Land Rover Forward Control

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I bought this lumbering beast as a go-anywhere family wagon; it did, and broke a dozen half-shafts on the way, and terrified other road-users when it lurched around corners.

After a couple of years lurching, I saw the light, and decided to remove the double-skin of steel body and other extraneous crap. After cutting all tie-down bolts, at the tip a friendly dozer-driver lifted off the superstructure, which weighed 1¼ tons. She rose 4″ on the rear springs and 2″ on the front.

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A new/old cabin , new alloy tray, panel-beating and shiny paint revealed a different creature; speedy acceleration, no lurching, no more broken shafts, and half the fuel consumption.

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The Forward Control is really a marvellous machine. Low-tech, easily maintained, tough, light, capable of carrying a ton anywhere, through 4′ of water or more.

I wish I still had it!

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Swedish (Haiti?) Ketch ‘Paro’a’

The yacht PARO’A, Swedish ketch design.

Built app. 1960-65 at Rockhampton Queensland Australia.

Superbly constructed of Eungella gum, a ‘double-ender’.

33′ waterline, 40′ o/a, 13 tons, massive lead keel.

Where is she now?  Who built her? What history? Why was she neglected?

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I was her owner for nearly ten years of work, freedom and fun, from the early 1980s. After  six months of full-time repairs and restoration (where did I get the time and money?) at the easy-going QCYC, she was the prettiest and most eager boat to sail. Because of her sharp lines and substantial weight, she would keep her way close-hauled in the awful Moreton Bay chop which would drive most craft home after 40 knots.  We once bashed back from Tangalooma with 5 trawlers lined up in our leveled-out wake, on an otherwise deserted bay.

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During initial repairs, from the bilge I dug out and removed well over a ton of weird, frighteningly-heavy yellowish-brown caked substance, added for extra ballast: why? What was it? Paro’a lifted 6″ from her water-line and gained 5 knots. Remember this if you read my Land Rover Blog.

Many memories and stories and trips. My best wishes to her and whoever sails her.

June, 2014:  I have been contacted recently by Linus, another owner of Paro’a for many years, who has much interesting information, memories and photographs of the yacht.  He is obviously a sailor of knowledge and practical experience, and has also spent time and energy keeping Paro’a afloat.  With his permission I may include our conversations and pictures on the blog.

 

Celestial Navigation Work Forms

Astral, or Celestial Navigation : finding your way, or your position on the planet, by observation of heavenly bodies; that is, the stars, the sun, the planets, or the moon, (not Elle McPherson), using as tools the sextant, chronometer, and sight reduction tables.

 The Science of astral navigation as described above is now virtually obsolete, since satellite navigation using pre-programmed computing devices has superseded the sextant.
When, as occasionally happens, electronic navigation and communication devices are rendered inoperative by adverse conditions at sea (i.e. they get wet), the study of sight reduction may be a life-saving exercise.
The Student will find suitable information to research this subject, however, there have never been available the absolutely necessary logical worksheets on which to enter information and calculation. Old admiralty forms provide no guidance, though since publication (25 years ago now) others have been devised, but none so concise and inclusive of all possible data.  Careful reading of the two worksheets will reveal how every contingency is allowed for, step by step.
The Sight-reduction Worksheets and Instructions (© 1988) reproduced below have proved to be invaluable tool at sea, and in combination with initial study of the science.
The Worksheets were originally printed in blocks of 50 and sold for a nominal price. The first sheet contains introductory instructions for use, each other leaf has the worksheet on the recto, and noon sight form on the verso, bound A5 and perforated for a standard folder.
The Reader is welcome to reproduce these forms free of any charge or caveat, with my best wishes. But think of the labour that went into designing them!
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