Knots and Notes: The Old Bowline and the New VC 17

Sept 26, 2024

I may be a trifle luddite, but despite marveling at modern electronic equipment in some ways I miss the days of charts and parallel rules. It put us more in touch somehow. Lost too are some other seemingly antiquated techniques – splicing twist and even tying knots. The other day one of the most competent helmsman I know confessed that he didn’t know how do a bowline.

I was pretty impressed that Grady White boats sent along a refresher video on knot tying.  They couched it in some gentle terms, ‘you may know how to tie them but it’s a great thing to teach your kids…’.  Yes, right the kids…lol.  There’s a lot of similar stuff all over the internet, so no excuses.

In other news the kind folks at Bayfield Marine sent along a note regarding VC17. As we found out last year, that very popular anti-fouling paint was abruptly pulled off the market for environmental reasons to the unhappy screams of users (have a read of Ask Andrew: VC17 – Some Facts and Suggestions). Some had a managed to stockpile a few cans, others were switching to substitutes although that often required removal of the old paint, prep etc.

My thought at the time was that they would certainly develop a replacement, although we had no indication of that until this notice via Bayfield Marine:  

Other marine retailers will likely have similar information. It’s nonetheless surprising that the replacement will take five years.  Let us know what you are doing.

John Morris, Online Editor