Breaking Wire and Machining a Capstan

DougLathe & Machining, ROV, Steel Boat, Winches

That second capstan has been siting in the lathe from over a month, and Doug Stout a retired machinist showed up and not only completed the bore but showed us some really nice tricks.  Tomorrow is the final fit up.  The rest of us spent the day stretching and breaking ROV cable.  Very surprising is how crappy Cat5 is and … Read More

Open House 2016 – Thank You!

DougSteel Boat

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! About 50 folks showed up for last week’s open house and we got a year’s worth of good vibes. Seeker is more that a boat, she is a crew and a following of people that love making things, building a better world and who love life. Thanks for sharing your love! Special Thanks to … Read More

Help with the ROV Tether.

Woo AdminROV, Steel Boat

Danial and Rob, two engineers on their way to race their car in Nebraska, stopped in and we tested a length of RG6 inside some tubular webbing.  Unfortunately the tubular webbing stretches about 35% with just 300 pounds of load and that was too much for the RG6.   So we need your help.   But please stay within the parameters. … Read More

Community

Woo AdminSteel Boat

Two weekends ago Betsy and I were in Florida checking out a Junk Rig.  Last weekend, Bart, Jack and I were at the Tulsa Mini Maker Fair showing off Seeker, the ROV and recruiting help.   And this weekend is our open house.  So when do we have time to build something?   We are building something.   We are … Read More

What kind person is going to use Seeker?

Woo AdminSteel Boat

“Slovak robotic sailing boat was trying to cross the Atlantic”   Meet Andrej Osusky from Lanzarote, Canary Islands who is designing and building an autonomous sailboat.    That’s the kind!   …and yes, he has great taste in T-Shirts.

SchoonerOndine.com

Woo AdminRigging, Sails, Steel Boat

In the quest to better understand the Chinese Junk sail, Betsy and I found ourselves it the company of Pat and Jeannine, on board their schooner Ondine.   We enjoyed a wealth of knowledge and a beautiful sail through Ponce Inlet from New Smyrna Beach, Florida.  We highly recommend the short voyage.

7 years in 27 minutes

DougSteel Boat

Some ideas take root and grow faster than the weeds.  SV Seeker is one of those ideas that started from a chance conversation about building a boat and getting it to the ocean via the Arkansas river.  That was about 12 years ago and the though of sailing a boat I built across the oceans was something that scared me.   … Read More

Low Cost ROV Tether and more…

DougROV, Steel Boat

  Do-It-Yourself ROV tether for 21 cents a foot, (69 cents/meter) and 300 pounds (1300 Newtons) of load.  SCORE!   And we are looking forward to your suggestions for improvements.   Thank you for your assistance!              

The New Plan

DougSteel Boat

The old plan was to have to ROV in the water this weekend and on display at the Tulsa Maker Fair in two weeks.   ….I hate that plan.  Deadlines suck the enjoyment out of most everything.  I understand the need for them especially when other people are counting on you, but that is not the case.  This was self … Read More