Coriolus Effect
james nolan (nolan_laboratories@email.msn.com)
Mon, 26 Jul 1999 16:56:37 -0600
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West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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Against my better judgement, I went sailing at Chatfield Reservoir
(Colorado) on Sunday, a sunny and hot day. I took my nephew out sailing for
the first time. I figured he was lighter than my wife which made it easier
to hoist him up the mast to adjust the wind vane. However, the chop was
incredible. All the power boats and PWC's have to go counter clockwise
around the basin and cause monstrous chop, which made the hoisting endeavor
impossible. I noted that the boats were moving in the direction opposite of
the Coriolus currents. Would having them go in the other direction reduce
the chop?
My day brightened as another Potter sailed by. It was a P-14 #2153 named
Tetra. The boat with its sails out looked magnificent and we got a few
photos of it. We he came back around we waved but apparently the skipper
never saw us. If he is reading this, we were the two heads in the water
(swimming) out by the Heron rookery waving at him. The P-19 was in landing
craft mode on the beach.
When we got to the dock to leave it was incredibly crowded. Hot weather,
crowds and boat loading bring out the best in people. There were dogs
falling off the docks, people jumping in to save them, BBQ's on the dock,
boats colliding, rangers with flashing lights and sirens, lots of yelling
etc. Also as we left there were almost 50 cars in line to pull out their
boats.
So to ease the tension on these crowded weekends I am thinking of doing a
public service. I am going to go to the docks dressed in a clown suit with
large styrofoam shoes and a large rubber bulbed car horn (like Harpo Marx).
I can run up and down the dock blowing the horn and pantomiming. The large
shoes would be break away styrofoam so I can have a running escape from any
irate boater and as a backup I would have a lapel flower that shoots pepper
spray. Does anyone have any other handy tips or suggestions for props such
as exploding cigars or large rubber fish? How much flotation do I need in
the clown suit?
Jim Nolan :-)