You know, they're actually designed for "offshore" and if they were restricted to far enough offshore, hey, I'm a coastal cruiser, I could live with that . . . And you nailed it, Giles, it's the NOISE!!! Although, as Connie eloquently pointed out, their owners also seem to have to prove their hubris by piloting them like morons . . . Fuel cell . . . Electric . . . Hey, I'll be generous, even internal-combustion-that's-reasonably-quiet, "Welcome! Let's share the water . . . As long as you don't point that thing at ME!"
----- Original Message ----- From: "Morris, Giles" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "For and about Montgomery Sailboats" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2004 2:59 PM Subject: Cigarette Boat Not 100% relevant, but..... One day last summer I was chugging out through the channel from Deale towards the Bay when I noticed a cigarette boat idling in. Not unusual in high summer, but two things struck me: It really was idling in (without wash -- they often come in just off the plane making maximum wake) and there was a significant heat haze shimmering over it. As it passed by, I noticed large vertical exhaust stacks, very little noise and prominent warning signs with "Danger: Jet blast" on them. Yep, it was powered by gas turbine(s). The interesting thing was to realize how different it seemed without that obnoxious "thunderboat" sound that pervades so many summer weekend afternoons. Will we be able to enjoy fuel cell-powered boats in my lifetime, I wonder? The ice is gone in Deale, and the promise of spring is in the air. I resolve to enjoy this summer. Giles Morris Missing the M-15 and working on his Vancouver 25 _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats
