Well that was fun - watching someone else with control of the camera apparently hunting for him. Is this him?

Yup!

I can't get the pics from this pc...please keep us informed.

Live webcam from Sausailito's got him:

SaulsalitoYC Cam

He's at anchor presumably for the night. Who's getting up at dawn to catch him leaving?

I like the dual purpose emergency hatch...good for letting a fresh breeze in to the cabin as well as a cooling sprinkle of water for when he reaches the doldrums:
<img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />



also, take a close look at the mast stays on the extreme left...I can't see any split-pins on the turnbuckles...they really don't do too much and can snag lines & tear sails anyway. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

+1 for the Harken winches though.

Looking at that picture and the winch c.q. lines I'm amazed at how low his freeboard is.

I'm fearing a wave swamping his reardeck and water running down the manhole into the hull.

Wouter

Looks like the anti-fouling paint didn't get applied high enough. The hatch obviously is too low also which clearly indicates he had no clue where this thing would sit in the water.

Lee

On top of the fact that the hatch itself is a deck hatch not rated for that kind of use. Underway the constant flow of water along the hull will compromise that seal pretty quickly I imagine.

It then makes you wonder if he spent the proper time with the electrical system to keep the whole thing from disappearing in the salt water.

Tip for the salvage guys - save the deck hardware, take a cutting torch to the rest. In short order we'll have pieces of metal from this thing in our cars we'll be buying...

I find it very suprising that this guy is still attempting this. There must be people close to him, advising him against it. Did he not consult with any experts prior to designing/building his "boat"? I readily admit that I am no expert in marine engineering (in fact, i know nothing), but even I can see that the hatch or that type that goes below the waterline is a serious problem. I am sure that given that GLARING issue, that there are many others just below the surface that are bound to show up once he gets this craft on the open water.

I think you are not realising the full extent of his work of art. The hatch is built that way on purpose, it's like a screensaver or "calming" elevator music, so he can see the dolphins (or sharks) swimming along with him underwater, it's for meditation.

I still (want?) think he's going to make it.

At first I sort of admire these kind of people for proceeding in the face of so many nay-sayers. After that initial flash of thought, I then begin to realize that these people are suffering delusions of grandeur from which they cannot peer around to see reality and are, in some ways, fueled by the nay-saying which drives them further into their tunnel vision.

One one side, it's incredibly entertaining - on the other, it's a human tragedy.

I watch these kinds of projects as often as I find them and it seems that the tunnel vision begins to break down pretty quickly once a few of the major points the nay-sayers were making are realized. In the case of Kristopher Harley, after launching his 8 foot boat he intended to sail around the world, he realizing he had some leaks. He then spent one night in his 8 foot boat on a sandbar 100 yards off the dock he launched at speculatively because he didn't have the money to get back home for the night. That cold hard reality of one of a thousand nights crammed into a 10 foot boat with tiny packets of peanut butter seemed to cause a flood of reality...though he hasn't completely given up we haven't heard much from him yet.

It seems to me that more appropriate name for his tri would be "Tincanic" or "Tintanic".
On the other hand we all know about Thor Heyerdahl who twice crossed Atlantic in the boats made of papyrus reeds. granted those were well prepared and thought expeditions based on historical facts.
Or better yet I read in some sailing magazine about some sailing across the Atlantic in the boat constructed of NYC garbage!
looks like Vann's tri is stronger than NYC garbage <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />)
what if despite of all odds he is gonna make it ?
At least he's archived one of his goals - publicity.
maybe this is already more than enough for him ?

Don't underestimate the strength of trash from NYC

He should have built it out of empty beer cans, at least he would have an excuse... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

I have no problem with the location of the hatch - in fact I'm happy to see that he has one so located for emergencies, and yes, watching the sea life go by would be great. I question the actual hatch that he used. And it may be a simple case of misjudging the true waterline of the boat, but that should set an alarm or two off as well (increased weight = increased loading, etc.).

I would love to see a simple and unconventional effort prove successful, and I think there may be a thing or two to what he's trying. But after seeing the pic of the join area of the main beams and close ups of some of the construction details, I have very little hope of a good outcome.

Gotta admire that sheer amount of effort that's been put in...to bad he's been working the wrong direction.

He loses my sympathy once he flatly discards any & all advice from more qualified people about problems with the concept. He could regain my support if he was willing to throughly test the thing over the next few months, make the needed improvements, then re-plan progressively longer voyages. One day acrossing SF bay in flat water does not a test plan make. For all we know, he has departed this morning for at least SoCal and perhaps the southern ocean. Yesterday's images could be the last anyone ever sees of the guy.
<img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Great idea Timbo! But how would a sailor get rid of that much beer? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

I agree. I don't see how this thing will possibly hold up. The central connection point for his four main beams (the area with presumably the highest load) appears to be increadibly weak. A thin plate of aluminum (maybe 5/16") connecting the top of all the beams. Of course we can't see what the connections are inside the main hull. But the bolts look like they're on the order of 1/2".

But the fact that the main beams are not solid all the way across the boat (from ama to ama) appears to be the main (and very big) flaw in the design. The beams should be two solid pieces rather than four. And the criss-cross doesn't look like a good design even if it were all welded. One huge point load on the main hull.

Imagine cutting the cross bars on your cat in half, angling them all in toward center, and then splicing them together with some thin sheet metal. The boat would just fold up when it hit a wave (if not before). I suspect that's what will happen to this boat.

sm

Well,
he is still on the hook in the bay. Wonder what he is waiting for?