2/7/00	dstookey@ici.net

Hi David,

I was playing with the idea of formulating this type of  open-water, 
multi-day rowing as a new type of sport (rather than more or less 
a rare adventure of crossing an ocean), that can be enjoyed by many people 
on larger lakes or suitable coastal waters, in well made, but not 
prohibitively expensive boats of a design similar to LUN's 
or that of more classical ocean-going row boats. 

I didn't get much further than fragments of a first draft. 

I will send you some thoughts I had on physiology and mechanics 
of this kind of rowing, together with some more pictures of LUN. 

If you think that the idea of a "new sport" (I called it quite unimaginatively Super Rowing) has some merit, maybe we could work on it.

I did row across Lake Michigan in 1993; just a shake down trip. 

Lessons learned:

* there are no marine operators reachable with a VHS radio 
around Chicago; keep away from lee shore (I stayed close to the shore 
all day trying to reach a marine operator to call home: 
I knew that my wife will send Coast Guard after me if she didn't hear 
from me - and she did; the wind changed at night almost grounding me, 
and it took me close to 4 hours of all-out rowing to make it 
to a very nice North Point Marina, where I got stuck for three days 
due to a nasty NE wind)

* cellular phone is the way to communicate on
Lake Michigan; GPS is amazing; jogging shoes should be attached to 
strechers; LUN was all I hoped it to be.

* I used C.A.R.D. radar detector (I'll send you their add with phone # etc.). 
It performed well. There is a newer model out and I have requested info on it; 
I don't know if it is significantly better.

* Phil Bolger is one of the greatest guys I have EVER dealt with, 
(though I have never met him, and haven't even spoken to him on the phone)! 
When I dreamt up the concept of LUN, (the idea being a seaworthy, go anywhere boat, relatively comfortable - is open cockpit really necessary?-, fun) 
I wrote to several boat designers whose names I picked up blindly 
from books and magazines, asking them if they would be interested in 
working with me on the project. Only Phil responded (enthusiastically), 
and over the following 3-4 months we hashed out details, argued over 
many details, revised and re-revised blueprints, and came up with 
the final plan (which he would not change ANY further); 
all through US Mail. 

* Basically the boat is as in the book, 
with following modifications: construction is cold molding (WEST System), 
with fiberglass envelope; the canopy is much uglier (but infinitely more 
"user friendly": flat area is indispensable for sorting out lines, 
deploying sea anchor, et sim.; the hatch on top allows for standing up, 
enjoying the view, and having snacks "on deck"during rest periods. 
Phil actually asked me why would I want to stand up during the trip!), 
made of marine aluminum - by a guy who builds drag racers -
with a fiberglass covered plywood top and a lexan Lewmar hatch; 
(you see this better on photos); there are also lexan hatches 
fore and aft; there is a shallow full length keel; rather than 
recessed air intakes, there are vents fore and aft, Nicro, 
with solar cells, attached as per original design to 
Dorade-type boxes.
(Steve Najjar can provide you with finer details, if desired)

Cheers,  Nenad