Podcast, Chuck of Duckworks an idea for a Boat Festival and the Texas 200

I was sitting in Chuck’s car as we were driving to the Lake Conroe Messabout. I knew that he had some plans for the Texas 200 event – to extend the concept and starting a new small boat festival on the Texas coast in a couple of years.

This is a podcast of that interview.

Podcast Online – Wooden Boat Construction by Michael Storer – 2 of 3

This is the second of my talks in the USA. It focuses a bit more on construction and some of the methods that can be used to keep a boat light and simple, but very strong and stiff.

It also discusses how there is a “creep” in boatbuilding and design that increases the weight of boats way over what is really needed for a strong structure.

Podcast Online – Wooden Boat Design by Michael Storer – 1 of 3

This talk is the first hour of my exposition on boat building and design. There are two more parts to come. This covers some of the background and design issues. The second is more on the building side and the last is a bit more about why the Australian (and New Zealand) wooden boat tradition is different from the Northern Hemisphere.

You can stream the talks over your internet connection or download them as a podcast.

USA Interview 1 – Sailing with Thorne, Pirates, black powder and wooden boats

Thorne (aka David Luckhardt) is well known in both wooden boating and historical recreation circles (particularly those involving gunpowder).

He normally lurks around San Francisco, but on this occasion had driven up to Timothy Lake underneath the summit of Mount Hood.

I had the chance to interview him while sailing on Lake Timothy in Oregon.

Michael Storer giving a talk at Clint Chase Boatbuilder.

Announcing Michael’s talk in Portland, Maine

Invitation to a Talk by Boat Designer Michael Storer

At Clint Chase Boatbuilder, 25 Deblois Street, Portland, Maine
Sunday Nov 1st @ 11am-1pm, Bring Boats and Questions
After some food and chat, Michael will talk to us about making our boats better…

A review of the Goat Island Skiff from Mike McNamara of McNamara Sails UK

Ralph Gersson in Holland got a very nice mail from Michael McNamara from mcNamara sails UK. He made a nice sail for Richard Harvey’s GIS “Blanche” and Ralph has decided to order.

Michael, a racing sailor with a lot of background talks about the experience of sailing the Goat Island Skiff.

The Paddling on the Colorado River continues.

More paddling on Lake Powell, Utah, part of the Colorado River.

Remember that I am not a real Canoeist. I have paddled quite a range of different boats at some time or another, I do know basic strokes, I have used canoes to do several day tours (Noosa River, Hawkesbury River) but this trip was to much more remote areas. Closest towns 50 or so kilometres away, we were likely to be pretty well the only people on that area of water after the weekend, we had to carry everything including food as there are no shops.

USA Day 14 – Walk up a Slot Canyon in the Colorado River Canyon

I am sleeping on rock (using an air bed) but the rock is incredibly beautiful – it is part of the ancient ocean floor even though the elevation here is around 3500ft.  Pushed up by volcanic action.  There are other patterns in many different places.  Boating up the Colorado River in Canoes and other small boats tomorrow

USA Day 12 – Central Oregon, cold water and dam-ation

Yesterday spent the day traipsing around Central Oregon With Andrew Linn. We had a canoe on the roof and a boat behind.

The boat behind was a delivery – Andrew had sold a Laser look alike – a now defunct class.

And was pretty nice to get foot mobile and do some short bushwalks.

USA Trip Day 7, 8, 9 – Timothy Lake Messabout with the Coots

It is the highest I have ever sailed by far – about 2500 to 3000ft above sea level.

A very nice bunch of folks. And got to meet BobWes (from my forum), John Kohnen (the author of the “mother of all nautical links”), Jon Kowitz and Andrew Linn (puddle duckers that sailed in the Texas 200 so triumphantly) David Luckhardt (who I missed in S.F.) and a whole bunch of other boat people and a swag of interesting boats.

USA Day 6 – Down home in a Columbia River Slough

Lon knows lots of interesting people. Also dropping in on this day were Irene Martin and her husband. They work fishing for salmon in this river (the Columbia River). Irene is also a writer (Lon got his copy signed)