Again I’m using 3D modeling to locate core and laminates. Here on the 79′ tri. One design advantage also is that I can query the model and get exact amounts of each type. The guys in the shop could get a 3D model or even on a smart phone.
Thorodon Bushings/Unstayed Masts
I met with the Thordon bushings guys at Fish Expo. They normally do plastic tugboat rudder shaft and prop bushings. Off the shelf mass produced products are a fine way to keep costs down. They told me that they sell bushings up to 8 feet in diameter. In their experience a polymer on polymer bushing situation is to be avoided. This is however the definition of a Tides spherical bearing. They look ideal for unstayed rotating mast bearings. I have been specifying them for rudder bearings on my boats for years now.
Alii Nui Video
There are more and more great videos of KHSD boats found online. It is the KHSD 65 daycharter cat Alii Nui out of Maui. http://youtu.be/0hquuDeWJqs
Big Scania
Fish Expo 2013
I think the economy is coming back. Fish Expo seemed much bigger and I found many valuable exibitions. I will post next week. I did find out about various groups of angry builders who are planning class action suits against John Shaw. Good luck finding him. In my experience he plans his larcenous excape well in advance. He probably bootlegged my SC 58 hulls to build those. Professional Boatbuilder should do an interview with him and find out how he keeps finding new victims.
Study Plans Price Must Go Up
Study plans have always cost more in printing, post cost and time than they bring in. Its no surprise that printing and postage costs have increased sharply.
Now however about half of all study plans sent out require specialized help. The credit card might not work. A package labeled to Austria goes to Australia. A package is not delivered and I must track it down for the customer.
It turns out that I am spending almost all my time now doing special work for what should be simple orders. I really need a full time mailing person, but the economics don’t allow it.
Sometime around the first of the year, I will try and fix that. I’m busy all the time and not getting any design work done.
Cat2Fold Sailing
Ferry #2 in Uganda being Painted
Unit #2 of the KHSD 65 catamaran ferry built by TBW is being painted here. http://www.thainboats.com/
Aolani Nice Shot
Another nice shot of the KHSD 58 daycharter catamaran Aolani in San Diego. www.aolani.cc
Fish Expo Time Again
Once again it is time for the serious boat show here in Seattle. It used to be known as Fish Expo as it was for fishermen. It now has the upscale name of Pacific Marine Expo. http://www.pacificmarineexpo.com/en/attend/show-schedule
Again, as my friend Steve Scheidler once noted to me there, “If this equpment fails, people die.” True. This Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.