Coast Guard begins Operation Fall Retrieve

The Ninth Coast Guard District has begun its annual retrieval of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway System seasonal aids to navigation, the largest domestic buoy recovery operation in the United States.

Operation Fall Retrieve, which includes lighted and unlighted buoys and beacons, commenced Oct. 14, 2009, with a goal of retrieving 1,284 navigational aids, and should be completed by Dec. 21, 2009. The aids, approximately half in the region, are taken out of service during the winter months due to decreased vessel traffic and to minimize damage from ice and inclement weather.

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Building the Ebihen 15 Sailboat, a boat building blog: Epoxy Warmer Box

October 13, 2009

Early last week was the timeline to sheath the inside of the centerboard case with 6 oz glass cloth. The outside temperature dropped to the mid 50's for a few days and since winter was approaching I decided to enclose my West System Epoxy inside of a warming cabinet. I also purchased a couple of heat lamps to keep the area a bit warmer when the temperature drops below 60.

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Providence RI Boat Show announced:
January 7-10, 2010

This exciting, annual show attracts over 20,000 visitors from throughout New England, all looking to purchase everything from popular brand name power boats and small size sailboats to electronic navigational systems and fishing gear.

Show Hours:

Thursday, Jan 7 - 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Friday, Jan 8 - Noon - 9:00 PM

Saturday, Jan 9 - 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Sunday, Jan 10 - 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

For more information visit the Providence Boat Show website

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Joshua Slocum enthusiast has dreams of his own solo circumnavigation

Now he has dreams of his own solo circumnavigation.

Click here to read a report by the Arizona Daily Star.

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Interlux introduces three new varnish and wood treatment products

Interlux is raising the bar in the varnish category, with the introduction of three new products into its varnish and wood treatment range.

Interlux is pleased to announce the launch of Perfection® Plus, Schooner® Gold & Compass, available from October 2009.

Perfection Plus is a clear, two-part polyurethane with prolonged chemical and abrasion resistance and superior UV protection and the company says it's the best performing product they've ever seen, proving high gloss retention well over 80% even after 12 months in Florida. Perfection Plus has a service life of up to four times longer than conventional one-part varnish products. With an exceptional, high-clarity, high gloss finish, Perfection Plus can be applied direct to substrate or, alternatively, used in conjunction with Clear Wood Sealer - a fast-drying, colorless, two-part polyurethane primer - to reach up to as much as 40% reduction in process time, saving significant costs for boat builders and boat yards.

Schooner Gold also enters the market and with its advanced UV package and outstanding gloss, it is the longest-lasting one-part varnish Interlux has ever observed. Test results, conducted by Interlux in Florida over a 12-month period, have proven the gloss retention of Schooner Gold to outlast other leading varnish products. Additional benefits include a reduction in the need to sand in between each coat, which saves labor effort, time and costs. The traditional, warm amber hue of Schooner Gold enhances the color of natural wood. Schooner Gold has been optimized for application in warm and higher temperature climates.

Compass complements the traditional qualities of Schooner Gold with a brand new, fast-drying extremely durable one-part polyurethane varnish. Offering reduced labor and project time: Apply 2 coats per day - dust contamination is minimized - sanding only after every 2nd or 3rd coat.

Consistent with all Interlux high performance varnishes, Compass contains 'best in class' HALS (Hindered Amine Light Stabilizers) and UV absorbers to protect wooden substrates from sunlight degradation, enhance durability and prolong the lifespan of the coating. Compass is light amber in color to emphasize the natural appearance of wood. Superior flow and application characteristics ensure a smooth, professional finish.

Perfection Plus, Schooner Gold & Compass can be applied direct to all types of wood, including oily timbers such as teak and mahogany.

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Tom McNally nears epic start in world's smallest yacht

It's taken a long time to get ready for this epic voyage, but finally, Tom McNally (affectionately dubbed the 'Crazy Sailor') is almost ready to set off on his epic voyage in the world's most diminutive trans-Atlantic sailing boat - the amazing 3-foot 10-inch 'Big C'.

Tom, who is sailing for the Sail 4 Cancer charity, had hoped to embark last year; but his plans were scuppered when thieves stole his main battery-housing and the lead-filled keel bulb for their scrap value. "Thanks to some help from my sponsors we are back on-track and we can see light at the end of the tunnel again; I just hope it's not another train," joked Tom at the Southampton Boat Show.

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Schoolgirl Seeking Round-the-World Sailing Record Sparks Debate

Oct. 17 (Bloomberg) -- An Australian schoolgirl's bid to become the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around the world will start from Sydney tomorrow, amid a debate about the wisdom of her undertaking such a dangerous voyage.

Jessica Watson, 16, expects to spend about 240 days at sea on a 23,000-nautical mile (42,596-kilometer) journey that will take her past Fiji, up to the equator, then on to Cape Horn and the Cape of Good Hope before she heads back to Australia.

"It's a bit scary and possibly a dangerous thing," said Watson, who began sailing at the age of eight. "But I'm not here without confidence."

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Amateur Boat Building How-to: Making a half model

Half model making is the precursor to lofting. In a sense one is lofting in a different medium. Boat builders were obviously familiar with wood and the tools required to shape wood, and probably less familiar with working out a design starting with a blank sheet of paper and a pencil and some battens. They could carve a model and, working by eye, eventually arrive at a shape that, to their experience and aesthetics, would work.

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