Powerboat show

There is a powerboat show running at Tradewinds. I dropped by to catch a glimpse of all those peace-disturbers before I went shopping for TNT.

Vrooom

As if I'd do such a thing. Nah. However, I always keep old ropes and have them ready to throw out overboard. Just in case some fired up gazoline-sniffer comes too close, hehe.

Carpenters corner

Seriously, it is a nice show. There's loads of fancy looking smokers, and there's even a carpenters corner, where you can see how boats are built.

Underway

There's only one problem with the boatbuilders shed. It is way too tidy to look real, but apart from that there's a lot of really nice details.

Done

Check the two pics above here. It would seem one is the unfinished version, and the next one is what it looks like when finally done - after 7 layers of varnish and wax and what's nuts.

Miami Vice

Not into classics and oldtimers? Go modern. This looks kinda like Miami Vice. Ok, it's like what... 30 years ago, so even Miami Vice is now officially antiquated. Still, I am sure there are fans out there.

Let's tan

Me, I am not really a fan of anything that antiquated, noisy and environmentally incorrect, but this next one got my attention. Now I just need a bikini and a drink... how come these things don't have drink dispensers?

Japan is also represented

Anyway, there's enough to see if you're into this sort of thing. I'll admit that some of these boats look really nice, and it's clear that the builders put a lot of work and pride in their creations. Too bad most of the boats cannot be taken for a testride. The roaarrrs that you'd expect to hear at a show like this are kinda absent. But it's still worth a visit. Definately.

Link to earlier Power Boat Show at Tradewinds. Click the category for more power-boat-stuff.

A cruising device

Never much liked engine powered boats. That's not a big surprise. Also, I never really gave a lot of thought to engine powered canoes. That changed yesterday, when Manul sent me a three seater electrical canoe:

Electrical canoe

My first thought was - ehm - not worth repeating here. However, I did spend some RL time canoing the local streams, arms falling off after hours of upstream paddling. Canoing can be nice. I also saw a canoe with an electrical outboard engine.

The engine

It was - ofcourse - operated by a (rather cute) guy. I smiled intensely as he passed by, but he didn't offer me a ride. We met later that same day. Hehe. He was out to take his wife, kid and mother in law for a picnic on the lake.

Humming about

Anyway, I gave the canoe a shot, and it is super nice. Very relaxing with a nice canoing sound. There's only a quiet hum from the engine. It is stable and straight forward to sail. Good for cuising and exploring while chatting and having a sandwich; Huge battery under the seat, and it virtually never weares out.

The camping canoe

But wait... there's more...It comes with a tent. Not a big one, but you can just about squeeze two people in there. I suppose after one night like that there are two options. Either you're in love, or you'll never see each other again...

Lights out

Here's me totally relaxed in the tiny tent. Strangely, there is no light. Would be nice with a cozy little light in there. After all the battery is huge. I'd like to see a solar charger add on. Just in case. Would make it a totally ecological vessel.

Nice one

So, it is a sweet little thingie. Very nicely made. Lotsa good details. Quiet, easy to sail and with a sleep over option. Add to that no maintenance and six plus knots. Not sure how long the battery will last at that speed though. Which reminds me: There's no emergency paddle on board, so I hope there's enough power to make it home from here. All I need now is a river in a jungle and a lake with an island. And maybe Manul in the drivers seat...

Classy power?

By sheer accident I sat on the pier, thinking, when this here thingy sailed by. At first I thought - oh well, just another noisy, gazoline burning stinkpotter, but then I looked again...

Classy power boat?

... and it struck me, that powerboats can have so many shapes and forms. Most are ugly, but some can be beautiful. I pinched me to make sure I was awake. Then I thought I had too much sun. Overheated. 

Live-aboard?

But no.. it moored right before my eyes, and I was still kinda thinking... oh, this is nice. Didn't have much time though, but I managed to take one picture of the interior, and whoa... It definately looks like a live-aboard.

Nice huh!

It has all the basic "life-support-systems" plus more. I mean, - take a look. It is a nice living room, right?  And there's cabins down the stairs at the back. Many cabins. No pics though, cause it suddenly sailed off, and besides... I was needed elsewhere.

Ciao

Next time I see this boat, I will ask the owner for a guided tour. See it all. Maybe even have a cold beer  on deck to make sure I am not having a fever. The dreaded power boat fever, hehe. 

If you like livcaboards, then you might like the giant cat here, and if you aren't into multihulls, then here's another really nice liveaboard. 

What's your style

So much to see around Tradewinds these days. I am not much into powerboats, but hey... gotta try something new from time to time...

Classic I

So here's Charlotte... A little too small to be a true liveaboard, but big enough for a weekend cruise or perhaps a few days more. There is a nice bedroom in the forepeak... Lamps, clocks, books and drawers.

Classic II

Very classy if you ask me, but let's have a look at something entirely different. Something bigger.  Something more modern... Meet the Hurricane 200...

Modern I

It starts with a well equipped bar and dining area. The woodwork looks great, though it is a bit too dark for my taste. Kinda like those mass produced Irish Pubs that pop up everywhere. Don't get me wrong. They're nice, but they all look the same.

Modern II

Besides, that irish beer is also a bit on the dark side, right? I'd much rather have a Hefe Weissbier with a flowery taste of summer and light winds. In any case, this one I could live on for a few weeks... Besides these dining and living quarters, there's another area with a fireplace and lounging plus a huge bedlike arrangement. Bathroom in the middle through the door...

Speedy I

And then we have these guys. Huge engine, claustrophobic cockpit, no fireplace or bathroom and absolutely no bar either. Drinking and driving is a bad cocktail - even at sea.

Speedy II

See? Totally claustrophobic! There isn't even a cupholder. Too bad it is locked. I would have like to just hear it power up and slurp like a gallon of petrol just warming up. And then shut it down again, hehe... 

So what's your style? Classic, modern or speedy? Or is it crazy, sexy or cool?

Here's a bit more about powerboats at Tradewinds...

Hovering around

I've had this toy tucked away for a while. Been waiting to find the time to try it out. Last week I finally "untucked" it and took it for a spin. it, - and what a spin. The toy is the Hovertube from Balduin Aabyes Yacht Design, and here it is:

Boothbabe Noodle

Clearly, I am working hard to look like a Boothbabe from a carshow or something. Not sure how I am doing, but fear not.. it only lasted for a few minutes and I was back to normal. The setting was great. I mean, where else would you test a personal hover device if not on a beach? Catch a few windsurfers on the windshield, hehe.

Up and away...

Only there is no windshield... Anyway, let's fire this baby up. Eeew, that's disappointing. After my helicopter experience I was kinda expecting a roaar. This sounds more like my hair dryer on medium power. No worries. I suppose a stealth hovertube will make it easier to sneak up on those surfers. 

The silent wroom 

Let's see... Push this to go forward. Ok. The hair dryer changes tone to a slightly higher pitch and the thing moves. How about the steering? Whoopsidaisy. There! I am hovering over water.  That was easy. Hey, there's no brakes. Manual, manual... where's the manual? Ahh, - turn around and fire "thrusters" in opposite direction. 

Hitting the "brakes"

That's quirky. Logical when you think about it. Quirky but logical. Steering is a bit more difficult at high speed. It keeps the momentum in the given direction; Steering means adding momentum in another direction. Speed plus speed means more speed. Takes some getting used to.

Full control ?

Seems those surfers stay grounded. Perhaps they've seen what I am capable of doing with this: Totally loosing  any kind of control, hehe. No, really... I got it, and on the shot above I am just cruising at low speed. Maybe I should set up a shop. Five minutes of hovering, five L$. Free ride if you bring Strawberry Margaritas.

Extra seat

There's a passenger seat, so you can take a friend for a ride. You can even unlock the craft and let others  try it. Have a race or something, but it requires space. It's hard to stay on a specific route. Maybe there is a game  gem hidden her: The Hefty Hovering League of SL. And you can run down real people. Unlike those computer degenerates you'd find in GTA.

Back to safety

Better park this before I get more crazy ideas. Sit in the sun and watch the surfers come out again. What a fun ride. As usual Balduin never compromises. It's a great toy. Not easy, not too difficult. Loads of fun, and fast too. I suppose I could sail around the entire Blake Sea in a matter of minutes. Let's rename it to the Blake Pond. Or let's get back in a sailing boat; The Cotton Blossom for instance. If you wanna see what Balduin has in stock, then check his boat yard. It's always worth a visit.

Power Elixir

Speaking of powerboats, - this summer I actually tried one. I was out sailing with friends, visiting a small island; Just a short sail from Tradewinds, and this dude appeared out of nowhere motoring about. He had such a funny name, Zimzalabim. I simply had to go and say hi.

Riding with Zimzalabim

Never really liked powerboats. I guess it has to do with too much city life. The noise and the smell of machines, cars, trucks and trains. Besides, the concept of relying on an engine just isn't my cup of tea. However, "Zim" persuaded med to go for a ride in his gorgeous Elixir, built by Eta Carver.

Full speed ahead, Tradewinds in the rear mirror

Eta Carver is well known for many fun projects such as paragliding and RC-sailing. Like most of her projects, this one is not only what it appears to be. There's more. This boat comes with wakeboarding. I am gonna try that sometime and post about it. Never tried it RL, but I suppose its kinda like snowboarding.

Off the coast of Schiffsratten YC,

So what else can you do with a powerboat like this? Well, it will take you around the beautifull islands of the southern seas in the blink of an eye. So it's good for exploring sailable areas. I suppose it's good for picking up girls as well, so here's me cruising on the backseat.

Cruising... looking for the minibar.

I was kinda expecting to find a minibar, but it wasn't there. I guess drinking and driving at these speeds really isn't a good cocktail anyways. Luckily I had a virtual coke in my backpack. Anyways, "Zim" sailed around, while I enjoyed the view and almost felt the virtual wind in my hair.

Back home at Tradewinds YC.

Thanx for the ride. For a powerboat this one is really nice. Classy looking, and with a lot of lovely details. Room for at least four people plus the driver, wakeboarding, sunbathing and.. well, bring your own drinks.

Powerboat show at Tradewinds

Tradewinds Yacht Club is at it again. In between the racing, the building and the partying, there is allways time for a boat show. This time they've scraped together a rather impressive amount of powerboats.

Two of a different kind...

Now, I am not much into powerboats, but it is amazing to just walk around and see all these boats. Some are more polished than others, and some are even little pieces of art. Above you see two very different boats. Here I was, thinking SL was more peacefull, and then a torpedo boat pops up.

But Officer, the light was yellow...

Here's a couple of the speedy ones. Not sure they can outrun the Torpedo boat, but they surely can't outrun a torpedo. They are fancy though. Boys with toys. Why is it always a blonde on the side? This next blue one looks fast too.

Runs good on nuclear power?

It's 160 miles to Chicago, We have a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and were wearing sunglasses....Hit it! I always wanted to say that :-D

The big picture.

If you like powerboats, this is definately the place to go. The show runs at least a week more, so there is still time. Dunno how they manage to find all these items for shows, but it's great fun to see all the creativity in SL on display. Tradewinds Yacht Club truely never sleeps.

More on boatshows... and much more info plus details of each boat on Tradewinds Yacht Clubs site. Link right here to the right.