equipment – Voilier 'HIR 3'

Strida

An ideal bike to have on board…

04/05/2018 sasaLeave a comment

Bikes and boats go together and it doesn’t get much better than a Strida bike and your boat. It has been on my whishlist for years…

Strida is a portable, belt-driven, folding bicycle with a distinctive ‘A’-shaped collapsible frame, designed by UK engineer and designer Mark Sanders.

One great advantage of Strida is that it can be folded and unfolded very fast, another one is that it has a greaseless kevlar belt that replaces the traditional chain drive to avoid mess, no rust and doesn’t need any maintenance. Once folded, it takes a very small space and you can wheel your Strida anywhere you go.

http://www.strida.com/

Watermaker

Katadyn Survivor 35 – manual watermaker

05/03/2018 sasaLeave a comment

No sailor wants to be caught in a situation where he or she is completely devoid of fresh drinking water, so a Watermaker is a survival must for all ocean boat emergency kits.

Katadyn originally made the Survivor line of desalinators because the U.S. Navy wanted hand-operated, reverse-osmosis watermaker for their 35-person life-rafts.

Katadyn Survivor 35 is the most widely-used emergency desalinator. Produces up to 4.5 litres per hour, it is widely used by US and international military forces, voyagers, sea kayakers, and other adventurers.

To remove dissolved salts from seawater with reverse osmosis, part of the salt water is filtered through a semipermeable membrane. Only 10% of the water passes through the membrane. The remaining 90% flow past the membrane and at the same time cleans the membrane (self-cleaning effect). The small size of the “membrane pores“ ensures extremely pure drinking water, but extremely high pressures must be generated – normally 55 bar.

Jordan Series Drogue

JORDAN SERIES DROGUE is the ultimate survival device for ocean sailors.

08/02/2018 sasaLeave a comment

Designer of the Series Drogue, Don Jordan was a retired aeronautical engineer and spent his career in aircraft and engine development. He has been an enthusiastic sailor all his life and also was a licensed pilot flying small aircraft on wheels and floats. Don had no financial interest in the manufacture or sale of the drogue. He has provided his own funding for the development. He was greatly assisted by the U.S Coast Guard, who made their facilities available for testing and analysis and who tested the final configuration in breaking waves at the Motor Lifeboat School on the Columbia River bar.

Jordan Series Drogue is a safety device designed to prevent the capsize and damage of both monohull and multihull sailing yachts and other vessels operating in the open ocean, in the event of a “worst case” breaking wave strike, as well as improving the motion of the boat in storm waves and to reduce drift.

The drogue consists of a number of small cones (from 100 to 200, 5 inch diameter cones attached) woven into a tapered line with a small weight at the end (15-25 lb. chain). The maximum design load and the number of cones is determined by the displacement of the boat.

The danger with the wind behind is pitchpoling, the Jordan Series Drogue will hold you back, stop you from surfing and prevent that happening. The yacht is still able to accelerate down the face of a wave, but the Drogue will slow it enough for the wave to pass through without dropping into a trough. The drag force is applied softly, allowing gentle acceleration until enough cones bite.

A dangerous breaking wave is formed by the interaction of two or more storm waves. This type of wave has a large mass of water at its crest moving at wave speed (20-30 knots). When a vessel lying ahull is struck by this moving mass of water, a very large force is developed. In a typical event the boat has been successfully riding out the storm for many hours, then, 10 seconds later it lies dismasted and damaged. It is the function of the Drogue to turn the stern into this moving mass of water and pull it safely through. In a dangerous breaking wave strike, moving water may sweep the cockpit and strike the companionway doors. This is unavoidable, and is a necessary corollary to saving the vessel.

The Series Drogue has been at sea for over 25 years. At least 2000 are carried all over the world. The drogue has been deployed through many storms including several hurricanes.

A Jordan Series Drogue can be a lifesaver: LINK

5 low-budget gifts for a sailor

20/11/201720/11/2017 sasaLeave a comment

Sailing equipment is very expensive, but here is a list of Top 5 gifts for a sailor if you are on a budget…

1. Seahorse magazine subscription

A great gift for a sailor is a subscription to a favorite sailing magazine. Seahorse magazine is ideal for a racing sailor.

2. SailGrib Weather Routing

The most important question on a boat is always what the weather is going to do, so a subscription for SailGrib weather routing makes a perfect gift…

3. Hei-Matau

These very stylized hand crafted New Zealand Maori fish hook bone carvings and necklaces represent prosperity, abundance, fertility and strength. Hei-Matau are also seen as good luck charms, particularly for those traveling over water.

4. Rick Tomilson Porfolio Calendar

Every edition of the highly acclaimed Rick Tomlinson Portfolio Calendar features 12 spectacular images from recent assignments around the world. Action and art has always been the Portfolio Calendar theme.

5. Yeti Rambler Colster

Sailors love beer and this keeps your hand from getting cold and your beer from getting warm—what could be better:)? Yeti Rambler Colster is basically a thermos for your can of beer that will keep your brew cold for a very long time. You could also just use it as an insulated tumbler and pour whatever you wanted in there, hot or cold.

Keep it simple!

To be successful at sea we must keep things simple.

16/07/201715/07/2017 sasaLeave a comment

To be successful at sea we must keep things simple. – R.D. (PETE) CULLER

Shipyards are building bigger and bigger boats and equipment are getting more and more sophisticated and that’s great for comfortable cruising, but everything is becoming really expensive and complicated.

Although it’s nice to have electric pumps, hydraulic swimming platforms, push-button sail adjustment, electronics and cool gadgets, we must accept the fact that all these systems eventually stop working (usually at the worst possible moment). If you don’t have them on board, they won’t brake and you’ll be able to enjoy sailing, instead of fixing things. Nobody likes gadgets more than me, but I like simplicity on the boat better…. So, my philosophy is: KEEP IT SIMPLE!

5 cool gadgets to have on a boat

A list of five cool gadgets to have on a boat to make your life more enjoyable;)…

18/04/2017 sasaLeave a comment

Top 5 gadgets:

1. Magic-Mât

Magic-Mât is the simplest and safest solution to climb the mast alone with alternate rungs for easy use and equipment for climbing to ensure absolute safety.

2. Spare Air

The Spare Air is a unique, short-term emergency air system. Designed around an on-demand regulator attached to an ultra lightweight aluminum cylinder, the compact regulator delivers 3 minutes of air and takes only seconds to deploy.

3. GSW Wooden Beer Mug

GSW Mugs are made of carefully chosen wood of very high quality, combined and toughened with stainless steel hoops, rivets, and handles. Every part of mug is hand crafted, carefully combined together in one solid piece, and coated with acrylic polymer. It’s the right way to drink beer! Check it out here…

4. Rite in the Rain Notepad

The Midnight Collection is easy on the eyes, delivering the reliability you have come to expect from Rite in the Rain. Everything from the cover, the paper, the sewn-in pages, even the glue is designed to survive Mother Nature’s wrath.

5. X-Pot

Pots are bulky and cumbersome, but shrinking isn’t the X-Pot’s only talent. The flexible walls are also easy to scrape clean.

Sound of Music

Kigonki Tank Drum handmade specially for HIR3 by Mladen…

23/03/201723/03/2017 sasaLeave a comment

‘Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.’

My friend Mladen made a Kigonki Tank Drum for HIR3. It is a great instrument that can be played by anyone, even me! It will be good for the morale of the crew a great toy for everyone on the boat;)

Kigonki Tank Drums come in pentatonic scales. The word “pentatonic” comes from the Greek word pent meaning five and tonic meaning tone. It is a musical scale that consists of five notes within one octave. Because of their arrangement, pentatonic scales are often used to introduce beginners to music. There are no wrong notes. You can play any note in any order and the drum will sound great!

Kigonki Tank Drum has been used with much success by licensed music therapists and their patients in many different ways. With no wrong notes to play and a soothing vibrational tone it is easy to interact with and enjoy. Smooth sides and a compact size make it easy to transport. Using mallets or hands one can work on motor skills, memory, communication and mood alteration.

Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program. Music therapy interventions have been designed to promote wellness, manage stress, alleviate pain, express feelings, enhance memory, improve communication, promote physical rehabilitation…

Mladen can make a Kigonki like Tank Drum for you too… just drop him a line: vjetarvoda@gmail.com

10 must have items for a Hipster Sailor

Everyone wants to look cool, so here is a list of top 10 items for a hipster sailor…

13/02/2017 sasaLeave a comment

Proper sailing is not about style & fashion. Often, the best equipped crews are actually the worst… But everyone wants to look cool in a posh marina, so here is a list of a Top 10 must have items for a hipster sailor if money is no object…

1. IWC Schaffhausen Yacht Club Ctonograph

With its beautifully laid-out silver-plated dial and blued hands and indices, the Portuguese Yacht Club Chronograph“ Ocean Racer” is the perfect watch as it mirrors the elegance of a racing yacht… The tradition behind the Portuguese watch family goes all the way back to the precision nautical instruments used by seafarers to discover the world.

2. Carbon Fibre Wallet

RAGGEDedge Gear Wallet made of strong and lightweight carbon fiber will look cool when you’ll be buying rounds in a local yacht club;)

3. Rudy Project Sunglasses

Spinhawk Sailing sunglasses is synonymous with a timeless success. The broad, extra-comfortable Grilamid frame is made to last. A cutting-edge, stylish accessory for every situation, from post-competition to leisure time and, with Polar3FX Grey laser frames eliminate reflections and reduce vision stress.

4. Sperry Boat Shoes

Sperry has been outfitting men with the sure footing of high-performance, high-style boat shoes for more than 80 years, and that tradition of excellence has evolved into today’s must-have shoes for adventurous spirits. Sperry boat shoes for men come with the promise of innovative comfort features, as well as Sperry’s staple wet/dry traction for non-slip safety in any weather or conditions. From the latest materials like mesh and patterned fabrics, to athletic-inspired designs, to 3-eye styles, men’s deck shoes from Sperry are cutting-edge for the modern adventurer to evoke enduring style at home, at sail and abroad. There is also an America’s Cup Edition…

5. America’s Cup Polo Shirt

A polo shirt from the America’s Cup Event Collection is a real eye-catcher for the summer. It’s not only the stylish event embellishments that make this shirt stand out from the crowd, but also its high-quality cotton fabric that is still comfortable to wear even on hot summer days.

6. Camet Sailing Shorts

Camet R3000 are the best looking, top quality shorts with an option to insert foam pads for comfortable seating on board. These shorts are made of lightweight nylon fabric that has a Durable Water Repellant finish that dries quickly and has a UV rating of 40+. They are reinforced with and abrasion resistant seat pocket.

7. North Salls Cap

If you haven’t yet worn a cap lined with fleece, then you best be buying this one. Made to stretch and move with you, its lining just makes for added insulation and the ultimate in comfort.

8. Murphy&Nye Swim Trunks

Murphy & Nye is one of the top brands for nautical hipsters, so these shorts are perfect for jumping off the boat for a swim while anchored on a posh place;)
9. OLAF Scooter

OLAF Urban is a 4-in-1 unique solution that incorporates removable ergonomically-designed backpack, trolley, a steerable kick-scooter, and a skateboard. It’s extremely versatile and will instantly blend in with your lifestyle. It’s an ideal companion in various settings: shopping, traveling abroad, or just cruising around.
10. Strida Carbon Folding Bike

STRiDA C1 (C = carbon) is something pretty special and unique. Now you don’t have to buy a Ferrari or Lamborghini to get admiring looks in the marina:)

All I want for Christmas…

20 cool gift ideas for a sailor…

18/11/201618/11/2016 sasaLeave a comment

20 cool gift ideas for a sailor…

1. Wichard knife

Wichard Offshore knife has a serrated blade that can cut through Dyneema, and is available with a combined shackle key/marlinspike.

2. Olaf Scooter

The Olaf Urban combines four products in one: a kick-scooter, a trolley, a backpack and a skateboard. It’s a cool way to ting around in foreign marinas and towns.

3. Free Wheeling

Free Wheeling blends rowing with outboard motors to produce a clever lightweight solution for your tender. It uses a 3:1 gear ratio contained in the collar by the handle, driving a high-pitch propeller to provide a smooth, silent and fuel-less means of manual propulsion in either direction.

4. R.A.W. Pro Head Torch

The RAW Pro Head Torch is a waterproof, light weight, high power white and red beam head torch. Engineered specifically to excel in the harsh marine environment, you can rely on it in any situation.

5. DrSails

DrSails is a fast curing epoxy that can be used on sails plus most materials in virtually all conditions – including underwater – so it can even help patch a hole below the waterline.

5. Safety Lines

Spinlock 2 Clip & 1 Link Safety Line for staying safe on board. Up to 50% lighter and more compact than conventional safety lines.

6. Windstopper Hat

Musto Windstopper Hat is styled in the manner of a traditional woolly hat but with a technical twist, it contains a Windstopper membrane to cut out the windchill and keep you warm while maintaining breathability. Warm and comfortable in the coldest conditions.

7. Leatherman Signal

Stay ready for the expected (and unexpected) no matter where you are with everything you need to stay safe and take your adventure further with a Leatherman Signal.

8. Dubarry boots

Dubarry Crosshaven sailing boots are offering optimum performance out at sea, these waterproof men’s sailing boots have an essential non slip sole and also feature a reinforced toe and heel due to the D-chassis system which adds extra support and protection.

9. iPad with Navionics in a waterproof case

iPad with Navionics in a waterproof case is the ultimate gadget for navigation, but also keeping a logbook, answering e-mails and a lot more…

10. Handheld GPS

Garmin GPSMAP 64s handheld navigator features a 2.6” sunlight-readable screen and a high-sensitivity GPS and GLONASS receiver with a quad helix antenna for superior reception. It’s rugged and waterproof and comes with a barometric altimeter and a 3-axis compass. It wirelessly connects to a smartphone to allow Live Tracking and Smart Notification.

11. GoPro Hero5

GoPro HERO5 Black is the most powerful and easy to use GoPro ever, thanks to its 4K video, voice control, one-button simplicity, touch display and waterproof design.

12. Strida

Strida is the first completely new bicycle geometry in 95 years. Inside a triangular frame, the power is transferred to the rear wheel via a silent clean Kevlar belt. The genius of the triangular frame is that it can quickly fold.

13. SeaPack

SeaPack provides emergency hydration fluids from saltwater sources. Seapack utilizes a passive osmotic process and it is the easiest desalination technology available.

14. Solar Recharging Kit

The most rugged, durable, weatherproof phone and tablet recharger on the market, no rubber plugs needed. Charge up from USB or included solar panel. The Venture 30 packs the power you need to keep those small devices, cameras and tablets charged no matter the elements you may be out battling. With an IPX6 weatherproof rating and 7800mAh the Venture will keep everything running smoothly.

15. Scrubba Wash Bag

The Scrubba Wash Bag is the world’s smallest washing machine, it is a modern take on the old fashioned washboard and twice as effective as hand washing.

16. Petrolux Lapmp by DELITE

The designer Peter Jessen has again proven his ability with this Petrolux DELITE light in which he has combined technical perfection and solid hand-craftsmanship with wonderfully beautiful design. Stainless-steel body and shade, clean satin finish.

17. OMEGA Seamaster Diver ETNZ Limited Edition

In honor of the yachtsmen of Emirates Team New Zealand, OMEGA Seamaster comes in a limited edition of 2,013 pieces and features a regatta start countdown indicator, a matte black ceramic bezel, and a black rubber strap with red detailing throughout.

18. DeLorme inReach Explorer

The DeLorme inReach Explorer would be appreciated by any cruising sailor. This handy device lets the user not only share their location, but also send and receive text messages from anywhere on the globe using the Iridium satellite network.

19. Strahl unbreakable wine glasses

Strahl glasses is made of a high quality polycarbonate, a remarkable material that enables us to produce beverageware products with the clarity and elegance of glass, it doesn’t shatter, making it an ideal and extremely safe alternative to glass.

20. Rudy Project Sunglasses

Rudy Project sailing sunglasses offer protection from falls and knocks thanks to the Safety Project system, lightweight, thanks to the use of innovative materials such as Kynetium, Grilamid, carbon and titanium, protection from the wind and from any kind of shock thanks to the ImpactX technology lenses, guaranteed unbreakable for life. protection from UV rays and excellent vision in all weather conditions thanks to the polarized glasses with photochromic lenses. These, besides automatically adapting to any changes in light, eliminate glare caused by the reflection of rays on the water that fatigue the eye and facilitate reading of the instrument panel.

Something’s missing…

21/06/201621/06/2016 sasa1 Comment

We have been working on the boat for quite some time now, but there is still a lot of expensive equipment that we have to install. Friends and colleagues have been halping me and donating useful things which helped us a lot… THANK YOU ALL!

I decided to make an equipment list in google docs that will be updated constantly as we progress, so if by any chance, you have something useful for us… we would really appreciate it;)

Equipment list: LINK