"Thanks for this posting. Very timely. I'm hoping to get another month of sailing up here in the northwest, but nights in the 30's and days in the 50's make it pretty chilly. Looking forward to seeing the details on the Sterno heater you're building."

Ditto here. Larry and I share similar weather. I went out for a day sail yesterday and ended up spending the night on the boat. Rain, wind and cold. A lumpy night again. (I pick anchorages about as well as grocery store line ups) As someone mentioned (sorry can't remember who...), a good sleeping bag goes a long way to make nights comfortable. I have a coupla good bags and have no trouble staying warm wilst sleeping.(they both live on the boat) It is the evenings inside reading and listening to radio where a wee heater would be a treat. So waiting on John to give up the secret plans for the bean warmer heater. The reason I stayed out......a big wind came up going in my direction. I covered 10 miles faster than I have ever done before in the 17. It was too nice to give up so I sailed until it got too dark (it was raining as well) to find somewhere to hook up. I sailed for an hour over 6 knots and had sustained speeds of over 7. My gps peaked at 7.8 (must have surfed that one) 155 alone no main, board up, very broad reach in perfect conditions...small waves and a butt load of wind. Great fun. Best part was the wind reversed direction over night (which accounted for the crap nights sleep) and I was treated to similar ride home, though not quite as fast. Not often I get to slide downhill round trip. It is usually the other way around. ~:0) Tim Diebert M17 PUFF Kelowna BC.....about 3 1/2 hours from Deer Park.