In this caper, Jim shares the story of his summer 2019 ride on one of his “cattlemarans” in the Caribbean.

Jim sails along on a big catamaran with his entrepreneur-boatbuilder-sailor friend Doug Jane to deliver the boat to a customer. Lots of fun and challenges on this trip … with a little insight into the boat chartering business.

THE FLEDGLING EAGLE

In this 34-minute podcast, the listener is plunged into a detailed description of EAGLE, a 53’ catamaran designed by Paul Beiker and just launched by Fast Forward Composites of Bristol RI.

The backstory of the EAGLE’s conception is told, and some key details of this bellwether boat are described in depth: Her configuration and structure, her Hybrid Wing rig, her two kinds of hydrofoils, her Control Nacelle and her Carapace. Jim’s purpose is to come as close as possible – in the spring of 2019 – to the leading edge of modern multihull development, and to reveal the machinations required of the designer and builder attempting to advance multihull technology in the current era. The boat’s performance emphasis is juxtaposed with her practicality.

This podcast is illustrated in a companion 17-minute video on OutRigMedia.com, with Jim’s voice-over narrated captions to photos.

FINE PHILOSOPHICAL FILANDERING

Part Three of this flirtation between monohull and multihull, this Caper continues the conversation between Havilah Hawkins, Larry Fortunoff and me aboard the classic sloop VELA.​

Revealed are the levels of commitment, persistence and conviction that are inter-layered with the design, construction and operation of any significant sailing vessel of any type. Here's how you can actually come aboard.

UNMARKED FORK IN A DESERT TRAIL

Talking again with Havilah Hawkins Jr. aboard his monumental gaff sloop VELA, we approach the subject of parting with one's boat of many years. We then revert to all the things he has done with those many years of vessel stewardship, and inevitably return to ending that era of one's life.

"Haddie" has a lot to say about it, with an eye to his next boat, a "creek crawler." With use and years, it, too, will come alive.

"REAL" BOAT, REAL SKIPPER

This Caper deviates. ​

It is a conversation with a real schoonerman, largely about a very traditional, single-hulled vessel whose designer, builder and skipper tells the story of how a man and wife with a "real" boat can influence -- in an inspired manner -- the lives of many.

ANCHORAGE CONVERSATIONS (Part 2)

Here are a few more Sterncastle Stories with my buddy Larry, which makes this capercast a Part 2 of the Part 1 portion of this chat.

Tied to a dock in Maine, with no anchoring worries, with a good friend on a good boat, it is time to tie one on and gather the yarns that make cruising a tapestry.

In this brand of blather, Larry and I ramble about the past, present and future of modern, lightweight seafaring. The Hybrid Wing is paired with hydrofoils to behave like a downhill skier, and Woody Brown watches from above — disapprovingly perhaps — but he was a teetotaler. Listen in?

THE 100' FOUR HULLER

In this second of two conversations with Roger Hatfield, we learn the backstory of about the most bizarre, yet commercially successful, multihulls ever. And get this: Gold Coast has already started on a second one!

If that ain’t “The Ancient Future” now! Listen and learn.

Please enjoy this Caper about the four-hulled “Tandem Catamaran”.

KNOT MY PROBLEM

This Caper has all you need to know about the four-hulled “Tandem Catamaran,” at least enough to really understand it from the next Caper. Roger Hatfield, the co-designer and builder of this futuristic configuration, tells us how the concept, which comes from his client Mr. Warren Mosler, may indeed point the way ahead for the smoothest-riding offshore ferry boats — and who knows what other applications are latent in this extremely inventive watercraft.

To apprehend this potential breakthrough, you need to hear this Caper and the next. Welcome!

Be sure to visit our show notes page for this podcast episode on OutRigMedia.com for a few images of the Gold Coast two-hulled “Wave Piercing” catamarans, predecessors to the “Tandemaran,” I discuss with Roger Hatfield in this audio.

REALITY EN SHTICK​

To the tune of "Yes, we have no bananas," we have no video today. Or tomorrow, but maybe someday, even if I have to make it myself. There's a story here, and I'm just trying to get it, and tell it, straight. Nevertheless, there IS video today -- if not much -- as per the link listed below.

Suggestion: To placate your justifiable bummer, save this teaser 'till last and watch it on the show notes page for this episode at OutRigMedia.

ONE, TWO, THREE OR FOUR (yes, 4) HULLS?

This Caper is mainly a report on the current status of the OutRig Project. It describes the cast of characters involved in determining that status, plus something of how these individuals have come to be involved.

While there is no conclusion on the main issue — how the Project will integrate with the Mariners Museum — still there is cause to be excited about the possibilities. And speaking of possibilities, it just may happen that four-hulled watercraft will take over the world.

Listen as I tell you about a brand new 4-hulled boat.

A BOAT FOR TWO BUBBAS

This Caper tells of evolving a small catamaran for taking two big boys fishing, with nine chances to get out and back.

Those chances are: one breeze, two batteries, four legs and two hulls.  These hulls are set just wide enough apart to permit real bubbas to really bounce around.  This combination of features is unprecedented, and as multihulls go -- past, present and future -- this bucket is a real boot in the butt.

Bound aboard!

THE ANCIENT FUTURE

This is my first attempt at looking back on our contemporary multihull stories from the fictional vantage of about 150 years ahead in the future.

It is an experiment, done mostly for the fun of it, but hoping to suggest the role that multihulls may play in the long term saga of man's relationship to the sea, to the Planet, and to himself -- ourselves.

In order to decide how much of this frolic you want to hear, we really need your feedback on this Caper. Please drop a line to me at outrig.org@gmail.com. Come on, let's OutRig!

(Note: This show episode is what Jim has termed an "Ancient Futurecast" - Jim's attempt at a fictional Capercast)

PRISON ISLAND

This caper takes me back to Mexico to retrieve Juana from the canners at Sabo. We then stumble into a delightful cove on an island where we are not supposed to be, but there is nobody around.

We play Robinson Crusoe, catch a lift home, and meander towards the days of Searunner trimerans. But we don't get there because of computer problems, and I may not see you next week. If not, Joe Farinaccio will let you know why.

WITH A CREW OF FOUR (ONE GESTATING)

This is the audio update for Chapter 4 of my book “Among The Multihulls - Volume 1.” It tells of our coastal voyage in the 24' trimaran Juana, probably the first modern trimaran to venture offshore, 1959.

It's an old story, told here with some new details -- let's call them embellishments -- intended to help place the early-modern multihull into the historical context of the time. With the boat sadly overloaded, sailing in the storm season, and with my wife Jo Anna over five months pregnant, we made every mistake possible, yet our surfable, beachable boat -- and the gracious, local fisherfolk -- saved us from harm.

SETTING THE SCENE

In this audio version of Chapter 3 of Among the Multihulls, I attempt to go a little deeper into the "deep history" of how the modern trimaran came into being.

It sets the scene for the explosive advent inf the 1960s by describing the ebullience and confidence that brought the seafaring multihull into the main stream.

*NB (Note well, an Important Note, take notice): Some bad language.

PROMISE MADE

Well yes, I made a promise to myself, that night at Old Providence Island over sixty years ago. I would fasten myself to a life with boats and sailing. And I suppose it would appear that I have kept it, but I'm not suggesting it 's for everyone.

For me, the stimuli were so strong, the fulfillment so co complete, the identity so clear, that nowadays I am telling those old stories again and again -- sometimes with a surprise ending. This is such a telling.

PLAY IT WHEN I'M DEAD​

 Wishing that I had collected more voice recordings when my subjects were alive, this caper is offered while the subject IS alive, miraculously.  My particular friend Bruce Matlack tells of just one of many youthful exploits from back when he was trying to get to Tahiti without his own boat.

He eventually made it, in his twenties. Now he is contemplating going again in his 60s, in his own boat, SCRIMSHAW.  

Also here is a report on the status of The Outrig Project, now at a crucial juncture.

BOATBUILDING -- WHICH KIND?

After doing several interview capers, we have here the results of some interesting comparisons, resulting from hurricane damage, between good old sheet plywood construction, and "cold molded" or Constant Camber (CC) construction.

Design differences between the Searunner 34 and the CC 35 are discussed, as are the challenges of getting good wood for these boats today. And, oh yes, the virtues of epoxy!

In the end, if you want to go NOW, buy a good, used monohull. There are lots of them around begging to go cruising.