the horse's mouth

It's Nice Being A Czar.

Roman Abramovich, a Russian oligarch, has a new boat called the Eclipse. She exceeds 540 feet and has two helipads, a swimming pool, bulletproof glass, a steam room and a personal submarine. Price for this floating palace is a cool $1.2 billion. It's good to know that some people aren't hurting during this recession.

"Let them eat borscht!"

Boat Of The Day.

If it walks like a duck and swims like a duck and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck. I don't care how many hours you spent building her, Dog, that's one ugly looking boat.

Warning: The viewing of some home built boats can cause your brain to eject out of the mouth. Please drink to ease the pain. I'll have a double barkeep!

Photo via Duckworks.

Technorati Tags: ugly boats, bad design, yikes!, double yikes!, triple yikes!, sailing?

Hot New Skiff From Switzerland?

The Urban Skiff.
Hmmmm.



A boat in a bag?
Hmmmm.







Looks a little flimsy to me dog. I think I'll pass.



The Catapult Cat is a much better option if you want
a boat in a bag.

Links: Yanko Design | Thomas Etter | Catapult Cats

Technorati Tags: sailing, design, dinghy sailing

Kite Power Part 3.

For those skeptics out there, here a couple of old posts from version 1.

Speaking of Kites.
posted 12/08/04

Look Ma, no spinnaker!


Sean Langman’s 66-foot AAPT will use a kite instead of a spinnaker in this
years Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.


Kite boarders can apply! The approach to Sydney Harbor.

The OutLeader™ kite flies in the stronger stable
wind well above the level of the boat’s masthead, providing enormous pulling power.
The kite looks like half of a giant parachute, but measures as a spinnaker. Unlike a
normal spinnaker, it is sheeted only from the deck, so it doesn’t contribute to heeling
the boat or burying the bow. This means that the risks of uncontrolled spinnaker
wipe-outs are almost eliminated.  

KiteShip rocks! I want one for my boat. I'll have to wait for them to build a
smaller chute for my little boat. :( When that happens I'll say, "See ya later spinnaker!"

Return...

Outrigger Kiting?
posted 12/10/04

Here is a picture of our heros using a Robbie Naish kite on an outrigger
canoe. Damn, that's cool.

They launch near Mama's Fish House (excellent food and Mai Tais) on Maui and
head out into the very windy Pailolo Channel.


"Holy Shit...Take off!"

Via Wet Ass.
Photos from Kiteboat.

Return...

What Was Once Old Is New Again.
posted 10/05/05

A return to sail power? Kite powered ships, no masts required!
The Economist has a nice article on the return of sailing ships in it's September 23rd issue.

Kites are popping up everywhere. Kite surfing, sailboats, outrigger canoes,
kayaks and now ocean going ships. I would like to get one for my Cape Dory
and one for my kayak.

Links: SkySails | KiteShip | KiteBoat | TopKayaker | The Economist

Return...

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Arachnid On The Bay.

Ugo Conti's spider boat, the Proteus, goes for a spin on the bay.
The boat made it's public debut yesterday, unfortunately I did not get to see it.
Read more about Spidey at SFGate or Sailing Anarchy. Pics here.

Tags: WAM-V, strange boats, ugo conti, proteus

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What A Sweet Boat! Skiffhead Alert. New R Class Hull - Sea Trials.

Many of you know that I have a special place in my heart for skiffs. Some critics, OLE, look at these as not being boats. Okay, I concede that you aren't going to take your Aunt Martha fishing on it, but what a rocket! A big plus for me is that this boat can be built at home.

The new R Class hull designed by Dan Leech.

Here she is ready to go.
The new lady is introduced to her admiring public. She seems to be watching her weight coming in at a mere 29kg. Atkins? South Beach? Nope, Kiwi!

Sorry Aunt Martha, you can't come!
Look at her go! She makes me weak in the knees, how abou you?.

More Wally.

That's more like it.
Just a wee bit bigger than my dinghy.

Not Your Dad's Chris Craft. Wally Wow!

More power than Wally Gator's outboard.


You knew I would find a way to have a wahine show up.


Burn that fuel! SUV of the water?


Stealth?

Link: The 118 Wallypower