an answer of sorts...

A like mind, more on banning books, and from the "Beating my head against the bulkhead" files...

I get quite a bit of mail asking why I don't talk more about production boats of the newer variety. The simple answer is I have very little interest in boats I can't actually afford.

However, as in all things, there are some exceptions. I do have a keen interest where design innovation and new construction methods are concerned. Especially when the innovation and boat building aspects are compatible to older production boats and designs.

The reason I'm so interested in the various French RM Yachts is because they are the cutting edge where small shipyards and innovative plywood construction meet. While I can't afford to buy an RM 1070+ I most certainly can liberate a few great ideas by studying the design, how it's built, and rigged.

Some seriously pretty plywood.

You'd be surprised how many details from RM Yachts and the new Dufour 32 just might wind up as part of a 1969 CAL 34.

By the way, for a great blog post on the Dufour 32 you might want to check out Interesting Sailboats (a most excellent resource).

Listening to Johnny Franco

So it goes...

Just some guys taking a plywood boat out for a spin...

A bit of interesting energy news, some sense being made, and if only government would get with the “no assholes, no bozos” program...

Some pretty cool contreplaqué.


RM 1070, 100 milles en hiver by voile-magazine

Listening to the late great Don Covay

So it goes...

Some very cool plywood...

A very good point about Google and search engines in general, Proa file with some interesting WW2 proa fodder, and a very interesting zome kit...

A very cool plywood sailboat.

More on the RM 970 cab be found here.

Listening to Flock of Dimes

So it goes...

Some plywood production boatbuilding goodness...

Something about charity, a bit of promising research, and an interesting program on face blindness...



Lots more to see over at the RM site.

Listening to Ben Harper

So it goes...

This and that...

An interesting story involving yacht racing, in the "paranoia strikes deep" department, and someone making some sense...

Taking a month off from doing Boat Bits has given me some time to think long and hard about whether or not it's worth the time and effort to actually do it. Sort of one of those conversations with oneself and the added distraction of having a good angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other adding to the mayhem. But, to make a long story short, the decision to resume and beaver on has been made so I hope you'll all be patient with some changes and experiments I have planned for the near future. Some of which, I hope you'll like.

As this blog is supposed to be about boats in a sorta/kinda way, here's a link to a very interesting boat, the RM 1070, that a lot of folks were very impressed with at the recent Paris Boat Show... A production built plywood design that has a lot of details that are very impressive (hopefully you can adapt a few into your own boat, boat build, or project). Voile &Voiliers Magazine (always a good read) takes us on the tour.

Listening to Ministry (it's got a good beat, easy to dance to, and the lyrics just make a whole lot of sense...)

A strong case for plywood...

Donkey Mountain makes a good point, a bit of important hindsight, and the word for the day is “aridification”...

RM Yachts makes the case for plywood. 

Listening to Artur Menezes

So it goes...

Some seriously kickass plywood...

Done right plywood rocks...


RM 10.70 au salon nautique de Paris from Festival du Film Lycéen on Vimeo.