The Touch of a Vanished Hand

"...And the stately ships go on
To their haven under the hill;
But O for the touch of a vanished hand,
And the sound of a voice that is still!..."
(From "Break, Break, Break," Alfred, Lord Tennyson)

Similarly-cheerful posts:

• "New Owners, Old Tenant"
  (October 23, 2015)
• "Insomnia at the Wizard's Tower"
  (August 21, 2015)
• "Remember the Paths"
  (July 24, 2015)
• "Smile, Wave, and Hope They Understand"
  (July 10, 2015)
• " 'We Saved You a Piece' "
  (January 30, 2015)

At Last! An Inflatable Anchor!

Inflatable Boat Anchor Kit
Defender (The Marine Outfitter Of Choice For Boating Enthusiasts Since 1938)

Finally, the best minds of the world have given us what we have sought for decades: an inflatable boat anchor.

No more lugging some bulky piece of metal around. When it's time to drop anchor, just inflate this anchor, and you're set!

Oh, wait.

It's an anchor for inflatable boats. Not an anchor for boats that's inflatable.

Never mind.

The Next European Yacht of the Year?

"European Yacht of the Year Nomination: Dehler 32"
Sail-World.com (September 11, 2010)

"If you're wanting a small boat that will be good for cruising but also competitive if you want to join the occasional race, it might pay to look at the new Dehler 32.

"The new Dehler 32 has been nominated in category performance cruiser for the prestigious international award of European Yacht of the Year. The yacht is a both a comfortable cruiser and a successful racer.

"For a small crew the boat, a Judel/Vrolijk design, boasts being easy to sail and manoeuvre in all weather situations. ..."

It's not the biggest yacht around: 9.8 meters / 32+ feet long by 10 feet eight inches across. Still - this is a far cry from the 16-footers that many boat owners here in central Minnesota have. Of course, the new Dehler 32 isn't supposed to be something you haul down to the lake for fishing or water skiing.

The Sail-World.com article gives technical specs for the yacht, and a short description: plus a heads-up on when that award will be announced.

Floating Homes - Houseboats - Still Sailing

"Floating Homes"
International Marine Floating Structures

"With over 20 years experience in this highly specialized industry, IMF applies it’s expertise to customize floating homes to meet our clients needs...."

The link at the bottom of the page, to www.FloatingHomes.com, is broken, so here's a working one: "www.FloatingHomes.com.

Photos, and a little description.

Running on Water: Speedboat Driver Flees Flipping Boat

"Wind Flips Speedboat During Drag Race, Throwing Driver"
FoxNEWS (May 19, 2008)

"Windy conditions caused a speedboat to flip during a Budweiser Drag Boat Nationals race, but remarkably, the boat's driver survived. ..."

It looks like his running away from the boat may have helped.


(photo from FOXNews, used w/o permission)

Start with Bottles, End with Raft

"A raft made of bottles!!"

Mostly photos, of a remarkably successful project, by a group of college-age people.

Mostly photos, and a few words.

Earthrace: 10-Ton Bio Diesel Speed Boat

"EARTHRACE - Bio Diesel Boat "

It pierces waves, displaces 10 tons, and runs on the captain's fat (the bio diesel fuel is mostly from plants).

Earthrace sponsors hope to set a speed record for sailing around the world.

Power, speed, and a renewable energy source: This kind of "green" I can get interested in.

Just a Little Cabin in the Woods With a Fireplace, and a Swimming Pool, and a ...

"Olle Lundberg's Cabin" is a simple little affair, with at least two floors, a deck, a swimming pool, (I think I saw a hot tub, too), and a great view.

The photos are mostly of the cabin, but there are two of Olle's little boat on the bay, too.

Olle Lundberg is an architect, salvage junkie and Ikea designer.

The Pontoon Boat: Ambrose Weeres' Brainchild

The pontoon boat is only a year younger than I am, which isn't an important fact. It doesn't even make the break for trivia.

Pontoon boats, though, are an important part of the the fleet of recreational watercraft each summer.

Weeres Industries has a pretty good history/biography of Ambrose Weeres, inventor of the pontoon boat, and Minnesota farmer.