Useful Crew Information

Brion Toss Yacht Riggers will NOT have a booth at the Seattle Boat Show this year because we are so busy rigging and Brion is still recovering from his ankle surgery.  However, that is no reason you shouldn’t still get our great rigging tools, books and videos at show discount prices!  Buy any of our retail products between now and February 2, 2008 and receive 15% off our regular prices (we will discount your order at time of shipping).  Just order online at www.briontoss.com to receive your discount!

After a 7 year hiatus, the classic old Black Diamond southwester is again being made and are available direct from the factory through the following website.
http://www.zephron.ca/garments.html#hats

Just finished "The Last of the Cape Horners", edited by Spencer Apollonio; a great book. It is a compliation of snippets from books previously published about life on these ships during the last days of commercial sail. Some of the stories I had read before, from authors like Learmont and Villiers, but there were many more obscure authors I had not read before. I was reminded of Gazela's downrig and sending sails down when I read the story of changing from old canvas to new sails on one of these vessels in the doldrums; at least we didn't lose buntlines or chain sheets! Wait till you read the Cape Horn greybeards overtaking ships! Yikes! - Capt McNamara

When both Lights you see ahead, Starboard wheel and show your Red. Green to Green - or Red to Red Perfect Safety - go ahead If to your Starboard Red appear It is your duty to keep clear; To act as judgment says is proper To Starboard - or Port - back or stop her. But when upon your Port is seen A Steamer's Starboard Light of Green, There's not so much for you to do, For Green to Port keeps clear of you. Both in safety and in doubt Always keep a good look-out; In danger with no room to turn, Ease her - Stop her - go Astern.

Now those four Rules, we all must note Are not for use in a Sailing Boat. As we're dependent on the Wind Another set of Rules we find. With wind the same side, running free, One's to Windward, one's to Lee. The Leeward ship goes straight ahead. The other alters course instead. Both "close-hauled" or both quite "free" On Different Tacks, we all agree, The ship that has the wind to Port Must keep well clear, is what we're taught.

Red over Red this Captain iis dead (Not under command) Green over White trawling at night White over White a short tow at night (tow under 200m) White over White over White a long tow at night (tow over 200m) Red over Red over Red, rudder rubbing rocks (constrained by draft) White Over Red - Pilot Ahead Red over White - Fishing Tonight Red over Green sailing machine - Capt McNamara