Every other day...

Modern policing in the US of A, EBM on the oil based fuel death spiral, yet another "Thoughts and Prayers" weekend, and in the "Good ideas don't need lies to support them" department...

I just wanted to let folks know that due to some other writing commitments I'll be doing Boat Bits on an every other day schedule for a while.

Listening to the Iron Leg Radio Show

So it goes...

almost dumb and dangerous day...

A very good reason to get your flu shot this year, houseboats on the Nile, and in the "freedom of religion" department... 

Yep, another July 4th is just about to happen which, for someone on the water, has a lot in common with St Patrick's day and New Years in that it brings out all the waterborne amateur drinkers. As it happens it's also the maximum enforcement day for the USCG and various water cops.

A good day to just to sort out some boat projects and keep a low profile.

Listening to Raelyn Nelson

So it goes...

Hot off the presses...

EBM with a timely sports analogy,  a trend of note, and in the "To think I once seriously considered living in Wyoming" department...

A new issue worth reading.

 

By the way, Max Ebb has a great article on using and improving your plastic sextant.

Listening to Lucius

So it goes...

Doing the math...

An important read, a point well made, and in the "Why isn't this idiot not in an orange jumpsuit already?"... 

So, I've been pricing out a build of a KD860 Open and, at first glance, it's a fairly depressing exercise. Nothing makes a forty year old classic plastic sailboat in need of an extreme refit look affordable like the cost of 60 odd sheets of marine ply and the epoxy and glass to cover it with.

Then again, the first budget for a new boat is always daunting and as Hunter S. Thompson said...

 "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro." 

Still, I do have a cunning plan.

Listening to Making Movies

So it goes...

An interesting cat...

Cost effective power, losing teachers, and Wendig with an artifact of rage and frustration...

Bernd Kohler has a new version of his KD860 design...

The KD860 Open

From where I sit there's a pressing need for an affordable small multihull that can be easily built and an open bridgedeck variation of the KD860 certainly fill a void.

One of my biggest issues with modern multihulls is the lack of simplicity and the idea that everyone wants a boat that will do well in the charter market. A situation that results in multihulls that are big, heavy and expensive.

The KD860 Open is by it's very nature simple which results in a lighter better performing cat that is also a lot more affordable.

My want list for a cruising cat for a couple is pretty spartan. A good place to sleep,a comfortable place to hang out/work, and, multihull performance.

Which, is pretty much describes the KD860 open to a "T". I'll be checking out the study plans ASAP and have more to say about the design and rig once I've had a chance to price it all out. In the meantime, there's more info over on the K-Designs website that you'll want to check out.

Listening to some songs for a certain mood

So it goes...

Little boat sails around big world...

EBM with an important question, a mayo dispute, and in the "She didn't really say that did she?" department...

Yann Quenet and Baluchon have now crossed their wake and are currently in the Azores.

There's an interview worth checking out over at Voiles et Voiliers (albeit mostly behind a paywall).

Listening to Soldat Louis

So it goes...

Bummer...

An interesting solar investment framework, Ms Thunberg fighting the good fight, and in the "We need more like these two" department...

Today on the dinghy dock there was evidence of what happens when someone throws fishing line overboard.

Not a pretty picture at all.

Listening to Twiddle

So it goes...

Bears watching...

Badtux's on a roll, well this is interesting, and a climate change issue you may be unaware of...

Yep, that time of year again.

Listening to Larkin Poe

So it goes...

just another affordable sailboat...

A different orbit, music for flat earthers, and Badtux with the needful...

Pretty much everywhere I look there are boats in good condition selling for very little. This morning I came across a Newport 28 Mk 2 going for $2500. Admittedly the engine is not currently working  but as it's a Yanmar and not seized it's more than likely a repair rather than replace situation.

 

Practical Sailor had a pretty good review you might want to check out. 

Anyway, that's a lot of boat for not a lot of money.

Listening to Maverick City Music

So it goes...

Just that kind of day...

Lone Star stupidity, a dangerous ruling you might miss with all of the Roe hubbub, and in the "A sad but good point" department...

I was going to talk more about pumps and suchlike but I read the news this morning and just don't feel like it.

Listening to Jefferson Airplane

So it goes...