past, but having the part available for a handy captain or marina technician to install is even better.

5. Dropping the Hook We are very fond of anchoring out when there’s nothing ashore we want to see or visit, or we’ve had a long run and want to stop in a quiet cove for the night. The Waccamaw River in South Carolina, Canada’s North Channel, Lake Michigan’s Harbor Springs, and Lake Champlain’s Malletts Bay are some of our favorites. To do that we use a self-launching anchor windlass and 150 feet of chain that lets us sleep at peace. But if weather is threatening we opt to tie up at a marina, preferably one with floating docks where we’ll get a good night’s sleep and rest easy. 6. Join a Cruising Group The Marine Trawlers Owners Association (MTOA) is a national cruising organization with regional groups throughout the country that act as harbor ambassadors. When we dropped the hook in Atlantic City, NJ, one time, we were promptly

greeted by two guys in an inflatable who saw our MTOA burgee and stopped by to say hello and ask “Need anything we can help you with?” In Southport, NC moments after we got a slip assignment at a marina, the MTOA regional captain called and said ”Hello Hamiltons, we’re from MTOA and want to say ‘welcome.’” When they heard the name of our boat, they looked us up in the MTOA directory. They offered us their car and couldn’t have been more friendly. As a member of a cruising organization like mtoa.net you’ll enjoy meeting like-minded boaters and sharing the enjoyment of cruising. #

##Islamorada FL Keys

About the Authors: Gene and Katie Hamilton published “Coastal Cruising Under Power” and two e-books, “Two on a Trawler” and “Lessons Learned Cruising the ICW” available at amazon.com.

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1656 Homewood Landing Rd | Annapolis, MD 21409 410.643.0037 | www.scandiamarinacenter.com PropTalk.com September 2015 49