I'm writing a letter to NOAA suggesting they set aside one VHF weather channel (there are 10 of them) to be devoted exclusively to marine weather forecasts. No climate summaries, no heating degree days, just the forecast for wind speed and direction and sea state. I get so frustrated waiting for the forecast to come around while hearing what the temperature is in New York City and about frost warnings in the mountains. I'm sure there are listeners who like that sort of thing. But on the water, it's the forecast I want and anything else is, at best, entertainment. Give me the forecast and let me get back to Channel 16 so I don't miss that nearby SOS call while I'm hearing about river flood stages.

We're in Gloucester after beating south from Isla of Shoals into 25-30 knot winds, gusting 35. Not at all what was forecast, by the way. I still want to hear the forecast.