The science of rowboat design is easily understood. Once mastered it can be used to improve choice of craft and rowing technique. John Gardner in his excellent book “Building Classic Small Craft” does not include science because traditional craft were developed before general scientific literacy. On this issue a famous Norwegian yacht designer, Colin Archer, …
Eccentric people live on average three years longer than conformists, or so it is said. I suppose there is a stress in conformity that has a subtle effect on health. This may be of some comfort to me when I paddle out to my putt putt in the odd looking mud skipper. When the Waterways …
The following article describes the advantages of the carbon fibre blade and how to make one. Not for everybody, but, there are those who will enjoy the creative activity. It may seem a lot of work but if engaged one step at a time can be quite enjoyable. If the time is not available then …
(Keep It Stupid, Simple.) My friend Caravan had been using the prototype for a year when I asked him how it was going. “ It is phenomenally sensible.” He replied. “John is crippled with a bad back and can climb into it without it sinking under him and it gives him confidence.” He went on …
Malcolm regarded me, a shipwrecked and broke sailor with some disdain, but nevertheless found me sufficiently interesting to invite to his barbecue at Loloho. All did not go well. An uninvited degenerate, half-dressed alcoholic, Steve, tussled with Malcolm before being ejected from the gathering. It was not long before Steve reappeared at the head of …
I had read that Don was building boats with dynamite in the nineties. He was out in Woop Woop welding the hulls into the approximate shape and then blowing them into a perfectly moulded shape with gelignite. This was achieved by placing the welded hull in a mould filling it with water and blowing it …
What if I were to tell you that everything you believe about rowing is wrong? Some things you read in the following article may seem counterintuitive, but they derive from observation and theory, have been verified experimentally (see Turbo Oar) and employed in oar design. Doesn’t make sense you say? When Einstein was told that …
The following article describes the rationale of cartopping, and, two simple methods of loading the swift dory (aka Herreshoff rowboat) on and off station wagons, hatchbacks, and sedans. It also describes a simple dolly to enable the dory to be moved around unaided. For long trips the inverted dory prevents water logging in heavy rain. …
Introduction Many people in yachts drown in rather predictable ways, so, I have written this precautionary tale. It is worth considering some of the observations made by individuals that have suffered near disasters, so that drownings can be mitigated. Not included in this, was the tale told by my old mate Graham Hume (of Bachelor’s …
The following event occurred June 28, 2014 at 1620 hours on an attempted rowing trip in a Herreshoff rowboat (alias “Swift Dory”) from Dangar Island to Brooklyn on the Hawkesbury River near Sydney. The wind strength was measured by the weather bureau. Bad Timing About a hundred miles from the east coast of Australia, lies …