ELVIS HAS LEFT THE BUILDING
it's in the water and FLOATING
pics at the wooden boat forum, post #97 of this thread
http:/


This is a consequence of having more money than knowledge, lots of free time and no common sense. I wonder why he choose this adventure instead of politics, as we usually see.
We can only hope that he is lucky enough to make it. But then, if he survives, he will write a book and go into politics. That is, if the money isn't enough for a TinCan rocket...
After those close-ups, I change my prediction. Before the boat breaks up in bad stuff he will need to be rescued due injuries sustained in the environment of flesh-rippers he has created. One incidental loss of balance and there will be blood...
A post on the woodenboat forum put it this way...there's enough sharp edges on that thing to keep the ship's surgeon busy 'round the clock stitching up the sailor...oh ya, he ain't got a surgeon!
BTW, anyone else find it ironic that the Wooden Boat Forum got the scoop on the launch of an all metal boat?
From the post launch photo, you can see fenders hanging off the amas. Usually the procedure is to remove them from the water as good edicate dictates...but then we realize there are no nets across the beams to the ama's and he has no easy way to get out on an ama. <img src=
alt=
/> <img src=
alt=
/> <img src=
alt=
/>
Them fenders are there for the duration! Perhaps they can be his PFD's in the coming emergencies he'll be having.
Anyone wanna bet that, not unlike Kristopher Harley , that thing is full of tiny leaks? That's a LOT of linear welding to get right without a pin-hole.
have attached that shot of it in the water again and here's a link to willy's detailed pics
http:/
very impressive amount of work he's done
i hope he has a seatbelt on that chair cause if he gets thrown forward onto the edge of the dog box bad things will happen
after seeing the main attachment I find it funny that everybody is talking about the welds failing. This I think is the part that really shows how deluded the poor fellow is. After welding all that tubing and creating that whole big structure and to then trust it with a handful of under-sized and under supported bolts that are going to be worked worked at least a bunch in shear. I can't see that lasting even through a decent chop in the Bay. Ironically, if he had just fashioned a supporting seat on the hull for those beams and used high-tech line for lashings he'd be a bunch better off.
This may be more gruesome than amusing.
pity he couldn't/didn't get sponsorship from alcoa or 1 of the other big alloy producers, and then maybe paint it up in coca-cola colors and work out the carbon offset from using the equivalent of 1billion? coke cans
looks like they have given up for the japanese balloonist who set off from japan a couple of weeks ago for the record attempt of 50?hours to alaska
http:/
failed to make a scheduled radio call and that was that
Moments ago, they spotted him from the Exploratorium RoofCam:
RoofCam
Last reported to be stopped...maybe by the Coasties...let's hope!
Live webcam from Sausailito's got him:
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=
alt=
/> <img src=
alt=
/> <img src=
alt=
/> <img src=
alt=
/> <img src=
alt=
/> <img src=
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=
alt=
/> <img src=
alt=
/>

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.
- 57 Forums
- 31.6 K Topics
- 345.9 K Posts
- 1,381 Online
- 31.1 K Members


![[Linked Image]](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2367/2258461257_dcf5c21958.jpg)





![[Linked Image]](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2406/2183842676_608f6c0db0_b.jpg)

![[Linked Image]](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2285/2262166161_49a46404fb.jpg)