Comments on: I have not failed…

By: greg

greg — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:27:59 +0000

yep – it needs to be vertical to be removed. We got sea weed tangled around the prop a few times in Comox. I can turn the pedals to align the prop and just pull it up and out. If the shaft or something in one of the gear boxes were to break, I can align the prop with a steel tab:

http://adventuresofgreg.com/blog/2009/12/24/drive-leg-removal-solution/

By: George Kruzynski

George Kruzynski — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 02:52:40 +0000

Hi Greg,
Maybe I’m misinformed ,but it sure looks like your prop needs to be close to vertical so you can pull the works up through the well. Murphy’s Law stipulates that it will get wrapped with something that will lock it in the transverse position. Then what ? Once you’re clear of Tofino, kelp is unlikely to be a problem but fishing line , poly rope and stray fish netting could be.
You might give some thought to a cutter mechanism of some sort eg.

http://www.spursmarine.com/

If on the other hand, you can actually get your hand down there with a knife to cut off whatever is stuck (without having to pulling the entire prop up) then you’ve got it made. I’d stick with the KISS principle

George

By: greg

greg — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 22:43:24 +0000

Hi George: When we were in Comox, I did run into some sea weed and it got tangled up in the prop. The entire drive (pedals, shaft and prop) can be removed through a raised bay on the floor. It’s a bit of a pain, but the drive just slides up, and I can reach down and clean off the weeds. It won’t be a problem off-shore, but touring around the gulf island, etc, it will be an issue for sure.

By: George Kruzynski

George Kruzynski — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 22:05:12 +0000

Great story and prep. details. As one who rows for fun in the Gulf Islands, I immediately wondered what you will do when you run into a tangle of kelp or worse …fishing line or netting that is floating about everywhere . How will you get the prop untangled and functional again short of suiting up, diving overboard, cutting all the stuff off and reboarding..all a high energy task. When I pick up kelp on my recreational Alden shell skeg, things grind to a halt very quickly…and that’s with a sliding seat and oars. I can stop, back up to free it but you can’t with a seized prop..nor will you be able to pull the drive mechanism back through the well to clean it inside the boat. A definitely lo’ tech question but maybe you’ve already answered it previously.
George

By: Xbox Repair Number

Xbox Repair Number — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:43:18 +0000

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By: Daily Ocean Rowing, Kayaking and Water Expeditions News Roundup Fri 27 Nov

Daily Ocean Rowing, Kayaking and Water Expeditions News Roundup Fri 27 Nov — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:07:12 +0000

[...] Greg Kolodziejzyk has put together an excellent article detailing the reasons that previous ocean rowing expeditions have failed. He goes on to discuss possible strategies for handling each situation as he prepares for his challenge of pedaling 4300km from Canada to Hawaii in a human powered boat. [...]

By: Brad Bradfield A.G.

Brad Bradfield A.G. — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:48:04 +0000

Hi Greg,
As an inventor I see two needs for your vessel. 1/ would be a pair of elongated stablizer fins that run partially lengthwise on the underside of the hull, “V’d out” from the center at approx. 45 degees. The angle/stratergy much like that of a fish. The extra fins could be fixed solidly or allow for some sway movement.
2/ Would be an extended gear/chain pedal rack that would allow you another position for the doldrums, whereas you could sit above and get some sunshine on the perfectly calm days/hours while still pedalling. Here again the extra fins below would help keep balance to the sawy of the pedalling.
Just my two-bits!
Wishing you all the very best,
Brad.
(Endurance bicycle rider 5000 mi-1974 in USA)

By: Ian

Ian — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:04:46 +0000

Greg, you have one thing a rowing boat dosen’t have SPEED, in bad weather you don’t have to go out on deck to row but can keep pedalling no matter what. You will get there way faster than any row boat, straight into a howling wind will not be a problem for you.

By: Frank

Frank — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:06:10 +0000

I would recommend using as little power as is necessary. While it is certainly fun to listen to iPods or look at charts on the GPS or play the XBox, it is probably better to use all that stuff sparingly if at all. I would also learn to navigate using a sextant and a compass. You might need it someday.

By: Rob

Rob — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:44:37 +0000

Hi Greg.
You have to spend time out on the ocean if you want any chance of succeding in this venture,you havnt spent a night out at sea in rough weather (30 knots of wind and 15ft seas) alone out of site of land yet.I think if you try it you wont like it,you will be sick as a dog,be terrified and call off the venture !!!!!I dont think you have enough time to gain enough experience unless you get out on the ocean now,even then I have my doubts.Open ocean is a crual and dangeroes place….. Rob.