Monthly Archives: July 2010

This weekend, we are taking a much needed mini-vacation with some friends, after which, we’ll be primed and ready to go forth on the work that Clarity needs.  I’ve posted much about what we are thinking of doing, and now … Continue reading →

Thanks to Ron Hoddinott of the West Coast Trailer Sailing Squadron, who took some great pictures of Clarity sailing on Lake Tarpon, I was able to crop our favorite and use it above!

One of the projects for this weekend is to build a rack in the backyard to store our kayaks, and the amas when I remove them from Clarity!  Not overly romantic, but sometimes you just gotta do the chores.  This will … Continue reading →

I’ve decided that I’m going to make the cockpit sole a removeable affair, either using some of the plywood from the new deck, or using traditional slatted floorboards (prebuilt as a removeable grid).  I’ll epoxy a couple of 4″ PVC … Continue reading →

Very soon, it’ll be time to dissect and reconstruct the boat (yikes!).  The part that needs the most work is the vaka, so I’ll start out making a list of items to check and do.  What’s a vaka, you ask?  … Continue reading →

My my my… I just noticed that I never posted anything about making the battens for the Trac 16 mainsail… OOPS!  So much for continuity and flow. I located some 1.50″ by 0.25″ pine stock at Home Depot, which looked … Continue reading →

Wow. I finished Warren Richeys’ “Without A Paddle” last night, but it might be a few days before I can step away from it enough to write a proper review (which I will do, and post here, on Amazon, and other book sites). … Continue reading →

As mentioned earlier, we’ve cut down a used mainsail from a Trac 16 catamaran, and made sort of a square-topped, 100 sq. ft. low center of effort (C/E) main.  After cutting the sail with a hot knife, I reinforced the … Continue reading →

It’s been pretty busy around the house this past week, so I’ve been a bit remiss in posting. (Plus, I’ve been reading “Without A Paddle!!)  I cleaned and sorted a bunch of stuff in the garage last night, so tonight … Continue reading →

“I hope you don’t mind, but I always sign books with ‘Paddle or Die’,” Warren Richey said to me as he signed our copy of his book ‘Without A Paddle’.  “Is there any other way?” I responded, thinking that I … Continue reading →

YES!  I have ANOTHER power tool!  Even better, I have NO IDEA how to use it, so the learning curve ought to be fun, at least for any observers…. I wonder if I can use this to shred cheese?? I have acquired … Continue reading →

As we all gather for the 4th of July fireworks, picnics, and general revelries, it’s easy to forget what the day is truly about.  With all the sales at the Big Box stores, hoopla at the restaurants and lounges, and fireworks … Continue reading →

Now that I’ve decided to replace the aka tubes with 2.50″ SCH 40 aluminum, which has a nice, thick, fastener-friendly cross section, I have no issues with drilling into them and attaching hardware.  So for my jib sheet leads, I’m … Continue reading →

A few weeks back I signed up for a free digital issue of Multihulls Magazine using a link from the Gemini Catamaran site.  I made some minor mention of my Sailbird plans, and was surprised to get an email inviting me … Continue reading →