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.

This was true of the Westsail 32, Satori, featured in the true life events memorialized in the movie, The Perfect Storm.

And, was true in this more recent story:

• https://www.9news.com.au/national/2017/12/19/08/51/man-73-dies-after-clinging-to-boat-for-four-days-in-wild-seas

• http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5192349/Australian-sailor-dies-FOUR-DAYS-clinging-dinghy.html

Mahoney also lost his wife to a tragic sailing accident

• https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2014/07/06/sailor-traumatised-by-yacht-tragedy-that-killed-wife/
• http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Another-boom-death-Australian-sailor-dies,-hit-by-swinging-boom/-124148
• http://arhv.anmm.gov.au/objects/198992

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."

Steer With Your Heart - new video trailer by Liz Clark

DIY Corrosion Checker

A cool DIY project
http://ibuildthings.ryanblace.com/2013/01/12v-corrosion-checker.html

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)

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

Gift Ideas for Campers (or Sailors)

Some great suggestions in this article
https://www.thebrokebackpacker.com/epic-camping-gifts-hikers-adventurers/

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/