Articles and Reference
Over a number of years I wrote a number of articles for Watercraft Magazine. I always meant them to become a book, and now some 15 years on, that is just what I am working on. Listed here are the originals – some of which have worn better than others. From Summer 2020, however anyone lucky enough to have bought Watercraft magazine will get the more coherent and updated versions. And here are the first 9. I reckon there will end up being about 25-30 in all!
- Part 1 – Structures 101 – Basically how stuff is loaded up, and how it might break
- Part 2 – Materials and their Properties – what they are and how they behave.
- Part 3 – Choosing the right Material – Matching properties to loads
- Part 4 – Unstayed masts – Why have stays at all? How to size unstayed masts
- Part 5 – Stayed masts Part I – A review of existing or traditional ways to size masts
- Part 6 – Stayed Masts Part II – The beginnings of a new way to design masts – General Rules Of Thumb, Traditional Yachts.
- Part 7 – Stayed masts Part III – this one looks at why gaff-rigged masts are different from Bermudan
- Part 8 – Stayed masts Part IV – Keel-stepped vs. deck-stepped masts, and sizing of stays
- Part 9 – Bowsprit Arrangements & Loads – What loads to assume and why.
Here are all the old ones for your delectation – there’s some overlap, but the new ones have a somewhat more logical progression.
- Small can be Beautiful – this has been reprinted in a number of magazines, but the musings on the perils of boat ownership still pertain.
- Metals in a Marine Environment – what they are and how they behave.
- Gear for Gaffers 1 – Introduction and bowsprits. Why I thought it a good plan to start at the front and work backwards, I have no idea.
- Bitts and Bobs(tays) – Loads on bowsprits and sizing of components.
- Travellers Tales – This one looks at staying, anchor and traveller arrangements.
- Staying Put – staying, buckling and how masts fail.
- Rigging Loads – a study in guesswork.
- Standing Rigging – aiming for a consistent set of equipment.
- Mastbands – attaching standing rigging to the mast.
- Backstays – and rigging screws and chainplates and things.
- Mast Furniture – some practical details of mast fittings.
- Gaffs and Saddles – saddle types and gaff arrangements.
- Booms – an attempt to sort out loadings on booms.
- Boom Fittings – practical arrangements.
- Shortening Sail – on reefing arrangements for mainsails.
- A Note on Wykeham-Martin Gear – still popular for classic yachts, but can be tricksy.
- Adjusting ones Tackle – all about blocks and tackles – or “tayckles” if you must.
- Modern Ropes – what things like Dyneema can do for you.