Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Before the flood - quick review
Leonardo DiCaprio took three years to complete this documentary called Before the flood about the alrady ongoing climate change crisis.
It is actually quite positive as it shows the various problems and also, as opposed to doom and gloom also shows positive. Best example is when he visits Elon Musk's Giga factory and is told that 100 of these would provide all the power needed for the planet. And it's and his reaction is "That's it". It is doable!
You can watch it for free on YouTube and other services.
Thanks Leonardo!
Monday, October 24, 2016
Tiny boat crosses gulf stream to Bahamas
I have this secret dream about voyaging the ocean on a tiny boat, frankly not sure I would have the balls to actually do it. But it can and is getting done. So, I always enjoy reading about small boat travels. |
| Dave's Paradox 14 |
One blog I follow and really enjoy is called Graduating to a smaller boat, the author Dave last year has sailed around the Hawaii islands, sounds easy, but it is not.
This past Saturday, he posted about his crossing of the Gulf stream from Key Largo to Bimini on his Paradox 14 (4.2m designed by Matt Layden) that he himself built. I love the Paradox 14 for a single handler (I even have the plans), but if I ever see one close by, I'm buying it!
Anyways, believe it or not, he is not the first one on such a small boat. Many have done the crossing to the Bahamas, most notably Dave Bolduc on his 3.6 meter ENIGMA (also designed by Matt Layden).
Congrats guys, well done!
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Another video blog to follow: RAN sailing
There are so many great sailing/cruising blogs.Once a while, I will add one to the list here that I really enjoy.
This one, RAN Sailing towards distant shores is very well done. The corresponding blog is here.
Very simple and well done. The video footage is clean, and enhanced by many drone fly-bies. Their stories are clear. I'm not sure why, I do prefer the videos of between 5-10 mins long, tho I do follow others that are much longer.
The different and very interesting part here, is that they are cold weather sailors. I'm always impressed by people who sail in cold and even snowy weather. I am not a big fan of anything below 5C, such a wimp.
The name Ran is for the goddess of the deep ocean of the nordic mythology.
Enjoy!
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Tracking and Webcams on hurricane Matthew
As much as I love the Bahamas, boy I am glad to not be there right now as hurricane Matthew bears down towards it, could be hitting Nassau directly. |
| Hurricane Isabel from space |
I hope everyone gets out and is prepare very well ahead of this.
For people that are far and are curious, okay, call us hurricane voyeurs! There are many webcams, lets see how long they stay up
- Nassau Bahamas (wind already very evident still 200 miles away!)
And many in Florida (should be Thursday)
Also, there's a great hurricane tracker here, in real time
Stay safe!
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Documentary: Chasing Bubbles
Recently I came across this great documentary: Chasing Bubbles.
 |
| Alex Rust |
It is
A documentary about the journey and spirit of Alex Rust, a farm boy turned day trader from Indiana who, at 25, abandoned his yuppie life in Chicago, bought a modest sailboat, and set out to sail around the world, learning as he journeyed.says IMDB.
Pretty amazing that the movie is available for free. Would have paid to see it.
The movie can be watched on YouTube and Vimeo.
Btw, as a side note, the Vimeo app for Amazon Fire Stick is really primitive, no search capability?!
Anyways, I might even watch it a second time, it is very inspiring, and poses some very good questions.
Enjoy!
Thursday, September 8, 2016
Dry while on the water
Warning: another rant ahead! :-) |
| Result of mixing alcool and boating |
My rule is: if I am boating, I do not drink alcool, period. Exception are when anchored or docked for the night. If I know I will be boating, no drinks. I even buy de-alcoholized beers for that effect, as I really enjoy the taste of beer.
Its not even what I see in person. I do watch a lot of YouTube videos, and frequently I will see people on passages drinking wine and such. This is a no-no in my book. I praise my favourites world sailors Paul & Sheryl Shard of Distant Shores as NOT doing that.
Just yesterday, in the news, a bozo stranded his Mega-Yacht stranded on Beach at Palm Beach Inlet in Florida!
If you still want to drink, there is even a Boat Sober app which provides a Blood Alcohol Estimator that allows the user to estimate their BAC based on their gender, body weight and how many drinks they have consumed in a specific period of time. This tool is only that….a tool. Be aware though, that you can be arrested for a BAC less than the legal limit if you show signs of impairment. And it really is not about getting arrested, drinking while on the water increases the chances of an accident or drowning. And nobody wants increase those odds.
Cheers! (when anchored or docked for the day)
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Mind your wake
Warning: Pet peeve rant ahead! |
| Now, that's a wake! |
One of the things that frustrate me, is the wake that boaters generate. I should really take a picture of the "No Wake" sign on waterways that's being tossed around by someone's wake.
Where we are in the canals, for some reason, the boats most oblivious to causing wakes are....surprise...sailors! Yes, that is a surprise, as I was (still am) a sailor. So that really pains me.
I learned early in my sailing days about the damages a wake can create. Way back when I learnt sailing, I used to often take a Laser and explore little bays, go where other boats could not go. I just enjoyed being in nature, I would see big and small fishes in the small bays, and then as I was in a tiny bay, I would feel and see the effects of a boat buzzing by. I literally saw and felt the effect on the environment....motor boating is not natural and disturbs ecology.
And in the modern society, well, wakes also damage the shore walls. Requiring maintenance and update.
I am now, a power boating, tho I still sail occasionally, but I am probably anal about looking behind me to make sure there is no wake to disturb nature and boats docked.
Take to extremes, it can caused a lot damage, such as what happened last week Italy (on Aug 28, 2016).
So, yes, please mind your wake.
