eric , thanks for the reply, we pretty much figure we are gonna have to put up the bucks to haul her out, we are currently shopping around for a place that will let us do some of the works our self, we might as well do as much as we can while she is on the hard. we are considering painting the hull, does anyone have any advise on this? as for the steerage loss, with no centerboard and improper sails , well, there ya go! no wonder it dosnt track well. thanks again! susan