• Exploration under sail

    Thanks for coming aboard. In this site you will find my online logbooks, and tricks and tips I've found useful. Find an error, a bit of lunacy, perhaps? Leave a comment, and straighten me out!
    Photo gallery
    Inland Sailing

  • RSS Small Craft Advisor’s Blog

  • RSS Furled Sails Podcast


    • Warning: gzinflate() [function.gzinflate]: data error in /home/carl/public_html/wp-includes/http.php on line 1787

    Warning: gzuncompress() [function.gzuncompress]: data error in /home/carl/public_html/wp-includes/http.php on line 1792

  • RSS NASA Science Headlines

    • Spring BOOTS 2009

    By Carl | May 7, 2009

    Spring BOOTS, held in May, 2009, was quite the success even though rain and flooding were a factor. BOOTS is a twice-yearly gathering of trailer-sailors on Lake Texoma, and is always fun.

    Read the rest of this entry »

    Topics: Logbooks | 2 Comments »

    Springtime comes, and with it, BOOTS!

    By Carl | February 5, 2009

    Springtime isn’t so far off, and neither is the next spring BOOTS – and, a new cruise is in the offing.

    Read the rest of this entry »

    Topics: Planned ventures | No Comments »

    BOOTS, 2007

    By Carl | September 8, 2007

    BOOTS sails again, this time from Alberta Creek Marina.

    Read the rest of this entry »

    Topics: Planned ventures | No Comments »

    Lake Palestine, August 26, 2007

    By Carl | August 26, 2007

    Island on Lake PalestineSunday was a ‘drifter’ of a day, but recon of Lake Palestine was on the agenda.

    Read the rest of this entry »

    Topics: Nine Tales | No Comments »

    Better Ball Bungees – Easy Reef Ties

    By Carl | July 28, 2007

    Finished ball bungeeBoth our boats sail far better when reefed if the foot is nicely bundled up, particularly pointing. There is a danger, though. Tying off the foot with strong line can tear the sail. If either the tack or clew reef lets go, applying strain to a reef point, the sail fabric is not laid in the right direction to support that force.

    Better to use something of limited strength, and stretchy. Shock cord with toggles work great, if they are the right length. Easier is to make your own ball bungee with a stopper knot and a monkey’s fist.

    It’s easier on the knuckles, too, than a store-bought ball bungee. No hard plastic ball to whip around and fracture.

    Read the rest of this entry »

    Topics: Sailing tips | No Comments »

    « Previous Entries