Received a note and interesting photos from small-boat sailor Dayton Altman. Posted here with his permission.—Eds

Craig, Josh,
 
Hope you and your families are well, in this economic tsunami.
 
Here on this side of the country they have really skinned the sheep, to put it nicely, but we're weathering well in this service based economy.
 
Great article in your last issue, the Howard Rice interview. I'm feeling his conflict on sailing offshore in a Typhoon, after sailing about 700 miles in our Typhoon in three years, mostly in Long Bay from Georgetown to Southport with one trip to Beaufort NC.
 
I believe in part three he'll mention the Typhoon with a 14-foot waterline to be too small a platform to be handled safely  when leaving the cockpit, reefing, sail changes etc. I know this to be true especially after installing the dodger and bimini top, to be out of the sun and wind is important otherwise I'll end up like a giant cranberry after three weeks in the ocean.

There are about fifty things that can go wrong with the traditional rig. Carol Hasse suggested the strong track system with a new battened main and lazy jacks, a departure from the standard rig but I'll still be outside the cockpit.
 
This fall and winter I'll be installing a free standing cat ketch rig utilizing twin Hobie Bravo rigs with A-frames. The sails furl around a rotating mast, at 86 square feet each they can be furled from the cockpit in a seated position in about 10 seconds. Small offshore boat rigs tend to be odd looking; egregious is the word and easy furling is the game.
 
I know I'll be giving up windward performance with a twin rig, but with 15 gallons of fuel we'll have a 300 mile range, and by furling from the cockpit the chances of becoming shark doodoo are greatly reduced, compared to Howard's trip. I'll keep in mind, its only Bermuda!  
 
Regards    Dayton Altman    SC