DrWatson

Metallic lead is not terribly toxic. It's not readily bioavailable and penetrates biological membranes poorly (unless accelerated by gunpowder). Long term direct contact (occupational) of bare lead on your skin might cause some issues as acidic residues and exudates from your skin might liberate some of the metal and increase it's availability. but we're talkign constant exposure here. Lead vapour can be a problem (solder, casting etc.). Just like mercury vapour. Metals that melt at a low temperature also usually boil at a low temperature and that vapour is best not inhaled. Lead s

i recon that'll still go to windward better than my last keeler...

I think their defence in the lifejacket case is simply that it's a garden shed and not a boat. "We was just having a few brews in the garden shed... nek minute..."

The rubber will likely break down, so long as they are natural latex. It's the waste of helium that irks me... But in general, what era do we live in? 1970?

Any one got any idea on what it would cost to mill a foil? I mean general ballpark figure. Of course there are likely to be a bunch of factors (milling resolution/steps, kind of steel etc.) so I guess it's a bit of a "how long is a pice of string" question. But lets say a 2.5 m long blade about 600-700mm chord, reasonably standard NACA foil shape, with a 600mm long keel root and to take a 1200kg bulb. Once you all get over laughing at my naïvety, any figure +- 3K would be good.

omg what about a bucket full of water? Or a depression in your lawn that fills up when it rains?

These are the kind of photos I want to see in my journalism! Not screen grabs from google streetview!

Nothing new. Since when has government policy ever been evidence based?

Actually I think it's more that because a lot of people don't really 'get' stats, it's easy to mislead people with dodgy stats, and make it look like something it isn't. e.g. median income vs mean income. Most people don't know to ask if the difference between two values is actually significant. Or if the data were checked for confounding influence etc.

Many excellent and well designed studies show that Seat belts have been statistically proven to reduce injury in car accidents and rarely, if ever, increase the risk of having an accident. Driving and traveling in vehicles is a very dangerous thing to do. Evidence also proves that wearing a helmet in your car greatly reduces head injury, and would have a very large impact upon public health in NZ - but I see no brigade of do gooders pushing for compulsory helmets in cars. Why is that? Lifejackets are proven to increase your chances of staying near the surface of the water, but have not b

The article is a case. Kevin, may I ask if you are aware of the difference between a case study and robust statistically significant studies? In terms of evidence, case studies rank far further down - they are emotionally charged. but let's take emotion out of it, because as we have seen painfully being illustrated in the USA at the moment, emotion is not always right. I call for robust statistical analysis and evidence. Not emotional case studies or the opinion of a line touting policeman

It's not just lefties, it's also those on the right. If you ask around here, there are a fair number of lefties who abhor the compulsory lifejacket argument.

I heard it was simply that a cargo of bananas goes ripe a little fast and turns slushy. Hey presto, instant free surface effect...

Shane, have you got a VHF yet? I've got a Uniden Atlantis 250 with the aerial busted off it, you can have it. I bought some new iCOMs so don't need it. Maybe someone else here has another semi functional one the same model and we could piece together a working one?

Togs Togs Togs...UNDIES!

More important news on the west coast: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/87496539/Crowds-flock-to-see-monster-at-Aucklands-Muriwai-beach

I reckon you'd be wanting to stay away until they do a proper survey and MNZ issue a new chart, or at least an update. Are MNZ responsible for Marine Charts? Or is it LINZ?

Thank you, Erice, I needed a good chuckle. Being homeless in the northern hemisphere winter doesn't seem quite so bad now ????

I fear that that is the intention...

Yeah, but global consumption of beer has decreased at the same time, meaning less pee ...

You probably don't have enough fingers to play a Banjo like a pro....

Automan ...

Ophelia? : "Well, God dild you! They say the owl was a baker's daughter. "

yeah if the solar system doesn't work out we'll ditch it and just install more PV. Then take the tubes down the paddock to the hot tub

Interesting, I was under the impression that you didn't need to sand it to get a good bond after using peel ply... that the surface was "ready to go"...