5 March 2011
In recent days I have added ten new links to the main page of the website. I had better stop soon or otherwise the filesize will be so large that it will annoy everyone that uses it, by taking up too much bandwidth. I think I have to be close to getting most of the tacking outriggers that are out and about
5 March 2011
I updated the oars page a little. I mentioned the fact that I use lard to lubricate the leathers, lard works very very well on oar leathers
5 March 2011
I am trying to write an article on the history of tacking outriggers, the trouble is that this is easier said than done. I have today read again Adrian Horridge's book. I went to Melbourne University Library to read 'canoes of oceania' by Haddon and Horridge. The online catalog said it was on the shelf, but I could not find it there, not happy. There is a second copy that can be requested from storage, trouble is that I am not a university student. Seems a shame to spend $90 to buy the book online, when it can be had from the library.. sigh
20 February 2011
I did some sketches of a newer traliertri 18 boat. Concept is a simple craft. Would not be as fast, but should be simple to make. Accommodation is reduced to a single double berth. Idea can be seen HERE
20 February 2011
I updated the multi camp cruiser webpage, as seen HERE
20 February 2011
I added a new link and added a new diagram for the Ninja Pro tacking outrigger, as seen HERE
20 February 2011
I was browsing google, and have stumbled upon a couple of new tacking outriggers. These are more modified canoes. When I get photo permission back I will add some more links.
20 February 2011
I have been reading some articles on history of mulithulls in the pacific. I need to do some more work and write an article. I think I will really need some help with this though.
20 February 2011
Over the time I have had a couple of queries as to how I do my diagrams. I have tried to explain a little bit and wrote up some notes on this page, also difference between GIF and JPEG, details can be seen HERE
26 January 2011 The website went down for a few days over Christmas. Apparently the problem was with a water leak above where the servers were located in Seattle USA. Without enquiring, I had assumed that the backup would in a different physical location. Apparently not, the backup server was directly below the main server. I recieved an email saying that all data was irretrievably lost. I was not particularly happy.
I started to rebuild my website with files from my hard drive, and learning how to use google cache. Using a combination of these 2 tings I was able to get 98 percent of the site back up. After doing this, the technical people tried the hard drives again (after a few days they had dried out) and all data was recovered. The moral of the story is BACKUP YOUR DATA. With USB thumb drives so cheap these days, having a data backup on your hard drive, plus everything backup up on a couple of USB thumb drives, seems the only way to go. Lesson learned, thankfully no lasting harm done.
10 May 2010 I chopped up my outrigger and chopped up my crossbeams today. I have to be realistic about storage space. All three of these items were twice the weight they should have been, so it is no great loss. Sailing days are behind me for the medium term, now it is best just to relax with simple rowing.<
BR>
10 May 2010
I made some small changes to the 13ft rowboat lines. I lowered the forefoot a little so that it will cut through waves a little more.
I changed teh lines after looking at designs in the books by Peter Culler and by John Gardener. New lines are at absolute bottom of the page.
10 May 2010
I made some changes to the 'replacement boat' design. I think the new changes result in a boat that is very well suited to the design goal.
26 April 2010 I have added notes on a small trailerable houseboat, that could with a few hours work undertake moderate coastal passages. As
always in many ways it is just another 'thinking out loud' idea. It can be seen here
28 January 2010 I have added notes of my first rowing trip in real waves. Was psychologically difficult but physically went fairly well.
Notes can be seen here
28 January 2010 I have put up a quick page of Mike Haldfields tacking outrigger. There is another photo I have which I have temporarily misplaced.
The webpage on Mike's boats can be seen here
23 January 2010 I have been in contact with a Mike Hadfield from the Nelligen region on the South Coast of NSW. Mike has built two tacking outriggers, the first was a 21ft
tacking outrigger in which he went for a lenghty trip in the remote Cape York pensinsula in Queensland. He has now completed a smaller 18ft tacking outrigger made from
Aluminium which he intends to use in his local area. He has been kind enough to forward me a photo (with the kind thanks of Ian Smith), I will be putting up a page regarding his boats shortly
23 January 2010 I have uploaded some text on my three day trip of early this year. Yes I was not ready in time to go for ten days, so I did a three days trip instead, not
ideal but better than nothing. Notes can be seen here
23 January 2010 I am off rowing for three days in the bay from 24 to 26 January inclusive. Should be good to get some exercise, some muscle tone, to get away. Will be carrying
much less weight than last time as no outrigger, no crossbeams, no rigging.
7 December 2009 I have added an opinion page, it is more likely to be wrong than right, but at least it gets the brain working
7 December 2009 I have added some more links. I have added links to Hawaiian outrigger canoes,
and a link to a Tahitian outrigger sailing canoe. I have also updated the link to Ian Smith and his Windrigger craft,
he changed the address to his website and I have belatedly updated the link
30 November 2009 I bought a wetsuit today. It should assist in safety for when I go sailing for several days late this year.
I last bought a wetsuit in 1990, so I hope this one lasts and I do not grow out of it too
quickly (I outgrew the last one in the chest, not the stomach, I am not fat!)
30 November 2009
I have added a design file downloads pages and added several design files for download.
This means that anyone can download a file, play with it and make the most of the file.
15 November 2009
I am planning a 9 day sailing trip for between Christmas and New Year. I am 11 days off work in this period,
and it seems best to get away and onto the water. Plan is to spend several days circumnavigating
Port Phillip Bay (Melbourne, Australia), and if weather permits to go outside of the bay.
The smart thing will be to keep within my capabilities and not to push things too far.
Heres hoping that the weather is good in this period
15 October 2009
I have a new job working in a laboratory. I am very happy with my new job.
The pay is twice what I was earning in the hotel, and the hours are better.
Fingers crossed that I continue with this job and all goes well
