Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Eight Bells: Anthony “Johnny” Mahoney, 73


A good rule of thumb for self-rescue: Never willingly choose to abandon your sailboat, unless it means stepping "up" into the life-raft or dinghy - as it sinks beneath you.

Remember this: Often, after crew have attempted self-rescue by abandoning their sailboat - the boat is found relatively undamaged.

This was true in the tragic disaster of the 1979 Fastnet Race.

Saturday, July 15, 2017

Phys.org- Batteries that "drink" seawater

https://phys.org/news/2017-06-batteries-seawater-power-long-range-underwater.html

"Now MIT spinout Open Water Power (OWP) aims to greatly improve the range of unpiloted underwater vehicles (UUVs), helping them better perform in a range of applications under the sea.

Recently acquired by major tech firm L3 Technologies, OWP has developed a novel aluminum-water power system that's safer and more durable, and that gives UUVs a tenfold increase in range over traditional lithium-ion batteries used for the same applications."


Saturday, June 10, 2017

Marina Swap Meet Treasures

Today was the annual Marina Swap Meet - where "treasures of the bilge" may oft' be found - such as this book I picked up for $1 - by the world famous small boat sailor / and master ship wright - that documents the construction of his Lyle Hess designed vessel Taleisin - upon which he and his wife (Lin) circumnavigated. It was serendipitous - for I have met them both - and have sat in the warm cabin of Taleisin on a cold winter day when she was tied to the dock on Lake Union in Seattle for a boat show event.

Details of Classic Boat Construction, The Hull, 2nd edition
by Larry Pardey
$1


Upgrading Your Small Sailboat for Cruising
by Paul and Marya Butler
$2

Practical Yacht Joinery
Tool, Techniques, Tips
by Fred P. Bingham
$2

Understanding Rigs and Rigging, revised edition
by Richard Henderson
and
Don Casey's Complete Illustrated Sailboat Maintenance Manual
(Special Value - Six Books in One)
$20 (for both)

Monday, May 1, 2017

Harbor Freight Tools - 16 ft. LED LIght String

I've installed a 16 ft. LED light string that i picked-up at Harbor Freight Tools today ($13.99) - will see how long it last in a marine environment...but at least tonight - the welcoming light along the dock finger is a pleasant sight...

http://www.harborfreight.com/solar-rope-light-68353.html

Monday, January 30, 2017

Sailboat & Marina Internet Connectivity Ideas

This is a placeholder for ideas and links to interesting articles on setting-up internet connectivity on a sailboat

Tip of the hat to Steven K. Roberts for mentioning this article on one of his recent posts
https://www.sailbits.com/blog/2017/01/grace-redundant-internet/