The people and companies forever changed the yachting industry for the better
They say that laziness — the engine of progress. Some inventions do we owe to the shortage or complete lack of diligence. But notice: it some. However, in most cases, development is still driven by an inquiring mind. Further to our recent story about people who have helped make the world of yachting as it is today, introduce you to its innovators.
Heinrich Hertz: spark of knowledge
The significance of the discovery of radio waves by German physicist Heinrich Hertz (Heinrich Hertz) goes far beyond the aquatic world. Nevertheless, his scientific breakthrough has played a key role in the establishment of a Maritime communication systems and navigation systems. You could even say that Hertz contributed, absolutely not comparable to what was done for the yachting sector other scientists.
“I don’t think I discovered wireless frequency is of any practical application” — modestly valued his role in the history of Heinrich Hertz.
How much he was mistaken: over the next decade, the radio will begin to broadcast across the Atlantic ocean!
In varying degrees, we owe Hertz for radio broadcasting in VHF band (VHF), radar, satellite communications, GPS, mobile phones and even microwave ovens, standing in the galleys. Plus, a brilliant researcher discovered the photoelectric effect. It formed the basis of the knowledge base that have shaped the modern concept of solar energy. Also it is impossible to overestimate the importance of Hertz’s experiments with cathode rays and developments in the field of theoretical mechanics. Hard to believe, but all these achievements of the physicist managed to achieve in a short life — he died in 1894 at the age of 36 years. And Yes: the unit of frequency is Hertz (Hz), as we know, is named in his honor.
Russell Slater: Weaver
As the Vice President of research and development at Owens Corning, Russell Slater (Slayter Russell) is credited with the invention of fiberglass in the form of individual strands is sufficiently long and flexible to have something to “weaving”.
It is today we may say that of all the know-how of the XX century, namely the optical fiber had the most significant impact on the marine industry. And in 1933, culminating in the creation process glass yarns and applying for a patent along with assistant Dale Kleist (Kleist Dale), about boats Slater thought the least.
Insulation material — this was the first commercial application of fiberglass. Only in 1941, Owens Corning begins production of glass reinforced plastics are also called FRP. The us military used it as a replacement for aluminum.
It is believed that the Builder of the small wooden sailing ships by the name of ray Greene (Ray Green) was the first who made a boat made of FRP (1942). It was an eight-foot boat.
In our days, according to the National marine manufacturers Association (National Marine Manufacturers Associations — NMMA), 57% of all Motorboats made of fiberglass. That is the reality, which would not have been possible without Slater.
Seakeeper: Balanced behavior
Seakeeper gyroscopic stabilizers reduce the rocking 95% in the motion and at anchor, allowing you to do away with seasickness. Anyone who has ever been on a boat equipped with a device from Seakeeper can vouch for this. The principle of its operation is based on the same technology that is used in the on-Board gyros of the control system of stabilization on the International space station (ISS).
How does it work?
1. Inside the case Seakeeper is something like an aluminum balloon, and there, in the depths of the sealed ball — is the flywheel.
The flywheel is on the vertical axis, based on upper and lower bearings in rolling mode at a speed of 557 mph (896,4 km/h). For comparison, this is about the average flight speed of most commercial aircraft.
2. To the flywheel revolved at a speed of 0.75 Mach (M 1 = 1224 km/h), it needs to stay cold. The manufacturer uses in the cooling system mix of sea water and glycol.
3. All from Seakeeper gyrostabilizers are active management: the system real-time analysis of volatile sea conditions, providing the hull are necessary at the present moment restoring torque. While rocking the vessel back and forth gyrostabilizer starts moving from the left side to the right.
The current line of gyro stabilizers Seakeeper pitching includes models suitable for installation on boats and yachts from 27 to 85 feet and above.
Don Blount: destiny
Fascination with naval architect Donald Blount (Blount, Donald) fluid dynamics began when he was a student at the Institute of Technology of Virginia. This childhood passion developed into a twenty year career as a developer of small ships for the US Navy, and the culmination of it was the post of the head of the Department of the Navy of the United States.
He founded Donald L. Blount and Associates in 1988, making from the time an invaluable contribution to the creation of a variety of boats — from boats to sportfishing Rybovich and ending the former yacht of the king of Spain Juan Carlos Fortuna. In its portfolio not less than 500 projects!
And despite all of that, Blount just doesn’t consider them implemented projects the greatest professional achievements. It is much more important for those writings, which he is the author. For example, the book “Performance by Design: Hydrodynamics for High-Speed Vessels”.
The “books for my authorship and Newspapers where I was published, mean more to me than. I think they mean more for the community and boaters and builders of boats. Love to talk about marine technology in simple language, making them clearer, which is useful for a wide range of people”, — admitted as-that don Blount.
Dick Fisher: the Unsinkable legend
Few companies have enjoyed the same success as Boston Whaler, and only a few shipbuilders have reached the status of dick Fisher (Dick Fisher) with his “unsinkable” boats.
In 1957 Fisher, a Harvard graduate, has applied for patenting the technology of filling the hull with polyurethane foam (Unibond), to formation of a monolithic “sandwich” of fiberglass and just polyurethane. A year later, the experimental Boston Whaler 13 was presented in the framework of the boat show in new York. She walked under the brand name Boston Whaler, and was built by the firm Fisher-Pierce of Braintree, Massachusetts. Due to the exceptional stability and load capacity, the firstborn received the recognition, even among critics.
In 1958, dick Fisher just demonstrated that the “unsinkable” — not just a bright slogan. The founder of the company personally sat quietly aboard his boat when she was sawed in half, and in the end… she remained afloat!
Of course, today, the tools got better, changed the foam itself, but the concept remains the same.
What do you think?