Now I wonder why anybody would still be using a log like yours Sunseeka.

I removed mine years age and here's why.

I was sailing south off Smoky Cape NSW one September when I found that I had lost steerage way

Only had a very light wind and then I noticed that the GPS was recording 4 knots

I had to start the nanni to get some steerage way until the wind picked up!

If I had been relying on a log it would have only been registering in that 4 knot southerly current.

Had a clean up onboard the other day and finally removed that other bit of gear associated with a log,
my old plastic Davis sextant, brought in 1977 and never ever used!

And before anybody says it, I've got two GPS's onboard.

I had a Brisbane 'Gregorys' !
Lent it to Brizzydave and he dropped it overboard.

That type of log is the only real way of getting an accurate speed through the water. Ideal on a racing yacht.

That being said mine resides in the bilge!

Afraid you have to have both a log (speed through the water) and a GPS (speed over ground) if you want to do any serious navigation/racing/cruising. Without both you cannot determine what speed or direction the current is. Most of the worlds oceans are moving at a minimum of 2 knots ie approx 25-30% of boatspeed. that makes a hell of a lot of difference to transit times if you couple weather (wind) and current gribs for passage planning.Just ask a pilot how he would feel about landing a plane with only SOG and no airspeed.

spongeblob said..
I had a Brisbane 'Gregorys' ! Lent it to Brizzydave and he dropped it overboard.

Thought you said I had to tie a string to it and chuck it over and count the knots I'd tied. What was the hour glass you sent for?

I need guitars on my boat too. Might go buy a cat Stevens cd. You got cat Stevens Southace?

When I was young and raced my TS16 we had no such info just other boats, telltales and feeling if the boat was sailing fast or slow! I always most of the time came first or second as there where only 2 TS in our fleet.

I use the guitars to check cross track error while on a heading towards an island if I play 2 songs and my heading has changed since my last check I know I would have 1 Nm of cross track error! It most of the time works as then I would play 1 more song and I would clear the island by 1.5 Nm ......haha

spongeblob said..

I use a late 80's Roland 808 analogue drum machine for a depth gauge/ fish finder.
Like mum always said
'To pull a successful armed rob take a Martin acoustic'. (true story)

Im a fan of the old Roland analogue gear, I have an SH-2 mono bass synth.
Great sound.
What you use your 808 for ? other than fishing that is.

Fiesta said..


I really never got comfortable with the 3 foot water spout that came up before you got the cap on. Add an extra 1/2 foot if the boat was under chute....Don't cross the @%^&$ thread.....Of course the impeller was fouled from the bluebottles which added extra dimension to the experience......

My Top Hat had one of those and the first time I went up on a slip it came out and the 3" hole was glassed up!!

spongeblob said..

Keensailor;
I've had commercial recording/rehearsal studios in the 80's/90's, (as well as playing in bands since 1976)
Not only does the old Roland stuff sound great to tape (and user friendly), there also heavy enough to extract invoice payment
from the occasional not so forth coming "musician" (so called).
You in Sydney mate ????
Dale

yes, live in Marrickville

Partly installed one of the new pushpit seats I made.

And installed what I like to call 'Heaven'...

Sorry, iPad not playing nice; will post Heaven later.

Arhhh hammock, good idea. Looks like your mooring line is ready to pop off though.

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When I came back from sailing yesterday and was tidying up and glanced across at one of my neighbours boat. This expensive 65 footer was hanging off it's bouy line! The loop had jumped off the large cleat and all that was holding it was this line, fortunately Spectra core and one and half turns on the other cleat. Bit of a struggle pulling this boat in against wind and tide! The line had some wear where it rubs on the anchor so it did not just happen. I secure my riser over the bollard with 10mm rope to stop it jumping off. This is in an estuary/river where the tide is often against the wind and sometimes seriously large waves.

DrRog that looks like a disaster waiting to happen!

Ramona said..

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When I came back from sailing yesterday and was tidying up and glanced across at one of my neighbours boat. This expensive 65 footer was hanging off it's bouy line! The loop had jumped off the large cleat and all that was holding it was this line, fortunately Spectra core and one and half turns on the other cleat. Bit of a struggle pulling this boat in against wind and tide! The line had some wear where it rubs on the anchor so it did not just happen. I secure my riser over the bollard with 10mm rope to stop it jumping off. This is in an estuary/river where the tide is often against the wind and sometimes seriously large waves.

DrRog that looks like a disaster waiting to happen!

That is a classic pic!! Moored on a fishing line!!!

You are forever the duteous seaman Ramona and your blood is worth bottling.

3 metres of spectra, priceless.