Sunday, February 26, 2023
Greatings from Doryman
Wednesday, June 23, 2021
CHANGE
Where would be without it? Impossible to imagine.
In the last year we've seen a lot. The global pandemic has been the biggest spotlight of all, highlighting the cracks and crevasses of human society.
Personally, for now, the worst has passed. Ignoring the pitfalls of aging... A topic for another day.
Today, lets do a doryman boatyard update, a virtual photo tradition.
First of all, we recently moved from here:
To here:
Thursday, August 20, 2020
Chebacco, ALUNA
As promised, here is an update on Aluna, the lapstrake Chebacco, 12years old, made new.
In northern Columbia the Kogi, as the custodians ('Big Brother') of Earth, have been looking down from their mountain at the activities of ‘Younger Brother’ (their name for the rest of humanity) and become frightened about how the world is changing. They believe there is a mind inside nature, that they call ‘Aluna’.
The Chebacco is a Phil Bolger design in a minimalist shallow water cruiser.
Aluna had sadly been left for decade on a trailer under a tarp. This photo shows the cockpit sole removed. Fortunately the evil wood rot had not reached it's tentacles into the hull beneath.
Today, I'm happy to report, the offending microbe has been banished, repairs complete, and Aluna floats. My good friend, Doug and I shared the repair and he took on the task of refinishing the entire vessel. And what a gorgeous job. The rigging is roughed out, so sea trials could commence any day.
I'll let the photos speak for themselves...
(that object just off the bow is the lid on a tractor)
As the sun sets Aluna rests in her slip, waiting for rigging to be complete, to try her wings.
Sunday, April 19, 2020
Confessions of a Disabled Sailor
Monday, June 17, 2019
Capsize
A surprise gust of wind hit and before I could release the mainsheet, water was cascading over the coaming . I forgot how fluky the South Puget Sound winds can be. A fellow named Dave up on the bank heard me from where he was working in his garage and came out in his skiff. (I'd lost both cell phone and VHF radio, was cursing my predicament and yelling for help. I have very healthy lungs.).
Wednesday, December 19, 2018
You Must Be the Change You Want to See in the World
A couple days ago, during a wild winter storm here in the Pacific Northwest, a tornado touched down in a small local town and selectively destroyed a block of homes. Tornadoes are very rare around here, so the usual discussion about climate change erupted.
Suffice to say, I have no doubt that humans have contributed to the drastic changes we now experience in our environment. Perhaps it is too late to return to a more innocent age ecologically, but it is dangerously naive to believe we can continue with business as usual and expect to not suffer.
In a recent post on his excellent blog Ecosophia , John Michael Greer makes the salient point that we have distanced ourselves too much from nature. If anthropogenic climate change is real (and it's suicidal to believe it's not) then, it's past time for us to take our contribution seriously and reduce our carbon footprint in our daily lives. Literally, walk the walk.
Thursday, December 13, 2018
Fire
Friends and neighbors of the Longs have started a fundraiser to help them out. I thought possibly some of you might be interested.
Thank you and please remember those who have been displaced from their homes this holiday season - for whatever reason.
Monday, September 10, 2018
Zen
The word used most often to describe this scene was serenity. While that might be so, serenity in this case is married to intensity. Concentration coupled with calculation. All senses tuned to the moment, in perfect harmony.
It's been a difficult year, ruled by Saturn. But like many mariners, DoryMan turns to the water to soothe his soul.
Friday, July 13, 2018
Rowing in Style
Sail Like a Girl, with a team of seven women won the 750 mile race from Port Townsend, Washington to Ketchikan, Alaska. It seems they peddled-powered their Melges 32 half the way on this motor-less event. Congratulations to those hard working women.
Here at home, a slightly less exciting victory - the MSD skiff is complete and ready for her first splash. Randy Jones, her proud owner will announce a launch date soon and I'll be sure to pass it on.
There have been a few setbacks during this build and no one is happier to see it finished than I. We have the highest expectations for this simple, elegant design. She came in at just around 100 pounds, not bad for a sixteen foot boat built to carry half a ton.
Randy says:
"Her first launch is set for noon on Saturday, July 7th at Mystery Bay State Park, Nordland WA. The curious are welcome and encouraged to bring their own boats. I'll noodle around for a few hours and let everyone take a test row."
Tuesday, May 15, 2018
MSD Rowing Skiff
The first coat of primer goes on the hull.
Turn upright and the true shape starts to show.
Very simple design, graceful lines. The bulkheads installed will become sealed floatation.
We must always have a shot of clamps. The spacers set the inwale off the hull, a useful detail allowing for tying on fenders.
The flotation seats will provide almost 600 pounds of safety.
Same shot, different view.
To be continued...........