Mailport & PS Advisor

I am writing in reference to the article "Dinghy Engines," which appeared in the December 2006 issue. As a longtime subscriber, I read the article with interest, anticipating your usual thorough job of analysis and critical insight. I realized, however, that nowhere in the article does your analysis address how robust the cooling systems are in the engines you tested.

Whether it is, as the iceboaters say "soft water" or "hard water," the principles are exactly the same. However, because when iceboating the apparent wind behaves so much more radically, the sailtrimming techniques are considerably different. By the way, an airplane wing is just a sail turned horizontal; thats why so many airplane pilots own sailboats or iceboats.

Your recent GPS review (Pint-sized Navigators, November 2006) hits the mark. Too often, I encounter new boaters who tend to spend mega-bucks for fancy-schmancy, latest-generation chartplotters that offer no more practical utility than the less-expensive units described in your article. Even the older handheld non-chartplotting GPS receivers (such as the Garmin 48) are fine for many of us.

Here are a few fixes for those clogged water intakes.

MARINE INSURANCE REDUXI have been reading with much interest your articles about marine insurance this year (April and May 2006).

To do it right, a hands-on (and in) system is a must.

A 'JOSHUA STORY'Your article on safety gear for kids highlights a crucial matter of importance.

When sound-proofing starts crumbling, go shopping.

A cruiser's laundry dream, small-boat solutions; where credit is due.

Cooking FuelsI am writing to inform you that for the evaluation of cooking stoves and fuels in the July 2006 issue of Practical Sailor, you did not get the alcohol fuel at anywhere near the lowest price. Alcohol fuel can be purchased at Home Depot and other home improvement and hardware stores at a much lower price. I priced it at Home Depot at $5.56/quart or $12.77/gallon. They call it "Shellac Thinner." In fine print…