Earthwise Ventures was one of 13 recipients out of 700 entries of the African Diaspora Marketplace grant for it’s ferry project on Lake Victoria.  The dream is to have them completely built over there.  See also http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKJboIBNauM

Yesterday I met with Trilogy Excursions. They have 3 KHSD charter catamarans. All of them have some modifications. Of course I think the originals were better, but what do you do?  The oldest one, in foam/glass, has been going out every day since 1988.

See also http://www.sailtrilogy.com/

I’m catching with some of the KHSD cats on Maui this week. I’ve been very impressed with the 65′ Alii Nui. Everything seems to have been done right. See http://www.aliinuimaui.com/
Interesting fact. At 21 knots powering she is only using 56% of throttle. She is also on the cover of the Avis and Budget rental car magazines. In my opinion, no other charter cat here comes even close in the looks and amenity.  And video from the site http://www.aliinuimaui.com/maui-sailing-videos.htm

While there is a new Constant Camber cat owned by competitor; and it looks more like one of mine than any previous, it looks frumpy and poorly detailed in comparison. In my opinion.
I forgot the cable between camera and computer, so pictures have to wait until I get back, except this that I stole off the site.  I’m sure Jeff doesn’t mind.

The KHSD 63 catamaran recently made the evening news while safely leaving Oceanside harbor in dangerous waves. Pictures at http://boatinglist.com/openblog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Profligate-Latitude-38.jpg . The story is at http://www.latitude38.com/lectronic/lectronicday.lasso?date=2011-09-02&dayid=#.TpXejJua-J4
The newscast video does not work I see.   But another serene video of Profligate in calmer seas. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ae4TQTSRfiQ

I assume most people know about Matthew’s great construction pictures of his 28’/32 ‘ powercat. But just in case… http://cadanoche.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=1571 which also includes Bill Anderson’s cat.
Also how to vacuum bag a board http://cadanoche.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=15084

The motor mount attachment screws really chew up the composite boat part of the motor mount. I found what seems to be a solution. I stuck on some adhesive Treadmaster Grip Pads that are used to make stairs non-skid. www.tiflex.co.uk . I got them at Fisheries Supply

Earthwise showing their resourcefulness here. Since they had no dock at Port Bell, why not use the containers that the Amani came in? Nice. Has anybody told HanJin?

I finally got my power proa and its trailer painted properly with 2 part poly. Some of you might recognize the main hull as Magic Hemple’s ama.  (a ride is a ride…you get them where you can) The ama is (2)1 mm CM birch plywood.  80 lbs all up  without motor. The 4 hp Mercury 4 cycle pushes it at 13 knots. I calculate that it gets 18 MPG at full throttle. I used to car-top it with the Honda Accord, but the truck I drive now  is too tall, so trailer it is.  I’m not good enough to sail a proa, but they sure make sense as a power commuter.

My friend Eric Greene has his composites book available for download at no cost at

http://www.ericgreeneassociates.com/images/MARINE_COMPOSITES.pdf

Its a little more technical than an in-the-trenches constructional manual.  Where else can you find the various kinds of sizing in fiberglass?
I first met him at one of the MACM conferences in Melbourne, FL. Most of his work that I am familar with concerns performance of composites in fires. He does a lot more than that also.  See http://www.ericgreeneassociates.com/