Freedive to Freedom

Introduction by William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill

Spring is a season most of us water enthusiasts long for in the winter doldrums; it heralds that boating time of year. To begin the warm up process for the run through the season, many seek relaxation and adventure on far away tropical islands like Honaunau Bay, Hawaii. This couple did.

Here's a video set to reggae island music that is as relaxing and spellbinding as it is rejuvenating. It should hold your attention for at least its 3 1/2 minutes duration, probably more. Don your virtual snorkel, mask and fins for a freedive with the sea turtles, dolphins and tropical fish.

If you need more time recharging this Spring you can Chill Out on a Tropical Island Paradise or Take a Trip to Eden. Enjoy the break!

Double click on the video for full immersion.


William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill, webmaster of this site, is the author of the book Lubber's Log, published by Llumina Press; a boating journal and adventure story of the author's first time experiences in the preparation, maintenance and piloting of a new, unfamiliar boat. You can visit his website here. Lubber's Log

Top Boating Photos of 2013

Introduction by William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill

Last year BoatU.S.Magazine* sponsored a photo contest in August, 2012 where entrants could earn prizes for the best "on-the-water photographs". In the February/March 2013 issue the finalists and winners were revealed along with their entries.  Here is just a sampling of some of the most artistic, lifestyle and scenic photos of the lot.  More can be found in February/March issue. Enjoy.

                     Left click on the photos once for a black background and improved contrast!                 

Winner of Artistic

         "White on Black Water", by Tom McCandless of Georgetown, ME

Winner of Lifestyle

"The Next Chapter", by Christian Suchecki of Drexel Hill, PA

Winner of Scenic

"Sunset in Key Largo", by Elvisay Vazquez, Key Largo, FL

*BoatU.S.Magazine is a bimonthy publication of the Boat Owners Association of the United States.  It's an award winning magazine that keeps you up-to-date on the issues that affect every boater. 

William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill, webmaster of this site, is the author of the book Lubber's Log, published by Llumina Press; a boating journal and adventure story of the author's first time experiences in the preparation, maintenance and piloting of a new, unfamiliar boat. You can visit his website here. Lubber's Log

Preview To Offshore Powerboat Racing

Introduction by William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill

Most everyone who spends time on the water has seen them at one time or another, those ear splitting, brightly colored powerboats that skip across the water at break neck speeds.  They can be the most dangerous and powerful racing machines known to man in large part due to the speeds they can attain, the highly volatile fuel needed to power the craft and the unique design and balance of the hulls built to withstand ever changing elements of wind  and water. A finely tuned balance needs to be maintained to max out speed to the point of possible wipeout.

Offshore powerboat racing has been around since 1904 when the first race took place from the southeast coast of England to Calais, France.  Today, it's as popular as ever with classes of boats ranging from single, twin and four piston engine V-bottom boats and catamarans to turbines in various hull configurations.  The races have become more spectator friendly lately, but endurance offshore races are what give the sport it's name.

In this video, Marc Granet, driver of the powerboat Miss Geico, describes his passion for powerboat racing; his desire to build the fastest boat with a greatest team that knows how to compete and win.  Miss Geico is a 40 ft turbine powered monster. Grant describes the boat this way, "This boat is beyond extreme.  We hit 210 mph (338 km/h) in seconds," he adds, "There is nothing like it on the water."

Double click on the video for a HiDef full video presentation.



William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill, webmaster of this site, is the author of the book Lubber's Log, published by Llumina Press; a boating journal and adventure story of the author's first time experiences in the preparation, maintenance and piloting of a new, unfamiliar boat. You can visit his website here. Lubber's Log

Xtreme Wakeboarding

Introduction by William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill

Wakeboarding
A water sport briskly gaining in popularity among boating enthusiasts is wakeboarding (see video in this post).  It's been around since the mid 1980's and has really caught on lately, providing new challenges on the water; thrills and spills to the boarder and an amazing spectacle to the viewer if done with knack and flair. 

To the uninitiated, wakeboarding is really a melding of snow boarding, water skiing and surfing. The board looks like a broad water ski with boot bindings affixed fore and aft according to the rider's preference. 

Boarders are pulled behind a "wakeboard boat" which is different from a "ski boat" in that it is more often stern driven with more weight in the rear to create a larger wake for jumping and other fancy maneuvers like, "bigwings", "whirlybirds", "dum dums" and "fruitloops" (the sport, sports its own language...).  

The Boats
Wakeboard boats have a tower attached to a towrope, typically 7 feet (2 meters) off the water's surface, to make jumping easier. The boat is often an open bow with radial seating up front and in the cockpit. It operates at slower speeds than most ski boats, usually in the range of 20 to 25 mph (32 to 40 kph) to facilitate the timing of maneuvers and provide a larger wake. Another characteristic of most official wakeboard boats is that they have a variable ballast system where water can be pumped into and out of a ballast tank to effect weight distribution and wake size, helping to facilitate "tricks". 

The Video 
The video in this post is of the Xtreme variety featuring some of the best wakeboarders in the world. Produced by Network_A, this video is a teaser for the movie, DEFY featuring extraordinary wakeboarders, Danny Harf, Parks Bonifay and Dean Smith. Their stunts are  amazing and artfully done using floating rails, drain pipes and helicopters. Hang on to your towrope, this video will capture the imaginations of the amateur and the respect of the proficient.

This is a Hi Resolution video.  Double click on it for a full screen production.
 


William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill, webmaster of this site, is the author of the book Lubber's log, published by Llumina Press; a boating journal and adventure story of the author's first time experiences in the preparation, maintenance and piloting of a new, unfamiliar boat. You can visit his website here.

Chill Out - A Tropical Island Paradise Beckons

Introduction by William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill

It's January and if you long for longer, sunny, warm days this time of year a tropical paradise is never too far away; a place where life slows down, lush verdant tropical foliage abound from the mountains down to the soft coral sand and calm, teal tropical sea.

Imagine yourself in another time and place where cares drift down peaceful waterways and soft breezes waft through your hair bringing a refreshing calmness and renewed spirit.

If this is where you want to be even if it's virtual and transient, you've come to the right place. Grab your favorite beverage and chill out in Tahiti for eight minutes. If that's not enough, take a trip to Papua New Guinea. We went there last year, remember? Trip to Eden - a Tropical Paradise.  The tropics beckon.

 It's in high definition (HD). Double click on the screen for a full view video immersion.

Wonderful Chill Out Music Nature Videos

William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill, webmaster of this site, is the author of the book Lubber's log, published by Llumina Press; a boating journal and adventure story of the author's first time experiences in the preparation, maintenance and piloting of a new, unfamiliar boat. You can visit his website here.

              

Five Boating Safety Tips for the Timid Docker

Are You Terrified of Docking Your Boat? Take These Top Five Docking Safety Tips and Conquer Your Fears!

Introduction by 
William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill

In two previous popular posts with video presentation, A Boater's Worst Fear - Docking and Example of Boat Docking Finesse! we recognized docking as a major cause of apprehension for some boaters and then demonstrated how it's done with confidence and apparent ease.  The following article by Barbara Day, provides some practical advice on docking to quell one of a boaters principal fears.



Article by Barbara Day 

While many boaters boast about being great captains, only a few can claim to be masters at docking.

Just like learning how to operate and steer a vessel, docking is another essential skill for all boaters. Like parallel parking with cars, however, docking is something that many new boaters are very uncomfortable with, some terrified of.  It takes a lot of practice and time to become skilled at anything - and docking is no exception.

Here are some helpful hints for those who don't want to ruin their expensive toys when they’re finished on the water.

1) Slow and Steady

Slow and steady wins the race, but it also leads to successful docking. It is never a good idea to approach a dock at anything over a turtle's crawl.

Lower the boat's speed as much as possible, but ensure that it is still possible to steer and maneuver. If the boat is approaching too quickly bow to, go into reverse to stop the acceleration away from the dock. Just the reverse is true when maneuvering stern to.

2) Watch the Wind

The wind will surely affect how the boat handles when docking.  To determine which way the wind is blowing and how hard, pay attention to the flag, pennant or burgee on your boat or the flagpole at the dock or other boats. While the current also causes the boat to move in a certain direction, it is more likely that both the wind and current are going the same way.

For a wind that is blowing against entry, it is easiest to go head-on into the breeze until the last moment to prevent being pushed back out. When the boat is an ideal distance away, turn at a sharp angle to align the boat with the marine dock. When the wind is blowing the boat towards the dock, simply stop the engine or put it in neutral with the boat parallel to it, and let the breeze take the boat in.

3) Go with the Flow

The water current behaves much like the wind, but it can cause more of a problem because it bounces back when it hits a barrier. This can throw off timing and planning, so watch the waves, and study its patterns before making an attempt to dock.

4) Pay Attention to the Surroundings

Docks can be tight and filled with other boats, so make sure to pay close attention to the amount of room surrounding the boat. The positioning of other docked boats can greatly affect the difficulty of docking.

When maneuvering into a narrow space with a single entryway, make sure there is sufficient room when turning the boat to avoid colliding with the dock or another vessel.

5) Prepare the Boat for Contact

When approaching the dock, be ready to use the stern lines and bow lines. Timing is key during docking, so the boat needs to be tied down quickly and correctly.

Remember to also attach fenders to the boat to shield it from colliding with the dock. Concrete docks can cause extensive damage on impact if they're not equipped with dock bumpers and pads.

Boat Docking Video: See How It’s Done In a Small Boat
Same tips apply for larger boats.

There you have it, Five tips that should reduce your anxiety about docking! Have any tips of your own? Please share in a comment. Want more info?  Here’s some additional boat docking detail from Boat/US.   

Article by Barbara Day, 

Contributing author and experienced boating enthusiast.

William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill, webmaster of this site, is the author of the book Lubber's log, published by Llumina Press; a boating journal and adventure story of the author's first time experiences in the preparation, maintenance and piloting of a new, unfamiliar boat. You can visit his website here.

              

Christmas at Sea

Introduction by William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill

For the month of December post I have chosen a  Christmas song, "Christmas at Sea" based on a poem by Robert Louis Stevenson from his 1890 collection of ballads.  Sting  arranged this song and wrote the music for it in collaboration with harpest Mary Macmaster who leads the chorus in Gaelic which translates into English as,

"I wish we were going home to Scorrybreck of the white footed cattle, To Scorrybreack of the white footed cattle, The first blessing from me, as is my right."

It tells a story of a sailor battling the elements aboard a ship in sight of the town where he was born - close enough to see snow on the roofs and smoke from the chimneys, even the smell of the meals they prepared for Christmas.

Sting was attracted to Robert Louis Stevenson's poem because, "It describes so well the powerful gravitational  pull of home that Christmas exerts..."

In this video, Sting and company are performing in Durham Cathedral in Durham county in the north-east England, the land of the moors, rivers and spectacular waterfalls.

This song grows on you the more you listen to it!  A Christmas mantra. 

To all of you - Nollaig chridheil huibh  (Gaelic)  or in English, Merry Christmas!


Lyrics to Christmas At Sea : (Poem by Robert Louis Stevenson, arranged with Mary Macmaster and sung by Sting)

All day we tacked and tacked between the North Head and the South;
All day we hauled the frozen sheets, to 'scape the storm's wet mouth;
All day as cold as charity, in bitter pain and dread,
For very life and nature we tacked from head to head. 

We gave the South a wider berth, for there the tide-race roared;
But every tack we made we brought the North Head close aboard.
We saw the cliffs and houses and the breakers running high,
And the coastguard in his garden, with his glass against his eye.

The frost was on the village roofs as white as ocean foam;
The good red fires are burning bright in every longshore home;
The windows sparkled clear, and the chimneys volleyed out;
And I vow we sniffed the victuals as the vessel went about.

The bells upon the church were rung with a mighty jovial cheer;
For it's just that I should tell you how (of all days in the year)
This day of our adversity was blessed Christmas morn,
And the house above the coastguard's was the house where I was born.

And well I knew the talk they had, the talk that was of me,
Of the shadow on the household and the son that went to sea;
And O the wicked fool I seemed, in every kind of way,
To be here and hauling frozen ropes on blessed Christmas Day.


William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill, webmaster of this site, is the author of the book Lubber's log, published by Llumina Press; a boating journal and adventure story of the author's first time experiences in the preparation, maintenance and piloting of a new, unfamiliar boat. You can visit his website here.