LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Georgia and South Carolina required
attention to the tide levels to avoid
shallow spots caused by poor ICW
maintenance. We found excellent
tide level and current predictions
on saltwatertides.com.
Clint Robertson
Wilmington, North Carolina
FINDING AFFORDABILITY
As a publication primarily geared
to high-end cruising, it would have
been easy for you to disregard the
letter from Harold Steffee asking
about a “reasonably priced boat”
(PMM April ’08). You didn’t. Instead,
Bill’s response was thoughtful, caring,
and respectful of this man’s questions.
I can relate to Mr. Steffee’s
concerns, as I am in the same age
group and faced the same quandary
when I retired and wanted to get
back on the water with somewhat
limited resources and visions of long-range cruising dancing in my head.
After much frustration and hand
wringing, I bought a 3888 Bayliner
with twin 175 Hino diesels. This is the
same model that was featured in an
article in your February issue, “The
Little Cruiser that Could.” While
admittedly a Chevy rather than a
BMW, the boat has afforded me all
the adventure I need, with river and
coastal cruising in the Chesapeake
Bay area.
In addition, I found that owning
a boat of this size for the first time
presents a steep learning curve to
an owner who really wants to
understand all the systems on board.
Over the past four years I have tried
constantly to upgrade the boat, and
the knowledge offered by Steve
D’Antonio has been invaluable. Most
recently, just after I decided I had
better replace my 20-year-old fuel
system, Steve came out with an
extensive piece on fuel system
plumbing (PMM Oct. ’07). No doubt
with the money I’ve spent upgrading
my boat, I probably could have
purchased a vessel more capable of
rough-water cruising. The good news
is that, with careful attention to the
details of each system, I’ve found
that a dedicated do-it-yourselfer,
with some professional guidance,
can end up knowing every inch of
his or her boat, which is a very
rewarding feeling. A good working
understanding of your boat and a
realistic appraisal of its capabilities
and limitations will go a long
way toward making the “limited
resources” cruising experience an
exciting and enjoyable one.
PMM is easily the finest boating
magazine on the market.
Larry Waldorf
Lusby, Maryland
CROSSOVER —TRAWLER
ISLAND PILOT 435
SLOW — FAST — OR SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN?
With the Island Pilot 435, a new type of cruiser emerges —
the “Crossover Trawler.” Recent advances in drivetrain technology
from Volvo Penta make it all possible:
• Common rail diesels let you run efficiently at any speed
• Steering with 4 propellers provides more positive control Forward-facing props run in
clean water resulting in a
• It’s all about the joystick — docking has never been easier 30% increase in performance.
No other cruising yacht is as quiet, as smooth, as economical
nor as fast as the Island Pilot 435. With her IPS 600 drives, she
can cruise all day at 8 knots, 18 knots or 28 knots — effortlessly
& economically. Once you’ve experienced firsthand the sensations
Positive Control of an Island Pilot underway, you’ll never look back.
Learn about the Island Pilot 435 by
visiting: www.islandpilot.com
or phoning us at: 888.443.2965
ISLANDPILOT
Tomorrow’s Technology. Today’s Most Innovative Yachts.
