-dollar sized pockets of some dry
chemical inside. You soak the sheet in water, allowing the chemical to
absorb water through the semi-permeable membrane. The pockets expand,
but the sheet remains flexible between rows of pockets. Freeze several
such sheets for 24 hours, line a cooler with them, and they will keep
the contents at refridgerator temps for up to FIVE DAYS. They are reusable
and should last up to five years. I bought 8 sheets - enough to line
my cooler - for less than $50 total. We activated one and put it in the
freezer. Tonight, I'm going to let it stand on the counter just to see
how warm it gets. I'll let you know, and I'll also report how well it
works when I actually get to use it in a cooler. I could test that right
now, but both my coolers are in service catching water leaks - long story.
After that, booth, we stopped to look at GPS units. A nice, but somewhat
pushy salesman tried his best to sell me a Garmin GPS 12. When I commented
about the GPS 48, which I'd heard good things about, he said the only
difference between the 48 and the 12 was the 48's external antenna and
extra $130 on the price. I didn't buy, but I did get a nice demo of the
GPS 12. I have since learned that there are some significant differences
between the units; I'm glad I didn't let him talk me into the 12, though
the $149 price seemed good.
After that it was time to go. Just about three more months before I'm
likely to sail again.
-- Eric L. Pederson P-19 #970, Necessity Bloomington, MN