MetaFilter posts tagged with sailing

Star Power

the man of twists and turns — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 20:47:19 -0800

"No GPS or weather reports—just a sailboat, the wild open ocean, and the constellations. Think you could find your way across the South Pacific? James Campbell rides along with a master navigator in the Caroline Islands, where they’ve been sailing this way for thousands of years." Traditional Navigation In The Caroline Islands. How Did Polynesians Find Their Homeland? The Polynesians travelled as far as Easter Island with outrigger canoes and complex star charts. Micronesia has its own tradition of ocean voyaging.

Good photos of cool rich midcentury Americans on yachts in New England.

maiamaia — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 12:47:45 -0800

Good photos of cool rich midcentury Americans on yachts in New England.

Nordic Odyssey

holmesian — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 06:32:48 -0800

Beautiful New Yorker video from the deck of an Arctic transport ship.

Fastnet, Force 10

the man of twists and turns — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 14:58:54 -0800

The Fastnet Race is a biennial sailing race from Cowes to Fastnet Rock to Plymouth, in England. In 1979, it was the venue for one of the most famous storms and greatest disasters in yacht-racing history. There were 15 deaths, and one man left for dead as his crewmates got into a liferaft.

According to the race inquiry, 70 per cent of the entrants faced Force 11 or above with winds of 55 knot or more and waves of 30 feet or more. Many faced waves of more than 40 feet. Close to half the boats reported a knock-down to horizontal or almost horizontal, a third reported that their boat rolled beyond horizontal. Most terrible of all, one eighth of the fleet were capsized entirely and dismasted.

The boats most affected by the storm were the 35' and under group, as the larger boats has enough speed to get out of the way of the storm. Tenacious, Ted Turner's yacht, was the winner on corrected time. Turner: "The '79 race had the roughest conditions I can remember when actually racing".(PDF) Here's an interview with two J30 skippers in the race. The BBC has an hour-long recreation of the race. The findings resulted in increased safety standard for offshore races. The definitive account is John Rousmaniere's Fastnet Force 10 The "force" referred to is the Beaufort scale.

Lost languages of the age of sail.

OmieWise — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 10:48:47 -0800

Of Fanás and Forecastles: The Indian Ocean and Some Lost Languages of the Age of Sail. Amitav Ghosh is tracing the culture and language of the lascars, the diverse Indian Ocean "natives" who made up the rosters on so many sailing ships. In 11 parts, the first nine are up now: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. RIDLH, of course

Hello Sailor!

exogenous — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 12:26:53 -0800

The Nautical Roots of the Modern Tattoo

"There is NOTHING--absolute nothing--half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats."

the man of twists and turns — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 12:47:23 -0800

Looking for a project for the winter? Have some spare room and hand tools? Why not build a boat? You can take classes at a school, or simply get started with plans online. Wooden Boat Magazine, Messing About In Boats and Duckworks Magazine can help you get started. The two major methods are stitch-and-glue, in which wooden panels are "sewn" together with wire before epoxy is applied, and skin-on-frame, which is exactly as it sounds and can result in extremely light boats. There are plans, parts kits, and pre-cut kits for all kinds of boats: kayaks, rowboats, canoes, sailboats, powerboats, dories and dinghies, yachts, daysailers, Most home-built designed use wood (plywood) or fiberglass, but some people just use whatever they find...

Old ships and nautical memorabilia

nickyskye — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 22:15:25 -0800

Old Ships is a website packed full of evocative, interesting and historical pictures of old ships from A to Zambesi. It's a feast of all kinds of other vintage maritime images, including ports, docks, ferries, harbors, paintings, canals, rivers, maritime scenes, onboard pictures, shipboard menus, lots of great postcards and other old historical nautical memorabilia (even the ship's cat). A random selection: Samurai on horseback looking out to a ship at sea | Alexandria | Alger | Lowestoft sailing trawler | the Stella Polaris breakfast menu | "Whang poo sampans", Shanghai, China | Sea Princess luncheon menu | Lusitania sailing times | St. Jean Lighthouse, Marseille | Cairo, the Nile | Benares Bathing ghat |Queen Mary Swimming Pool | America's Cup Race Yacht Columbia and Britannia Lots of assorted images of the Titanic: boarding pass | Titanic gangway | Titanic rudder | commemorative postcard | cross section | Titanic propellers | image of the Titanic's Captain Smith (on the right), the officers and the name of the hymn that was played by the ship's band as they sank | Titanic's survivors

Heavy Air

the man of twists and turns — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 23:50:36 -0800

Last year, the Heavy Air Laser Slalom regatta was run out of St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco. Organizers pick what they think will be a consistently windy day, and competitors race on the fastest points of sail. Here is some incredible footage. There is also video from the 2008 slalom race. The race originally started in the 70's(video). Laser is a one-design racing class also in the Olympics. While the hull remains the same, different sails (like full-rig or radial-cut) can be substituted for sailors of different size and skill. The boat was designed in 1969 as an inexpensive, car-toppable daysailer(PDF), and quickly became a worldwide hit. In too much wind, bad things can happen ...

Irish Olympic Sailing Commentary & the Hardy Bucks

flex — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 09:21:07 -0800

"Over in Ireland, mention Chris ‘The Viper’ Tordoff of the Hardy Bucks, and everyone immediately thinks comedy. But when Tordoff’s mock-commentary of Olympic sailing went viral" (video, 3 1/2 min.) "most international media failed to get the joke." Often compared to the Canadian hit TV show Trailer Park Boys (previously here & here), Hardy Bucks is an Irish mockumentary TV show "set in a small town in West Ireland, following the misadventures of five hapless men down on their luck, trying to leave their backwards rural hometown and attempt to reach Galway to sample modern civilization". As a series of largely improvised webisodes, it went on to win the 2009 Storyland competition held by Irish national broadcaster RTÉ, which then commissioned nine TV episodes (two seasons) and a Xmas special. "The Hardy Bucks is based on the misadventures of four disaffected lads from the fictitious ‘Castletown’ in the backwaters of County Mayo, Ireland. Scheming, drinking, work-shy procrastinators, the Hardy Bucks are daft lads from the country – the epicentre of their universe – tormented by their nemesis and small-town hash dealer, Viper Higgins. Written by Martin Maloney (Eddie Durkan), Chris Tordoff (Viper) and Mike Cockayne, Hardy Bucks was commissioned by RTE after it won the www.storyland.ie competition. Their 1st series received record viewing figures for a new show on RTE 2 – as a result they were re-commissioned for the Christmas Special. Since then Hardy Bucks has aired its 2nd series which they have just received an IFTA Nomination for ‘Best Entertainment Show’."* nine webisodes & a Xmas short on the official Hardy Bucks YouTube channel (episodes 3 through 9 were the six entries in the Storyland competition) ------------------------------------------------------ *episode 1, parts one & two *episode 2, parts one & two *episode 3, parts one & two *episode 4, in full *episode 5, parts one & two *episode 6, parts one, two, & three *episode 7, parts one, two, & three *episode 8, parts one, two, & three *episode 9, parts one, two, & three *Christmas in Castletown, in full 4 mini-episodes (about 4 1/2 min. each): one - two - three - four RTÉ season 1, three episodes: *episode 1, parts one & two *episode 2, parts one & two *episode 3, parts one & two Tordoff (in character as The Viper) plays Modern Warfare 3 & offers commentary: Videos of MW3: Paris - MW3: London - MW3: Africa - MW3: Russia more recent (2011) videos: *Lads of Summer webisode *No One Shouted Shtop! webisode *Hardy Bucks Guide to St. Paddy's Day

First there was Flash Friday, and now . . .

resurrexit — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 16:19:49 -0800

Maritime Monday. (No NSFW images in this link, but some weeks there will be a random picture or two of a topless mer-person or sailor.)

Exactly 364 days ago I was sailing on the opposite side of Guadeloupe heading west...

the_artificer — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 17:28:12 -0800

Today Dutch sailor Laura Dekker returned to St. Maarten, completing her yearlong solo voyage around the world aboard her sailboat, “Guppy.” (Previously)

Donald Crowhurst

Trurl — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 21:14:07 -0800

Donald Crowhurst (1932–1969) was a British businessman and amateur sailor who died while competing in the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race, a single-handed, round-the-world yacht race. Crowhurst had entered the race in hopes of winning a cash prize from The Sunday Times to aid his failing business. Instead, he encountered difficulty early in the voyage, and secretly abandoned the race while reporting false positions, in an attempt to appear to complete a circumnavigation without actually circling the world. Evidence found after his disappearance indicates that this attempt ended in insanity and suicide. (previously: 1, 2)

Let's Get Small

richyoung — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 00:30:34 -0800

Suppose you love to sail. Suppose, further, that you would like to do some cruising (travelling by sailboat) but can't afford the cost of an offshore-capable yacht. Or suppose you're reluctant to become dependent upon the many complicated systems that a modern cruising sailboat relies on. Or suppose the whole luxury RV aesthetic of modern cruising sailboats turns you off. What then? Well, maybe you should think smaller. Assuming you aren't interested in going the sponsored record attempt route (previ-ously), spending two years refurbishing a fixer-upper, or funding your voyage via Kickstarter. . . . . .you might start thinking about smaller boats. You could build your own 750 lb, 21' minimalist catamaran and sail it around the world in leisurely fashion. Why not race it across the Atlantic, too? (Of course, not every sailing minimalist likes catamarans or eschews sponsorship funds.) But maybe 21 feet still seems too big and complicated. And who has time to sail around the entire globe, anyway? Well, perhaps you're interested in "microcruising" - that is, shorter voyages in ocean-going, sub-20' sailboats. While there are some examples of seaworthy production boats in this size range, there are other folks pushing the limits a bit further. For example, this couple regularly cruises from Florida to the Bahamas in their 15' Matt Layden-designed sharpie. (Sharpies were popular workboats in the past; the late, great, unconventional boat designer Phil Bolger is credited with popularizing the style for recreational sailing more recently.) Perhaps 15' is still too big? Well, you could try something closer to 12' or 13', as Layden and Swedish sailor Sven Yrvind have. (Of course, in a boat this size, you'll need to have the most compact gear available.) None of this is new, really. Boats similar to this outrigger sailing canoe design have been used by the peoples of the Pacific in the open ocean since the time of legend. But all of this might be really dangerous, so if you find yourself inspired, be sure to consider how seaworthy your diminutive vessel really is before venturing out.

Food of the Gods

netbros — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 16:23:29 -0800

Mast Brothers [vimeo 8:48] — They began their voyage in their apartment, using a homemade machine to process cacao beans. Over time they cultivated their creation, sourcing beans from family farms in Madagascar, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, and Ecuador. Each bar is handmade with incredible reverence for the process and history of chocolate. They are bound in ornamental papers and golden foil like a collection of rare books. Each bar offers its own story of flavors, and no two are exactly alike. Roman and Williams — Alesch still renders all of their presentations by hand, a skill he has preserved and honed from an early age. Standefer evolved her skills as a painter into creating sets for the likes of Scorsese. As a team they have developed an approach to creating buildings and interiors that reveres craft and tradition, combined with a contemporary viewpoint. Billykirk — Brothers Chris and Kirk Bray have been producing leather goods for the last ten years. They launched Billykirk from Los Angeles in 1999, learning their craft from a third generation leather maker. A simple leather strap kick started the business, a decade later their collection has flourished into other offerings that consists of bags, belts, shoes, wallets, hats and other accessories. Since expanding and moving their operation to the East, they've employed a group of Amish leather makers to produce much of their line. All videos presented by The Scout.

Diseases of Affluence

r_nebblesworthII — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 11:23:10 -0800

Diabetes is overwhelmingly the most common cause of male impotence in the developed world. Men and women are designed to move, and when we do not, our immobility reduces us in every respect. A long, enjoyably rambling piece about urbanization, faux survivalist sailors, self-sufficiency, and the problems caused by the creeping spread of the modern Western diet and lifestyle. Also, the difference between Canadian and Afghani guts.

1000 Oceans

cal71 — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 15:16:05 -0800

Mau Piailug passed away last week at 78 years old. He was a Master Navigator from the tiny island of Satawal. In the seventies, he traveled to Hawaii to help the Polynesian Voyaging Society revive the wayfinder's art, navigating by the sun, moon, stars, animals, waves and clouds. In 1976, he steered the Hokule'a, a traditional sailing canoe, from Hawaii to Tahiti without even so much as a compass. He began teaching a new generation of navigators and helped launch a revival of Polynesian culture. To honor him, the Polynesian Voyaging Society is raising money to assist the people of Satawal, while also preparing for a world wide voyage on the Hokule'a, to use their ancient wisdom to help imagine a new relationship to the planet we share.

Age is just a number

T.D. Strange — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 11:12:10 -0800

Sad breaking news on a previously discussed topic as 16 year old Abby Sunderland is feared lost at sea. A comment in the previous thread reviews current attempts at the "youngest to sail" record and a link from the ABC news frontpage highlights a 5 year old hiking prodigy.

Joshua Slocum

Joe Beese — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 10:12:06 -0800

On June 27, 1898, all but unnoticed, a Canadian seaman named Joshua Slocum sailed his rebuilt oyster boat Spray into Newport, Rhode Island, completing a 3-year, 46,000 mile voyage conducted solely by dead reckoning that made him the first man to ever achieve a solo circumnavigation of the world. His account of the feat, Sailing Alone Around The World (HTML with illustrations, plain text, EPUB, audio), was described by Arthur Ransome as "one of the immortal books". In 1909, Slocum set out in the Spray for the West Indies. Neither he nor the craft were ever seen again.

I wish I'd had the spunk to attempt to sail around the world at thirteen.

SkylitDrawl — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:40:51 -0800

"In the beginning, they asked if I was sure I really wanted to do it," says Laura Dekker, the thirteen year old Dutch girl who wants to become the youngest person to ever sail around the world alone. "They have sailed around the world so they know what could happen and that it's not always fun, but I realize that too. But I really wanted to do it so my parents said, 'Good, we'll help you.'" (Additional Youtube link for people who don't like having to read words.)

"Nowadays a chantey is worth 1000 songs on an iPod"

Miko — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 08:43:49 -0800

Stan Hugill, often known as "The Last Shantyman," authored a book called Shanties From the Seven Seas, based on his own work experiences in the last days of sail. Influential in the folk revival, the book is one of the most important written sources for music sung aboard ships in the 19th and early 20th century, the "Bible" of sea music. Decades of chanteying in pubs and at festivals have kept many of the songs alive, but in most cases they've strayed stylistically from the verses and versions Hugill collected, or dropped out of popularity entirely. Now, one musician is returning to the source and creating a new audio archive for the original versions of the songs as written, by singing through the more than 400 songs in the book, one song each week, and posting the songs on YouTube, with commentary. In case it's confusing, the British spell it "shanty/ shanties/ shantyman" and the Americans tend to spell it "chantey/ chanteys/ chanteyman."

... all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by

madamjujujive — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 20:28:32 -0800

Around Cape Horn - if you've ever wished for an authentic glimpse into the bygone era of the majestic age of sailing, this is it - a rare 1929 true adventure film about sailing a four-masted commercial barque around the Cape Horn during a huge gale. It was shot with a hand-cranked camera by Captain Irving Johnson who offers a spirited narration. 36 minutes, B&W

2008 Vendée Globe

findango — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 13:36:51 -0800

The 2008-2009 Vendée Globe starts tomorrow from Les Sables d'Olonne, France. Held every four years, this single-handed, non-stop, round the world sailing race is so competitive that the 2004-2005 edition saw the top 3 finishers separated by less than 29 hours after 87 days of racing! The first round-the-world race, the Sunday Times Golden Globe, held in 1968-1969, was won by Robin Knox-Johnston (the only competitor to finish) and inspired its share of philosophy and tragedy, with Bernard Moitessier abandoning while leading, and Donald Crowhurst committing suicide while trying to fake his voyage. (Previously) Although modern technology has made the race (somewhat) safer, going to sea, and especially entering the Southern Ocean, is an inherently dangerous undertaking, inspiring some, and requiring rescue for others. Armchair skippers can experience some of the fun -- without the relentless cold, wet, and freeze-dried food -- in the Virtual Vendée Globe.

U.S. Ex. Ex. 1838-1842

cenoxo — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 03:26:50 -0800

The United States Exploring Expedition, 1838-1842 — Authorized and funded by the U.S. government, six ships sailed with 346 men (including officers, crew, scientists, and artists) on a four-year scientific and surveying mission, logging 87,000 miles around the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. Two ships and 28 men were lost, and the Expedition's contentious commander Charles Wilkes was court-martialled for his erratic behavior, and was sued by former officers and crew members. During the Civil War in 1861, he boarded a British ship, seized two Confederate agents, and nearly provoked military retaliation by England (he was court-martialled once again in 1864 for insubordination.) Wilkes' 1845 Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition and the Ex. Ex.'s journals were published by Congress, and some 40 tons of Expedition specimens and artifacts became the foundation of the Smithsonian Institution's collections. [Nathaniel Philbrick (video lecture) chronicles this almost-forgotten voyage in his 2003 book Sea of Glory (NYT review).]

Small World After All?

Xurando — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 05:50:34 -0800

The circumnavigators are out there. In February, Mike Beaumont completed the fastest circumnavigation of the globe by bicycle. Tomorrow, Rosie Swale, age 62, finishes her 4 1/2 year run around the world. As posted previously, Zac Sunderland is now attempting to break the record for the youngest sailing circumnavigation of the planet, now held by Jesse Martin.