John Nantz: this is Rivendel's new hard dodger!

[henkmeuzelaar]

You were kind enough to send us a photograph of a hard dodger on another Hunter and after seeing it we e-mailed the yard in Port Vila to try and incorporate some kind of roof-overhang as well. Here is the result. We are quite happy with the construction and aesthetics of it (the large stainless steel wing handles date back to the predecessor soft dodger design, as we were too attached to them to have them removed). Alas, the final cost came out at almost double the estimate.... Of course, when trying to get boat projects carried out as an absentee owner, especially if the boat yard happens to be in a small developing country somewhere in the middle of the South Pacific, one cannot be too picky.Fair winds!Flying Dutchman

 

[John Nantz]

Looks Really Good!

What ever the cost if it helps protect the skin from the sun it'll be worth it. I see a dorade along side - that's a smart idea. And the dodger helps to provide some protection for it too.Does the "glass" help to provide any UV protection for the eyes? What is it, glaucoma or something like that? The combination of direct sunlight plus reflected light has to really add up and the cumulative effect of being out there exposed to all that light can't be good on the eyes.Looks really good. Wish we had something like that!

 

[henkmeuzelaar]

Yes, the plexiglass windows are supposed

to be tinted. The main risk from UV is thought to be cataract formation. In fact, in September 2003 our volunteer teams located some 50 cataract patients in the remote rain forest villages of North Ambrym and offered them transport aboard SV "Siome", a gaff-rigged 75-ft schooner, to the hospital in Norsup (Malekula island) where a visiting eye surgeon team replaced their clouded eye lenses (one eye now, the second eye perhaps this year....). After 4 days "Siome" brought them back home. One of our mobile teams provided postoperative care in their own villages. All are reprorted to be doing well.Have fun!Flying Dutchman PSHere is another view of the hard dodger for those Legend 43 owners who might be interested in the design.Flying Dutchman

 

[Fred Ficarra]

Henk, I must of missed it. What do you do?

I could start a new religion. I'd declare you the new savior.

 

[henkmeuzelaar]

Fred, thanks for graciously stepping into the trap

Every year I try to get at least one plug in for our Vanuatu cruiser's project. So, when John offered me an eye disease lead (he almost got it right with "glaucoma" ) I decided to set the trap and you have been kind enough to spring it.Unfortunately, I don't have the updated Project description for 2004 ready yet (should have thought about that earlier, of course )...So, let me just encourage you to snoop around on our website a bit, whenever you find some time (see link). The short story is that since July 2000 small flotillas of cruising vessels from all over the world have been roaming around the Vanuatu archipelago during the "dry season" (June thru October) while transporting medical, educational and technical volunteers, as well as local health workers and patients if necessary, and also supplies, equipment and building materials. The volunteer teams treat patients, teach workshops, build or repair clinics and schools, install solar power, radios, and so on.Our very own George Kornreich, a retired ENT specialist who sails "Fiddler", a Hunter 430 , has been joining us since 2000 and expects to participate again with his wife Peggy this year. The attached image shows "Dokta Sjores" in action in August 2002. Other than George (who flies in but leaves his boat in the USA) our success in recruiting sailors from these boards has thus far been less than stellar. Of course, Vanuatu is a looong looong distance away. I am just keeping my fingers crossed that over the next couple of seasons we may actually get some visiting sailors from these boards, with or without their vessels.Oh yeah, almost forgot to mention that more and m,ore sailors appear to agree that Vanuatu is one of the most unspoiled South Pacific archipelagos left. Moreover, we Americans are highly welcome there and it is a very safe environment in terms of crime or terrorism. The main risk factors are dealing with malaria and a few other tropical diseases (thus far our teams have been able to protect themselves very successfully) plus the occasional bad weather spell while making overnight passages.Looking forward to welcoming more denizens from these boards in "The Land Eternal" (Vanu-Atu)!Henk Meuzelaar

 

[John Nantz]

Eye Health

Boy! That's interesting - hauling building materials on a sailboat. Just don't get the bags of cement wet! Or for that matter, let the paper tear. They would be carried below deck, right?Anyway, Henk, since you're into health and as you mentioned, eyes, I've had my share of outdoor activities and many of my cohorts have developed eye problems. It's probably too late for me (sailing since a kid, beach bumb, lifeguard, surveyor, skiier, etc.) but I'd like to forstall problems as much as possible. I wear sunglass, the good UV blocking type whenever I go out and lately even have the wrap-around type to prevent light reflection off the inside of the lens.So the question is, do you know of any good web sites that might have eye care information for someone who wants to get more serious about it? Things like the kinds of problems that can occur, how to detect warning signs of a problem developing, etc.?Maybe ditto for skin problems? I know I should use sun screen but it's really difficult. How are you supposed to put it on so long before going into the sun. Besides that, the suff is gooey and the sunglass like to slip off the nose.Is there anything else that boaters should be aware of over an above that of general living?

 

[henkmeuzelaar]

John Nantz: about cement and eye protection

Yeah, you got that right. Cement bags are a bear to transport, perhaps only surpassed by flour bags (ever tried to sling one of those over your shoulder and come out looking like the terrible snowman?). So, whenever possible, we let the so-called copra-boats do our cement transport. Keeps the local economy going and, in the process, helps cover up the rust on their decks.With regard to your eye and skin UV protection question, I will have to take the Fifth, though. I myself am one of the worst offenders when it comes to using proper UV protection. Don't take me wrong, I am not proud of that at all. Guess it never occurred to me that I might be living long enough to have to start worrying about it. My father died at 51 and now, at 61, I am kind of perplexed still to be around......On a very general note: with regard to eye protection sunglasses are a must, of course, and the credibility of antioxidant food supplements appears to be growing every year. People's susceptibility to eye and skin damage varies enormously, however. Therefore, if your complexion, your family history and your sun exposure record all tend to be spell trouble you may simply start to visit your dermatologist every few years for a check-up. Here in the Utah Rocky Mountains, where UV levels are very troublesome, most older people will have that type of check-up in order not to end up with part of their butt transplanted on their nose (I kid you not; plus it takes about two years before it no longer looks like a piece of butt up there ... ).Have fun!Flying Dutchman