Log of SV Free Spirit and ships company

The chronicles of the schooner Free Spirit and her crew, embarking on an open ended journey upon the great rolling heap. Free Spirit is currently pursuing humanitarian and commercial goals in the Dominican Republic, on the island of Hispaniola. Working under the Ocean Reach USA and Paradigm Research banners, she is serving as logistics headquarters, workshop, and development laboratory for many ongoing projects. This is the log of her journey.....

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Monday, January 22, 2007

Cuban Odyssea


You just never know who you are going to run into along the way.


The Author, Chuck Jones


The hardy little ship, a Catalina 27 beefed up for the trips with a new, keel stepped mast, 4" cockpit drains, through-bolted (non)sliding hatch, and countless more of the little details that go into making a ship ready to cross even "little" oceans.

Chuck Jones has spent the last 6 years taking his little ship, Our America across to Cuba some twenty plus times, bringing humanitarian aid to the island nation and researching his book, Cuban Odyessea, available on Amazon as an e-book starting March 31 of this year.

This evening, we discussed his soon to be released book inside the cozy confines of the Catalina 27. "A lot of (Americans) that want to see Cuba buy a boat." he remarked. The book, among other things, serves as a "guide to getting there" detailing his experiences and lessons learned. Because he was in Cuba as a humanitarian (not as an author or press member, who would have had an official "interpreter" present at all times), he had virtually the run of the country, and offers his insight from a uniquely unfettered perspective.

Like most Americans, he sees the "travel ban" on Cuba as unproductive. Though he shares the view that the ban is an affront to our natural liberties as US citizens, he is in no way supportive of Castro's regime or policies. He was able to travel well past the "tourism zones" and see the real condition of the little nations oppressed peoples, who live in poverty as serfs to the all powerful government. Of course, economic sanctions do nothing to improve their plight, and Chuck observed that the embargo has only strengthened Castro's grasp on the people.

Somehow, news of his book and his dim views of Castro got out, and the last time he tried to enter Cuba, he was told he was "persona non grata", a dramatic turnabout from his formerly welcomed status. The immediate prospects for a return to Cuba seem bleak. "It's been a hell of a ride." Even in the pale LED cabin lights, a deep sympathy for the Cuban people is easily visible in his expression. "What we really need to do to help them is to stay out of their business, to not interfere", he comments, but there is a distinct lack of hope in his voice - a knowing glance tells me that he knows as well as I that that will not likely happen that way.

Anyone who wants the inside scoop on Cuba would be well advised to read this book. The information is current, salient, and unfettered by officialdom. Mariners considering travel to Cuba will be especially interested in the details of his preparations and the voyages themselves.

A unuiqe book on a relevant subject, you don't want to miss this one!


1 Comments:

Blogger Cuba Odyssea said...

Hello Tamer, Please contact me at sailmykeys@gmail.com
Seaya, Capy chuck jones of our "America" 9.6.09

6:28 AM  

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Introducing Propcalc 4.0

Use Propcalc to easily match your hull with your engine, transmission, and propeller
Put the known data in the top fields, then hit the Update button to get the answers.
Results, of course, should be verified by a Naval Architect or qualified surveyor.
Data is provided for three bladed propellers of average type
For two or four bladed props, use the modifiers shown below.

Fill out the fields as follows:

Vessel LWL (ft) = Waterline length
Vessel Disp (lbs) = Vessel displacement
(max) HP = Rated Engine Max HP
Engine RPM max = Engine RPM at Max HP
Engine RPM cruise = Desired or estimated cruise rpm
(Cruise or Max) Kts = Speed to work the calculations for
Slip = Propeller efficience. 45% is average for a displacement cruiser.
Gear ratio = 1: Gear ratio of transmission
SL Ratio Adj. = This value will be added (or subtracted, if a negative value) to the calculated S/L ratio.

Key information:

If the "hp required" is greater than the "cruse HP", you have your cruise RPM set too low for your engine parameters.
If the "hp required" is significantly less than the "cruse HP", you have your cruise RPM set too high for your engine parameters.
If the "hp required" is greater than the "Max HP", then your target speed is too high for your engine/hull parameters.
The S/L ratio is calculated automaticaly based on your input. It can be adjusted if necessary, but normally it should be left alone.
If the calculated S/L ratio exceeds S/L MAX, then the results are likely to be non-predictive. Try a lower speed requirement.
SL Ratios of 1.1 - 1.4 are typical of displacement hulls. Semiplaning or planing hulls can go higher.

Typical propeller slip values:

Sailing auxiliary, barges, etc less than 9 Kts............45%
Heavy powerboats, workboats 9 - 15 Kts....................26%
Powerboats, Lightweight Cruisers 15 - 30 Kts..............24%
High speed planing boats 30 - 45 Kts......................20%
V bottom race boats 45 - 90 Kts...........................10%


Note:

it is possible to get irrational answers by irrational input , I.E specifying excessive speed for hull type and length
Any attempt to exceed hull speed (1.34 times the square root of the waterline length in feet) with a displacement hull are likely
to fail unless the hull is extremely fine (multihull) or otherwise exceptional. In such cases, an S/L adjustment would be in order.

2 and 4 bladed props:


For two bladed propellers, multiply the diameter by 1.05, and the pitch by 1.01
For four bladed propellers, multiply the diameter by .94, and the pitch by .98


PROPCALC
  Inputs:
Vessel LWL (ft) =
Vessel Disp (lbs) =
  (max) HP =
  Engine RPM max =
  Engine RPM cruise =
  (Cruise or Max) Kts =
  Slip =
  Gear ratio = 1:
  SL Ratio Adj. =
   
    Solutions:
  Prop rpm max =
  Prop rpm cruise =
  Pitch =
  Diameter =
  Static Thrust =
  Cruise HP =
  Cruise HP% =
  SL Ratio =
  DL Ratio =
  SL Max =
  HP Required =