You take turning on a light after sunset for granted, so do I on land but not on boats.
Electric lights are a relatively recent phenomenon, becoming common in cities only a few years before the beginning of last century and in rural areas only during my lifetime.
I have a number of lights on GANNET. Two headlamps, two small flashlights, two small lamps that use rechargeable eneloop batteries. All LEDS. One large Maglight. And, my cabin lights of choice, LuminAid solar lights.
I’ve written about LuminAid lights before.
Steve Earley first told me about them.
They were invented by two young design students in response to the Haiti earthquake.
While the lights can be inflated, I use mine folded flat to about the size of a deck of cards.
They have two levels of power. I usually use the lower, and each morning set the light on the cockpit floor to recharge, though daily is not necessary. For some reason I find this simple act more satisfying than obtaining light by recharging eneloop batteries from the ship’s batteries which are also charged by solar power.
I don’t have a lot of things on my list to take back to GANNET this time, but it does include spare LuminAids. In the past I’ve ordered them from Amazon, but yesterday I went to the LuminAid site and came across their Give Light, Get Light package. For about $10 more than the cost of a single light, you can buy one and have one donated to a charity which will distribute it to someone in need. This is really a great idea.
If you have a boat, you can use a LuminAid as a cockpit light, reading light or just keep around as an emergency light that takes up minimal space. They could also be of use on land, camping or at home.
I bought my spares through Give Light, Get Light and encourage you to do so as well.
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I just received an email from Dennis:
I sailed into Opua after a 12-day upwind beat from New Caledonia, and saw little Gannet on her mooring. Thinking of you and hoping all is well. Thanks for giving me your spare seat cushion last year in Tonga — I’m thinking of posting an article to Latitude 38 entitled “How Webb Chiles saved my a$&%” .
I had forgotten about that and mention it only to pass on the great title and a smile at the idea of GANNET as supply ship.
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From Tim came links to three commercials for my favorite liquid. I like this one best. Given enough time, I really have to go to Islay.
Listening to Bach while sipping Laphroaig off Cape Horn. I’m not saying it is going to happen. But there are worse ambitions.
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The photo is an old one that I’ve run before.
The fish were tuna who followed THE HAWKE OF TUONELA for several days during the fifth circumnavigation. I think the photo was taken in the South Atlantic, but it may have been the Indian Ocean. Sometimes they look alike.
