I know I talked about this before after realizing that the new guys at MSC now didn’t know anything. I’m not sure if it happened or not. I have note out to webmaster but nothing back yet.
The big realization came after working with the USCG on the Blue Q bow beam. Since they know nothing about catamarans, things that we have done for decades are now suspect. I had to run a 10 hour seminar on bow tubes, I had to build force diagrams for them and give the legacy of every force involved.
This is possible now on anything on a COI cat.
So I’m having a 20% price increase on charter cat plans as soon as it can get done. Act now to get ahead of me.
Muffalo Vid Again
I think this is still the coolest sailing vid I have ever seen. And the Bakerfield folk punk garage band soundtrack is perfect. Muffalo, unit #1 of my 24′ tri, from the Bay of Silence near Genoa Italy.
https://youtu.be/9u6UepbaCKo
23′ Tri, 28 years
Facebook is great for reminding me of things I would forget. I forgot this from two years ago. 23′ mini cruiser built in CM.
I just got this wonderful note from a builder, Joe. I got to sail on his boat in Lake Tahoe back the same week Sierra Cloud had her first sail.
“The little tri is 26 years old now. Yes I know it is hard to believe.
I don’t baby this boat. It is kept on a lee shore and mostly sailed in
strong winds. She doesn’t look much different than the day I launched it and shows little signs of wear in all key areas.
I guess at this point we could say the construction is sound.
I’m glad I didn’t go with a “famous designer” with all that I hear
about those boats. Thanks for the great design. She has given me many years of good times.”
Carbon Fiber Everywhere
At Fisheries Supply today saw this carbon fiber fender on a jeep. An indication of how far down the carbon fiber concept has spread.
All wrong for a fender given how badly it absorbs impact. But just like the bright carbon fiber boats, the owner can send the message of “I’m bad, I’m bad” for a couple of years anyway until the UV chews it up. And the rocks ding it.
Super Wood
Supposed to be as strong as steel at a fraction of the weight. They don’t say what it is nor how they do it.
They seem to know what they are doing.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180207151829.htm
Where can I get some? I’m guessing I won’t be able to buy it next year at Eidensaw.
“YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH”
I see that a particular catamaran cabin dodge has become very popular.
Square assed catamaran cabins are disguised behind a swoop more and more lately. Like the fins on a 59 Chevy, a well placed swoosh makes the cabin not only look bigger, but not look frumpy, not boxy. People, it is boxy behind the make-up. And small.
I have done it before. On a 60’ dinner catamaran in the early 90s. I felt guilty for years, and virtually every dinner cruise cat now does it. What if I caused it?
I admit that the swoosh looks good, but it is a fraud. And actually a hazard. Imagine you are slugging to windward at night in a blow. And you have to go up to the mast and fix a kink. At least once you will trip over that port and starboard style peninsula. You will.
I know it’s popular, but so was a 59 Chevy. A brilliant stylist like Michael Schacht could come up with a half dozen non-swoosh options in very little time. I’m agitating for honesty in design; not hiding behind swooshes.
Upcoming Topics
There are some great topics coming up here over the next week or two.
Kevin is converting Leila(48) to electric.
Customer and around the world racer Gerry Downton checked in. More from him.
L & I is the coast guard in Washington state. There are some surprises.
Maybe I can get super boatbuilder Albert to sit down for an interview.
I will weigh in on some asthetic commentary. Or two.
There may be a mini cruise liner in Myanmar.
I am starting on a gravel and concrete hauling cargo cat design for the Caribbean this coming week. Rebuilding the basin.
More 16 Tri Pictures Down Under
I also got these great pictures from Jeff Copping, one of my builders down under. I think it is the 16 tri, but could it possibly be the 23 day tri?
Sorry I lost his name. Its been more than a month, and hospital drugs and all… Am sure he or someone will fill in my blank.
I see it has the sliding trailering option.
I think this looks pretty modern and fast for some 25 years ago. Developed ply/epoxy.
Odd Place In Email World
I now have a wonderfully fast Win 10 laptop with office 16 on it. That started some 3 weeks ago or so. The old computer probably has virus, even though I paid to prevent that, and CPU slams up to 100% as soon as it starts, and stays there forever. I keep it offline now, just to pull files off of. Eset is not interested anymore in virus killing on it.
To reply to emails, I have the new one open, while I look at email addresses to reply to on the old one. Diabolical.
I did back up the email folder, but worry it would muck up the new email if I try to load it.
Short answer, if you sent me something and didn’t get reply, please hit me again.
Composite Chainplate Illustrated
Some great guy on Face posted this few section cuts of a real live composite chainplate. I teased him that I could never afford to do this kind of surgery for illustration. I forget his name, but it was over a month ago and I have been awash in memory scrubbing anesthetics in the last week…
I’m happy to include if someone chimes in.
What great visuals of what a proper composite chain plate should be like.
