Dean,

I tend to agree with your evaluation, especially with regards to the big cities and their vicinities. In Brazil the worse cases are Rio and Sao Paulo. But the chances of such places being included in the list of eligible cat sailor's paradises are as remote as New York's...

It is probably incorrect to apply your Latin American experience to ALL places and ALL people in Brazil, especially most of those simple fishermen living from their work in unspoiled beaches, far from the capitals.

Remember that the country is bigger then the contiguous continental US and it would not be fair to judge Boston or US Virgin Islands after an experience of living in Miami, for example.

That said, my statement is true:

"They will care for your things out of friendship - if you are nice to them".

But maybe I should have added - "...otherwise, you are just a rich (foreign) guy - and worth taking advantage of"

Take care,