The Nomadness Archives Once I have some time to catch up on writing, this will become a compilation of technical articles, how-to material, reverse engineering notes, ramblings, schematics, documentation, product reviews, tips 'n tricks, advice from the experts, scantlings, component specifications, gear inventory, and any other information related to Nomadness and related systems.  Material here is primarily technical; adventure tales and news updates are over on the blog, and there are separate photo archives (including some for my previous boat, a Corsair 36). Steven K. Roberts Nomadic Research Labs

Kayak Hacking

Kayaktopus - Discussion of the embedded controller, communication systems, and sensor suite being developed for the kayak aboard Nomadness.

Geeking Out the Hobie Revolution - An evolving article that will document the overall integration and packaging of the pedal/paddle/sail kayak that will be deployed from the mothership.

Simple Folding Stands for Kayaks and Dinghies - This is a cheap but effective design for keeping your boatlets off the ground, making them easier to clean, discourage critters from nesting, and saving your back.  They can also be used to hold a sailboat mast at a comfortable working height.

C-36 Documentation and Other Info

A Corsair 36 Directory - These are relatively scarce, so I thought it would be useful to try to locate them all and maintain a directory here (including ones for sale).  If you have any information to add, please do!

Mast Raising - My boat did not come with the hardware to raise and lower the mast, which is one of the most important features of these boats.  Apparently, the company got worried about the liability implications of user error in handling the 300-pound rig, and no longer supports it on this model... the largest in their product line.  Some of the earlier C36 boats did include it, however, and the following PDF file shows the process.  (I am indebted to Roberto Lopez, another C-36 owner, for compiling this from images and text provided by Windcraft, a Corsair dealer.)    Corsair-36-mast-raising (304K PDF)

Tramp Tensioning Tips - The lashed-on nets (trampolines) filling the spaces between hulls are wonderful things, providing a place to hang out while sailing, dinghy stowage, and a sense of safety when going forward.  But the lashings can stretch, making them sag.  Here's a tip on re-tensioning them without pain.

Track Logs

This is about to get updated with the log of the new ship, but here is the complete track log of the 600 miles I covered solo in my previous boat (the Corsair 36 trimaran).  The detailed log (one fix per second) was captured with the GPS datalogger from Spark Fun Electronics, then edited into a KML file template for viewing in Google Earth.  I've removed those large raw files from the server, but here are the maplets of the 2006 adventure:

Camano Island -> Lopez Island home port to Lats & Atts party in Fisherman Bay
Lopez -> Tsehum Harbour for Canada customs then on to Cowichan Bay to meet friends
Cowichan -> Nanaimo where I stayed for 3 days awaiting a weather window
Nanaimo -> Nanaimo turned back in heavy wind... that wasn't the window!
Nanaimo -> Pender Harbour including some amusing faffing about at the entrance
Pender -> Powell River Westview Harbour, where a boat sank overnight in heavy winds
Powell River -> Squirrel Cove including the Stacey Rock adventure
Squirrel Cove -> Donop Inlet on the other side of Cortez Island
Donop Inlet -> Gorge Harbour including Uganda Passage
Gorge Harbour -> Pender Harbour 52 miles down Strait of Georgia, longest day of the trip
Pender Day Sail with Dave Pritchard
Pender -> Bowen Island including the uncharted rock encounter
Bowen -> Vancouver (False Creek)
Vancouver -> Silva Bay crossing Strait of Georgia to Gulf Islands
Silva Bay -> Ganges Harbour on Salt Spring Island
Ganges -> Blaine - arriving at winter moorage

September trip from Blaine to Orcas Island
Overall travels (about 600 miles) in August and September