I am including this post because I think it is interesting and...
Suzanne Snadecki paints her dream into reality..
it involves my family doing something pretty amazing. My mother, who lives in France, woke up one morning and decided she wanted to travel around the country in a horse drawn gypsy wagon. A long time sailor herself, this will be her 'boat ashore'. Not one to do anything half way in spite of a shoe string budget, she has made major progress toward realizing her dream from scratch in little over a year.
BSD-Batwing (™) sail creator and founder of Balogh Sail Design, MARK BALOGH,
Suzanne has been raising the money for the project in small doses, with her paintings and donations from inspired friends. Her blog is rich with humanity, color, and the unfolding story of the project happening in the scenic country side of France. The project has also become a statement about slowing down in a world that seems to have forgotten how to look up and see the beauty around us.
Those who are familiar with The Gougeon Brothers on Boat Construction (link leads to a free digital version of the book) may have read the chapter on a type of boat building called; "compounded plywood construction" also known as "tortured" plywood. It is the method used to create the famed Tornado catamaran hulls. Russell has recently been exploring this method. Click HERE to see a 6 page pdf as just a taste of what he has learned so far.
Speaking of the Gougeon Brothers, the current issue of Woodenboat Magazine has a feature article about Meade Gougeon.
The buzz continues... in fact, the buzz, bang, humm, crank, tweak....of shop machines and brain gears, can be heard behind closed doors!
Bieker designed proa in progress.
Boats are being built! Locally, team Turnpoint Design is working on a catamaran. A Bieker designed proa is in the works, and Edensaw Woods is sponsoring a team, also building a catamaran. Sail, peddle drives, rowing stations, and combinations there-of are being carefully considered and applied to these boats. What is most exciting about this race is that, given the prevailing conditions on the course, designers and athletes are challenged to make the most of their 'sail/human powered' boats. A creative force has been awakened and the fact that there are so few rules and filters on what types of boats can enter, we are likely to see all from kayaks to large racing yachts.
Small Craft Advisor Magazine, has an interesting feature discussion in the current issue. They asked the opinions of a number of respected characters about specific pros and cons regarding the Race to Alaska. As a sponsor, they also host a forum for the Race to Alaska, among several others on several websites.
rowing in Desolation Sound"Patos" in Desolation Sound. photo by owner
we received a very special New Years gift from PT 11 builder Cassie McDermott. It was a really nice email and a pdf attachment from 10 year Milo, for whom she built the boat. She concluded her letter thus:
"I knew that your boat changed our lives, but I didn't realize just how much. I am overwhelmed and feeling completely blessed for what you and your boat has brought our family. In the end, it's not just a boat."
I thought it would be fun to have a photo contest this year.
It could result in a really nice calendar.Winners could choose from puzzles, mugs, T-shirts,(printed with their winning photo), or other prize options yet to be decided.The PT Skiff at the festival, by Ashlyn Brown
Overview:
Categories: Scenic, Action, & Project
Photo Quality: Maximum! (300dpi or more) JPEG format
Orientation: Landscape(horizontal) is best but if you have a Portrait oriented photo that you just love, send it in!
Photo-shopping:You can enhance photos but please no montage.
Judging & Submissions: Please have your pictures in by August 1st, 2015. Late entries might still be considered. Russell and I will be judges this year. Submit photos to ptwatercraft @ gmail.com. (no spaces)
planing PT 11 by Ashlyn Brown
Parameters detailed below along with details on all of the above.
Details info as of 1-4-2015
Scenic: Where are the beautiful places and moments you are using your PT11, Spear or PT Skiff? Part or all of the boat should be a part of the picture in some way but the scenery can be the primary subject.
Action: Like it sounds; sailing, rowing or motoring in lively conditions and locations.
Project; Can be humorous moments during your project, celebrations, launchings, artful personalized details incorporated into your boat, etc.
the quiet before fireworks on the 4th of July, by Ashlyn Brown
Orientation: Landscape. I can crop for vertical if we have the opportunity to use it but in most cases, especially for calendars, Horizontal landscape orientation works best. My intention is to create really nice quality calendars.
Photoshopping: If you have a good photo program and like to play with your pictures, why not, but within reason please. We are seeking natural beauty in settings and human moments of experience. Montage of photos is not acceptable.
Judging: This year Russell and I will be the main " judges." As this idea evolves, details may change somewhat. We both love photography and we both have a different perspective about what makes a really good photo. I can also do photo refining if you send a raw photo that you believe has merit but you do not have a way to straighten horizons or other needed corrections.
Parameters: We are looking for pictures that everyone can enjoy, whether they own one of our designs or not. Most people can agree what kind of pictures are creative and inspiring. After all, it will hang on your wall for a month at a time. I believe that anyone who chooses to spend their time in nature, appreciates its beauty and those who like to play in boats appreciate the excitement. I also like the idea of a portion of calendar sales as a fundraiser for a good cause. Good participation will make this a success, and then we will indeed choose a cause carefully.
Example: The following photo is just an idea of how a dramatic moment in nature can include one of our boats. In this case, the PT Skiff in the shadows.
SUBMISSIONS should be sent to PTWATERCRAFT @ gmail.com. (no spaces)
