August Flotsam
A selection of wooden boat news (and other related content) from around the world
Boyan Slat - The Impossible Cleanup
Perhaps my favourite weekly email comes from Melbournes own FIX THE NEWS If you are solutions based thinker with a positive outlook their newsletter is a must must read. They also produce an occasional podcast and this week’s offering is of special relevance to environmentally conscious sailors as it’s a conversation with Boyan Slat, founder of The Ocean Cleanup.
After starting as a high school project in the Netherlands in 2011, Boyan’s mission has gone global, removing tens of millions of kilograms of plastic from oceans and rivers. It’s an epic job and with plastic pollution on the rise, the cleanup is doubling down on its goal to remove 90% of ocean plastic by 2040. From the recent launch of the cleanup’s 30 Cities program to dealing with critics on social media, Boyan’s engineering mindset will change the way you think about the world. Topics discussed: mother nature vs human nature; why TOC is not a lifelong project; behind-the-scenes of the cleaning up the world’s most polluted river; what motivates Boyan to keep going in the face of impossible odds and why addressing the root cause is not the best way to tackle our problems.
Listen to the full podcast HERE
BLUE JACKET Saved!
Great news this week about the Stor Tumlaren we have been hoping to see saved. A new custodian has finally committed to taking on the project and what’s more, keeping her at RYCV, where she belongs! Congratulations to the Yacht Club and the Classic Yacht Association for initiating and facilitating this rescue. If you know of other worthwhile boats that are in desperate need of saving let us know. SWS seems to be getting some traction in this area.
The Golden Rule Sets Sail for San Francisco Bay
At 9:14 p.m. on Saturday, July 26, the historic peace boat Golden Rule set sail from Eureka, California, beginning her next chapter in a 10-year journey to build a nuclear-free and sustainable world. Skipper Steve Buck is joined by an incredible five-person crew: Zoe, Ren, Tamar, Bridge, and Mike. Spirits were high as they departed the Humboldt coast beneath a dark, clear sky, determined to make the most of a short but critical weather window.
The roughly 48-hour sail brings the Golden Rule back to San Francisco Bay, where a month-long Peace Voyage awaits. After a season of rest and readiness in Humboldt Bay, the boat now continues her mission, raising awareness at every port about the dangers of nuclear weapons and war, and the power of peace.
Early this morning, Skipper Steve sent in a video of dolphins swimming alongside the hull, a powerful reminder of the joy and interconnectedness that sailing for peace can inspire. We even managed a quick Facebook Live as they sailed away. Follow Golden Rule for live videos and stories from the crew HERE
Derwent Class Film
The AWBF has published great new video on the Derwent Class yachts delving into the reasons behind their incredible revival
The accompanying article also features a selection of imagery from their recent National Championship at the Festival featuring photography by your humble SWS editor. CHECK IT OUT
Rebuilding a 1960s S&S Sportfisher: Grey Fox’s Impressive Revival
When we see the famous S&S logo, tall masted ocean greyhounds spring to mind. This article from the British “Classic Boat” Magazine, reminds us that there was more to the New York design firm than this preconception.
After rebuilding some of the most famous sailing yachts of all time, how hard could this 1960 S&S sportfisher project possibly be? Joe Loughborough and Steffan Meyric Hughes tell us the story of Grey Fox’s revival…
First-Time Boat Owner’s Foray Into Boat Repairs and Lessons Learned
From the amazing people at Northwest Maritime, Port Townsend, written by Rachel Bradley
If you’ve ever spent time on the water or been around boats, you might know the feeling of looking at a vessel and falling in love. I had been searching for a sailing dinghy for over six months, waiting for the right boat to come along that sparked that feeling of joy. Through a friend of a friend, I was put in touch with a past SEVENTY48 racer who was looking for a new home for her 14-foot Whitehall-esque sailing and rowing dinghy. It met all the criteria I wanted for my first boat: fiberglass, between 12-17 feet, and able to row and sail decently well. As soon as I could, I went to inspect the boat with my less-than-knowledgeable eye and was fully convinced I had to have her. All looked to be in tip-top shape except for a small but known leak from the centerboard trunk. The fix sounded simple enough… just remove the trunk and re-bed it—easy. First lesson learned: Few projects are ever as simple as they seem.
Aussie man survives 49 days at sea in a dugout canoe
This story smells a little bit like clickbait to me …. But I love the dugout canoe!
He's known as "Outback Mike", but 44-year-old Michael Atkinson has just completed a miraculous adventure that's far more salty than sandy. The former ADF member has sailed from Townsville to Cape York in a hand-carved wooden canoe, surviving at sea for 49 days. Over approximately 1500 kilometres – much of it through croc-infested waters – Mr Atkinson survived off fishing and living off the land.
Read on HERE