From: wwalker@qualcomm.com (Bill Walker)
Subject: Re: FAQ WANTED
Followup-To: rec.boats
Organization: Qualcomm, Inc.
Distribution: na
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1992 18:01:00 GMT

In article <1992Aug31.130405.8238@dbsun.uucp>, meyer@dbsun.uucp (Don Meyer)
wrote:
> Things I Would Like To See In A FAQ:
> 
>  List of boat manufacturers with brief description.  Which ones
>  are good, bad and ugly.  Or at least which ones are priced for
>  beginners, which ones are incredibly expensive (even if worth it) etc.

There are probably too many to list, even after the recession.  Many, many
small boat manufacturers only distribute regionally, so the names might not
even mean anything to somebody in another part of the country (or world! 
Remember this is a worldwide newsgroup!).  We could probably say something
about the big national brands, of course.

> 
>  Info on engines.  How do the 4-cylinders compare to the 6 and 8
>  cylinders? (I/O).  How many skiers (if any!) can a given boat/engine
>  pull happily (boat salesmen seem rather optomistic in the area...)?

There are a lot of variables here.  Boat weight, hull shape, etc.  You're
right, though - for some reason, when the salesmen tell you the boat will
pull two or three skiers, they always leave off the part about "providing
they're wearing scuba gear and have the towrope tied to their arms, cause
it'll take about 10 minutes to get them up." :-)

> 
>  A glossary would be handy.  What the heck is a "cuddy" cabin?

A small cabin with little more than a single V-berth.

>  Perhaps the reading list that was mentioned would answer these
>  newbie questions more appropriatly since these terms should be
>  factual and somewhat static -- good book fodder.  What I like
>  in a FAQ are topical bits of information presented by people
>  who have _opinions_ and no commercial (can't tick off advertiser
>  XYZ...) axe to grind.
> 
>  Why don't they sell PWC's (Waverunners, Sea Doos etc.) at _boat_
>  stores?  Aren't they really boats? :-)

My Webster's defines "boat" as "a small vessel propelled by oars or paddles
or by sail or power," and "vessel" as "a craft bigger than a rowboat for
navigation of the water."  Therefore, PWC are not boats (but I guess a
rowboat isn't a boat, either) :-)   Honestly, it's because most of them are
made by motorcycle manufacturers who already have very good distribution
channels and don't want to set up new ones just for PWC.  And they appeal
to much the same audience that visits motorcycle stores, I'd guess. 
Besides, if they sold 'em at boat stores, the dealerships would have to
deal with the boaters attacking their display vehicles with sledgehammers.
:-)

> 
>  Are houseboats really boats?  If so, why? :-)

Nope.  See the above definitions.  I've never seen a houseboat "navigate"
(and yes, I'm including the ones with engines).  Have you?

> 
> 
> In closing, let me repeat that I think a FAQ would be great, and
> I wish I had something to really contribute.  Thanks in advance
> to the future FAQist and anyone else who contributes!

I, too, commend John for his willingness to assume this thankless task.


----------
Bill Walker - WWalker@qualcomm.com - QUALCOMM, Inc., San Diego, CA
All opinions expressed are mine, and do not reflect those of my employer.
"First thing we do, we kill all the lawyers." - Shakespeare
Newsgroups: rec.boats