Is the OzRacer or Oz Goose a good looking boat? Part 2
The discussion on this topic went on.
Dave asked if people would laugh if they saw a PDR sailing in company with something more conventionally shaped.
Luckily I had a video clip to hand.
Sailing boat
Aesthetics and Convention is the Oz Goose or OzRacer a good looking boat? Part 1
A little bit of writing how form in boat design seldom follows function in terms of what “looks good”. It was prompted by a discussion about whether the PDR is good looking or not.
My Podcasts on design also cover this idea to a greater depth – they are in the menu at the top of each page.
First Goat Island Skiff Plywood Sailboat in Chile
Juan Carlos has been building his Goat Island Skiff for about a year.
He has just put up a photo series of his boat launching.
The rest of the words and pictures are from Juan Carlos.
New article out on PDRacers on Duckworks.
A nice little article by Jackie Monies who is turning into the writer in residence for the PDRacers.
It posits the idea that because of its cheapness, ease of building and the creativity in the group that it qualifies as the “All American Boat”.
Actually I think it is the perfect boat for places that are water rich and cash poor. Anyone can afford to go sailing in these cool little sailing boats. The options of material and design solutions allow the boats to be built of local material just about anywhere. Very cheaply.
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.
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.
USA Day 14.5 to 16 – The fleet gathers and heads up Lake Powell and the Colorado River
People as far away as Texas, California and Australia (me). Not a huge number, this cruise works well with up to around 12 to 15 boats. A huge thanks to Jim Thayer who thought up the event.
Before we look at the boats and meet the people the scale of the area has to be seen to be believed.
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.
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.
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.
Second prototype RAID41 joins Texas 200 mile race.
from Brian Pearson who is finishing his RAID41 in the UK
Brian receives RAID41 Prototype – Pretty Boat!
Gifted Amateur Boatbuilder Chris Perkins has laboured during some of the most difficult boatbuilding weather to produce the prototype of the new RAID41
AlexN’s wonderful description of building a OzRacer and some thoughts
The OzRacer is the first boat he has built and Alex is not necessarily taking the quickest way – But he is reporting daily about his building and his ruminations on different subjects.
Sailing at Goolwa with AJ, Andrea, Ted, Mike, Mike and Mike Pt1
Slideshow of sailing around Goolwa and the Murray Mouth over a weekend during the worst drought in living memory
