iphone tracking

With this handy iphone ap, yes, big brother is watching.

When enabled, my phone becomes a satilite tracking device that broadcasts my position to an internet site every 5 seconds or so.  A little creepy when one considers my cadre of stalkers, but quite helpful when out paddling in San Francisco bay solo in the winter.  I'll notify at least someone (a tweet, perhaps?) before heading out, and that way my whereabouts will be known.

They have a more sophisticated device called a SPOT tracker that not only maps your progress on a website, but allows you to check in with someone via text or email or notify emergency services. It costs about $180, and I think there's a service fee of sorts.

But this will do for now.

Still working out the kinks, and we'll see how easy it is to isolate individual tracks each time I go out.

GPS tracking powered by InstaMapper.com

A sailmaker's eyesplice

Two of the many items Kizmuit was in need of when I took over as caretaker were an anchor and rode.  The rode is the line and chain that connects the anchor to the boat.  These items were the first ones I purchased back in October.  However, they are useless unless they are connected to 1) each other and 2) the boat.  Afixing the anchor to the chain was simple enough, as all it required was a stainless steel shackle.  Connecting the chain to the line was another matter, as the line needed an eyesplice. 

I had been putting off figuring out how to make an eyesplice. I had done it once as a boy in Scouts, but I remember it being a much thinner rope and it didn't quite turn out right.  Jack, the crusty salt at the end of my dock, lent me a classic text on the subject of sailmaking.  In it were instructions that required the use of a fid. 

A few hours and a few blisters later, I succeeded in producing about eight inches of splice in a 5/8" line around what I think is either an eyelet or a cringle.  There are so many nautical terms to familiarize myself with.....  Some waxed twine to whip the ends will finish up the job nicely.

Cory's paddling videos in Beverly, MA

So I got an HD helmet-cam for paddling, a narcissistic contraption that glorifies everything you do and say.  It was a birthday-gift, and a wonderful one at that (Thanks Hil!), but something I've always wanted. I wore it a few times when I first got it while paddling in Beverly, MA, this past summer, during some of my last paddling sessions before I re-injured my back (I'm fully recovered as of December, or at least as fully recovered as I'll ever be). I had posted them on youtube a few months ago, and have provided a link below.

Joyeux Noel

Christmas afloat on Kizmuit. 

Wishing you a happy holidays.



kayak ergometer

So a while ago I was designing and built a kayak ergometer.  Don't ask why - a flight of fancy, perhaps.  I happened to think it was a good idea at the time.  But I took some pics, and a video which I've posted below.



The 'engine' of the thing is simply a paddle on a gear inside a bucket filled with water.  I used some bike parts ordered online.  I worked well enough, but didn't get the gearing quite right - there was too much resistance.  Needed less friction. I think a bit more patience, money, and creativity would have solived it.  Next time, I guess.

Ski-mod foot-bar.

Phew.  Been a while since I've posted.  But I've been busy.....new life back on the west coast!  Things are good. 

So I finally made some progress on my ski-footwell modification.  Since it has arrived in Berkeley, it's been sitting on Kizmuit's deck, longing to go out. Hasn't touched the water yet....mostly, because it has needed two things - a proper place to attach a leash, and a venturi drain.  I've been able to address one of the two.  Shown below are pics of the foot-bar/leg-leash addition to the footwell modification. 

So I took a section of an old paddle shaft, and pared it down to size.....

....then I scribed some notches in the gunnels of the footwell.....

.....and here's the paddle-shaft/foot-bar/leg-leash attachment positioned where I want it......

...a closeup of the slots for the paddle shaft, prepped for a solid epoxy bond.......

.....and here's the carbon fiber patch holding the bar in place......(yes, middle of the night).....

.....oh, and prior to afixing the carbon fiber cloth, I epoxied the part in place.....

....here's a pic of the final ugly fix......

....and yet another.  It's not pretty, for sure, but I think that once it is faired and painted, none will be the wiser.