Monthly Archives: November 2010

Track Slocum’s voyage on Google Earth

Yesterday, one of my social networking friends highlighted a Google Earth app that has been around for a couple of years without my knowing about it. A guy who uses the name OspreyLightning noticed that Joshua Slocum’s Sailing Alone Around … Continue reading

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The Fastnet in a Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter – Morwenna

In my very early teens I sailed around the Solent in a small gaff cutter, but nothing like this. Morwenna is a modern replica of a Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter, and Underfall Boatyard took two and a half years to … Continue reading

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Laura Dekker – learning out of school

A year ago, the Dutch child welfare folks were worried that Laura’s planned world cruise would hinder her development. A lot of other folks, particularly in the USA – a land which brands itself as encouraging freedom and following dreams … Continue reading

Posted in PEOPLE, VOYAGES | 2 Comments

Boat Name Clothing – sailing gifts to show your allegiance

About 40 years ago, I was part of the crew of an S&S34 called Carnival during her first Cowes Week. It was her owner’s first foray into campaigning a ‘boat with a lid’. He used to sail a Flying Fifteen … Continue reading

Posted in EQUIPMENT | 1 Comment

Cold Water Boot Camp

In about 1970 I read about a study by the Royal Navy (without ever seeing the original, so I may have been misinformed) which concluded that people who fell overboard in the English Channel died of hypothermia, not drowning. It … Continue reading

Posted in EQUIPMENT, GENERAL, SEAMANSHIP | Leave a comment