Fear gripped Brett and his stomach heaved as he realised this could be the end. For ninety minutes he had endured seasickness, fear and abandonment in the mountainous seas. All attempts to re- enter the kayak were stymied by the turbulent waters, so he clung desperately to the swamped vessel. He was being swept into …
A south going current along the east coast of Australia compels the whales travelling north to stay close inshore to minimize its effect. Around Twofold bay (on the SE coast of Australia) killer whales would herd the whales into the bay where they would be killed. The killer whales cooperated with the Davidson family who …
Enter a world of fun and exercise with the Swift Dory. More versatile than a canoe the Swift Dory opens a world of sociable sport and exploration. Rowing is a more comfortable exercise as it utilises all the major body muscles. Francis Herreshoff, the famous naval architect retained utility in a rowboat design that leaned …
I have noticed a recent trend of oars swiveled till the handle is outboard and the blade rests on an inboard seat. Let us call this technique “swiveling oars”. It creates the following problems: It deposits salt water on the seat, and this dries to salt crystals, excellent for causing a rash on the bum. …
Attacked for failing to discover a light filament after 1000 tries Thomas Edison famously replied; “But now I know 1000 materials that don’t work.” I’m in a similar boat. I have tried two known oar theories, and have now come up with a third which works, but may not be the complete answer. The simplest …
A lifetime of rowing has left me dissatisfied with the oarlocks I have been using. Some broke, some bent, most wore out the oar, all wore out the socket and pin, some were easily lost and most were heavy. In time many rusted and after some use, the excessive wear caused two clunks with each …
Some years ago it almost seems like another lifetime now – I lived in a boatshed on the southern beach of Dangar Island on the Hawkesbury River. I had a dory in which I used to row back and forth across the river to Brooklyn. It was a great way to start and end the …
Lighter & Stronger Oar Shaft It is more by accident than design I have arrived at an efficient and radical way of making a stiff, light shaft. The cross sectional shape goes by the rather awkward name of “isosceles trapezoid” (an isosceles triangle with the apex cut off). It was while I was playing around …
Nelson is a fascinating character and was far from a perfect person, as are most great men. He had decided early in his career to be a hero. As he was being repatriated to England after suffering tropical illness in India he recorded his thoughts: “After a long and gloomy reverie, in which I almost …
L.Francis Herreshoff is most famous for designing the H28 cruising sloop and the beautiful and successful Ticonderoga. The latter was designed as a 72 foot cruising boat which went on to become a famous racer that broke many sailing records. He is regarded as the Da Vinci of yacht design. Here he describes his thoughts leading …