Nautical Lore – Modern | Oral narratives of modern seafaring watercraft with multihull pioneer Jim Brown

In this caper, Jim shares the story of his summer 2019 ride on one of his “cattlemarans” in the Caribbean. Jim sails along on a big catamaran with his entrepreneur-boatbuilder-sailor friend Doug Jane to deliver the boat to a customer. Lots of fun and challenges on this trip … with a little insight into the boat chartering business.

THE FLEDGLING EAGLE In this 34-minute podcast, the listener is plunged into a detailed description of EAGLE, a 53’ catamaran designed by Paul Beiker and just launched by Fast Forward Composites of Bristol RI. The backstory of the EAGLE’s conception is told, and some key details of this bellwether boat are described in depth: Her configuration and structure, her Hybrid Wing rig, her two kinds of hydrofoils, her Control Nacelle and her Carapace. Jim’s purpose is to come as close as possible – in the spring of 2019 – to the leading edge of modern multihull development, and to reveal the machinations required of the designer and builder attempting to advance multihull technology in the current era. The boat’s performance emphasis is juxtaposed with her practicality. This podcast is illustrated in a companion 17-minute video on OutRigMedia.com, with Jim’s voice-over narrated captions to photos.

WHAT'S HAPPENING?  TOO MUCH!   This Caper tells of many Capers -- Too many to permit our weekly schedule from continuing right now, but enough to bring you a new Caper now and then. My Podcast is not going away, and after all, there are over 80 of them posted and accessible any time. But current involvements, as brought on part by the Podcast, make it necessary to break from the weekly schedule.   I hold you listeners in high regard, and thank you for your participation. Please note that Jim Brown's OuRrig Capercast is not going away, and you will receive a brief email from us (if you're signed up to receive our emails) whenever a new one is posted. Thanks for listening, and FAIR WINDS!

FINE PHILOSOPHICAL FILANDERING Part Three of this flirtation between monohull and multihull, this Caper continues the conversation between Havilah Hawkins, Larry Fortunoff and me aboard the classic sloop VELA.​ Revealed are the levels of commitment, persistence and conviction that are inter-layered with the design, construction and operation of any significant sailing vessel of any type. Here's how you can actually come aboard.

UNMARKED FORK IN A DESERT TRAIL Talking again with Havilah Hawkins Jr. aboard his monumental gaff sloop VELA, we approach the subject of parting with one's boat of many years. We then revert to all the things he has done with those many years of vessel stewardship, and inevitably return to ending that era of one's life. "Haddie" has a lot to say about it, with an eye to his next boat, a "creek crawler." With use and years, it, too, will come alive.    

"REAL" BOAT, REAL SKIPPER This Caper deviates. ​ It is a conversation with a real schoonerman, largely about a very traditional, single-hulled vessel whose designer, builder and skipper tells the story of how a man and wife with a "real" boat can influence -- in an inspired manner -- the lives of many.  

ANCHORAGE CONVERSATIONS (Part 2) Here are a few more Sterncastle Stories with my buddy Larry, which makes this capercast a Part 2 of the Part 1 portion of this chat. Tied to a dock in Maine, with no anchoring worries, with a good friend on a good boat, it is time to tie one on and gather the yarns that make cruising a tapestry. In this brand of blather, Larry and I ramble about the past, present and future of modern, lightweight seafaring. The Hybrid Wing is paired with hydrofoils to behave like a downhill skier, and Woody Brown watches from above — disapprovingly perhaps — but he was a teetotaler. Listen in?

THE 100' FOUR HULLER In this second of two conversations with Roger Hatfield, we learn the backstory of about the most bizarre, yet commercially successful, multihulls ever. And get this: Gold Coast has already started on a second one! If that ain’t “The Ancient Future” now! Listen and learn. Please enjoy this Caper about the four-hulled “Tandem Catamaran”.

KNOT MY PROBLEM This Caper has all you need to know about the four-hulled “Tandem Catamaran,” at least enough to really understand it from the next Caper. Roger Hatfield, the co-designer and builder of this futuristic configuration, tells us how the concept, which comes from his client Mr. Warren Mosler, may indeed point the way ahead for the smoothest-riding offshore ferry boats — and who knows what other applications are latent in this extremely inventive watercraft. To apprehend this potential breakthrough, you need to hear this Caper and the next. Welcome! Be sure to visit our show notes page for this podcast episode on OutRigMedia.com for a few images of the Gold Coast two-hulled “Wave Piercing” catamarans, predecessors to the “Tandemaran,” I discuss with Roger Hatfield in this audio.

REALITY EN SHTICK​ To the tune of "Yes, we have no bananas," we have no video today. Or tomorrow, but maybe someday, even if I have to make it myself. There's a story here, and I'm just trying to get it, and tell it, straight. Nevertheless, there IS video today -- if not much -- as per the link listed below. Suggestion: To placate your justifiable bummer, save this teaser 'till last and watch it on the show notes page for this episode at OutRigMedia.

ONE, TWO, THREE OR FOUR (yes, 4) HULLS? This Caper is mainly a report on the current status of the OutRig Project. It describes the cast of characters involved in determining that status, plus something of how these individuals have come to be involved. While there is no conclusion on the main issue — how the Project will integrate with the Mariners Museum — still there is cause to be excited about the possibilities. And speaking of possibilities, it just may happen that four-hulled watercraft will take over the world. Listen as I tell you about a brand new 4-hulled boat.

A BOAT FOR TWO BUBBAS This Caper tells of evolving a small catamaran for taking two big boys fishing, with nine chances to get out and back. Those chances are: one breeze, two batteries, four legs and two hulls.  These hulls are set just wide enough apart to permit real bubbas to really bounce around.  This combination of features is unprecedented, and as multihulls go -- past, present and future -- this bucket is a real boot in the butt. Bound aboard!

THE ANCIENT FUTURE This is my first attempt at looking back on our contemporary multihull stories from the fictional vantage of about 150 years ahead in the future. It is an experiment, done mostly for the fun of it, but hoping to suggest the role that multihulls may play in the long term saga of man's relationship to the sea, to the Planet, and to himself -- ourselves. In order to decide how much of this frolic you want to hear, we really need your feedback on this Caper. Please drop a line to me at outrig.org@gmail.com. Come on, let's OutRig! (Note: This show episode is what Jim has termed an "Ancient Futurecast" - Jim's attempt at a fictional Capercast)

THE MULTIHULL PHENOMENON   To assure our new listeners that these capers are about people as much as they are about boats, this issue  starts with an old boat making news.   It's an example of how the postwar "Can-Do Generation"  dragged multihulls from "the lunatic fringe"  into the main stream. It brings old boats into the conversation again, and then stands back for a wide view of "The Multihull Phenomenon," then and now.

HOW SEARUNNERS CAME TO BE   This is Part Two of the audio update to Chapter 5 of Among The Multihulls, which concludes the evolution -- in the 1960s and 70s -- of the Searunner Trimaran design series. It finishes with a highly qualified appraisal of this type of vessel.   This story is not intended to convince anyone to build a Searunner today, but instead to explain why a visit to the "Classic Multihulls"  thread on Facebook reveals quite a few of these vessels still in use.   For example, Bruce Matlack and his son Charlie crossed the Gulf Stream to the Bahamas last Saturday night. They had to push SCRIMSHAW pretty hard to windward, in strong winds and square waves, on the starboard tack. This put the newly repaired portside float hull (badly damaged in a hurricane last fall) "practically underwater" for 13 hours. This attests to the efficacy of repairs made by Jeff Gof to that float. He restored this 46 yea-old plywood trimaran, built before epoxy, tor "Gulp Stream" service.   I wish I could have been there.

PRISON ISLAND This caper takes me back to Mexico to retrieve Juana from the canners at Sabo. We then stumble into a delightful cove on an island where we are not supposed to be, but there is nobody around. We play Robinson Crusoe, catch a lift home, and meander towards the days of Searunner trimerans. But we don't get there because of computer problems, and I may not see you next week. If not, Joe Farinaccio will let you know why.

WITH A CREW OF FOUR (ONE GESTATING) This is the audio update for Chapter 4 of my book “Among The Multihulls - Volume 1.” It tells of our coastal voyage in the 24' trimaran Juana, probably the first modern trimaran to venture offshore, 1959. It's an old story, told here with some new details -- let's call them embellishments -- intended to help place the early-modern multihull into the historical context of the time. With the boat sadly overloaded, sailing in the storm season, and with my wife Jo Anna over five months pregnant, we made every mistake possible, yet our surfable, beachable boat -- and the gracious, local fisherfolk -- saved us from harm.

SETTING THE SCENE In this audio version of Chapter 3 of Among the Multihulls, I attempt to go a little deeper into the "deep history" of how the modern trimaran came into being. It sets the scene for the explosive advent inf the 1960s by describing the ebullience and confidence that brought the seafaring multihull into the main stream. *NB (Note well, an Important Note, take notice): Some bad language.

PROMISE MADE Well yes, I made a promise to myself, that night at Old Providence Island over sixty years ago. I would fasten myself to a life with boats and sailing. And I suppose it would appear that I have kept it, but I'm not suggesting it 's for everyone. For me, the stimuli were so strong, the fulfillment so co complete, the identity so clear, that nowadays I am telling those old stories again and again -- sometimes with a surprise ending. This is such a telling.

THE LAST NEXT CHAPTER (An Audio Afterword)   Here begins a series of Capers stemming from my book AMONG THE MULTIHULLS. They also stem from a text Afterword called THE NEXT LAST CHAPTER, which is posted on www.outrigmedia.com. Now, just two years later, I am adding further commentary to update and re-focus the text version, hoping to reach those who would rather listen to the latest skinny than read the history.  I've been surprised by how much new material has resulted, and I hope this approach gives us all -- me included -- a new vantage from which to appraise the modern multihull.

DANNY, DOUG AND DAD   "Put yourself out there," is the theme of this caper, with three examples of how it's done. Danny Mydlack, our new media consultant, put himself in here by taking the initiative to contact us and make two trips down from Baltimore for gathering footage for our upcoming video "tractor."   Doug Jayne has put himself out there for years by building eight large cattlemarans in Constant Camber, selling some and operating others. Danny and I were able to attend the launching of number eight.   My father, Ralph Brown, was pretty much forced, -- by the 1930s depression -- to put himself in the line of fire. Listen in to get the story.

PLAY IT WHEN I'M DEAD​  Wishing that I had collected more voice recordings when my subjects were alive, this caper is offered while the subject IS alive, miraculously.  My particular friend Bruce Matlack tells of just one of many youthful exploits from back when he was trying to get to Tahiti without his own boat. He eventually made it, in his twenties. Now he is contemplating going again in his 60s, in his own boat, SCRIMSHAW.   Also here is a report on the status of The Outrig Project, now at a crucial juncture.

ANCHORAGE CONVERSATIONS - Part One   This is what happen when two or more old  boat nuts find themselves in a secure anchorage with old friends, a lobster in the pot, and "...A little more than enough to drink, for thirst is a dangerous thing."  (Jerome K. Jerome)

A CONSUMMATE CRUISER SPEAKS   Here's a guy who sailed in multihulls as an infant, and now owns DELPHYS, a 34' Searunner trimaran which has been called, by John Marples (one of her designers), "The most developed Searunner in the world."  And her usage? Well, with her owner/builder crew of Mark Johnson and his wife Mariam, the boat has visited  some twenty countries.   To learn what Mark would do -- if indeed he had it all to do over again -- listen-on!

BOATBUILDING -- WHICH KIND? After doing several interview capers, we have here the results of some interesting comparisons, resulting from hurricane damage, between good old sheet plywood construction, and "cold molded" or Constant Camber (CC) construction. Design differences between the Searunner 34 and the CC 35 are discussed, as are the challenges of getting good wood for these boats today. And, oh yes, the virtues of epoxy! In the end, if you want to go NOW, buy a good, used monohull. There are lots of them around begging to go cruising.

GONE AGAIN While I'm away appraising the hurricane damage to Scrimshaw, I hope you will enjoy the conclusion of my telephone conversation with Lee Bullock, which exemplifies the committed lifestyle of those many individuals who invested substantial portions of their lives to creating the modern multihull. Then, please offer your critique of my seemingly fanciful predictions of the possible conformation of the NEXT modern monohull. Something new -- under the sun??

CLOSE FRIENDS, CLOSE CALLS​ Jo Hudson speaks of "thrilling" incidents recalled, in 2004, from his first seafaring voyage (in the mid-1960s) in his owner-built 30' Piver Nimble trimaran, from California to Australia. These Capers are the only examples of Jo's recorded voice telling his own stories. He is very matter-of-fact, not so effusive as I am, but he sailed a lot farther than I did, mostly in boats that I designed and he built or re-built. This is a glimpse at the client's side of a 55 year-long designer/client relationship, the ending of which has left me feeling like a single-hander. Please know that Jo died of gradual heart failure and final pneumonia, without pain, in his wife Sherry's arms, while being liberally kissed by his "family" (their dogs).

THE SECOND FIRST ENCOUNTER Responding to Jo Hudson's passing, I feel obliged to share with you something of our 55-year, 9-multihull connection.  This Caper tells of how we first men (for the second time), and continues with a glimpse of the "can-do" commitment and enthusiasm that typified the early California trimaran happening. Eventually, I will attempt to describe my late friend himself, his person, his warts and his quest for beauty and adventure.  I have now outlived about all of my early multihull contemporaries, and it makes me feel the need to share their stories with you.

A BLAST FROM THE PAST, AND PRESENT This recorded telephone conversation reveals more of the boundless enthusiast, willingness to risk, and lifestyle commitment that typified the advent of the early modern multihull. It also contains, at the end, a sad announcement.​

IN THE CROSSHAIRS   "There's a hurricane coming! What do I do with my boat?"   There are several answers to that question, including "Maybe nothing." But that's only if you're out at sea. The more common calamity happens when your boat is in a crowded harbor or marina, or hauled out on land. Then, there are lots of things you can to to protect your boat, unless of course you are in the crosshairs of a really big one.  Even then, don't rely on your insurance company. Get her ready yourself. Here are some suggestions, especially for multihulls.​

MEMORIAL AND MAINE Jim discusses his most recent capers in both Michigan and Maine. First, he talks about the memorial service he attended on behalf of his old friend Meade Gougeon, immediately followed by his travel to the rugged, northeast coast of North America.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT "THE KING OF GLUE" This Caper is a small collection of remarks made to me about how Meade Gougeon, and the whole WEST System phenomenon, has influenced their lives.  It reveals a lot about how "appropriate technology" can make a difference in unexpected ways.

MEADE GOUGEON HAS SAILED AWAY This issue is a collection of my own personal recollections of a long friendship with Meade, founder of WEST System epoxy products. We are also posting a link on the show notes page for this podcast episode at OutRigMedia to the full manuscript of an article I wrote for WoodenBoat about Meade. In another audio we will collect a number of comments made by others of Meade's friends.  We have lost a pillar in the marine community, and a loss is a loss.  However, Meade and his brothers have shown -- by example -- how boats, and life, are done well. Jim’s Woodenboat article about Meade (link): http://outrigmedia.com/outrig/multihulls-media/other-multihull-stuff/counterrevolutionary-craftsman-catching-up-with-meade-gougeon/

Pedalcat   After all the techy, deep sea stuff we've offered lately, here's something for even an old duffer (like me) or a new angler (like me), or a futuristic sailor / winger / foiler / pedaler ... to think aout.   With all the new technologies coming to the fore these days, it seems obvious that there will be combinations emerging, and I see pedal power as being almost ready for combining with sailing in a new way. Why don't we, at the OutRig Capercast, make that combination?   Developer's website: http://www.blueskyboatworks.com/ See the first developer ad video here: https://youtu.be/u68FotzU3Kk

CAPSIZE RECOVERY   People have been contending with multihull capsize for millennia. It now appears that modern design and materials make it possible to almost eliminate the propensity for multihulls to be "more stable when upside down than right side up." The difference is in buoyant "wing" masts and/or masthead floats, all strong enough to withstand capsize even at hydrofoiling speed, thereby arresting the 180 degree "turned turtle" capsize at the 90 degree "knockdown" position. This position improves the survival chances of the crew, and makes possible re-righting the vessel either with or without the participation of the crew -- depending on vessel design. Hear all about it.

WINGS WITH FOILS Here's yet more about the Hybrid Wing, its history, and that of other fully-rotating but unstayed, "free standing" rigs. The problem with unstayed rigs in multihulls, and the problem with foiling, are both discussed. How to resolve these shortcomings is suggested, leaving some questions unanswered. In the next session, I promise to offer my latest thinking on multihull capsize as it relates to wings and foils, and how that all relates to proas, and to pedal power. Do all these things relate? You bet they do, and it’s all coming around on the guitar right now.

WING SAILING (PART TWO) Here is the conclusion, for now, of my infatuation with the Hybrid Wing. There is a lot more to learn about this thing, but I have now had the opportunity to actually sail in a Wing-equipped catamaran, and I hope my description explains why I'll never get over this thing. I feel certain it is headed for long term historical -- if not hysterical -- significance.  Listen in to learn why I sing hymns to this revelation.

WING SAILING​ Now I've actually been there, folks. Under a 62' Hybrid Wing rig, on a 40' "beach cat" racing catamaran, with Randy Smyth and Tommy Gonzales with Scott Brown taking pictures. It's a transcendent experience for an old shellback to sail effortlessly at speeds in the high twenties, and without hydrofoils yet. I'll tell you about it in this (and the next) Capercast. Welcome aboard.

There are some BIG experiments happening with multihulls right now.  In this amazing capercast, Jim talks about the convergence of multihull developments that are coming together in a very unique way within the creation of a new type of sailing-fishing boat conceived by entrepreneur Tim Mann. Tim and his wife own and operate Friendly Aquaponics in Hawaii.  (See link below).  But prior to that, he built and sailed his own cruising multihulls for a number of years and found a way to sustain his cruising lifestyle by fishing.  This inspired Tim to develop some very unique ideas about practical, economical and sustainable fishing ... which he is about to personally try out in a special boatbuilding project. But it doesn't end there. Jim takes things even farther, by taking about a possible convergence between a modern proa, the self-rescuing multihull capsize technique (developed years ago by Jan Gougeon) and the new hybrid wing mast (under current development and testing by Randy Smythe and his partners at FAST FORWARD COMPOSITES in Bristol, RI)

FROG MAN BUMP   Here's another old story, this one about a shark. And about feeding time at the "lion house." And about what to do with fish cleanings if you just might be swimming around the boat the next day. Okay?

THE CHUCUNAQUE I'm digging pretty deep here to bring you the kind of story that one withholds until old age. When one looks back and tries to figure "How I Got This Way."  It's those early exposures to certain feelings, special friends and meaningful mentors, or, in this case, a village in the palms filled with people with whom we could not communicate but didn't need to, much.  And found it hard to leave... Harder to return to normalcy.  It's just another old sea story.  It may not change the listener, but it changed the teller, and he's glad.

GOING DOWN An old shipwreck ​story from my schooner bumming days, it is told here to reach across the years with some perspective of  classic seafaring in deep, heavy monohulls relative to the contemporary -- even futuristic -- lightweight vessels. My digital assistant, CRISTI (Can't Read It So Tell It) knows that I can edit her out when she interrupts the Caper, but privately she  really beat me up over this one because it runs 43 minutes. Of course you always have the pause button, or just click on the X, but if you get through this monologue, you may take away some notion of how far we've come with marine architecture in the last 50 or 60 years. And now we're getting pretty close to the  "perfect boat," one that cannot sink, and is also self-recovering from capsize. Foil-borne, too? Foil-assisted? We'll see. But the Hybrid Wing is, in my view, destined to become endemic -- if for no other reason than its buoyancy can prevent multihulls from turning turtle. What's your view?

RACE TO ALASKA START Explains some of the challenges faced by competitors in this endurance test from Port Townsend, Washington to Ketchikan, Alaska in which my son Russell is currently competing. Using his participation as a legitimate excuse, I tempt several of my seasoned traveler friends to join me at Victoria, BC to form a cheering section for Russell's send-off.  At this writing he is still under way, but details of the race including videos can be found at www.R2K.com. I ask listeners to offer their thoughts on a proposed Outrig Design Contest for a vessel intended for single handing in this and other endurance Capers. Please respond to outrig.org@gmail.com

More Seafaring Literature from Jim... In this episode, Jim talks about several great adventures that took place at sea.  He also explains why pitchpoling in monohulls can be different than in multihulls. Jim gives some special recognition to couples in this podcast.  And he notes several amazing female sailors among them.   Several classic resources for cruisers are mentioned.  They include how-to information, including boat construction, voyage planning, rigging details, seamanship and celestial navigation. Jim also talks about why being "able to go" cruising is often more important to many seafarers than actually going.

This nautical lore podcast speaks of legendary sailors and the books (and in some cases, other media) featuring them.   Jim also talks briefly about this year’s “Race to Alaska” event, in which Jim’s son Russell Brown will compete. There are some great yarns all throughout this episode.  These include stores about Joshua Slocum, Irving McClure Johnson, Sterling Hayden and Tristan Jones.  And Jim reveals why a lot of the supposedly historically accurate reproduction boats that have been built in the modern era are rather poor sailing vessels when compared to the boats they’re supposedly “re-creating.” A plethora of adventure stories awaits listeners in this capercast.

40: BLIND SAILOR? (Part 2) In this portion of our telephone ramble, John Patterson and I speak of the safety of small boats at sea, dragging drogues, sailor's burn out, avoiding collision, contending with disability and more.