Speed, Strong, Flotation = Safety

Speed is Safety “Unfortunately, the speed range for typical displacement boats between 20 and 50 feet is only five to 10 knots- not nearly enough for many recreational roles. True, slow moving, full displacement vessels are reasonably efficient at carrying heavy loads because buoyancy forces sustain the weight for free, and only modest engine power…

Pocket Cruising

Pocket cruising is a term that applies to sail boats 27 foot and under. This is a challenging form of cruising owing to space limitations. For pocket cruisers, simple things make a big difference. Many of them are inexpensive. Over 15 years I find the following most valuable: 1. 2 gal water jugs I usually…

Republic of Kiribati

I have been asked many times for proof that the Murrelet can be considered ocean worthy. Until November of 2001, I was unaware that proof (outside of the mathematical ratios) existed. Because the uninitiated do not consider a trip across the English Channel, which is done by Mac26x boats, or a trip from Key West to…

MARINE NAVIGATION

100. The Art And Science Of Navigation Marine navigation blends both science and art. A good navigator constantly thinks strategically, operationally, and tactically. He plans each voyage carefully. As it proceeds, he gathers navigational information from a variety of sources, evaluates this information, and determines his ship’s position. He then compares that position with his voyage plan, his operational commitments,…

Lisbon Stop Over

US Sailors who cruise are different than those who just race.  A US pure racing sailor views sailing as a competition between human athletes with the vessel being equipment.  A US cruising sailor views the crew as components of the vessel required to make it seaworthy.  These views have implications in crew selection and training.…

Lean Manufacturing

The notion of designing a vessel from a luxurious interior out doesn’t sit well with me, but this is likely the situation with most new sailboats today. In aircraft builds an approach called Lean is followed. This means that base functionality is engineered first before creature features (features that are intended to get a customer…

Trade-Wind Force 7

Most boats carry sails that perform well enough to satisfy on trade-wind routes where three-quarters of the time the wind may be aft of 110 degrees apparent and there are opportunities for flying symmetrical shaped sails, like square sails and spinnakers. Spinnakers are usually made of a light material that doesn’t require a lot of…

Tsunami Resistant Basin at Crescent City, CA

The Inner Harbor Boat Basin at Crescent City, CA was extensively damaged  by the March 11, 2011 earthquake off Sendai, Japan. Several dozen vessels and many docks were destroyed by wave cycles related to the earthquake-caused tsunami. These exceeded 8 feet (2.4 m). See the video below. May 2014 We visited the Crescent City Harbor District during a road…

stability isn’t everything it is the only thing

John Vigor, a reviewer of “good old boats” in Twenty Small Sailboats to Take You Anywhere (1999 Paradise Cay Publications) lists the Alberg 30, Albin Vega 27, Allied Seawind 32, Bristol 27, Bristol Channel Cutter 28, Cal 20, Cape Dory 25D, Catalina 27, Contessa/J.J Taylor 26, Contessa 32, Dana 24, Falmouth Cutter 22, Flicka 20, Folkboat 25, Frances/Morris 26, Nicholson 31,…