Clean up time - I'm clearing stuff out of my garage/workshop so I can get on with a bunch of winter projects. There was a couple of sheets of 1" thick pink rigid insulation tucked in between my plywood supply so I figured I could make a surfboard out of them. I gluded them to a stringer yesterday and shaped them today. Now I just need to find some glass cloth and I'll be on my way to having another board. I don't think I'll leave it pink though...........

I got this video from my friend Alan Goto who is a big time outrigger paddler. The video is an interesting look at the construction of a very light weight and subsequently very fast OC-6. There are many other interesting videos in the related bar that shows up at the bottom of the feed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxWdjetGWdE

A Facebook friend has been trying to connect me to one of his Facebook friends for a couple of weeks as he figured we both had boat building interests in common. It finally happened yesterday. Little did I know that the connection wasn't just boats but Wharrams! Upon landing back in Seattle from my visit back east (more on that later), my "crackferie" had a couple of invites from this new friended link! Turns out that a couple of guys have been building a Tiki 21 over an extended period of time in their garage not more than a kilometer from where I live. Tired as I was, I hopped on my bike midnight timezone where I had just been to go over and check out the action. Arriving in the dark I found one hull in the driveway and after knocking on the door another in the basement garage. Scott of Scott and Mike who are the builders was there (Scott's house) and Mike wasn't showing that evening so luckily I had dressed appropriately and brought my own gloves and the such as I was quickly put to work! Much work done with much remaining but once they launch there will be another fine Wharram gracing the seas. We glassed the fore deck of this pretty craft which is built of Doug Fir plywood and talked technique as we went. I'm sure I'll be lending a hand again. Maybe I should make a career of it - journeyman Wharram builder available, will sleep in the sawdust pile for grog and victuals. -

Heading out for a week in the industrial wasteland. There won't be a drop of saltwater to be had.

DUMPSTER DIVING AND SAILING

I haven't been blogging much lately. Out of practice, fallen off the wagon, moving on - not sure which. I have been working on some interesting boat projects and I've done some great sailing in the last few weeks.

Projects first. On my trip to the San Juans this summer, I started thinking more about self sufficiency. Julia on Badu re-introduced me to successful sprouting which I've taken up at home. Having read Michael Pollan's "Omnivore's Dilemma" food has gained importance. Especially conscious food choice. I'm back to baking bread. I'm experimenting with making my own crackers - super easy and rewarding. Most important are two projects - how to grow stuff on board and how to make beer onboard. With the first one I have started an ice chest greenhouse. I want to be able to grow herbs, salad greens and the likes. I've got the experiment going. As to beer making I've found a device called the "Beer Machine" on the web that has mixed reviews but has the best onboard potential. I just need to order one to get going. This week I added solar panels to Tsunamichaser. Two 10 watt panels mounted on the cabin sides outboard. Followers of this blog will remember that I converted one under bunk space to a battery well. The panels are now mounted all I need are some batteries. My needs are small and I plan to keep it that way. Essentially I want something other than my portable Brunton panel, as it is at risk of being stepped on and broken, to charge ipods, laptop, AA and AAA batteries. I have also come to the conclusion that I need better in hull ventilation so the batteries will drive fans to move moist air when there are sleepers below. Today I completed a small project in that I made a new cushion cover for a perfectly great cushion I found besides the dumpster at my marina. Yah for dumpster diving! Cover made of left over cloth from other boat projects. Speaking of dumptser diving thanks for the sheets of stainless steel and old bits I found in above said dumpster. Now I can make my new stove box out of things I already have and things I've found - nothing to buy.

On the boating front I've had a couple of great sails and some epic paddles these past two weeks. I took friends Louise and Andy who live in Montana out for a fine day and discovered a great new beach to land on. The day was finished off with and excellent burger at Hattie's Hat in Ballard and a fine bottle of wine. More sailing was done later in the week this time in the attempt to land some salmon but no luck there. This past week was focused on paddling. Lise and I had Ulua out in 3-4 foot rollers on Lake Washington where we had some great surfs on the way home and no huli's! Paddling the rest of the week was not so exciting. The waters were flat the temperature on the cold side and so it was an extra layer to cut the wind and heads down to make the pace and keep warm. Fall/winter are here. I'll need to keep getting out but although the weather remains stunning, the rains will come soon and dreams of summer will begin.