Our technical editor Ken Fickett has built more than 1,000 boats during his boatbuilding career. So it would be safe to say that he knows a few things about what to look for when purchasing a used boat. We walked the docks with Ken during a little Q and A. Here are his thoughts. If you would like to ask Ken questions, e-mail him at kenfickett@aol.com.

What can I determine about vessel construction from a dockside inspection?

Flying down Lake Erie on the new Baja 405, I quickly ran out of room on my speed sheet. On most tests, I stop somewhere in the thirty-knot range. Well, on the 405 we blasted past forty knots, then fifty knots, and finally hit 53.1 knots. Yes indeed, the twin 425 hp MerCruisers pushed Baja���s lightening fast cruiser to a top speed of more than 60 miles per hour.

Editor���s Note- Last month we featured the first part of Alan and Jean Lloyd���s Great Circle Cruise. (���Round We Go,��� May 2005) When we last left the Lloyds, they were emerging from the mighty Mississippi and heading out across the Gulf of Mexico towards the sunshine state. In this second installment, we follow the Lloyds from Florida up the East Coast, and back into the Great Lakes. This Great Circle route is popular for boaters looking for an extended cruise and a little adventure.