Black Panther

February 4, 2015

Viewed objectively there is nothing more absurd than the usual sea-going toilet of the modern production yacht. What expense and engineering, what a profligate use of space and materials, what a baroque concoction of pipes and valves and pumps and skin fittings, what a sop to over-developed human sensitivities, all for the purpose of transferring a small amount of matter a distance of about twelve inches, from here on the inside of the hull, to there on the outside of the hull.

-- From Mingming and the Art of Minimal Ocean Sailing by Roger D. Taylor

February 3, 2015

Still go with my very superficial analysis that they would have been safer staying with the boat

February 3, 2015

I know I am a million miles away and not there and don't know all the facts - but tell me again why they got off?

January 31, 2015

Airhead

January 26, 2015

But you have to list the ice cream shops!!!! (Fitzroy wasn't bad)

January 19, 2015

Haven't had a problem, but I don't have a tinnie. I normally hang it over a handle on the hatch above the chart table.

January 19, 2015

I bought a GPS "dongle", round thing on a wire with a USB on the other end. Trade me, under $100.

January 8, 2015

Finding the opportunities to have a "nap" is a very important and sometimes problematic part of cruising with kids.

January 8, 2015

When Nancy was about 9 she asked if she could have a go at rowing the dinghy by herself. Mum and Dad wanted a nap so I said OK if she stayed tethered to the boat. When I came back on deck she was a few hundred yards away, she had taken every piece of line she could find sand tied them all together so she could row a bit further. Took me most of the afternoon to re rig the boat.

January 8, 2015

We used to get underway very early (4-5 am), leave the kids to sleep, sail the days distance by midday and mum would take them into town/to the beach/whatever while dad had a catch up nap and we would swap p[laces the next day.

You are right, do less sailing and more time with other activities.

December 22, 2014

That Tom is a good man, he saved us a couple of timers.

Just arrived at GH after a delightful few days coming down from Opua. Xmas dinner in the house then down to the boat and see which way the wind is blowing.