[PCW] PDQ 34 Review in Powerboat Reports

[HClews@aol.com]

David,
 
I sent you a copy of the Powerboat Reports  article. (For others interested,
I'm still happy to send it out as e-mail -  if your mail will accept HTML.
However, I've now added a reasonable  facsimile of the article to my website
which can be seen at: www.geocities.com/snodoglog/PDQ-34_Report.html )
 
As for binoculars, I did, last fall splurge  on a pair of those fancy 
stabilized
ones to augment my old stand-by's,  Steiner 7 x 30's.  I went for the Fujinon
Techno-Stabli's after reading various  reviews.  They are in fact nothing 
short
of amazing, allowing one to see clearly even  from a PDQ fly-bridge in 4' beam
seas!  The only downside is their  weight, they weigh almost 3 lbs.  I find, 
in
calm conditions, I still prefer to grab the  old Steiners (which weigh 20 
oz), but
when the going gets tough those fancy  Fuji's are pretty nifty.
 
As for PFD's, we've got some inflatables -  which are actually left over from 
my
ultra-light seaplane adventures.  I  think they're called Sos-penders - 
they're
supposed to inflate automatically when they  hit the water.  (I'm not sure if
they're still made, but West marine has  similar models). They are comfortable
to wear, but I've never actually had the  occasion try one out in the water. 
Other than that, we've got some wearable  type III vests we hand out to guests
when conditions warrant.
 
Buena suerte,
Henry
_www.geocities.com/snodoglog_ (http://www.geocities.com/snodoglog) 
 
In a message dated 3/8/2007 7:01:38 P.M.  Eastern Standard Time, 
dmnoel@buckeye-express.com writes:

Henry,

Thanks for the heads up on the new PDQ 34 review.  It was good to see one 
more example of why the boat has proven so popular.  It also makes it easier 
to understand why owners such as yourself are such  zealous advocates. I'll 
take you up on your offer of receiving a copy of  the piece, I'm too 
impatient to wait for PDQ to post it.

For a  couple of months now I've been exploring the world of motor cruising  
catamarans on the web, preparatory to my wife's retirement in 2009 (I  
retired in 2000) and the possible inclusion of some catamaran cruising in  
our new lives. We've owned smaller motor and sailboats over the years and  
been guests on a couple of larger ones, but now I'm following the  adventures 
of such people as you to get a second-hand taste of seasonal  cruising on 
something a bit larger. Please keep up the SnoDog log, as it  makes 
enjoyable, and informative, reading.

Your postings give me  the impression that you very willing to share your 
experience. Thus, I'm  adding two specific questions to this e-mail in the 
hopes you will be  willing to comment. While boat buying is probably a year 
or two away,  getting some gear that we could use then and sooner if we go 
ahead and  participate in some chartering or trawler instruction. So, what 
are your  recommendations concerning binoculars (especially the traditional 
vs.  image-stabilized models) and what about PFD that would be comfortable 
and  convenient enough so that we would really wear them and thus have them 
on  in case of an accident? Any information or opinions would be  appreciated.

Meanwhile, best wishes on future SnoDog  cruising.

David.


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