Friday, November 12, 2010

The original Schooner Atlantic being broken up: (1982)


If she had lasted a decade or 2 longer, somebody with really deep pockets would have appeared to restore her.

But, this recreation of the original is finished and most likely sailing around somewhere on the Med.

Is it real?

Considering some of the  crazy things there are building these days, it could very well be.
But, no. It's just it's just the incredible level of realism than can be achieved with computer graphics these days. This from Shopfer Yachts. http://www.schopferyachts.com/    The concept is really beyond me. I'm sure it makes  perfect sense for some reason that I'm not aware.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Return of the J Boats


Meaning the J Class sloops of the 1930's (Universal Rule).
One industry that is booming, despite economic conditions: The building of J boats.
They ran out of existing hulls to restore (Shamrock, Endeavor, Valsheeda) Then they started to recreate ones that had been scrapped long ago. (Ranger, and now, most recently, Yankee)
But, for the super rich, the idea of owning your own unique J boat is so irresistable, that they are now building ones that really never existed, except on paper. The published brief on this one (called Lionheart) is a little confusing to me. But it sounds as though this may have been the design that Olin Stephens submitted for Ranger. At the time it was thought to be too radical; The one that was finally used was from Starling Burgess. So they are, in perenthesis, calling this 'Ranger II'.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

'Coffee Grinders"

File comment: backstay trimmers
winches.jpg
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One of the most amazing thing about these boats (as they were sailed originally) is that they had NO standing backstay! A heavy air jibe must have been terrifying. And, for the most part, no winches, as we know them today. Everything was block and tackle. This is a picture from the original 'Yankee'. (A tie was not 'optional' when you were in charge of the running backstays)
They did have THESE devices. Since I'm far from being an expert on this subject, I have no idea what they were called or how they worked. It's possible that they were some kind of clutch, or maybe connected to something lead below.
As a person that has been clubbed and flayed using one of the old wire reel type halyard winches, I wouldn't want to be anywhere near one of THESE things!

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Scams from China

It appears that China will soon aquire the mantle (from Nigeria) of the new Internet Scam capital of the world.

You have to check this message out. They have some automated domain analyzer that has determined that my domain has some kind of following. And they are notifiying me that, for a fee, they can do something that gives me some kind of  'trademark' priveleges  in China.

Ones' first instinct is the send them a message with the subject line 'F...  Y... and why do think I care'.
But, of course, this would be a complete waste of time and energy... because, .....
It's only Chinatown..



Dear Manager:
We are a Network Service Company which is the domain name registration center in Shanghai, China. On July,19th,2010, We received HUATAI Company's application that they are registering the name "sailboatdata" as their Internet Trademark and "sailboatdata.cn","sailboatdata.com.cn" ,"sailboatdata.asia"domain names etc.,It is China and ASIA domain names.But after auditing we found the brand name been used by your company. As the domain name registrar in China, it is our duty to notice you, so I am sending you this Email to check.According to the principle in China,your company is the owner of the trademark,In our auditing time we can keep the domain names safe for you firstly, but our audit period is limited, if you object the third party application these domain names and need to protect the brand in china and Asia by yourself, please let the responsible officer contact us as soon as possible. Thank you!

Kind regards
Angela Zhang
Registration Department Manager
3002, Nanhai Building 854.Nandan Road
Xuhui District, Shanghai
Office: +86 216296 2950
Fax: +86 216296 1557
Email: info@ygnetwork.cn
web: http://ygnetwork.cn/
web: http://www.ygnetwork.cn/