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bob kingsland · 16-12-2007, 12:30

Rodney, you just don't do any thing in a small way, do you (except for Penny)? I'd still like to sail out there and meet the dog that puts up with all this foolishness. Looks like those bees could have just carried her away.
And Geordie, thanks for the comments. Rodney has already spoken about boat building on this thread, and I can only add... go for it, if you're sure of the level of committment required. It certainly does change your life, in a very positive way if you let it, and can be both immensely rewarding and frustrating, often at the same time. It would obviously be much easier if you had all, or most of the money, together before you start, but I didn't (not even close) and we still survived. The hardest part is just keeping the energy level high enough to get something accomplished, day after day, and week after week. All it really is is an interconnected series of small projects, which combine to make one big one. When you're having trouble with one of them, you just drop it and go on to another one (the way Rodney stopped and did his chain roller bow assembly in the middle of cutting the boat in half). That way you're always making progress, accomplishing something positive while you're mulling over how to approach the one that's giving you trouble. If you go into it knowing that you can figure out how to do anything, even though you don't know right now what that procedure might be, you'll be fine. It takes so long that there's plenty of time to figure it out as you go, and you don't need to have all the answers when you start. Good luck, Bob
S/V Restless

geordieschmalz · 16-12-2007, 16:40

Hey, Rodney, I'll try to post photos on the gallery today, but within the threads there is a problem - all I have is firefox.

If there are photos here, this is the custom interior for Matsu, my Columbia 34 Bubble Top. You'd like these Bill Tripp designs, lots of headroom. I have my eye on a 50-foot version, room for the grand piano...

Geordie

Wrap-around galley - no need to strap in

I like contrast

Matsu riding high - not loaded yet

Looking forward - to the next project

Morning light

Dining area

Old-school wood stove (yes, it will be replaced soon, but it looks cool)

Matsu running with the tide and the wind

yachtrodney · 16-12-2007, 17:07

They are just excellent - mate.

It's a great looking yacht - nice layout and timberwork too.

What a difference a few photos makes - thanks for going to the trouble - it's worth it.

I'm using Firfox most of the time - and have no problem linking to the pictures I've already uploaded to thedogpaddler site - (or it would be just the same if you uploaded them to the Forum Gallery) - you just copy and paste the LINK to the box that appears - when you hit the little yellow picture icon above the message box - and voila the image appears in the text of the post.

I have uploaded the photos at around 550 wide - to fit nicely into the thread panel - and often then linked it to a bigger one as well.

I did seem to have a bit of trouble uploading attachments using Firefox - but then I also have been running 'Slim Browser' (which uses IE) in the background (to stay logged in to thedogpaddler via Yahoo with a different ID - so I can quickly upload new images as I want to use them.

So I have used IE a few times for attachments when - for some reason or another - there is no 'picture' icon on the other thread.

Is that because - it's not your own thread? - and you can only put up attachments to it. Perhaps one of the admins - can tell me.

*****************

Anyway Geordie

You should put up pictures whenever you can - because these are just great. Like Alan Wheeler said - we really should put them in a Member's Gallery under your name - so that everyone can find them easily. And I should too.

You mentioned in an earlier post - about being back in touch 'via cellphone' - do you use the Internet over a mobile phone connection? That's pretty expensive here. I have a 'wireless modem' and get a good signal here in the Bay.

Rodney

Howdya like this little graphic I just did?

geordieschmalz · 16-12-2007, 17:37

Thanks for the kind words, I'm content with the results, good practice for the real thing. I still need to decide on hull material. Sorry, ferro is out of the running, but steel is back in, thanks to Bob in Boston.

Yes, I use a USB deal that uses cell phone towers, runs about $60 US/month, but it is fast, and I just have to come within 4 to 5 miles of shore, sometimes not even that close. (It is a lee shore, Graveyard of the Pacific, aka The Shore 'O Death.) What's cool is it seems to work even when cell phones have no signal at all - not sure how it works...

I had to download photos to my website (mt. biking/skiing stuff, my other life), then import as you did, but I have to do it one by one, or else people will wonder why I'm jumping off a cliff with skis/bike/all by myself. I have a feeling most folks on this site are allergic to snow. So it will be awhile, but I'll get some cool photos up in the gallery.

Cool graphics, by the way, one of the things I liked about your website. Keep 'em coming!

Geordie

yachtrodney · 16-12-2007, 17:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by geordieschmalz

I had to download photos to my website (mt. biking/skiing stuff, my other life)
Geordie

Website? Website?

I've seen no link to a website.

It's not in your profile - and it's not in your post. You'd better tell us what it is - so we can have a look at the 'other life' too.

Rodney

PS I just made a separate private folder on the website for 'Random Photos' - and upload all these new odd ones to that - just to link to.

geordieschmalz · 16-12-2007, 21:12

Sorry, Rodney, I didn't put up a link for that website, I thought it was so unrelated to cruising that I didn't bother. Plus, I need to put in a private gallery before I link to it, it's password protected. I do like to keep some measure of privacy (very difficult these days, what with the NSA illegally spying on Americans. Hey, you aren't NSA are you? Can't be too sure...

).

Seriously, tho, its more related to how I earn a living and would probably be considered commercial, but if ya gotta see an American skiing in February, I can probably accommodate you.

What would be cool is to be able to show video, nothing great, just digital camera mpegs of random stuff...the bum rush of fishing boats trying to catch the tide while I motor (slowly) past the bar, I like to catch local lubbers trying to dock their boats too - funny stuff.

Wish I had video of the guys who didn't know how to reverse their engine. One guy in a sprinter's position on the bow, leaping off for the dock as the helmsman comes in at like 10 knots, then chasing after the boat as it continues down the dock. No docking lines, either. Oh my...

Well, I will work on that, tho it may take awhile, and won't be as good as Penny's website. My cat is pretty funny, tho.

Geordie

yachtrodney · 24-12-2007, 11:56

slomotion · 24-12-2007, 12:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by yachtrodney

So far as I know - this has never been attempted before - anywhere. Let alone on a yacht this size.

That's because the conventional way to move a boat like this involves a combination of helicopter rotors, helium baloons and, in the case of ferro yachts, really big magnets.

You da MAN, Rodney.

Merry Christmas.

ribbony · 24-12-2007, 19:25

Hi Rodney,

We are finally at home, in the mountains. How great it is too, having a hard earned break after a month working on the boat on the hardstand.

Just looking at your forum I know what you will be doing today, typing! It's great you are able to share your yacht story here.

Penny looks great in the santa hat. We thought about putting reindeer horns on Tashi but decided it wasn't worth the effort and angst. Tashi is here now doing what all pirate's parrots do, sleeping on my shoulder.

Anyway, just wishing you and Penny a very happy christmas and a happy new year.

We'll be back up for the 7th of January, see you then.

Jenny and Mick

geordieschmalz · 25-12-2007, 09:12

I guess you are on the other side of the date line, but here it is present opening time! (after the mimosas!) Great pic of Penny, I hope you both got the presents you asked Santa to bring ya!

Merry Christmas!

Geordie

Jolly Roger · 05-05-2008, 05:34

Hi Rodney,
I’ve only just read all of this fantastic string, coming through the recent thread about a fellow raising a mere section of the aft deck of his ferro yacht. Blimey mate, you would have that done in a couple of days! Firstly, hearty congratulations in overcoming what must have been many weeks of worry, when you finally realized you simply couldn’t move her….
You have given me courage to go ahead and do what I want with a 50’ ketch, that is, convert it to a brigantine schooner. Piece-o’-cake compared to your project, but for the rest of us mere mortals, still something to think hard about.
It means moving chainplates, and that’s something I didn’t read in your correspondence. But with a mast(s) the height you are talking about and the consequent sail sizes, there is going to be a heck of a load on the rig.
I’m not even going to venture a suggestion to such a man as yourself, because I bet you have thought of this already. What are your plans for this?
P.S. I delivered a 77 footer, 70 tons, to Bermuda a few years ago, so I have a concept of how big your ship is—stupendous project indeed!

yachtrodney · 10-05-2008, 21:24

Hi Jolly Roger and all other Forum members

It's been a little while since I've posted on the Forum - and there have been a few things happening.

We stayed at the dock of the shipyard for a few months - and some little progress was made - with putting on all the plates - and then about 6 weeks ago - we finally moved out - into the middle of the bay - and onto a mooring - where we still are now.

For some unknown reason I had been struggling with getting things done around the yacht - and for the first time - seemed to lack the enthusiasm and energy - to get on with the the more vigorous and important jobs - like getting all those damn plates on around the hull. With the result that still only about a third of the hull belt is finished.

Well the answer became all too clear - when 1 week after I moved the yacht out - I suffered a near collapse walking up the boatyard - struggling for breath - with a racing heart - and pins and needles in my left arm. There followed a week in the local Hospital Cardiac Unit - with the usual angiogram - and all the other tests - and the Heart Specialist telling me that I had Cardiomyopathy, which literally means "heart muscle disease".

In most cases they are unable to pinpoint a specific cause - and as I rarely drink and haven't smoked for a few years - and live a reasonable healthy life - it was put down to - probably hereditary - as my father (a healthy policeman) had suffered heart attacks at about this age.

So now they've got me on the 'rat poison' - Warfarin - to thin the blood - and a selection of other things - which I'm sure many of you would be only too familiar with.

The good news is - that these last few weeks - I've felt 1000 percent better - and have been getting on with all the usual necessary things - that need doing aboard an unfinished 75' yacht - and we've been making good progress with the plates too.

I continued to send out my barrage of famous emails and photos - every few days - even from the hospital - and if you'd like to have a look at the colourful story - and all the recent photos of what little Penny and I have been up to - then please go to our Email Newsletters page at thedogpaddler.com where you will find all the recent emails and photos - just click on the following link:

Email Newsletters We've Sent

And here's a couple of photos of us - right now - out in the middle of Woolooware Bay - Botany Bay - N.S.W. Australia.

We are supposed to be putting a couple of plates on the hull right now - but the young apprentice has text messaged - he's not coming (something about a very late night).

We'll be in touch again soon.

Rodney & Penny