Entries

Large Fish ‘May Follow Dinosaurs’

The destruction wrought on the world's oceans by industrial fishing is made clear in a shocking new report. The analysis, published in the scientific journal Nature, suggests 90% of large predator fish have been cleared from the seas in the past 50 years or so. The authors say the era of "heroic" fish - the truly huge swordfish, marlin and sharks that inspired legends and novels - is now well and truly over. BBC News

Hawaiian Sailing Canoe Rig

I've been on the Holopuni site many times, admiring their OC3 sailing canoes. These 30' canoes are wonderful examples of efficient paddle/sail craft, but still, I can't help meddle with an already good thing.

See, I'm anticipating the next step in sail area/performance upgrades. The Holopuni carries just 100 sq. ft. of sail, which is no doubt plenty for Hawaiian waters, and it is a safe and sane amount for a dual-purpose sail/paddle craft. But what about unsafe and insane sailing?

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The End of Dolphin Sky

The 16m proa "Dolphin Sky" has been shipwrecked on the Dutch coast. Joachim Herborn, the owner and sailor, was rescued safely. The proa was patterned after Polynesian designs, and was intended to sail around the world. It is not yet known if the boat can be salvaged. Multihull.de

Proa Rig Comparisons

Below is a list of proa rigs under active development today. As you can see, there is hardly a consensus as of yet! None of the rigs are perfect, and all have various strengths and weaknesses. The Rig Ratings Table is a first attempt to quantify three rig performance areas: Performance, Handling, and Safety. The table is the result of some spirited discussion on the subject by the Proa File International mailing list. Many thanks to all who participated.

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Doriak Designs - Classic Wooden/Inflatable Boats!

I met George Kurzman and viewed his 'Bella Darya' (a 33' wood schooner based upon Com. Munroe's sharpies that incorporates a nylon air tube) at the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival last summer, and it is a wonderfully creative and charming project. "Doriak Designs' objective is to create light-displacement boats that combine the safety and performance of a rigid-inflatable with the practicality and aesthetics of a custom-made, wooden boat." Doriak Designs.

New Wharram GRP 8 Meter

James Wharram Designs has announced the completed prototype of a new production moulded GRP catamaran: the Tiki 8m by Multimarine Composites Ltd. "The design features gently curved V section canoe hulls with stern hung rudders on skegs. A wingsail sloop rig with boomless mainsail provides a low centre of effort for increased stability. With a trampoline forward, and GRP bridgedeck tray with self draining trampoline seats, it also has a bridge deck size small enough for easy trailing. Two moulded GRP crossbeams and one light aluminium beam at bow and beams fastened down with quick tightening webbing straps for fast assembly will appeal to many seeking a trailable catamaran." James Wharram Designs. Page 1 of 1 pages