One World Circumnavigation . . . Done !

[Hannah on 'Rita T']

Mark, love the update and the best and worst. Hang in there for a couple of months and we'll buy you a beer in February.

[boatman61]

Just a total thread drift... but not entirely.... I can't remember how or why but I ended up on a site for kayakers and I spotted a really neat idea....
Someones come up with a dome shaped lightweight sail for kayaks... it only works down wind... but for those like me who's liferaft is a dinghy its a great idea.... no mast needed.. just tie the base down and there's a control line at the top to control the sail...
The hoop is made of that stuff that rolls up on itself so packs away to 15" flatpack...
I'm dead chuffed... I want one... ahhh the simple life...

[SaltyMonkey]

What about a real large kite as a sail, Boatman?

[ConradG]

Originally Posted by SaltyMonkey

What about a real large kite as a sail, Boatman?

I was just thinking the same thing. Like the oversize kiteboard sails that they have toyed around with for oil tankers...might need a parachute in the ditch kit.

But I stiil haven't made the connection to "not entirely" as far as the drift goes???

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by ConradG

I was just thinking the same thing. Like the oversize kiteboard sails that they have toyed around with for oil tankers...might need a parachute in the ditch kit.

But I stiil haven't made the connection to "not entirely" as far as the drift goes???

What if the forestay goes and takes the mast.... then you can't cut the mast free fast enough and it punches holes in your hull... the boats sinks... but Hallelujah the life raft inflates then.... Oh Mah Gawd... it deflates...
So now you've just a dinghy... short rations... limited water... and a choice between a low calorie sit on your ass sail... or a high calorie burn kite surf maybe 1000 miles from anywhere... I'm looking to improve my chances not reduce them...
Apart from which... sail manage one hand... steer the other... hand compass and pick my route... I'll be aware of trends weather/water and 25 miles a day plus drift minimum is better than just drift...
You go kite if you want guys... enjoy....lol

[SaltyMonkey]

No you just tie the bloody kite to your bow and take a nap. Also makes a mean sea anchor if you want to stop and take a pee.

[boatman61]

Guy's
Forgive the kite ignorance... my experience with kites has been restricted to kite fighting in the Punjab and NW Frontier Provences... they takes presise control and if you dawdle you can come unstuck... I bow to your knowledge and will research and compile a History accordingly...
Sizes
Loads
Stability
Consistancy
Ease of handling
Other possible factors.
Once again... nice one.. appreciate it....

[SaltyMonkey]

you just need a nice big-un one...not a fancy dancy performance model with matching wet suit...tie it to the bow of your walnut shell dinky, and sing a few silly songs...you'll be around the pond in no time.

[ConradG]

Hmm,
let me know what ya find, Boatman. I ain't got no kite knowledge whatsoever except the pics I've seen of those oil tankers....Sure you don't just want a sprit sail for that dink? Perhaps one without stays?
And to stretch out the water be sure to throw in at least two bottles of Mt Gay. No need for survival rations....or was that a different thread?

[SaltyMonkey]

Looks like a Benne:

Kite Sailing Yacht » Yanko Design

and some real companies

SkySails*-*Home en
www.omegasails.com

Check this picture out:

[Bash]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Just a total thread drift... but not entirely.... I can't remember how or why but I ended up on a site for kayakers and I spotted a really neat idea....
Someones come up with a dome shaped lightweight sail for kayaks... it only works down wind...

I'm sorry my friend, but as someone who just spent the holidays in a sea kayak circumnavigating Isla Espiritu Santo in the Sea of Cortez, I can attest that there's no such thing as "downwind" in a sea kayak. The wind is always on the nose. When we were heading north up the west side of the island, we were paddling into El Norte. When we were heading south down the east side, we were paddling into El Coromuel. We did 50nm in 5 days in fully loaded boats--carrying 15 liters of water and a bottle of something more drinkable in each boat--and never once saw this phenomenon you describe as "downwind."

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by SaltyMonkey

Looks like a Benne:

Kite Sailing Yacht » Yanko Design

and some real companies

SkySails*-*Home en
www.omegasails.com

Check this picture out:

Salty.. thats a Catalac9.... it wouldna worked... wind was on the nose all the way...

[Ocean Girl]

Back to our scheduled program


That is just bloody ripper Mark! (took me an hour of internet search to find an Aussie saying to post here that doesn't have a swear word in it, or references a bodily function, or insults your girth ).

So happy for you and wish you many more adventures. BTW- what are your plans? let the wind blow you wherever? pull a Bernard Moitessior? write a book?

Anyways, hope you are well.
Cheers,
Erika

[David M]

Mark,
What are your plans? Are you heading back to Oz?

[boatman61]

Judging by the sound of silience coming from St Martin I think its a case of waiting for his Hangover to kick in and then wear off before we hear any plans...LMBO

PS; for the PC on here 'B' = Butt..... so many view 'A' as a swear word... sigh