When was the last time you had a Holy Shit moment?

I think this just broke my irony meter,

 a good point, and about that so called recovery...

Where boats are concerned I have to admit I'm just a little bit jaded. It takes something pretty special to make me sit up and and go...

Holy Shit!

So, when a friend pointed me to a boat design over at Chesapeake Light Craft I expected to be interested but not excited.

Holy Shit!

A truly awesome minimal cruiser for one...

There's a lot more information and pictures over at Cheasapeake Light Craft so you might as well check it out.

Listening to Tropical Popsicle

So it goes...

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A film to be on the lookout for...

A quick music business reality check, on saying "NO", and who can resist a good sale...



Listening to Tower of Power

So it goes...

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A quick cure for that clueless feeling...

Just the same old same nervous making shit you might want to keep an eye on, a man with a plan, and in the ass-backwards department...

Yesterday, in the midst getting ready to rerig and make some changes to the running rigging systems aboard "So It  Goes", I sorta/kinda lost my focus.

It happens.

Confronted with a couple of spools of line, a pile of blocks, and other assorted needful bits of hardware, I suddenly realized that I'd lost touch with the cunning plan I had in mind when I was purchasing said items. Bummer.

Fact is, there is a double block with becket I have not even the remotest whisp of a clue why I actually bought it and where it is supposed to go in the overall scheme of things.

That said, since it is an expensive block I'm pretty sure there was not just a plan and purpose but a frelling awesome cunning plan. Otherwise Mr Cheapseats would not have bought it.

So, I did what I always try to do in a situation where, for want of a better word, I am clueless...

I poured myself a bit of rum, grabbed a book, and made my way up to the foredeck to figure things out.

What book you ask?

Yes, that would be Spurr's Boatbook which just happens to be the most referenced book aboard "So It Goes". As far as I'm concerned it's the best general cruising boat and cruising systems reference book there is. Dan Spurr's writing style for explaining stuff is spot on and, combined with the exceptional talents of Bruce Bingham's artwork, go hand in hand to open your eyes to what's possible. More importantly, from where I sit Spurr is not locked in to one true path which is so often the failing point with other books of this ilk.

As it happens, a lot of folks write to this blog asking questions and seeking opinions and 99% of those questions would be answered by simply reading this book...  If someone were to ask me which 'one" book I'd recommend Spurr's book would be it. Something you might want to consider.

So, about my problem...

Well, half a shot of rum and twenty minutes perusing the associated chapters was all that was needed to remember just what I had planned for the new running rigging and yes it be some wicked cunning shit.

I also saw about a half dozen turtles which does not have anything to do with the rigging but it was very enjoyable so I thought I'd mention it.

On the downside I still do not have a clue why I have this brand-spanking-new double block with becket but then again what would life be without the odd mystery to ponder from time to time?

Listening to Alabama Shakes

So it goes...

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Now this put me in a much better mood...

We should all be used to getting played by now, about that exporting prosperity game, and something of interest from some small islands in the Pacific...

The other day I finally got around to be able to see "The Extraordinary Adventures of Adele Blanc-Sec"... Of course, it would have been a lot better in a proper theater, but still it was an enjoyable way to spend an evening.


THE EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURES OF AD�LE BLANC-SEC... by dmagianet

I should also add that I now want to get all of the Tardi Adele Blanc-sec bande dessin�es and I can't think of a better way to pass some time in the cockpit...

Listening to "Pops" Staples

So it goes...

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I suspect I may not be in the best of moods today...

A hobbit analogy, why you might want to read this book, and the word for today is d-i-v-e-s-t-m-e-n-t...

The other day I got the new issue of Sail magazine which was even more disappointing than usual.

For the record, I was actually looking forward to it as I'd heard there was going to be a good article about doing the Panama Canal... Sadly, it turned out to be just another puff piece more about big buck cruising with the World Arc than the canal.

Worse, there was an editorial of sorts about the need for laws to make us all wear PFDs whenever we are on our boats. I'm sure it was written with the best of intentions but, as someone who lives on his boat 365 days a year, I'm uncomfortable with any new laws that may be interpreted by law enforcement agencies to mean that I have to wear my PFD while sitting in the cockpit at anchor, cooking dinner, or sleeping.

By the way, if you don't think well intentioned laws wind up being enforced ass-backwards you have not been reading the news for the last decade or so...

Of course, if you really wanted to radically cut back on boating accidents simply outlaw power boats under 26 feet which is where the bulk of fatalities occur. Or, here's a thought, actually enforce the existing laws that are already on the books.

I really need to make another cup of coffee.

Listening to the Youngbloods

So it goes...

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an interesting rig...

Moldy Chum (the best fishing site I know of) points out something crazy (or is it crazy making), problematic aspects of revolving doors, and benefits for a few at the expense of many...

Since we were speaking of rigs outside the mainstream you should take a look at this...

The Lateen rig on this Antonio Dias design makes a lot of sense, it's been around for just about as long as folks have sailed, and it can push a boat along quite well with a very small investment in gear.

It's pretty as well...

Listening to Beau Jocque and the Zydeco Hi-Rollers

So it goes...

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on the need to step back...

On the politics of solar energy, what's a fair profit, and in the "we've been lucky so far" department...

Whenever I mention junk rig (as I did in the last post) my email fills up with folks commenting both pro as well as con and it's quite illuminating because everyone seems to be looking too close.

Which is a lot like the old conundrum of not seeing the forest for the trees...

Now, I like the junk rig and it makes a lot of sense for some people but it is not a panacea or a religion that suits everyone's needs.

That said, a lot of people are attracted to the rig with a certain religious zeal and like most zealots their beliefs are based more on faith of supposed miracles rather than any sort of reality.

Which is funny as a goodly portion of the mail I receive on the subject (both pro and con) is from people who have never ever sailed a junk rig but are convinced of its wonderfulness/horribleness and serious true believers.

There are any number of excellent simple rigs that we should be looking at for cruising as an alternative to the same old same overly expensive, frail, and complicated Bermudian/Marconi rig other than the junk but the advantage of the junk rig is it is a popular rig of the minority sort and there are quite a few people proselytizing with a great amount of missionary zeal... So, it's easy to fall into and that's no bad thing.

Really.

Of course, jumping into a relationship with a new rig (think Las Vegas wedding) does not always make for a long and happy relationship which is why you might want to take a few steps back and think it through...

Listening to Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes

So it goes...

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