Tomorrow, Thursday, May 1, 2008 begins my summer Vessel Assist season. I will be using a Spot GPS Tracker this year.
TRACK PROGRESS: Also known as SPOTcastingSM, this feature allows friends and family to follow my progress in real time. I’ll actually use it for the first time on my trip from Anacortes to Friday Harbor aboard Diligence. I’ll be underway between 08:00 and 09:00 local. The trip will take about 3.5 hours.
To be honest, I didn’t read every single word. It’s one of these documents written by a committee, so it’s a real slog to get through. As a professional editor I can confirm that readability suffers when you’ve got to satisfy this many editors!
As you might expect, there plenty of nits to pick. Here’s one that really bugged me:
But I’m going to make an exception for this story. I have no doubt this new effort by the Department of Homeland Security will evoke strong feelings among recreational mariners, one way or the other.
To start things off, though, let’s go right to the "horse’s mouth" and see what the DHS press release says.
Release Date: April 28, 2008
For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary Contact: 202-282-8010
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today a new Small Vessel Security Strategy (SVSS) designed to close security gaps and reduce risks associated with the potential exploitation of small maritime vessels.
April 25th, 2008 · by Tim Flanagan, Managing Editor
I finally got a hold of one of these, after discovering the Picquic stubby variety a couple weeks ago. I remain highly impressed with this Vancouver-based company and its products.
The Picquic Mariner is basically a "marinized" version of the company’s flagship product, the x7 (formerly the Sixpac Plus).
April 24th, 2008 · by Tim Flanagan, Managing Editor
You’ve seen those hollowed out soda-pop cans where you can unscrew the top and hide your diamonds and jewels "in plain sight", right? Well, the RM Line Locker embodies the same principle.
I’m not sure they intend this to be an especially clandestine form of deck storage, and I don’t think I would keep my binoculars or handheld VHF in one of these.
Still, the foredeck is one area that, on many boats, lacks good storage lockers. If you’ve already got a fender rack on either side, it might make sense to replace one of those fenders with some line and other mooring or anchoring gear. How often do you need all four fenders up there, anyway? Not as often as you need your dock lines!
Made from UV-stabilized polyethylene, the RM Line Locker has a removable cap assembly designed to allow air exchange for ventilation while keeping rain and spray out, but only while the unit remains upright, as it would in a fender rack.
Available in two sizes—8" x 20" and 10" x 26"—and three colors: blue, white, or black. And in case you were wondering, please note that the RM Line Locker is "not to be used as a fender."
`Twas brillig, and the slithy toves Did gyre and gimble in the wabe: All MMSI were the borogoves, And the mome raths outgrabe.
I’ve written lots (here and here, particularly) about MMSI—the Marine Mobile Service Identity numbers programmed into our DSC radios and AIS transceivers.
I’m also waiting eagerly for news about FCC approval for Class B AIS in the United States.
But right this minute, I’ve got a new VHF radio to install aboard Two Lucky Fish; it’s a Raymarine Ray49 with two-way NMEA messaging, which should allow incoming DSC calls (such as distress calls) to appear directly on my chartplotter. Recall my disappointment when I confirmed that my Ray54 could not send position data to my chartplotter.
April 21st, 2008 · by Tim Flanagan, Managing Editor
I’ve got an article on MOB alarms in the April issue of Pacific Yachting PNW, the one-year-old south-of-the-border version of Vancouver, BC’s Pacific Yachting.
Despite the similar names, these are two separate periodicals, with independent operations. So if you think "Oh yeah, Pacific Yachting, I know that magazine," then think again! Pick up an issue and see what you think.
I, for one, think it’s great, and I’m not just saying that because I’ve got an article published in it! It’s a high-quality, full-color glossy magazine, comparable in look and feel to the national magazines or the high-profile regionals such as Southern Boating. Think Sunset for northwest boaters.
Editor Eric Sorensen has been really supportive and helpful, as I fumble and bumble my way into the world of print media. He presented a seminar at the Seattle Boat Show on "How to Write a Boating Feature Story", in which he managed to convey a great deal of information in just an hour. If you’ve been thinking about telling some of your sea stories or sharing your wisdom with fellow boaters, get in touch with Eric.
April 20th, 2008 · by Tim Flanagan, Managing Editor
I’ve been suffering from plantar fasciitis for the past year or so, and to my surprise, boat trips have proved to be especially tough. I didn’t realize how much I stand while operating the boat, and I’ve learned that on power vessels of all sizes, shock and vibration can be transmitted through the hull right to the helm station.
This shock and vibration can cause fatigue, even pain, in the feet, legs, and/or back. For me, it hits me right in my tender left heal. This is pretty frustrating, especially when we’ve arrived at some exciting destination, and I feel just about wiped out for the day!
So last fall, at the Pacific Marine Expo, I ran into the folks from Sea Shocks. When I described my situation, I was given a demonstration that was pretty convincing. They dropped a bowling ball on the spring-like "twin-hemisphere" shock-absorbing core, and the ball just stopped. No bounce at all.
April 18th, 2008 · by Tim Flanagan, Managing Editor
I was at my local plumbing and electrical shop the other day, getting more parts for the kitchen remodel. As I waited at the checkout counter, I looked over the various "impulse items" on display.
Which included some Picquic multi-bit screwdrivers. Specifically, a stubby multi-bit screwdriver caught my eye. Here are its major features:
Instant bit change and storage system saves time & eliminates lost bits. Comfortable, solid handle provides maximum torque. Precision machined 3/8" Aircraft Alloy shank designed for wrench application to increase torque. Magnetic tip: high force magnetic bitholder ensures bits & screws stay attached to driver. 1.3" Insert bits are universal 1/4" Hex & ideal for powerdriving.
I’ve been on the lookout for a stubby driver that would accept standard 1/4" hex-shank bits. I’ve got lots of bits, and every couple of months I encounter a situation where I would like to use one in a confined space, and I just don’t have a tool for it. I usually end up using a small socket wrench with a plain-old 1/4" hex socket to work whatever driver bit I need. It’s clunky, and there’s no magnet to retain the bit.
What really attracted my attention, however, was that the Picquic tools are made in Vancouver, British Columbia. Hey, just up the road! That’s refreshing…so many "wonder tools" are made overseas, and end up being a big disappointment when shortcomings in design, materials, and manufacture reveal themselves.
In contrast, this Canadian tool appears to be well-designed, and well-made, of quality materials. So I bought one, and when I got home, I did some online research and learned that Picquic makes another product especially noteworthy for boaters: the Mariner. More on this item next week, after I’ve had a chance to find one in Seattle!
Our colleague Captain Richard Rodriguez is debuting a new feature on his BitterEnd blog today: 
Whew! OK, I’ve read it. I’ve read the 
Normally, Navagear avoids political issues, except when they have a direct impact on cruising gear-n-gadgets, as with 
This shock and vibration can cause fatigue, even pain, in the feet, legs, and/or back. For me, it hits me right in my tender left heal. This is pretty frustrating, especially when we’ve arrived at some exciting destination, and I feel just about wiped out for the day!
Instant bit change and storage system saves time & eliminates lost bits. 
Comfortable, solid handle provides maximum torque. 
Precision machined 3/8" Aircraft Alloy shank designed for wrench application to increase torque. 
Magnetic tip: high force magnetic bitholder ensures bits & screws stay attached to driver. 
1.3" Insert bits are universal 1/4" Hex & ideal for powerdriving. 
