New Boat 4 Sled

[sleddog]

Leo's restoration of the historic TALLY HO in Sequim, near Port Townsend, WA continues. His commitment, energy, and skill is truly awe-inspiring. In Leo's most recent video is also a short look at what is going on in Port Townsend boat restoration, specifically Robert D'Arcy, owner and captain of the lovely schooner MARTHA, and Robert's leading the reconstruction of a Spidsgatter, similar to Kaci Cronkhite's much beloved PAX.

You think removing your chainplates for inspection is an intimidating undertaking? Maybe not so much after watching this fun and educational video, 17 minutes in length. http://sampsonboat.co.uk/12-chainpla...ve-oak-bronze/

Happy Solstice and Holiday Best Wishes!

[sleddog]

Last evening's SpaceX Falcon 9 missile launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base, NW of Santa Barbara, was spectacular as viewed from our cliffs here in Capitola. Even though the launch was 200 miles south, we visually first picked up the red flame about a minute after the scheduled launch of 5:27 pm. Then the two stage Falcon 9 skyward track became visible as it ascended, turning a broad swath of the post sunset sky into a spectacular plume of snowy white that lasted for a good 10 minutes. Reportedly, nearby in the supermarket parking lot, many stopped to gawk at the Friday night lights.

I guess Southern CA got a real light show, with most of the population unaware of what was going on with the rocket launch that delivered 10 Iridium NEXT satellites into low earth orbit....Cars were pulling over on roads and freeways for a live view of what Space X founder Elon Musk jokingly tweeted was "Nuclear alien UFO from North Korea." Not too funny for the LA fire department and other emergency outlets who had to answer hundreds of calls and put out explanations on radio and TV to calm the public. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVi01wACopc

[MAGICdreamer]

Yes, we can report that it was a nice show from Los Osos as well. The local Charter internet feed was, as is usual these days, lagging and sputtering along, so by the time they showed the lift off, the rocket was already climbing...we dashed outside to take a gander and were able to watch the throttle-down of the first stage and then the separation, followed by the light-off, of the upper stage. The sound of the lift-off arrived about this time. We could just see the booster dropping back and the sun highlighted the firings of its attitude jets. Now if one happened to be at sea last night, with the clear calm conditions, I imagine it would have been rather lovely, if scary should you not know what was going on.....

[BobJ]

Merry Christmas All!

[sleddog]

Unclear on Concept. Is this the latest version of heaving to (stationary sailing) without a sea anchor? Or tacking by reversing headway, like a proa? Give the gentleman credit for getting rid of the boom.



Also "Unclear on Concept" is why SpaceX's Elon Musk is launching his personal cherry red Tesla Roadster as the sole payload on the next rocket and will put his electric car into orbit around Mars, WTF. "Because we can"

[sleddog]

On a more serious note: how a tether carabiner failed in the Clipper Race, and a life was lost (MOB). Sir Robin Knox-Johnson explains the probable cause. https://www.facebook.com/sailorgirlH...087424/?type=1

[mike cunningham]

Unclear on Concept. Is this the latest version of heaving to (stationary sailing) without a sea anchor? Or tacking by reversing headway, like a proa? Give the gentleman credit for getting rid of the boom.



Also "Unclear on Concept" is why SpaceX's Elon Musk is launching his personal cherry red Tesla Roadster as the sole payload on the next rocket and will put his electric car into orbit around Mars, WTF. "Because we can"

A demo flight will typically include a payload of some sort, water ballast, concrete slabs or whatever. Musk is a showman, what better show than this? What I want to know is who is going to volunteer to fly with the car?

[sleddog]

Our SSS Forum not a usual place for movie reviews....but with my taking time off to help caretake an energetic 2.5 year old, we watched a lot of fun animated movies on Netflix over the Holidays, all suitable for kids. But especially fun and appropriate for adults too. Here's what we watched and all recommended: Finding Dory (birthed at Monterey Bay Aquarium); Secret Life of Pets (you'll never see your dog, cat, bird, or rabbit the same); Sing (good story, great songs); Rango; Winnie the Pooh; and perhaps the best of them all, Moana, a sailing/voyaging story conceived at Hanalei Bay/Napali Coast.



As Synthia is want to say: Hippy Gnu Beer!
And Best Regards to The General in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, who loves this place:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evzfGbFTr0Q

[jamottep]

On a more serious note: how a tether carabiner failed in the Clipper Race, and a life was lost (MOB). Sir Robin Knox-Johnson explains the probable cause. https://www.facebook.com/sailorgirlH...087424/?type=1

Thanks for sharing ... The key thing I heard: one guy had his two tethers clipped ...

[sleddog]

Thanks for sharing ... The key thing I heard: one guy had his two tethers clipped ...

Hi PJ,
You'll hear more than I about MOB's in this edition of the Clipper Race. The sad fatality on Leg 3 when two crew were swept over the lifelines while lowering the #3 was likely the result of a side loaded safety hook (carabiner) that caught on a deck cleat as Simon went over the lifelines and fractured his carabiner gate, leaving the tether useless.

We can all learn from that instance, especially regarding keeping tethers as short as possible, using a second tether as necessary, and being aware of sideloads.

Knowing this before hand, what the heck just happened on the most recent Clipper Race Leg 5, (Sydney-Hobart Race) when someone went over from INVICTUS GAMES DOWNUNDER (Sir Robin Knox-Johnson was aboard INVICTUS) and was fortunately rescued by the crew of Clipper racer HOTELPLANNER.com? That in itself was a meritorious act of seamanship. Then HOTELPLANNER returned the uninjured MOB to INVICTUS. Wow.

But another MOB off a Clipper boat? https://www.clipperroundtheworld.com/news

https://www.clipperroundtheworld.com...s-on-the-water