Hi Doug, Glad to hear that you all had such a good cruise, and am sorry that I never was able to join you on your cruises due to diverse circumstances. I have passed on all the past information about cruising the Chesapeake to the new owners of LEPPO, and as they gain sailing experience and look for broader horizons, you might meet them some day. Your sailing "adventure" is just part of the big picture. Without that experience, what salty sea stories can you tell at a bar? ....the sun shone; we sailed along on a broad reach; ..... nights at anchor were peaceful? That's 98% of sailing, but those lovely sailing days are nothing to talk about at a bar. Good sea stories have to start with: ....the fog was so thick I couldn't see two boat lengths ahead .... the front hit and there I was...... (fill in the blanks) .... the waves kept building.... .... and then I was almost run down by the Nantucket ferry in the fog... All the other 98% of the time with pleasant sailing doesn't count when it's sea story telling time. ~~~~~~~~~ Meanwhile back at the ranch: I came to the conclusion that the trailer I got with the Shellback dinghy was much too heavy and was vast overkill, so I found an aluminum one that I lusted for........ Lower, light weight, and optimum for a 100 lb. dinghy. After mulling this over in my mind all winter I finally decided to bite the bullet and buy one. Then I said, let's call the dealers and see if any will offer me a better price than the factory list price. Calling around I initially got nowhere, until I reached one dealer who said, "he didn't have a new one, but he had a used one available - for $400" Drove to Westport, CT to have a look. I was pleased, but the Admirable was appalled. All she saw were rusty nuts and bolts; a rusted rim and a semi flat tire on the rusted rim; and a rusted coupler. You want to buy that...? was her comment. I thought to myself, I'll offer them $300 for it, in view of it's condition. When I went into the shop and said I was interested in buying the trailer, how much did they want for it, I was told $250.-! The person I talked with on the phone and the shop owner hadn't coordinated their stories. Without hesitation, I paid; got the paperwork; hooked up the trailer to the VW Jetta wagon; put air in both tires, and then drove it home. Since then I stripped all the bolts off the trailer and replaced them; replaced the coupler with a new one; put on a new wheel and tire; re lubed the bearings; got it licensed; and now it's ready to roll, - if our incessant rain ever stops (next four days of rain is the prophecy). Then I'll be off on new, smaller rowing and sailing boat adventures. Have a great summer and lots of excellent sailing. Connie