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 »
Wendig on AI, Neil Young making sense, and in the “WTF Texas” department… As I’ve oft mentioned before, I actually like working on boats. Well, let’s say most of the time. The parts where being a big guy working in tiny spaces is a sorta/kinda bummer. However, the boat work I most enjoy is when …
A needful read, EBM asks a question, and in the “anticipatory nature to fascism” department … Some days I just want to scream. One of the not needful at the moment projects on my list for the Islander is installing a mini-bowsprit or ‘prod’ to make flying a gennaker or spinnaker simpler. Of course, I …
EBM says the needful, a timely toon, and some graphs that tell a story… There’s a very interesting thread on the JRA forum you might want to check out. Of course, it had me instantly when I saw it was about converting a Harlé-designed Sangria to junk. The Sangria being a favorite design of mine. …
Something to keep in mind, an excellent article on modeling, and a warning that still resonates… Generally speaking, sailboat rigs and rigging is fairly simple. I’ll even go out out on a limb and say just about anyone can do it armed with an open mind and the “The Complete Rigger’s Apprentice” by Brion Toss. …
DEI insanity, Fran on the subject of pennies, and in the “keeping an eye on bird flu” department… My galley foot pump either needs a rebuild or replacing. On one hand, it’s a Whale pump so it’s easy to get a rebuild kit but the cost of said kit is as much as a Chinese …
A needful read, an important question, and in the “really, I mean Really?“ department… I’ve been considering adding a couple of cheek blocks to my masthead on the Islander. As I mentioned the other day, I’m partial to Garhauer gear. Anyway, I was thinking along the lines of this cheek block… Now, while I’m not …
The situation so far, a needful discussion, and important stuff on NOAA here and here… Some might say I’m simple minded and that might account for what I look for in blocks… simplicity. Hard to get any simpler. right? Well, actually… Low friction rings are the ultimate in simplicity and can often replace some of …
Some Tesla news, about that anticipatory obedience, and a welcome alternative to Amazon… I used to work in a boat gear consignment shop and it taught me about what works, what doesn’t, and how gear fails. It also confirmed my suspicion that 90% of sailing folks are idiots who love being treated like an ATM. …
An intelligent cat, a game plan of sorts, and in the “no conflict of interest at all” department… The other day, while trying to organize all my sailboat design links, I came across this bit of Gary Hoyt wonderfulness and found myself being somewhat depressed. I mean, why on earth did this rig not catch …
