The original rudder on ETAK sits in my garage. I had no idea that the "termites of the sea," the infamous teredo worm is not a worm at all but a bivalve mollusk. When these shipworms bore into submerged wood, bacteria in a unique organ that is a gland permits them to digest wood fiber which is what happened to this rudder. The epoxy coating was not thick enough on the original, and once they had access to the wood, in they went! The new rudder will have a heavy coating of epoxy fiberglass to protect it from these critters.
Sistership Corazón under sail, a Searunner 34 in Mexico
Searunner 34 CORAZÓN sailing in the Sea of Cortez, México
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
The name ETAK
More often than not, I get the question, "What does ETAK mean?" or, "Where does the name ETAK come from?"
That was the question I posed to the the builder when I met him. His answer: "Get a copy of We, The Navigators, by David Lewis and you will find the answer there. It is not K-A-T-E spelled backwards!" he winked and said.
Wikipedia says of Lewis: "... he was a sailor, adventurer, doctor, and Polynesian scholar. He is best known for his studies on the traditional systems of navigation used by the Pacific Islanders. His studies, published in the book We, The Navigators, made these navigational methods known to a wide audience and helped to inspire a revival of traditional voyaging methods in the South Pacific."
I found a copy and read that ETAK was a central tenet of the navigational system used by these early voyagers. Lewis' obituary is a telling story of a unique explorer and worth reading . Go here to read.
However, you will need to read his book mentioned above for a clearer understanding of the term ETAK.
Another good source for reading about ETAK is from Emmy Award-winning television host Stephen Thomas (This Old House). His book, The Last Navigator, details much of his sailing experiences that lead to his learning to navigate in the ancient method of the Islanders of the Pacific as he studied among them. Click here to read this informative introduction to Thomas's sailing experiences in the South Pacific.
Still, however, in this link the term ETAK does not appear. You will need to read a copy of one of these books (or better yet, both) to get a good handle on the concept of ETAK.
This is obviously not a good explanation. If I could provide a succinct one, I would! But I have elected to keep the name the same despite the confusion I have in trying to share its meaning with those who ask.
That was the question I posed to the the builder when I met him. His answer: "Get a copy of We, The Navigators, by David Lewis and you will find the answer there. It is not K-A-T-E spelled backwards!" he winked and said.
Wikipedia says of Lewis: "... he was a sailor, adventurer, doctor, and Polynesian scholar. He is best known for his studies on the traditional systems of navigation used by the Pacific Islanders. His studies, published in the book We, The Navigators, made these navigational methods known to a wide audience and helped to inspire a revival of traditional voyaging methods in the South Pacific."
I found a copy and read that ETAK was a central tenet of the navigational system used by these early voyagers. Lewis' obituary is a telling story of a unique explorer and worth reading . Go here to read.
However, you will need to read his book mentioned above for a clearer understanding of the term ETAK.
Another good source for reading about ETAK is from Emmy Award-winning television host Stephen Thomas (This Old House). His book, The Last Navigator, details much of his sailing experiences that lead to his learning to navigate in the ancient method of the Islanders of the Pacific as he studied among them. Click here to read this informative introduction to Thomas's sailing experiences in the South Pacific.
Still, however, in this link the term ETAK does not appear. You will need to read a copy of one of these books (or better yet, both) to get a good handle on the concept of ETAK.
This is obviously not a good explanation. If I could provide a succinct one, I would! But I have elected to keep the name the same despite the confusion I have in trying to share its meaning with those who ask.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
ETAK Searunner 34 Brown Marples Trimaran
No, unfortunately this picture is not ETAK. What you see is a Searunner 34 by the name of CORAZÓN. Sailing friend Jack owns this one, and she has been improved since even this photo was taken.
This blog will detail the history of the second Searunner 34, ETAK, to hit the water, back in the late 70's of the last century.. She lies forlorn in an old marina in Wilmington, California awaiting patiently the return of her current owner to continue the total redo that began sometime in the recent past.
I met the builder of ETAK in the summer of 1990 in San Diego when he was care taking this 34 for the then owner who lived in Calgary, BC, Canada. Doug McGraw had built her in 1977. As I recall the conversation, it went something like this: "I had a four year window of time for cruising with my wife. I could build in one year, and cruise for three, or build over three years and cruise for one. I chose the former."
While she was built to the plans and well, cosmetically she lacked a lot. Despite her lack of car-body smooth finish and beautiful furniture quality joinery below, she was stout and pretty. I fell in love with her...And bought her from the owner in Calgary.
But first, a little history on the ingenious design of the Searunner series of three hulled sailing craft from a bygone era. (to be continued...)
As time goes along, bits and pieces will be added to this blog bringing you, dear reader, up-to-date on the status of this old gal, as I bring her back to cruising status. Photos of the past, and current ones of projects going on will be added. Plus links to other Searunner information on the internet, forums of interest, and related websites. So, stay tuned....!
This blog will detail the history of the second Searunner 34, ETAK, to hit the water, back in the late 70's of the last century.. She lies forlorn in an old marina in Wilmington, California awaiting patiently the return of her current owner to continue the total redo that began sometime in the recent past.
I met the builder of ETAK in the summer of 1990 in San Diego when he was care taking this 34 for the then owner who lived in Calgary, BC, Canada. Doug McGraw had built her in 1977. As I recall the conversation, it went something like this: "I had a four year window of time for cruising with my wife. I could build in one year, and cruise for three, or build over three years and cruise for one. I chose the former."
While she was built to the plans and well, cosmetically she lacked a lot. Despite her lack of car-body smooth finish and beautiful furniture quality joinery below, she was stout and pretty. I fell in love with her...And bought her from the owner in Calgary.
But first, a little history on the ingenious design of the Searunner series of three hulled sailing craft from a bygone era. (to be continued...)
As time goes along, bits and pieces will be added to this blog bringing you, dear reader, up-to-date on the status of this old gal, as I bring her back to cruising status. Photos of the past, and current ones of projects going on will be added. Plus links to other Searunner information on the internet, forums of interest, and related websites. So, stay tuned....!
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