Flotsam and Jetsam
Notes and some stocking stuffers....
Our friend Ida Little, who’d recently shared photos of her boarding ladder (at one time made by Edey and Duff) found a reasonable alternative still on the market and available from Ballentine’s Boat Shop for $316.
About Steve Bradwell’s article Setting up a Sailing Dinghy for Cruising, Rick Pratt wrote: “Two pretty little dinghys. We cruised another class boat, An O'Day Day Sailer designed by Englishman Uffa Fox, with no permanent changes to the craft. Just a boom tent and a sleeping bag. Cooked on a pump-up white-gas fueled one-burner and kept the few perishables we took in an aluminum ice chest. Everything stowed nicely under the foredeck.
It was not the most comfortable sleeping space I've experienced, but we were young and it was a proper adventure.
Using corrugated roofing as a water shedding device is a fine idea. Kudos!”
Regular contributor, Bill Mantis, shared the following: “Some of your readers might be interested in this, Josh. Not that they would apply for a position, but interested in the fact that a canoe would be used as a hiring incentive.”
Subject: Minnesota Police Department Is Using $3,800 Canoes As Hiring Incentive
https://www.businessinsider.com/minnesota-police-department-using-canoes-hiring-incentive-2023-12
“Plus, if you're willing to spend another $1500, you can get a top-of-the-line kit to make the canoe a sailboat.”
https://www.sailboatstogo.com/content/Canoe_Sailing
Still looking to stuff a stocking? Small Craft Advisor just restocked limited quantities of two popular products:
The best tiller-taming device on the market, the elegant Tiller Clutch…
And arguably the best pocket knife for the sailor, the Saver Salt from Spyderco.
•SCA•
Well, I had two out of the three items shown in this post. I had a tiller clutch and it was great as long as I didn't move around a lot and change the balance. As for the Spyderco Knife I have had one for about 20 years now. It is still quite sharp and you can fillet an entire side of beef with it! (Don't ask me how I know)
Up and out ladders work quite well. I used one on my Nimble 24. A bit heavy (stainless steel) but very durable. If it is a hang on the gunnel style, make sure you also tie it to the boat!