Well the last blog, Dinghy Vs. the Inflatable, was a popular one.
It took me a really long time to “get it” as the immediate benefits of an inflatable are so apparent. But in the long run the hard dinghy has so many more advantages, and is far, far, far more economical and practical.
My building Plans with full size panel patterns (paper cut-outs) are on 
the way from CLC boats.
However I’ve changed my mind on building it from solid fiberglass and have instead opted for a nida-core hull. There is a French sailor here building a bimini for his trimaran and he gave me two samples of nida-core. One bare, and one covered with 2 layers of cloth on either side, and I must say I am more than impressed. Light, virtually impervious to water, and strong as hell!
If your inspired to build a boat you can request a 
free sample of nida-core from 3M. If the Passagemaker doesn’t fit your fancy don’t forget to check out all the other boat designs at CLC boats.
Boat building is just good karma!
They even have designs to build a really small cruising boat, the pocket ship (14’10’), that looks like it would be a hell of a lot of fun to build & sail. The whole kit is only $3,375.00, what a cool way to get into sailing?
Now that Carla has gone I’ve managed to make a HUGE mess as usual. I moved my editing suite into the v-birth and am gearing up to build a flip up table. 
I did this to give us a dining area again and give me more privacy and space for my creative time. I can black out all the windows, shut the door, and just focus on editing.
I’m also teaching myself how to engine-turn.
Engine-turning is a lost art and I’ve always been really fond of it. I made some tools that I’m turning on my dremmel and my first tests have come out really well. People don’t like to share their techniques but I am certainty developing a few of my own.
When I have the money I’m going to make stainless engine-turned counters in Splendid’s galley. I’m a big fan of stainless counters however they scratch, and by engine-turning I’m pre-scratching and my theory is small scratches wont be so noticeable. I’m telling you, its not easy, there is no room for error as you cant step backwards 
.
I’m also making a stainless turned dash as mine is falling apart, and will make my 12v panel turned stainless as well.
I also need to give the diesel engine some love. It seems to me she isn’t putting out enough power. Today I’m going to check and adjust the valves & injectors. I also want to make sure my 
alignment is on. A guy just broke his tranny in the San Blas and when he pulled it apart he said he couldn’t believe how out of align it was.
I must tell you there is a little magic happening with this film. It’s not just all hand-held video shot on a cheap DV camera. I bought a really nice semi-professional fluid head tripod which is providing really smooth and stable images. My lapel mic is making dialogue crisp and clear. The Canon T3i (full HD (1080)) is rendering amazingly beautiful and sharp images, Carla’s music is awesome, I’m not doing such a bad job myself. My last two films had an “on the go” feel and this one has a totally different vibe.
Most importantly the content is something I feel will help the man with little or average means, shift gears, and be able to get into international cruising. For those of you who know it the call of the open-sea is a strong one, and it certainty shouldn’t go unheard because of money.
Well that’s it for today guys. Carla comes back next Friday and I only have a week to finish a few projects and restore some kind of order around here.
Sail far and live slowly (now a song 
)
– alex