Interview with Michael Storer by the French Magazine Chasse Marée
Chasse Maree magazine published an interview with Michael “The quest for performance is not a matter of materials, it’s a state of mind” Translated by Christine deMerchant
Boat History and Culture
Boats of other times and other places
Videos below Extreme British Yachts of Norfolk – Punts, A-Raters and Broads Cruisers
Some of the most extreme inland yachts of Britain (or the world) together for the Three Rivers Race on the Norfolk Broads. A-raters, Norfolk Punts and Broads Yachts
Wooden Boat Odyssey – photos of boat museums and more
In 2009 I went to the USA for a series of events and talks. I was partly funded by the sailing community including many of my friends in the wider homebuilt boat community. This is the treasure trove of photos from across the USA featuring people who build their own boats and also some of the museums and cities that make the USA great.
Taiwan: Bamboo Boatbuilding methods go Mega and Industrial
Industrial grade materials but the use of traditional bamboo raft tech have resulted in a huge variety of vessels in Taiwan. All still lashed together. Ranging from two oar single person fishing boats to trawlers 60 to 80ft long. Just lashed together. The truly surprising thing is just how fast they go together.
On Sailing a Vietnamese Junk and a comparison with our Lug experience.
Ran into some great photos and information on sailing a real Vietnamese Junk. I’ve seen plenty of half hearted replicas in HK, but this one is the real deal from Ken Preston. A traditionally built boat that is being restored with no intention to put a motor in it. Ken has one of the best blogs about South East Asia and Boats.
Is a Modern Lightweight Dory REALLY Seaworthy? Are Dories REALLY Seaworthy?
Dories are a part of the great American Maritime Tradition. From the book and film of Captain’s Courageous to all the folklore about fishermen surviving awful conditions at sea in a Dory.
But Do they really stack up to their press? It seems that every few weeks I see a new design for a rowing dory or a sailing dory.
Philippine Boat Builders and Plywood – aesthetic and sophisticated
Slightly arrogant I!
I visit the Philippines then Malaysia and also find a large community of Filipino boat builders there. I find they know much more than me about boat design and varieties. Stunning mix of different boats from curvaceous to plywood and boxy.
But Gosh … the shapes they come up with!
Boat designs influenced by rules? History shows us canting keel maxis are stupid
This is an article about how bias in thinking produces weird results in terms of boat designs.
I compare a silly boat design trend of 100 years ago with modern canting keel maxi yachts.
Personally I don’t think they should be allowed to use engines to run the keels and the various systems – if they do then they should be disqualified from the event results. The conventional human powered boats should be listed as the winners of events.
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.
USA Day 11 – Portland to Astoria Maritime Museum
Astoria Maritime Museum – Now the really cool thing happened. Long had organised for us to see the storage sheds across the road.
SF Missed appointment, Walk, Asian Museum and some fans
USA Day 3 – Missed Appointment, Walk, Asian Museum (and a couple of little boats) and meeting some fans
Heading to the USA on Thursday
Well, this is the first real post on Wordpress and it is about my trip to the USA for the Puddle Duck World titles plus a couple of months of other boating adventures.
Pics of historic Finn sailing
This Finn is owned by OZ wooden Boatbuilder and Designer Ross Lillistone. who restored it.
Kirribilli – historic 5.5 metre yacht starts restoration.
Duckflat have started work on Kirribilli – the historic Australian 5.5 metre class yacht for a consortium of owners.