01 Jan

Vikings' succeed in epic crossing

Ocean NavigatorOffshore Sailing
The crew of modern-day Vikings who were attempting to recreate Leif Ericson's historic expedition from Greenland to mainland Canada this past summer successfully crossed the Davis and Hudson straits, effectively proving that the trip could have been accomplished in such a boat. Before the first big crossing, the crew of the open 54-foot wooden knarr Snorri had been holed up in a fjord, awaiting fine weather, before a weather-routing specialist spotted a break. "The weather windows are pretty darn short in this area of the world, so when I saw this scenario coming up I said, go, go, go!" explained…
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01 Jan

Voyager's gold

Ocean NavigatorOffshore Sailing
Over the centuries, alchemists devoted their lives to converting lead into gold. Had they asked any sailor they would have been told that their fortunes would be better assured by finding a way to convert sea water into drinking water. An adequate supply of water is the most critical supply for any voyage lasting more than a few hours. The amount of water available often defines the difference between a pleasure cruise and a survival exercise. Most pleasure boats depend on periodic replenishment of water storage tanks. This process works well for voyages of short duration or, with stringent control…
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01 Jan

CrossPac' to depart for Sydney in 2003

Ocean NavigatorOffshore Sailing
A new short-handed race that will run between San Francisco and Sydney, Australia, via Hawaii will be held in 2003. Appropriately called the CrossPac, the 6,500-nm race will depart the Golden Gate Yacht Club during the summer of 2003. Participants will be sailing either single- or double-handed in boats up to 60 feet in length. (The race committee is still considering allowing multihulls.) Organized by Californian Alan Hebert, the race is being coordinated and sponsored in San Francisco by the Golden Gate Yacht Club, in Hawaii by the Waikiki Yacht Club and the Hawaii Yacht Club, and in Sydney by…
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01 Jan

There's no place like Peter's in Azores

Ocean NavigatorOffshore Sailing
Mariners who have visited the Azores over the years have undoubt-edly stumbled into the islands' world-famous gathering place for travelers: Café Sport. Opened by Henrique Azevedo in 1918, this harbor-front café and bar has been welcoming tuna fishermen, whalers, boaters, and yachtsmen to Horta, on the island of Faial, for the past 80 years. Today it is run by the new patriarch, Henrique's 72-year-old son Jose Azevedo (called Peter by those who know him, a nickname apparently given by a passing Dutch seaman when Jose "was just a tadpole"). Peter celebrates his own milestone this year50 years of continuous service…
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01 Jan

Ex-Navy sub should extend Alvin's reach

Ocean NavigatorOffshore Sailing
A deep-diving submarine, similar to the famed Alvin, has been donatedto the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution by the U.S. Navy. Sea Cliff, a close cousin to Alvin, is able to dive to 19,500 feet with a crew of scientists. Although WHOI future plans do not include operating two manned submarines, according to Adm. Richard F. Pittenger, associate director of marine operations, the addition of a second submarine will enable the Institution to mix and match parts to create a better sub. "Sea Cliff is not going to be used as it is too large, too clumsy, and too expensive to…
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01 Jan

More on mariners' anti-malaria measures

Ocean NavigatorShort Tacks
Your recent article on malaria ("Malaria prevention," Issue No. 90) has a few errors and omissions that this retired preventive medicine type noted. First, permethrin is more toxic than DEET, not less. It is actually an insecticide (of the pyrethroid class), not just a repellent, with some uses for killing lice. Uncle Sam's Army says never put it on the skin, just on the outer clothing. It does have the advantage that it is still effective after several washings. Also, way back when, we named WR-142,490 "mefloquine," with a terminal "e." On a more serious note, if you are going…
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01 Jan

Nada's re-rigging: finally getting it right

Ocean NavigatorNavigation, Short Tacks
Recently we converted our wooden-sparred ketch Nada to an aluminum-sparred cutter. The idea was to remove weight aloft from what had always been an overly tender boat. However, I didn't get things quite right when I calculated the new location of the mast. It turned out that I moved it too far aft, giving Nada excessive weather helm. We have a relatively small main (303 square feet), and a relatively large genoa (550 square feet), but, even so, any time we set the full main it completely overpowered the headsails and Nada simply rounded up. The boat did so with…
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01 Jan

Rigs & Rigging

Ocean NavigatorNav Problems
When it comes to the modern sailboat rig, there has been a definite design trend toward higher masts and shorter booms. This rigging choice is seen most clearly on racing machines, but it has also become a factor on the average voyaging boat. There are, of course, advantages to this type of rig, but there are also some significant penalties. An examination of different rig styles reveals some of the trade-offs designers must make when drawing a voyaging rig. The relationship of wingspan to wing breadth is termed "aspect ratio" and is expressed as a simple fraction. A kite has…
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01 Jan

Notable New Books: Boatowner's Illustrated Electrical Handbook

Ocean NavigatorGood Reads, Uncategorized
This is a texbook; it says so in the introduction, which was written by American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) instructor and curriculum designer Ed Sherman, who uses the book in his seminars. That the book is endorsed by such an august body is promotion enough, but the book is also easy to read and enjoyable (for those who find beauty in the order of things). The author guides the reader from the very beginning with Ohm's Law (with enthusiastic salvos: "I believe you will find electricity to be fun.") and an introduction to basic circuitry. He then builds upon…
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