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

Related Articles

Video Gallery

Bennington 22 MSB

By Andy Adams

If you’ve already had firsthand experience with a pontoon, you will easily understand the appeal of the Bennington 22 MSB. But if you haven’t, let’s start by reviewing a few of the reasons why pontoon boats have become top sellers in markets across North America.

Pontoon boats began in the early 1950s as basically four steel drums lashed to a frame. They were not unlike the log rafts of ancient cultures and not much more sophisticated at first.

Read More

Destinations

The Best of Two Worlds

By Mathew Channer

Interior British Columbia might not be as famous for recreational boating as Canada’s Great Lakes, yet it is no less a world-class boat­ing destination. The mountains offer their own flavour of marine adventure with their series of long, deep ribbon lakes, and there is perhaps no area that embodies this more uniquely than the iconic Okanagan basin in southern B.C. One could be forgiven for assuming this valley was purpose-built for nautical fun, with a few delightful perks thrown in to make the area entirely irresistible (wine-tasting, anyone?).

Read More

Lifestyle