: 2) Glue in a wood dowel. Carve several figureheads and mount them on the
: dowel, using a different one each day. Sharpen
: the end of the dowel and you can impale polar bears when you need new socks.

I like this suggestion. I actually left room just above my brass rub strip on the bow of the VJ for just this sort of thing...I mean a figurehead (thoughts of romanticism for the big old wooden ships). Never thought of turning it into a polar bear deterent. I have had obsessive thoughts of late regarding the polar bear problem in and around Churchill, Manitoba...the final destination for the last leg of my big river trip sceduled to be completed next July. I should look into finding a narwhale tusk to attach to the bow...could be useful.

Robert N Pruden