Welcome to 2017 The second fast sailing story has to wait, there are just too many amazing events happening in the shorthanded sailing world. First and this should always stand first when it comes to sailing achievements. Or should I say human achievements. Few, and I mean you can count on one hand the people who can make this happen much less live through it. Thomas Coville established a new solo (yes, solo) around the world non-stop, unassisted sailing record of 49 day, 3 hrs. 7 min, 38 seconds. To me there is no other achievement that even stands close…

I would like to share two stories about my love for fast sailing. Each has a very different outcome, but both make me think of the Malcolm Gladwell’s 10,000 Hour Rule. For me Malcolm’s rule has a different meaning then you will “Become world-class in any field in 10,000 hrs”.  Millions work for 10,000 hrs at something, does that mean they will be world class at it? No, it means hopefully they are competent at it. To be world-class you need to have the passion, deep desire to constantly improve, enjoy failure, and not be interested in measuring success by…

I am not a writer, I work hard to be a story teller through my videos and photographs.  It is a never ending learning process that I love. Hopefully my passion comes through to my clients, and viewers. If I can make you smile or take some positive action in your lives I have succeeded. There are changes happening in our lives were we need to take action, now.  It involves our oceans.  My friend and shorthanded sailing buddy John Manderson, teaches me more about the oceans they anyone else I know. He also knows more about the oceans and…

Last blog we discussed thinking about lighting, so we get the most out of our tools and natural light. Today it is about using natural light in a tough enviorment, flying low in a helicopter. I was given the opportunity to work on a documentary with Storyville Films in NYC. The documentary is The Brown Difference / Brown 250. The story is about Brown University celebrating its 250th year. My job was to fly with Birds Eye View Helicopters and film scripted landscapes in Rhode Island from the South shore up through Narragansett Bay, then over the city of Providence,…

The first thing all videographers should learn is, we are just filming light. Yes, there is the subject, but without proper light we will fail in our job. With lots of studio shoots coming up, I have been expanding my lighting kit. I will review the new lights after I have used them a bit more. For now, let’s think about capturing the light. Here are a few basics that are important to study, learn, and practice. Understand the different types of light. We can simplify to hard light and soft light. We need both in some shoots and only…

Its that time of year in New England when all the pleasure boats are being hauled, except the ones going south, or in water live aboard. Each year we see the boat yards buzzing with activity. Boat owners are there on weekends removing gear, and yard workers are working overtime. The boat yard staff keeps the wheels rolling in the marine industry. When my boat was hauled this month there was always a helping hand. First the rig comes out with a crane operator and with rigger on deck. Then the guys who put your boat into the travel lift…

A few weeks ago I went with my wife Carol to pick up her Snipe at Sail Newport where she did some training. Wow, have things changed. You might say, no kidding, where have you been? Well, I am very blessed with my situation. I have my SUP at home and walk to the water, my windsurfing is from a park 5 min away, and our boats are on moorings at the end of the street, so I do not need to go to Sail Newport like I did when I lived in Newport. But I have to say the…

Hard to believe it has been 21 years since I designed my first production kayak. The Hop on Top 16’ hit the market at the perfect time. In the 1990s there was huge growth in the kayak industry, and the big boys were stuck in their marketing team ruts. This opened the door for me to come out with a boat for the people. Sure sit inside kayaks are what the Eskimo used and what the so call “pure British” type boats push for rough conditions. Well I was not and am still not convinced that sit inside kayaks are…