Joe Rouse 6/21/13 Joe Rouse 6/21/13

Sailing The Laser Pico With Shirley Robertson. "Video."

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPkH81M6-NE]

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZAPz9BCqJM]

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMb6UEZ0pvE]

We also use the Laser Pico in our sailing program. Joe, we have a couple of Lasers too. God, I could end becoming a Laser sailor. Oh the horror!

Joe Rouse 6/21/13 Joe Rouse 6/21/13

Capri 14.2 Rigging Guide. "Video."

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktUpdYnAUSU]

Since I've been talked back into teaching at SEA and we use the Capri 14.2, I thought someone out there must have made a video on rigging the 14.2, and sure enough I found one.

Joe Rouse 5/14/13 Joe Rouse 5/14/13

Limit of Positive Stability.

Limit of Positive Stability or LPS is the angle from the vertical at which a boat will no longer stay upright but will capsize, becoming inverted, or turtled. It is also known as the Angle of Vanishing Stability or AVS. For example, if a boat with an LPS of 120 degrees rolls past this point, i.e. its mast is already at an angle of 30 degrees below the water, it will continue to roll and be completely upside down in the water. Most sailboats have lead or other heavy materials in their keel at the bottom of their hulls to keep them from capsizing.

Joe Rouse 5/3/13 Joe Rouse 5/3/13

Could This Be My Next Dinghy?

She sure is a beauty, and I could build her at home (wood is good). But at 180 lbs., the Contender could be a tad bit much for me to throw onto the roof of my car. So the search continues.

...and yes Gary, I've finally started on the Ulua

Joe Rouse 4/9/13 Joe Rouse 4/9/13

Tillerman Tuesday. "Flame On!"

The Laser has been torched! Say it ain't so, Joe.

Is the Laser as dead as a Dodo, Joe? I don't know.

Will they appear along the roadside like your old beloved Banshee, lonely and unloved waiting for you to restore? What did that Laser sailor say to me about restoring the Banshee when I posted on Sailing Anarchy? Oh yeah, it's a dead class. Don't waste your time, it's only fit to be sunk and turned into a reef.

Or will the Laser shrink into a miniscule class with a few true believers?

But wait! For a limited time only, you too can transform your Laser into a Torch. That's right, you won't be left behind. Call or visit our website today and order your new sails with our logo on it. You'll need it if you want to sail in the Rio Olympics or any local regatta. You don't want to end up being mocked and derided by all the cool people. Act today, before it's too late.

A big thank you to Pat Byrnes for the inspiration.

Joe Rouse 4/1/13 Joe Rouse 4/1/13

Tillerman Tuesday. What Happens If You Sail A Boat With A Mast That Doesn't Have Stays?

...and it's really windy?

Via Sailing Anarchy.

Joe Rouse 3/1/13 Joe Rouse 3/1/13

Dedication.

Be a man!
I wonder if the Tillerman would take a Laser sailing clinic in Norway during the winter, instead of Cabarete?

Via Pat's fabebook page.

Joe Rouse 2/19/13 Joe Rouse 2/19/13

Tillerman Tuesday.

The only sailboat to greet Maserati as she entered the Bay after her record breaking trip from New York to San Francisco was a Laser! Okay, I'm lying, it was one of four. San Francisco, sailing capitol of the world? I think not.

Oh look, there's a seal. Pardon my pajamas, Miss. That's not a seal, that's a Laser.

Maybe it's the bourbon speaking (thank you Mr. Makers!), but I don't understand how it's possible for people who live on a penisula not to have a connection to the water. They can't all be from Topeka!

Joe Rouse 2/14/13 Joe Rouse 2/14/13

You'll Need A Stiff Drink When You Cut Your Boat In Half!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOfobm8oZLo]

It's not a Laser!
The Eastport Nesting Pram by CLC (Chesapeake Light Craft), Is this a better option than an El Toro, especially for a city dweller who has boats and assortment of boards in his shop, garage and side yard? Who am I fooling, I still want a Toro.

[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/48492165 w=480&h=270]

Here's a great video that takes you on a boat building journey from start to finish in 7 minutes.

Joe Rouse 1/16/13 Joe Rouse 1/16/13

Toro! Toro! Ole!

John Amen sailing his El Toro out of Richmond YC on San Francisco Bay.
This photo reminded me that I have to get hopping on my projects for 2013: El Toro, Ulua. hatchet oars and a Stand Up Paddleboard. I'm motivated, now that I'm Force 5less.

Joe Rouse 10/19/12 Joe Rouse 10/19/12

Heeling.

Gen Next goes sailing.

Heeling is where a vessel tips sideways to some extent. The term is usually used in connection with the lean caused to a sailboat by the wind's force on the sails. A vessel may also heel if there is a greater load on one side than the other. This may happen if the cargo shifts or is not loaded correctly or if passengers or crew congregate on one side. In extreme cases, the vessel may lean so much that it capsizes. - Wiki

Joe Rouse 10/16/12 Joe Rouse 10/16/12

Tillerman Tuesday.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CzecGaOXKQ]

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vimGNNKVlNw]

Did someone mention New Jersey?

Joe Rouse 10/9/12 Joe Rouse 10/9/12

Tillerman Tuesday.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPUdWqtUHGY]

Scew the Minorca Sailing Center, the Tillerman should hang out at the Fishing Bay Yacht Club for some real training.

I would be lost if it wasn't for Thad's Tillerman Tuesday suggestions, mahalo Pal!

Joe Rouse 10/2/12 Joe Rouse 10/2/12

Tillerman Tuesday.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uz6bmfnUT5A]

Laser sailors have ....(clearing throat)...interesting musical tastes.
Video suggested by Thad. Thanks, pal.

Penélope, if you want to see the Tillerman in the flesh, he's hanging out on the island of Minorca.

Joe Rouse 9/17/12 Joe Rouse 9/17/12

Tillerman Tuesday. (For Emily, Penelope And Kate.)

Emily, if you squint your eyes closey together, you'll see the Tillerman leading a fleet of heroic sailors back from another dangerous mission to keep the seas safe for sailing.

Joe Rouse 9/14/12 Joe Rouse 9/14/12

Laserzilla Lives!

Mark Denzer, the circumnavigator of Oahu, wants to make a sellable version of his contraption. "You know that HIKING OUT for more than two hours sucks. You hate it. I hate it. Any suggestions on what it would make you want to buy one of these for $499 retail?"

Joe Rouse 9/11/12 Joe Rouse 9/11/12

Tillerman Tuesday.

Laser sailor Heaven.

Joe Rouse 9/4/12 Joe Rouse 9/4/12

Tillerman Tuesday.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxeFRJCB2qY]

I'm sorry, Penelope. The video above is not one of the Tillerman. It's of a Scottish Laser sailor who has an...how do I say this...interesting choice of music to accompany his video. (I suggest turning the volume to mute to prevent you from running out your house into the street screaming with pain. It would be a pity for you to get run over by some distracted teen who is watching this very video on his moble device while booping to the music. [We're doomed!])

Joe Rouse 8/30/12 Joe Rouse 8/30/12

What Happens When You Sail Too Close To A Container Ship?

You hope for a tow back to shore.

note: The photos are a little blurry. I saw these guys off in the distance while hanging out at the Nespresso 18' Skiff International. I knew that there was going to be trouble, so I grabbed my camera and pointed it in their direction.