Black Panther

The dutchman is cool, but probably not worth the hassle or expense on a boat your size. If I may offer a suggestion - do what needs to be done to get sailing, then go sailing, then decide what additions/alterations are necessary. When we bought BP I had a long list of things I Wanted to do. Luckily I can't start them as I have to finish paying for the boat first. But surprisingly the list is now way, way shorter as i learn that what was put there by the designer and the previous two owners is actually pretty smart.

You boat has the measles! Did you go to Armageddon?

Initial viewing says not many bolts and all in one row.

And they didn't notice the keel had snapped off?

One of my favourite sailing bloggers is Bob Wise, owner and builder of the original Loose Moose. I tried to find his entry on this but couldn't so will paraphrase as best I can: turning up in an anchorage in a boat so far outside the norm meant we were subject to quite some abuse from people offended by the appearance of our boat. I always considered it a useful "bigot filter" so I'd know who to avoid. Apologies for the thread drift.

The cheek of the man, sailing an obviously unsafe boat that looks different from here to Vanuatu then Borneo, after successfully sailing from the US to NZ. Has he no shame? Back to the subject - Open CPN is fantastic.

Have you tried Henderson BBS

Now you need to do a trip on BP.

Back from eight days away on BP. Achieved nothing noteworthy, went nowhere in particular - loved every minute of it.

Finally caught a snapper that was legal to keep and eat, only had to go to the Cavallis to get it.

yep, I have a big mother shop vac you can buy rent steal whatever. Just need to pick it up.

Oh yeah, but I had more important things to worry about than the electronics.

After being rolled, having wind gear was at the bottom of my list.

Haha I was wondering of the teak was worn out or whether water had made it into the ply and rot was happening?

What was the problem with the old deck exactly?

I always wondered how you did that, thanks Rigger.

Second that, I'v had up to 15 years out of hypalon and that was full time live aboard use. Yes the avon rowlocks would take a standard oar and you could put full force into them and not break them. I would put a redstart at 80-90% of the rowing efficiency of a comparable hard dinghy. I've yet to find another inflatable that comes close.

What a pity , they were the only inflatable that would row decently.

Whatever happened to Avon, I loved them.

And for those of us who consider facebook a narcissistic wank fest?

What about this? http://www.duckworksbbs.com/plans/gumprecht/cat8/

Arrive at half tide and falling - 6 hours pub time!!

Guatemala - the port captain screwed us for an enormous amount of money to be allwoed to anchor for two days. Weather outside was nasty and I had a seasick kid so coughed up. I enjoyed the place and the people but that left a bad taste. Puerto Quetzal on the Pacific coast.

Do you get a prize for likes?