[thebrakes]

thanks for all the help!

i have checked out sanjuan21.net and trailersailor.com and i find them both lacking. the webmaster on sanjuan21.net hasn''t even allowed a post in over 4 days.

as for the shroud - i will do the halyard check tomorrow. i should mention that NO other shroud or stay is excessively loose or tight. all are just a few turns from being as taut as i have felt on well-tuned rigs. the mast appears straight (and it isnt all that long so it''s a bit easier to tell) the stbd shroud is REALLY loose; i think it must be broken. plus, just below the spreader, it is bent (elbow pointed out) yet it is still attached to the deck, and of course it has not fallen from the masthead. any ideas?

as for the battery, i reckon i''ll get a little one (30A) to keep in the cabin til i get my outboard. even a small charger can bring it back to life in a couple hours.

i''m sure i will have more questions as i go along. thanks alot!