A timely read, some pettiness of note, and in the “well sure he does” department… The other day I saw a Trismus self-steering gear selling for $350 Euros/Dollars. It’s a windvane that is as simple as you can get. Hundreds have been built and hundreds have crossed oceans. It’s a very good design. This item …
More Caribbean murders, some interesting typewriter stuff, and over in the “FAFO” department… Yeah, I do know that Mali is a land-locked African country and not on anyone’s sailing itinerary but, I expect, it won’t be the only country with the same idea and some will be on cruising routes. As it happens, I’ve completely …
What’s going on, some needful science, and someone you might want to follow… I spent yesterday afternoon dealing with an outboard motor which did its best to uphold my preference of oars to internal combustion engines. Oars seldom, if ever, need fixing. On those rare times when they do, you won’t find yourself covered in …
Uncouth but true, worth listening to while sanding, and in the “$50K bag of cash” department… The other day we had a rainstorm of somewhat epic proportions. To be honest, I was not prepared for it. The storm was so bad that I had to get up twice during the night to bail the water …
Sail Delmarva saying something needful, some GPS hi-jinks, and in the “just in case you weren’t paying attention” department… It occurred to me that most of my catch-up tasks of late have been working on outboards from the last century. As it happens, today’s task is a 3HP Yamaha which I’m pretty sure was built …
This, sorta/kinda, made my head explode, the struggle continues, and in the “help a senior pet” department… As it happens, I’ve never thought that the Hydrovane was a particularly good design compared to other auxilliary rudder windvane systems. The RVG or Auto-Helm, in my opinion, make a lot more sense. I base this opinion mainly …
a couple of thoughts on windvane steering design… Read More »
Something you might want to read, a special level of stupid, and in the “a better work week” department… I recently noticed that Fiji now requires folks to have an AIS transponder for anyone sailing in their waters. Sadly, I expect, this sort of thing is going to be a common requirement for a lot …
A cruel stupid waste of resources, Florida’s “H” season just got more interesting, and in the “a better way” department… So, I woke up to this insanity over at PBO this morning. Fourteen 120V lights! Now, I’ll admit that my knee-jerk reaction to such an insane electrical system on a boat is for my head …
Some situational awareness on the cost of things, a movie I’m still looking forward to, and in the “You don’t need a million dollar boat” department… So, Practical Sailor had an email for me this morning. An email regarding what sort of system one needs to climb and work on a mast. Like most things …
on paying more for a harness does not make it better… Read More »
Some timely history, a few sandwiches short of a picnic, and in the “Let’s find out” department… I’m currently in the middle of working out the details of a Jean-du-Sud type side mount outboard bracket for the Islander. Hopefully, I’ll be able to start building it in the coming week. That said, with the 4th …
