Are we losing touch with the essence of boats ?

[Guest]

Alacrity ??

My first boat I had was one ...... still have a sad feeling when I think of the day she was sold ...... ....

Sailed like a dinghy with a lid on ........ not so fast - but good enough for club jobs.


<hr width=100% size=1>Cheers Nigel http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gps-navigator/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/searider/

 

[Guest]

We all look at boat adverts

It 's human nature to scan the classifieds and the for sale boards .....

But isn't it sad when we get to hear chats in marina / club bars etc. - the amount of talk about gadgets rather than the sheer pleasure of boats.

The scan of the sale ads - often means a squint at the picture .... thats a nice looking boat .... then a scan of the gizmos fitted to see what toys you can get to play with .....

I also fall into this trap .... friend of mine is buying his boat ... what do I say ?? Look around the 2-4 yr old market .... you get a near new boat that has had time to be sorted AND often comes with loads of gear fitted that you would have to pay extra for if you go new .... etc. etc.

Me - my 30yr old tub has some quirks that you have to note, but I still like it and enjoy every minute of ......

Yes there will come a time when I will have a new boat with all the bits and bobs on .... but there's another reason for that altogether ..... I'll still probably have one of my older ones lurking around somewhere .....


<hr width=100% size=1>Cheers Nigel http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gps-navigator/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/searider/

 

[RupertW]

Ok, I admit...

I admit I do like having an autohelm, especially on the rare singlehanded trips, but I know I can do without one and it certainly beefs up the skills setting up a skittish little boat so you can grab food, reef etc. without an autohelm

I hope it'll teach me to stop being so irritated whenever crew happen to go slightly off head to wind when I'm trying to reef. By myself the boat goes in circles without any obvious harm happening. Just takes longer.

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[jenku]

Re: Alacrity ??

Yes. It's in fact my third boat and the smallest. My wife is scared to death thinking I soon will force her into a two week's cruise in a sailing canoe or something like that.
But I am sure I will keep the Alacrity for a while. It's ideal for single handing (which I mostly do) and good enough for two on the occasional cruise.

I will sail her over to your side of the Baltic eventually. Maybe in 2006 if I can get away from work.

<hr width=100% size=1>http://www.sail.to/alacrity

 

[Guest]

Re: Alacrity ??

Mine had a start and go Seagull outboard and I hate to admit this ..... DECCA !! Yep I had visions of far off shores and bought a Decca for it ..... I was mad then and only slightly more sane now ...

If you do start the trek across here ..... pm me and we'll meet ....


<hr width=100% size=1>Cheers Nigel http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gps-navigator/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/searider/

 

[Cornishman]

I go along with much of what you say. I've been cruising in many parts of the world over a period of some 50 years and recall when RDF was a new fangled bit of gear using a BEME Loop.
However, I have never been complimented by, or given a compliment to, any piece of technology - or did you mean complementary? Sorry, just a leg pull!
More seriously - radar and VHF switched off? Why have them at all? I once asked an owner why he sailed with VHF if he had it switched off most of the time and he replied 'in case I get into difficulties'. Oh! says I, it's alright for you to expect me to hear your call for assistance, but if I call for help you don't give a damn. Hmm.
As for radar, a deep study of Rule 5, so important in the crowded waters of the 21st century, reveals that if it is fitted it should be available at all times. I believe that switched on, but in standby mode, satisfies this but switched off does not.
If you love just the sailing without the technology throw it overboard.


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[RupertW]

Agree with you mostly, but I'm always worried when somebody suggests that it's irresponsible to sail without a particular gadget - GPS in your case. Surely we choose our own combination of handicaps (small boat not passenger jet, sails not twin engined mobo, tippy monohull not stable multi etc) and play our game that way?

For some people radar is a must, other must have a liferaft, other insist on self-draining cockpits - each to their own really.



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[Guest]

Small request .....

Please can we keep this thread a little lighter hearted and not too deeply serious ??

You see already we are starting to get like the club bar ........ what happened to live and let live .... or as I would like to say ..... sail and let sail ??


<hr width=100% size=1>Cheers Nigel http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gps-navigator/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/searider/

 

[BlueChip]

Re: Does this count?

> We may slow down (roll the genoa away) over Christchurch ledge to see if there > is a dinner sized bass or two about

So what is the technique for catching Bass, all I ever get is Mackerel?

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[Guest]

Example of over-serious boating ...

The thread reagrding the Macgregor 26x ....... oh boy - is that heavy !!

Its like bulls facing off .... actually more like trench warfare ..... stalemate.

If you like a style of boat and its gadgets / gizmos - so be it .... if you prefer another style - again so be it ....


<hr width=100% size=1>Cheers Nigel http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gps-navigator/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/searider/

 

[Robin]

Re: Does this count? - Certainly !

I'm not sure SWMBO would believe me if I said I was about doing WITHOUT something as far as sailing is concerned, now if it is to do with something for the house then it is an entirely different matter because I can do without lots there! I'm currently in the dog house because I tidied up the garden (yotties garden, size of most patios), SWMBO said the shrubs and Fuschia tree were too much for such a small area and she was tired of being hit in the face by overhanging bits and the whirlygig thingy catching on the Fuschia tree. This little man knocked on the door Monday and offered to trim the neighbours overhanging branches from our drive and any other 'landscaping' jobs so I had him and his 3 buddies clear the whole lot, apparently that wasn't what she meant though.

Any ideas how to build an instant new back garden from scratch, current idea is concreted BBQ area with a couple of rose bushes....

<hr width=100% size=1><font size=1>Sermons from my pulpit are with tongue firmly in cheek and come with no warranty!</font size=1>

 

[tcm]

Keeping up/down with the luthers

Damn! in an effort to jqualify for membership of the dodgy-sounding casual cruising club (?) and discover the true essence of boats i have ridded my boat of all creature comforts. But now the inaugural member has just admitted that he's soon gonna buy a blimmin brank spanking new boat with all the toys!

This is a bit North London innit ? decrying all new tech waste, talking leftie BUT owning massive nice house with decent car AND a ratheap 15 year old Peugeot/VW Golf and referring to it as a family pet...

 

[Guest]

NOT GUILTY ......

Wasn't me that bought the new boat .... was a friend - against all my advise.

I STILL have the old ones .... and can prove it !

<hr width=100% size=1>Cheers Nigel http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gps-navigator/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/searider/

 

[jenku]

Re: Alacrity ??

I am not sure if it should make me feel old, but I actually have used DECCA once. That must have been in the early 90's....

I will gladly PM you and ask a lot of questions about harbours, anchorages and charts when the time comes. ;-)

<hr width=100% size=1>http://www.sail.to/alacrity

 

[RupertW]

Re: Example of over-serious boating ...

Heavy threads satisfy a need - I remember get embroiled in one about whether you should follow an S-curve crossing the channel or stick to a GPS track, but this thread would lose if we put our pedantic heads on.

So, back to the time my father and I used to cross the channel with an on WWII RAF compass and paraffin lights as our entire instrument set - we always got to France, but rarely the same day we left. Oh and this was in the 1980s. The engine rarely worked so 30 hours on a hot windless weekend off Hastings taught me a bit about how tides worked. Frustrated sometimes, but rarely felt as scared as the people on pontoons seeing our mucky bowsprit charging at them.


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[Guest]

Re: Example of over-serious boating ...

My father had a compass out of a Wellington Bomber, water cans as emergency rations from a BOAC airliner - from the time they WERE airliners !! All this on Hilyard little more than 23ft with only 2 berths and I used to sleep on the cabin sole .... Oh and she had a Stewart Turner ......... Mmmmm that is one bit that the past can definitely keep !

RDF ..... still got a Sestrel bit of kit .... with headphones and liquid compass on top .... thinking about mounting it on the wall as ornament ....

My Navtex - can't be bothered to wait for data so stays off most ly. VHF - wife hates the cackle and rubbish that comes over it especially from some 'bint' just leaving Cowes or other expensive marina and wants to tell the world who and what she is .... so that is normally down low or off ..... Compass lost its LED light and cover years ago ... so small wonder it can still be read after all the UV rays its endured,

OK some bright spark is going to comment on GPS and my starting the navigator group .... well that is a side that I enjoy BUT - it does not impinge on my free-style sailing and is only on when I need it ..... that is the plotting part .... the gps sits in a corner doing its thing and only occasionally looked at for speed - as my log has not been fitted - even though all bits in box for last 3 years !!

What else ????


<hr width=100% size=1>Cheers Nigel http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gps-navigator/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/searider/

 

[dralex]

I Didn't say I dislike the technology- I love toys and gizmos and constantly want more/ better ones. I think everybody tries too hard to justify things as needed, rather than just wanted. It's a hobby to be done to whatever level your enthusiasm and budget stretch to. It depends what you're into really- each to their own.

As to my deficiencies in the English language, the spelling was correct- is mine the only GPS with the onscreen message saying "wow- you even look good in thermals" The radar usually argues, but has to agree once it sees me. /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>Life's too short- do it now./forums/images/icons/wink.gif

 

[Boathook]

I use the engine when leaving and entering harbour and try to sail to places but if you want a meal out at a pub the engine is used. Safety equipment (lifebuoys etc) are in place and I have basic instruments that are turned on which includes the GPS. Charts etc. are on board but not out for local trips - would you use maps to go to the local shops ! I keep a logbook and try to record hourly for my own interest and to keep a record of use for the boat. I try to keep it enjoyable (simple, fun and safe) and adjust rules depending who is on board and the weather conditions.

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[Ships_Cat]

Re: Small request .....

My favourite piece of nav equipment is home made and how to make one is shown at <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.ifyoulovetoread.com/book/chten_cats.htm>http://www.ifyoulovetoread.com/book/chten_cats.htm</A> except I use sticks and old fishing line.

Bit like the old polynesian (and no doubt other oldy) navigators. Just got to learn what star goes behind which bit at night, which seabirds fly through the big holes as opposed to the small holes when the sun is at ones back and which version to use for each month, and away one goes. Never got lost yet.

Hope that helps /forums/images/icons/smile.gif.

John

<hr width=100% size=1>I am the cat but I am only 6.

 

[Ohdrat]

I thought essence of boats was a sweet mixture of last nights beer slooping around in the bilges with an splash of diesel and probably some parrafin.. mixed with BO (there's always someone who is in desperate need of decontamination) and some elses pungent After Shave (which is always applied too liberally)...

Possible other additions are various solvent mixtures, paint of various potencies, varnish, mildew, whisky and the heads..

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