[Rhodes22-list] The Cat

[elle]

Robert,

That is an abomination.....

There's been movement afoot (afloat?) for several
years to have a similar creature on the Northrn Neck
from Reedville to Crisfield, MD. (on MD's Eastern
Shore.)

Needless to say that the No. Neckers are adamantly
opposed to it..Crisfield is pushing for it....things
have been quiet about it for a bit....some say it's
dead in the water....other reports say  there must be
some horsetrading  going on....

elle.

--- Robert Skinner <robert at squirrelhaven.com> wrote:

> I'm thinking that a major radar reflector AND
> plotting 
> radar ping detector might be a damn good idea.  We
> Maine 
> cruisers now have to deal with a 55 MPH catamaran
> ferry:
> 
> See
>
http://www.catferry.com/the-ship/general-paticulars.php
> 
> >From
>
http://www.catferry.com/press-room/press_2006_05_01.php
> :
> 
> "The CAT is a wave-piercing catamaran car and
> passenger ferry, 
> manufactured by INCAT of Australia. The vessel is
> 320 feet 
> long, and is powered by four 9,500 horsepower marine
> diesel 
> engines that drive a water jet propulsion system
> that could 
> fill an Olympic sized swimming pool in 33 seconds. 
> The CAT 
> can travel at speeds up to 55 mph, while its trim
> tab and 
> T-Foil ride control system ensures a comfortable
> ride for 
> passengers. Constructed of enough high-strength
> aluminum to 
> produce 32 million beverage cans, The CAT is a
> technological 
> marvel."
> 
> Or from a coastal cruiser's point of view, a HOLY
> TERROR!
> 
> I am considering having a ping detector hooked up
> with an 
> alarm to wake me if I'm snoozing.  At 55 mph, it is 
> traveling just a bit less than a mile a minute, or
> 88.5 
> KPH.  So what's the problem?
> 
> The straight line of sight distance d in kilometers
> to the 
> true horizon on earth is approximately
> 
>          d = (13 x h) * 0.5
> 
> where h is the height in meters of the observer.
> 
> Given a radar unit on the Cat 20 meters above
> waterline, a 
> reflector and/or detector on the top of my sailboat
> mast 6 
> meters above waterline, and the curvature of the sea
> 
> surface, I would be visible from a distance of about
> 25 Km.
> At 88 KPH, that would allow 17 minutes to see my
> tiny blip 
> and avoid my being sliced in half then ground into
> lobster 
> bait.
> 
> I question the wisdom of expecting a coffee-swilling
> deck
> hand on night watch to spot my little blip, get
> permission 
> to take evasive action, and do it in time to save my
> butt.
> 
> So Edith P. better be able to detect the ping, sound
> an 
> alarm, and plot a constant bearing closing. 
> Especially if 
> I am (was) hove to for a nap.
> 
> Puts me in mind of "Bert & I"'s Bangor Packet
> story.*
> 
> /Robert "What Cat?" Skinner
> 
> * http://www.bertandi.net/
>  
>
http://www.bluewaterweb.com/BosunsLocker/Locker.asp?SKU=001015&TopicID=168
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> 

We can't change the angle of the wind....but we can adjust our sails.

 1992 Rhodes 22   Recyc '06  "WaterMusic"   (Lady in Red)


       
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