Hey savvy friends,
This week we’re talking about:
- Dry kit tech that’s only getting better
- Wind-powered cargo
- Artificial fishy homes
- Paddling safety made easy
- Electric-powered beauties you’ll love!
Let’s dive in.
Palmer Johnson Yacht Becomes an Artificial Reef in Florida
After sitting unused on land for 17 years the owners of Yacht Time decided the vessel should have a new role in life. She is to be an artificial reef and home to sealife in Florida.
In the year of her launch in 1987, Time was the largest aluminium yacht afloat. You might think this is a simple case of sinking the yacht and saying a fond farewell. Still, indeed this project is the result of multiple collaborations with marine experts and environmental specialists to ensure it’s done right.
The Time now sit in roughly 50 metres of water and has had "concrete reef modules attached to it" to promote coral growth.
*Photo credit Marine Cleanup Initiative Inc.
Let’s Show Some Kudos to the Tech that Keeps Us Dry…
Remember the days of wearing sailcloth coated with tar and some stout woollens? Probably not but it’s with no more protection than that, fishermen, boaters and explorers achieved the most astonishing feats of endurance in cripplingly bad weather conditions.
Although times have moved on for the better I’m pretty sure we all know how miserable it can be when you fail to plan for the elements and find yourself with soggy feet, pants and well…everything!
So how does this amazing modern waterproof tech work and how is it planning to get even better?
Grab your foul-weather gear and take a look here.
RNLI pleads with paddlers to think carefully before setting off
After a significant increase in rescues, the RNLI has released a new safety campaign to encourage people to think about the weather and tides before setting off.
“Many of our calls are to people being blown out to sea in offshore winds,” says Vince Jones, RNLI mechanic at Moelfre. He says they’ve been inundated with calls to stand-up paddleboarders. “We ask people to think carefully about the weather and tides before setting off and ensuring they have a means of calling for help.”
Check the weather, tide and chart data in your savvy navvy app
To help you stay safe out on the water use your savvy navvy app to quickly check the conditions before leaving shore. The interface for weather forecasting, tidal data and chart detail is fun and easy to use.
5 of the Best Electric Powerboats
Electric boating may have seen a slow start but the appearance of silent engines, cleaner boating and better changeability options is turning the tide on this boating trend.
Here the Financial Times explores the hottest electric models coming onto the market including X-Shore, Candela, Say Carbon and Boesch.
Are Cargo-Carrying Sail Ships Making a Comeback?
Join Jorne Langelaan for a tour of his De Tukker, a traditional two-mast Dutch sail barge that was built in 1912.
After two years of restoration, Jorne is now returning the vessel to its original role of transporting cargo.
Modern container ships use heavy fuel oil, with the sector said to contribute 3% of global carbon emissions. With an increased focus on climate change, many would argue we should go back to our roots to harness the power of the wind.
Last month, Mr Langelaan’s De Tucker set sail on its first commercial voyage under the ownership of Mr Langelaan's company, Ecoclipper.
Could it be that sometimes old tech is the best new tech?
That’s all savvy friends!
I hope you enjoyed our bi-weekly dose of boaty boat fun and I hope that you’re managing to get out there and enjoy some much-needed time on the water. When you do, I hope you’ll take us with you!
Fair winds and following seas!
Han and the savvy navvy crew
