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New Boat 4 Sled
- Thread starter sleddog
- Start date
MAGICdreamer
Member
Lovely scenery, a beautiful day for it and it sounds like another of your entertaining "voyages", Skip. Well done and thanks for sharing the tale.
C&V&C
C&V&C
I wasn't joking about Suez Canal pilots stop working 5x/day to pray to Mecca..this has been documented by ship captain friends. Religion takes precedence no matter what else is happening when piloting in the Suez Canal.
There was a ship close astern of EVER GIVEN, the 300 meter M/V DENVER, when she ground to a stop. Fortunately the DENVER was able to "crash stop," without T-boning EVER GIVEN.
I'm not sure bow thrusters properly used would have prevented the grounding. Once the ship begins to divert from centerline in the canal, the "bank effect" begins to take over, sucking the ship ever closer to the side of the canal.
As well as other contributions, for whatever reason, the EVER GIVEN was speeding at 12 knots. That's 5 knots over the Suez Canal speed limit and just asking for trouble. Dead Slow, or Slow Ahead, would have been the correct call, as documented on previous post #4236 upthread.
Something not being mentioned is the fact with both bow and stern of EVERGIVEN aground and supported by the canal banks, the middle of the ship, about 1,000 feet worth, is afloat but unsupported. Hundreds if not thousands of tons of cargo is trying to break the ship in two. I would not be surprised to hear the ship has developed cracks amidships.
Maybe what's needed is the horsepower of one of these French tugs...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eu3GZAadt3M be sure turn down the dramatic music!
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Black Jack
Pretty Penny, Mull 30
Growing up in the Canal Zone with my dad (a canal pilot whom I often went to work with) and working as a line handler hundreds of times for extra spending money, i saw a lot of crazy things that happpened in a canal tranist. I once saw a windshear hit with a large container ship as it passed into the Colebra cut. The canal tugs back really had a job to do to yank it from it's lodging. The canal had the tugs to do the job and the shovels to fix the damage. Still it took weeks/months to fix.
Windshear has been a known problem for these container ships. Since the panamax or bigger max sizes are getting more commonplace, sound like they will like the panamanians and the egyptians - will need a fleet off super tugs and reponse teams to address thess new demands. The debate over the years in these major bottle necks has been hampered by politics and funding.
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Black Jack
Pretty Penny, Mull 30
As usual, your wealth of knowledge, sharing of experience and good recommendations really added to my inquiry. I spent the day reading the book on line and thinking about applicable modern solutions to make sailing down wind a fast, more comfortable and safer passage.
The author made his book is available on line for free on line. The merits of his thoughts and approach reflect his collected personal expereinces from his own inquires, knowledge, and thoughtfulness really helps someone interested good the distance downwind and great starters in understanding non electrical self steering setups.
https://jesterchallenge.files.wordp...-sailing-craft-by-john-s-letcher-jr-small.pdf
Considering the twin headsail set up as "pulling sails", how much of a loss of performance is there compared to a spinnaker of similar size within the 135 degree down wind run?
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No definitive answer to this, as it depends on boat design, wind speed, who's steering (hand steering, wind vane, or AP. It also depends on the size, weight, and cut of the twins.
I sailed on a 30 foot Mull design similar to yours that had legal 155% twins with poles to match. G. Mull thought this the fastest way to singlehand to Hawaii, with more area spread than a spinnaker. I pointed out that the owner/skipper was an out-of-shape newbie to sailing, the poles were 17 feet long. And if, in a seaway, one of the poles dipped, the mast would likely come down. It was decided to do the Pac Cup instead, with full crew, no twins and a happier wife.
On WILDFLOWER, my 27' custom Wylie cruiser displacing about 6,500 pounds, when running DDW in tradewinds 18-22 knots, the boat could average hull speed, 7.5 knots, as fast as a spinnaker, using 125%, 2.2 oz ripstop nylon twins with 110% whisker poles and steering was a Sail-o-Mat windvane.
That said, a spinnaker the same size as twins, is almost always going to be faster given its lighter weight and better downwind shape. But on a dark night, with squalls lurking, I much preferred the twins as being near bombproof, and auto gybing was a cinch, just turn the boat.
I was once asked after a SHTP how many times I gybed. My honest answer was "3-4 times a minute." Fearful, he'd only gybed once the whole race.
But Hot Doggies, does a boat roll DDW under twins. Ask Beetle and he will tell you not to steer DDW, but reach up 20 degrees either side of DDW for more comfort and speed with a poled out jib or jibs.
The best way to run twins is with roller-furling. But I staggered hanks instead. No roller furling on WF. But knowing what I know now, I would have roller furling headsails, especially more practical for elder singlehanders.
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Black Jack
Pretty Penny, Mull 30
The best way to run twins is with roller-furling. But I staggered hanks instead. No roller furling on WF. But knowing what I know now, I would have roller furling headsails, especially more practical for elder singlehanders.[/QUOTE]
You sure gave me a lot to chew on. Nothing in competive or recreational sailing is a straight forward. I have tried many ways of doing things with simple mindness, real thrift and half cooked experimentation with old rags and spars. More often times spoiling once tried than coming to fruition in regular application. The twin headsail down wind was captured in my imagination ever since I heard Baruna raced to Hawaii under double headsails in the Transpac. As you really pointed out it can be really an elegant solution or a terror depending on the skipper's fitness and crew's willingness. The roller furling solution might be the best way to go if matched up to 2 evenly matched sails in addition to my gennaker and symetrical spinnaker. Getting the rig to be balanced and safe are alway on my mind and will be a relief to my wife's concerns. It seems I'll have to come down to visit you some day soon with a pound of good coffee and confections to get you to fill my head with rigging ideas and attentive stories.
If you said tropical storms and hurricanes can't hit California, primary because the water temp is too cold, you'd be almost right.
However, researching the halls of history at CBC, there were two rare hurricanes that hit Southern California, one in 1858, and a second in 1939.
The 1858 hurricane can be found here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1858_San_Diego_hurricane and its path recreated here:
1939 was documented on film, taken at the Newport Harbor entrance, and saved for posterity by Al Adams. Dramatic black and white. The boat coming in under sail, STELLA MARIS, was later owned by Dennis Conner's grandparents... Why all the boats attempting to enter in such dangerous conditions? It was Sunday afternoon and they are mostly all returning from Catalina Island, 28 miles to the west. Gotta get the kids back for the start of school on Monday morning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZl6-xYtZZg
However, researching the halls of history at CBC, there were two rare hurricanes that hit Southern California, one in 1858, and a second in 1939.
The 1858 hurricane can be found here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1858_San_Diego_hurricane and its path recreated here:
1939 was documented on film, taken at the Newport Harbor entrance, and saved for posterity by Al Adams. Dramatic black and white. The boat coming in under sail, STELLA MARIS, was later owned by Dennis Conner's grandparents... Why all the boats attempting to enter in such dangerous conditions? It was Sunday afternoon and they are mostly all returning from Catalina Island, 28 miles to the west. Gotta get the kids back for the start of school on Monday morning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZl6-xYtZZg
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Intermission
Member
That film makes Moss Landing entrance, on a summer afternoon, look placid.
The Port Captain of Capitola Boat Club likely needs no introduction. If you sail out of Santa Cruz Harbor, or the SF Bay area, you have probably sailed on one of his designs, had your boat built by, repaired by, or crewed by Howard Spruit, a master of all trades. Among other firsts, Howard built the first Moore-24, before Ronnie and John Moore took over.
Howard has been experimenting since a kid. In the 3rd grade he built himself a crystal set. In 4th grade he put together a one tube radio on which he listened to KGO, KFRC, KNBR, and 50,000 watt country western KEEN.
Howard has always been in or around water. In high school he was a swimming star and red hot water polo player who played for the San Jose St. frosh while he was still in high school. The coach had only one rule for his team, "no biting."
By the time he was 15 and living in Santa Clara, Howard had discovered Santa Cruz and surfing. At 15.5, his parents gave him a Lambretta scooter to ride, not realizing he'd built a 12' 2x4 trailer with soap box derby wheels that he tied behind the 5 horse power scooter with a rope and towed his surfboard over Highway 17 to get to the waves.
The Italian scooter eventually failed when the drive shaft broke and Howard upgraded to an American made, Cushman Eagle scooter, with a flathead, 4 stroke, 2 speed, 7 hp engine. This was a better deal, because the Cushman had a side car onto which Howard could lash his surfboard.
When the surf was low, but the wind was up, Howard noticed people sailing, which looked like fun. So he bought a well used, 10 foot dinghy for $75, which he launched through the surf to get to the wind, and taught himself to sail.
One day, surfing guru Jack O'Neill showed up with the first catamaran in Santa Cruz, an 18' "P" Cat, and asked for Howard's help carrying it across the beach. The rest is history, and Howard took up multi-hull sailing and racing, as well as surfing.
Howard is the best of Port Captains as his anticipation, boat building and repair skills, and never-say-no generosity keeps our local fleet afloat and in use. Thanks, Howard!
And here's the Port Captain arriving this morning at the breakwater for coffee club and dredging critique.
Tomorrow, join in the fun when Howard launches another of his new boats with a traditional Shinsuishiki ceremony literally, "enter water ceremony"). The age old purpose of Shinsuishiki is to ritually purify a new boat, as well as its builders and owners. " We don't do no stinkin' champagne launches," said Port Captain Howard Spruit.
Howard has been experimenting since a kid. In the 3rd grade he built himself a crystal set. In 4th grade he put together a one tube radio on which he listened to KGO, KFRC, KNBR, and 50,000 watt country western KEEN.
Howard has always been in or around water. In high school he was a swimming star and red hot water polo player who played for the San Jose St. frosh while he was still in high school. The coach had only one rule for his team, "no biting."
By the time he was 15 and living in Santa Clara, Howard had discovered Santa Cruz and surfing. At 15.5, his parents gave him a Lambretta scooter to ride, not realizing he'd built a 12' 2x4 trailer with soap box derby wheels that he tied behind the 5 horse power scooter with a rope and towed his surfboard over Highway 17 to get to the waves.
The Italian scooter eventually failed when the drive shaft broke and Howard upgraded to an American made, Cushman Eagle scooter, with a flathead, 4 stroke, 2 speed, 7 hp engine. This was a better deal, because the Cushman had a side car onto which Howard could lash his surfboard.
When the surf was low, but the wind was up, Howard noticed people sailing, which looked like fun. So he bought a well used, 10 foot dinghy for $75, which he launched through the surf to get to the wind, and taught himself to sail.
One day, surfing guru Jack O'Neill showed up with the first catamaran in Santa Cruz, an 18' "P" Cat, and asked for Howard's help carrying it across the beach. The rest is history, and Howard took up multi-hull sailing and racing, as well as surfing.
Howard is the best of Port Captains as his anticipation, boat building and repair skills, and never-say-no generosity keeps our local fleet afloat and in use. Thanks, Howard!
And here's the Port Captain arriving this morning at the breakwater for coffee club and dredging critique.
Tomorrow, join in the fun when Howard launches another of his new boats with a traditional Shinsuishiki ceremony literally, "enter water ceremony"). The age old purpose of Shinsuishiki is to ritually purify a new boat, as well as its builders and owners. " We don't do no stinkin' champagne launches," said Port Captain Howard Spruit.
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Intermission
Member
Who is the guy in back?
Howard Spruit
Member
Who is the guy in back?
That would be Carrie, SHE regularly participates in the morning, coffee and bird feeding ritual, at the harbors East jetty.
That would be Carrie, SHE regularly participates in the morning, coffee and bird feeding ritual, at the harbors East jetty.
Howard Spruit
Member
When taking that grain of salt, Bear in mind it is April First
This is not an April Fool's joke. Just had a call from Craig Smith at Elkhorn Composites. Among other things, Craig restores Moore-24's and Express 27's
So Craig is trying to get some #10 Barient winches off the deck of a Moore 24. But can't figure out how to get the aluminum winch barrel upwards off the shaft. There is no circlip spring to pop off.
Many readers have Barient #10's which probably need cleaning. If there is no circlip, how do you get your winch apart? I know the answer, but do you? Have you not cleaned your halyard winches since the boat was new?
This is a two part question. You can answer either part. Bonus treat for answering both correctly.
Part 2. Original winch handles made by Barient were either bronze, chrome plated bronze, or stainless steel, all exceedingly heavy. But at least they didn't bend like the Merriman handles. So a couple of Santa Cruz boat builders came up with a better winch handle. They looked, fitted, and worked just like a Barient winch handle. But they were aluminum and had wood hand grips. What did these lightweight, aluminum, faux Barient winch handles say on the underside?
Does anyone other than Howard Spruit still have one of these conversation pieces from 50 years ago?
So Craig is trying to get some #10 Barient winches off the deck of a Moore 24. But can't figure out how to get the aluminum winch barrel upwards off the shaft. There is no circlip spring to pop off.
Many readers have Barient #10's which probably need cleaning. If there is no circlip, how do you get your winch apart? I know the answer, but do you? Have you not cleaned your halyard winches since the boat was new?
This is a two part question. You can answer either part. Bonus treat for answering both correctly.
Part 2. Original winch handles made by Barient were either bronze, chrome plated bronze, or stainless steel, all exceedingly heavy. But at least they didn't bend like the Merriman handles. So a couple of Santa Cruz boat builders came up with a better winch handle. They looked, fitted, and worked just like a Barient winch handle. But they were aluminum and had wood hand grips. What did these lightweight, aluminum, faux Barient winch handles say on the underside?
Does anyone other than Howard Spruit still have one of these conversation pieces from 50 years ago?
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Philpott
Cal 2-27 Dura Mater
Okay, fine. I withdraw my answer, too, even though it's the truth. Those private messages are bizarre.
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Intermission
Member
I think the answer to #2 is either "Made (or Cast) by Hippies from Olema"
"Close enough" for this edition of Antique Boatshow. What these lightweight aluminum winch handles, made by John Marples, Tom Freeman and friends, actually said was "Made in Alviso by Hippies." At the time, Alviso was as far south in San Francisco Bay as one could navigate at high tide, an abandoned cannery town subject to flooding, and a favorite haven of shoal draft boats and inexpensively built trimarans under construction and tied up in the tules. Every boat had a dog, and every dog had a boat in Alviso. Some are still there.
Attachments
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NJ trip includes visit to Dad (at 103).
For Howard's benefit, Endel built crystal radio as kid. Then, he designed a tube radio for VW bug in 1949 using whatever postwar parts that were available. When it was time to fit prototype, VW had added windshield wipers, so radio was modified into 2 separate pieces. Finally completed evolution of radio with transistor and printed circuits. Quite a one person perspective.
When I asked what the doctors were saying about his medical shape, he got animated. Those damn doctors ask me how I feel. They are the professionals and should be telling me how I am doing - not the other way around.
The assisted living place has residents at 101, 102, and 103. The staff member said her son couldn't wait until he could volunteer and talk with these folks. Good kid!
On the road again.
Ants
For Howard's benefit, Endel built crystal radio as kid. Then, he designed a tube radio for VW bug in 1949 using whatever postwar parts that were available. When it was time to fit prototype, VW had added windshield wipers, so radio was modified into 2 separate pieces. Finally completed evolution of radio with transistor and printed circuits. Quite a one person perspective.
When I asked what the doctors were saying about his medical shape, he got animated. Those damn doctors ask me how I feel. They are the professionals and should be telling me how I am doing - not the other way around.
The assisted living place has residents at 101, 102, and 103. The staff member said her son couldn't wait until he could volunteer and talk with these folks. Good kid!
On the road again.
Ants