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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Sunday, January 21, 2007

Transition - A constant flow of change

Since we left Alaska on the 26th of August our life has been in a constant state of transition. Adjusting to the ongoing change; allowing much room for errors; changes in 'the schedule'; larger expenses than imagined etc., I can see now have all been to prepare us for the future we have set in place.

We encountered many struggles on this part of the journey, but looking back on it, what is remembered and ingrained in us is all the positive experiences. The re-acquainted friendships, the stronger family bonds, the adventurous spirit running stronger through each of us to drive us onward to our Dream. Most of all we got a taste of the buffet that is ahead of us..... The Freedom...

Many people cannot conceive of what we were thinking when we started to plan this lifestyle change. I can only hope that through our actions, that some of the lives we have touched will have the inspiration to find a dream. It is not about money, security, material things, the excuses will abound if you let them. It is about having the strength and confidence, as my wonderful husband did, to not be fearful of change. Life happens where ever you are, you create your own comfort zones. We went from a 2,200 square foot house with all the comforts of home; to a 17 foot, 1971 travel trailer with all the comforts of home. Yes, there are struggles, but there were back home too. Instead of paying a $500 heating bill, we bought new tires and rims for the trailer. Instead of sitting in front of a television, we sat in front of the campfire. Instead of all of us having the space to do our own thing in separate rooms, we all sit around the table for dinner and talk about the days accomplishments. Best of all, instead of cleaning for days on end, I now clean for about and hour :-) I have certainly realized that nobody needs as much stuff as the media would like them to think that they do. We will also feel like we have moved into a mansion when we get to move onto the boat!!

One of the only things that we can control in our lives is our thoughts. What you choose to put into your mind, will eventually choose your path in life. A can do attitude is always rewarded with success. I wish that I could find the proper words to express my complete admiration for my amazing husband. He has and always will be the man of my dreams. Because of him, we are here, and making 'our' dreams come true. The boys learn something new from his skills every day, and I see the young men they are becoming when they use these skills themselves. Thank you love......


It is I that am truly blessed, Laura.

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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 =