[bolger] Disposable leeboard levity
BO>William Jochems makes a point of seeing the leeboards - and
BO>incidentally the forward part of #639's shoe - as a 'wear-item'. <snip>
BO> Whether the boards are used as de facto first line of defense
BO>coming alongside somewhere, or, as he did when Susanne was on Lake Mead
BO>with him, using them as parking-brakes for beaching overnight <snip>
Let us not forget the traditional role of centreboards as combination
depth-sounders, brakes and temporary anchors, at least in the past for
the "mosquito fleet" of ketches and 3-masted schooners, the "dog-barking
mariners" lightering wheat out from South Oz's shallow gulf beach ports
to the waiting ships of Gustav Erikson of Mariehamn.
The tradition is alive and well, if sometimes unintentionally so, in the
multiple trailer sailers inhabiting the Lower Murray River and Lakes,
where the water's murk is impenetrable and where depth sounders gaily
measure the depth to hardpan and ignore the feet of silt on top.
Navigation in fog is possible by listening to the noises as the keel
strikes. Mud, sand, coral and limestone all give different noises.
Submerged fences emit a distinctive musical note.
From a distance, one can determine the nature, not only of the
obstruction, but especially of the boat's lateral plane from the antics
of the crew when stopping. If they fall over, it's a swing keel. If
they leave in ballistic arcs over the bow, it's a daggerboard or first
cousin.
Tim & Flying Tadpole,
Author of "101 uses for a 5' daggerboard"
BO>incidentally the forward part of #639's shoe - as a 'wear-item'. <snip>
BO> Whether the boards are used as de facto first line of defense
BO>coming alongside somewhere, or, as he did when Susanne was on Lake Mead
BO>with him, using them as parking-brakes for beaching overnight <snip>
Let us not forget the traditional role of centreboards as combination
depth-sounders, brakes and temporary anchors, at least in the past for
the "mosquito fleet" of ketches and 3-masted schooners, the "dog-barking
mariners" lightering wheat out from South Oz's shallow gulf beach ports
to the waiting ships of Gustav Erikson of Mariehamn.
The tradition is alive and well, if sometimes unintentionally so, in the
multiple trailer sailers inhabiting the Lower Murray River and Lakes,
where the water's murk is impenetrable and where depth sounders gaily
measure the depth to hardpan and ignore the feet of silt on top.
Navigation in fog is possible by listening to the noises as the keel
strikes. Mud, sand, coral and limestone all give different noises.
Submerged fences emit a distinctive musical note.
From a distance, one can determine the nature, not only of the
obstruction, but especially of the boat's lateral plane from the antics
of the crew when stopping. If they fall over, it's a swing keel. If
they leave in ballistic arcs over the bow, it's a daggerboard or first
cousin.
Tim & Flying Tadpole,
Author of "101 uses for a 5' daggerboard"