50 innovations that changed sailing

[RivalRedwing]

Anyone else feel that the "50 innovations that changed sailing" article in Febs YM was written by Phil Space (10 pages ex adverts)? Mostly a case of stating the bl**din obvious and about the only thing that was missing was the pump out dunny that replaced the bucket, which I appreciate some see as a retrogressive step. I know it is the closed season but....

 

[photodog]

Self Parking boat thingy.....

How has that changed sailing?? I have never seen one!

But yeah, they should have included the toilet...

 

[Twister_Ken]

Hasn't one of the other comix done the same story in the last year or so? Maybe it was even YM.

 

[BrendanS]

Anyone else feel that the "50 innovations that changed sailing" article in Febs YM was written by Phil Space (10 pages ex adverts)? Mostly a case of stating the bl**din obvious and about the only thing that was missing was the pump out dunny that replaced the bucket, which I appreciate some see as a retrogressive step. I know it is the closed season but....

Here's your chance then - name 50 that aren't a waste of space...

 

[Jamesuk]

Yachting world magazine is right up there.

 

[DogWatch]

Here's your chance then - name 50 that aren't a waste of space...

Cheap LCD screens, Low power, small, offering pro instruments to everyone.

GPS obviously

Cheap components allowing virtually every vessel to carry VHF, Depth, log, GPS and often RADAR without breaking the bank

Cheap non-stretch rope

Cheap sail material

Modern anti-foul (keeps you fit and the weight off)

Modern high quality foam (a good night's sleep)

LED lights torches and on near enough everything you buy nowadays

Cheap solar and wind for those not attached to the grid, allowing all year boat usage

compact liquid fuel heaters

Cheap stainless steel has made a massive difference, no more pants brass components

plastic technology has changed blocks into high tech gear

folding props have moved on somewhat, wish I could fit them!




going the wrong way>>

modern stern tubes seem far too much hassle

too much glass cockpit, some instruments are still better as analogue

Marinas

LED nav lights are taking too long to be affordable

Spot lamps with their own battery don't last any time at all nor are they ever charged when you need them.

 

[Searush]

A lot depends on how far back you go . . .

Bermudan rig
GRP
Twin keels
Polyester ropes, clothing & sails
Reliable engines
Modern anchor designs
Inflatable dinghies & Liferafts
Reliable auto-lifejackets & harnesses
echo-sounder
Plastic Fenders & mooring bouys
VHF Radio
Roller reefing
Alloy spars
GPS & Digital charts

are probably my top 15 in the last 100 years. Plus the interwebby for info & chandlery.

 

[Evadne]

Smaller yachts, that enable one to dispense with the paid hands.

 

[Kukri]

I'm with my late Vertue owning friend Ian Wright on this one:

The plastic inflatable fender

The plastic inflatable mooring buoy

The Avon Redcrest.

Oilskins that don't leak at the seams.

Er, that's it.

 

[Seajet]

Terylene sails

Stainless fittings & rigging

Decent waterproofs

Depthsounder

 

[RivalRedwing]

Here's your chance then - name 50 that aren't a waste of space...

not implying that the 50 cited are a waste of space, just that the article was a bit of a waste of space...

 

[Talbot]

AIS
reliable modern diesel engines
lpg cookers
good heating systems
solar panels
GPS (anyone else remember using RDFs?)
electronic navigation aids
boats that keep the water on the outside of the hull (the joys of a bunk in the peak on a wooden hulled boat that is leaking through the deck and through the side planking cannot be properly described)

 

[Blueboatman]

Two for One

Not having read the article, these might even be included!

1.Sail handling and reefing from the cockpit

2.Reliable wind vane steering ( when all things eleccy on boats were still v much in the dark ages)

 

[Twister_Ken]

Not having read the article, these might even be included!

1.Sail handling and reefing from the cockpit. YM missed that one

2.Reliable wind vane steering ( when all things eleccy on boats were still v much in the dark ages) But they got that - Blondie Haslar.

,

 

[DogWatch]

A lot depends on how far back you go . . .

Bermudan rig
GRP
Twin keels
Polyester ropes, clothing & sails
Reliable engines
Modern anchor designs
Inflatable dinghies & Liferafts
Reliable auto-lifejackets & harnesses
echo-sounder
Plastic Fenders & mooring bouys
VHF Radio
Roller reefing
Alloy spars
GPS & Digital charts

are probably my top 15 in the last 100 years. Plus the interwebby for info & chandlery.

tut tut cheater.

I forgot about rubber ducks and anchors. Roller reefing is a good call too; and of course not seeing the wood for the oil, GRP, without GRP none of us could afford boats the size we had. This forum wouldn't argue over eber vs weber or which similar anchor, but how to replace the ply panel on our GP14 family yacht.

Is the bermudan sail plan really a modern 'invention'?

 

[DogWatch]

Reading the lists so far leaves only one item;

OIL

 

[Keen_Ed]

Ball bearing blocks.

 

[Long John Silver]

A lot depends on how far back you go . . .

Bermudan rig
GRP
Twin keels
Polyester ropes, clothing & sails
Reliable engines
Modern anchor designs
Inflatable dinghies & Liferafts
Reliable auto-lifejackets & harnesses
echo-sounder
Plastic Fenders & mooring bouys
VHF Radio
Roller reefing
Alloy spars
GPS & Digital charts

are probably my top 15 in the last 100 years. Plus the interwebby for info & chandlery.

Twin keels have been around a bit more than a hundred years!

 

[prv]

Is the bermudan sail plan really a modern 'invention'?

Um, actually invented a few hundred years ago I believe, but not really used at all in this part of the world till the beginning of the 20th century, then took a long time to migrate from top-flight racers to becoming the norm for cruisers. Big tall masts, yersee, bound to fall down

I guess you're talking late 1940s for bermudan to be assumed as the norm on cruising boats?

Pete

 

[Searush]

Twin keels have been around a bit more than a hundred years!

What evidence do you base that assertion on? My understanding is that the Bluebird of Thorne design by Lord Ravenscroft in around 1930 was the first boat with twin keels rather than bilge plates to help a long shallow keel boat to dry out upright. I would be interested to hear of an earlier twin keeler you know of.