Sailing Barge Design

     In National City near San Diego is the place to find ocean-going barges that have the free board necessary to survive the ocean environment. We need to make a few modifications before we put to sea, though.
      XWe will need a keel blocked and welded, reinforced and shaped with a rocker config to slice through the water with the least resistance probably three quarters the length of the barge and at sufficient depth.

          The rudder pintles and gudgeons with giant sealed, wheel bearings must be large to accommodate the rather large hanging rudder and must be reinforced many times over to take the stresses of the ocean. A steel rudder would probably be the best with steering chains passed through so it could be recovered and a spare to take over steerage when, not if, the worst happens. Always having some backup rudder in place.  

   Wheel steering, which means hydraulics should be the norm. A compressor and wind generator so you have running lights and floodlights for underwater viewing. A Lincoln welder should be on board at all times to make repairs. We could grow our food on deck or in jars and greenhouses.We can cook by solar ovens.

     Then the masts could be square rigged or fore and aft or both for that matter so long as the aluminum light pole masts hooped for strength are keel-supported well by solid stainless standing rigging on deck. The sails would double as rain catchments with the storage both on board or in trailing bladders of some size that could cut away when filled and located again by GPS to be towed to the mainland. The hull is compartmentalized, just in case the navigator makes a fatal error. Lifeboats could be included.   Inflatables would be better. There would be a radio shack and possibly a direct feed to classrooms so the kids could dream with us. Astronomy lessons, biology, basic seamanship as well as practical matters of first aid, proper nutrition and hygiene could be part of the on-the-air curricula. The computer would configure  everything even navigation as well as, sail adjustment. A bridge could be built just like the big boys.

    Listening to shortwave radio at sea especially at night is very profound. Due to Ionic reflection you can hear around the world. Even tiny stations come in clearly.  Other vessels broadcasting important weather information is vital which brings up weather faxes as being a very necessary component to any on board radio shack.                    Picture-taking would be encouraged and published online as a recruitment tool.   Imagine the eyes of wonderment as classrooms tuned in to see the ocean firsthand with live broadcasts.
    Accommodations would be spartan. We would be at sea for years at a time. On deck, cabins that could be collapsed and stowed or even tents or awnings of some type could be used. Hammocks are the seamans' way of sleeping. Being in the cocoon, gently swaying to the motion of the ship is very soothing.
Yes, there will be a safety rail to hook onto all around the barge as well as deck lines for stormy weather. Freshwater showers would be the big bonus for the dedicated crew. We could install folding platforms near the waterline so that fishing and washing, cooking and cleaning as well as waste disposal. ahem could be carried out. We're at sea for cryin' out loud! 

        The crew could tie flies for fishing using sailboard masts for outriggers to catch Dorado. Beautiful and exciting are these wonderful fish to catch by hand as well as many other species that suit the palate. There would be vast stores of food in the hull so no one should feel deprived of this basic necessity. No punishment since we are of high value and would be missed. Abandonment of the mission means becoming a landlubber. Yikes!

      CcThe vessel would prowl the equatorial latitudes in search of rain squalls to plow into and collect the rain harvested from Mother Ocean and King Neptune. We could then bottle this resource and sell to cities as a recruitment tool.

      All this is possible as the world clamors for more fresh water. The water could be sold to the highest bidder or the vessel chartered by countries for periods of time or even by the UN to relieve drought-stricken areas. Not to profit but to pay down expenses or just given away depending on circumstances based on need.

Ocean Dreaming

       The steel ring of barges at night would be beautiful. All the stars and planets would be right there, hanging above you so close you could almost reach up and touch them. The nights I spent sailing in the South Pacific were truly amazing. The Milky Way was so thick with stars you could read by their light. Having the opportunity to see the universe again in all its splendor is every sailormans' dream.
       The Spring phosphorescence is so remarkable there are just no words to describe it. Only by your direct experience could I even convince you of this majesty as the vessel trails through the water with the glitter all astern. Sometimes it is hard to tell when the ocean becomes just another star in the universe. You hardly want to sleep for fear you'll miss something. 

         Then the big creatures rise to the surface at night to feed. The really big fish like molas and mantas, whales and dolphins, turtles and jellyfish all make their feeding forays at night when the smaller fry rise to the moonlight.         

       The flying fish are chased out of the water and sail overhead like sliver gliders as they disappear into another wave, all wild eyed and happy to be alive. Sometimes they take wing just to be flying again. On the ocean, the wind is the most singular presence around. You feel every nuanced nudge of air.  Things really get going at night.

        Leaving Fiji for Tonga one night on watch, Gb spied a light rising from the horizon. He blinked and blinked again. It was still rising and beginning to look like a masthead light of a freighter. He ran to get the skipper to confirm this. Don jumped up from a sound sleep. He poked his head out of the hatch and took a look.  All he said was, that's Venus rising. He went back to the comfort of sleeping with Linda. They laughed long and hard at this the next morning. Ultimately they said Gb did the right thing. However, he felt sheepish and stupid.
      Had this thought baking in my golden brain for some time now. In the older days sailors used to drag a knot log to keep distance traveled rather nicely. It is just a simple propeller that turns with a counter on deck. Why not put a electric generator mounted to the deck so that the trailing knot log turns a cable which turns an alternator?           Especially on a long cruise one could top off the battery bank fairly easily.  Any free power on board is certainly welcomed besides the usual solar panels. The knot log would work even on cloudy days and especially on the long nights. You could mount the alternator in a waterproof box with regularly scheduled maintenance days.