Re: [Paddlewise] PFD and Lights

> One of the problems with winter is the long night. All that dark. It
> just
> makes it so darn difficult to see rocks, anchored boats, defective
> buoys and
> such. At first I tried no lights at all but my eyes aren't what they
> were
> when I was younger so, like Doug, I started searching for something
> that
> would make night paddling more enjoyable. But there was really
> nothing
> suitable. So I came up with a better idea.
> 
> THE SURPLUS LIGHTSHIP
> 
> I figured that the current economic conditions might have affected
> more than
> just private boat owners desperately trying to dump their 1970s
> boats using
> craigslist. There might be one or two governmental organizations or
> museums
> or such. And boy did I strike gold!
> 
> Craigslist in Washington, D.C. turned out to be a wellspring of
> government
> issued but no longer in service equipment. The battleship Missouri
> was, I
> felt, a bit too conspicuous to anchor in Deception Pass so I found
> the old
> Lightship Relief moored in a disused basin just off the Columbia
> River near
> Astoria.
> 
> There needs to be some simple alterations. I'm going to have to
> disable the
> rotating mechanism and set up a system to aim the light at exactly
> the
> places I want to paddle. But in general I think that the lightship
> idea is,
> like the mothership idea, going to really take off.
> 
> I'll keep ya posted. :)
> 
> Craig Jungers
> Don't worry... you'll see me

I suspect you'll find, Craig, that the main problem is finding -- and 
keeping -- crew for this lightship. If you've ever moved furniture 
for your wife, you'll know what I mean.

Could you just move that (really heavy) full-sized couch over to the 
left a few inches? Now, back an couple of inches. No. Left. More. 
More....

Add in the complexities of getting a light aimed just where you want 
it. Over here! Not where I'm pointing: up a few feet and more to the 
left. OK. Now over here. Here! You numbskull. No, THERE! Can't you do 
*anything* right?

About now, I'm going to be trying to run you over with the  lightship 
and then I'm going into town for a stiff drink. (But perhaps I have 
less patience and ability to follow instruction than most.)

-- 
  Darryl (keeping his money under the mattress for now)
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