Flotsam and Jetsam
Various notes and letters
Regarding our poll/article on The Other Dark Side
“There's at least one option missing from your recent ‘dark side’ poll on substack - the ‘both-and' option. It's not either/or as far as I'm concerned. There are places times conditions and reasons to have a motorboat, along with any number of sail, row, and paddle craft.And many sailors even of small boats have at least an auxiliary motor.
I'm currently considering getting a small 'classic' or 'vintage' type motor boat, for specific on-water purposes that my Montgomery 17, El Toro, and Pygmy Coho are not well suited for. But no way am I getting rid of any of them...! It's all about being on the water. Let's not create any false polarizations, we have more than enough of those elsewhere in life.—John Schinnerer
“It’s a tough thing to acknowledge, but time changes requirements. Now 70, and having gunkholed in solo sailboats throughout the Salish Sea for decades my interests have shifted to inspiring a grand-generation to experience the joys and rewards of being on the water. I shifted to the beautiful Devlin Banjo, and while a great boat for me and cruising, it wasn’t right for day trips with the kiddos and playing in/on the water. I found her a good home in Mud Bay and shifted to a Boston Whaler Dauntless 17. My friends think I’m nuts, but it’s safe, easy, great fun and the kiddos will have good summer memories on the rivers and bays in and around Portland.
Who knows, when they’re bigger maybe I’ll go back to a cruising sailboat and keep it up north, but it’s more likely I’ll get another Hobie TI (which will work well to teach them sailing as well) and stick to bareboat chartering for cruising (Grenadines in January).”
Cheers,
John Hughes
RE: Your Projects
“I’ve been slowing building a 16 foot long outrigger sailing canoe, designed for a Cat-yawl rig. The 3 sides of the glassed plywood hull are bonded to 6 inches of closed-cell foam forming the faired bottom, double-glassed on the surface with 2 layers of 6 oz cloth, plus will have watertight bulkheads at either end. The 15 inch deep cockpit is ~7 feet long in case I ever decide to sleep aboard. Work slowed down drastically after I took on the responsibility to help raise my girlfriend’s grandson (no regrets at all, but this has vastly curtailed my building and sailing time).
Best wishes and carry on!” —Wade Tarzia
“The big boat roller / fenders sold by Duckworks are one of the best devices for moving boats around short distances. They work for launching and landing as well.
And they can be used for traveling down a long slanting hill to reach the river with an oar or paddlecraft. Darn good things.”
—Rick Pratt
Another Method Mentioned by Reader
“It's basically just a block of nylon, similar in thickness and depth to the daggerboard, with a stainless threadrod axle and two [unfortunately not stainless!] wheels.” —Mike
•SCA•
I recently joined the dark side with a purchase of a Torqeedo electric motor. I often now carry this in my row boats and have found the joy of power assisted rowing (think e-bike). This is especially nice when heading into the wind as you do not lose all your momentum when you need to take a break.
I find it comforting as I am getting near retirement and if I have an injury or get sick I can still make some miles to a new campsite.
JohnH, I had a BW Montauk for 14 years - yes you all will be safe and have fun in the Dauntless! If I were to go back to the Dark Dark side, I've often thought I'd buy a 1992ish 19 foot BW Revenge - putting a new moter and steering on her. Those are wild rails on that Dauntless! Rob