Messing About In Sailboats

This one's for you Joe Rouse

How do you like dem apples? Read more →

Very very big fish

Seen on Environmentalgraffiti.com. "The Chinese Paddlesfish, which lives in the Yangtze River weighs half a tonne and can grow to a length of seven and a half metres, whilst the Giant Freshwater Stingray has a diameter of up to three metres." Read more →

"Alter"nautical Top 10 Songs

Adam told me of the top ten sailing tunes project over a few pints the other night. Impressed by the fact that Brandy by Looking Glass cracked the top ten, I offered to chime in with some alternative nautical tunes (after a few semi-drunken bars of the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald). Thought I'm not a sailor, I hope to be considered semi-qualified as a native Floridian and earnest musician. Here you go - 1. The Mariner's Revenge Song by The Decemberists - An epic tale of scallywags, whales and vengence! 2. Sea Legs by The Shins. 3. What's An Ocean For? by White Whale. 4. O'Sailor by Fiona Apple. 5. Sail To The Moon by Radiohead. 6. Across Yer Ocean by Mercury Rev. 7. The Mollusk by Ween. 8. Up The Beach/Ocean Size by Janes Addiction. 9. Dramamine by Modest Mouse. 10. Lazy Flies by Beck - "out of... Read more →

Stupid Things Heard on Channel 16

We were sailing with some friends in NJ yesterday. We got to chatting about dumb things heard over the VHF. They told us the dumbest thing they heard once sailing in Florida: Lady Boater: Attention Coast Guard, I need help. Coastie: How can I assist Lady Boater: I can't find Bimini on my map. Coastie: Can you tell me what the number is on the chart you are looking at Lady Boater: ...er I don't see any numbers Coastie: Is there anything on your ..er map that will me help me determine what you are looking at Lady Boater: Well there is a big Texaco logo in the corner. I you know some equally stupid things heard over Ch 16, let me know Read more →

Song for Friday

One of the best things for me about the Top 10 Sailing Songs project for me was discovering a lot of music and artists I have never heard. I am embarrassed to say I had never heard of Stan Rogers but this was my loss. He has a passionate fan base. Here is just one of the comments from Gary Bruner in the original entries to the contest: Oh man! I see no reference to the great Stan Rogers, a Canadian songwriter/singer far beyond most on this list. He was AMAZING before his untimely death in an air accident back in the eighties. I think I have ALL of his albums, including "Home in Halifax", recorded live. Super songs include: White Squall, The Mary Ellen Carter, Barrett's Privateers, Make and Break Harbor, Fogarty's Cove, and The Bluenose, to name but a few. Also, one should hear Eric Bogel's tribute to... Read more →