ROCKNROLLA

NAME

RocknRolla

MATERIALS SOURCED

55º50'55.37"N, 3º07'42.81"W

Portobello beach, Midlothian, Scotland

20th July 2009

VITAL STATISTICS

Hull - 1 x litre fizzy pop bottle

Outriggers - 2 x 50 ml mineral water bottles

Deck - plywood part of guitar body

Mast - wood beading form window frame

Boom - plastic stick from balloon

Sail - heavy duty rip stop tarpaulin

Gaff - drinking straw

Binding - assorted nylon string

LAUNCH SITE

55º50'55.37"N, 3º07'42.81"W

Portobello beach, Midlothian, Scotland

23rd July 2009

FLOTSAM PERCENTAGE

0%

JETSAM PERCENTAGE

100%

PERFORMANCE

6/10

I have to admit I pulled her out for minor modifications. I should know better by now, water mustn't be used as ballast alone. Water is useful to reduce bouyancy or provide some volume but in conjunction with more stable ballasting. I replaced the water with damp sand. She sailed along the shore managing to hold her own against the waves but without a rudder she was inclined to inch up into the wind.

CONTACT INCLUDED

No

THE FLOTSAM FILOSOPHY

MINUTEMAN

NAME

Minuteman

MATERIALS SOURCED

55º58'57.06"N, 3º11'47.15"W

Newhaven Harbour, Mid Lothian, Scotland

10:12 24th June 2009

VITAL STATISTICS

Hull - expanded foam

Sail - feather

Keel - glass

Skipper - spray can top

LAUNCH SITE

55º58'57.06"N, 3º11'47.15"W

Newhaven Harbour, Mid Lothian, Scotland

10:17 24th June 2009

FLOTSAM PERCENTAGE

25%

JETSAM PERCENTAGE

75%

PERFORMANCE

8/10

Sailed incredibly well as it wound it's way out past the weeds. I chose a feather for the tack she was to sail on. Bird feathers generate a huge amount of power so under sizing is the key. Expanded foam is very common and can have components pushed in very easily. Minuteman took a 'minute' and sailed against the tide and on a broad reach.

CONTACT INCLUDED

No

THE FLOTSAM FILOSOPHY

A THONG AND A PRAYER

NAME

A Thong and a Prayer

MATERIALS SOURCED

Unknown (had the materials lying around in a bag so long I have forgot where it came from)

VITAL STATISTICS

Hull - flip flop (thong)

Mast - plastic tube, maybe fishing rod

Sail - heavy plastic feed bag

Keel - yellow plastic from box

Shrouds - electrical wire sheathing

Outriggers - flip flop (thong)

Outrigger spars - stick from firework rocket

Rudder - half of a protective goggles lens

Tiller - black plastic, source unknown

LAUNCH SITE

56º17'43.91"N, 5º39'15.64"W

Easdale, Argyll, Scotland

7th June 2009

FLOTSAM PERCENTAGE

0%

JETSAM PERCENTAGE

100%

PERFORMANCE

8/10

Due to light winds a wake wasn’t created but ATAAP did travel on a broad reach against the tide.

CONTACT INCLUDED

No

A speck in the sea as ATAAP heads towards the gap between Colonsay and Mull and out into the Atlantic

THE FLOTSAM FILOSOPHY

BLACK FIN

NAME

Black Fin

MATERIALS SOURCED

55°58'51.02"N, 3°17'22.17"W

Links next to beach on East side of breakwater

Lothian, Edinburgh

Autumn 2007

VITAL STATISTICS

Hull - Poly styrene

Mast - Cut from black plastic crate

Boom - Cut from black plastic crate

Sail - Clear plastic polythene sheet

Keel - Cut from black plastic crate, ‘torpedo’ white and orange screw top container.

Standing rigging - Assorted nylon string from fishermans nets

LAUNCH SITE

55°58'54.85"N, 3°13'02.10"W

Granton East Pier, Edinburgh, Scotland

9th June 2008

FLOTSAM PERCENTAGE

0%

JETSAM PERCENTAGE

100%

PERFORMANCE

6/10

The black fin worked very well. I could have used even heavier ballast inside container rather than sand, perhaps rocks. Directional steerage was a failure. A rudder or staysail would have fixed this.

CONTACT INCLUDED

No

THE FLOTSAM FILOSOPHY

CRAMOND BRIG

NAME

Cramond Brig

MATERIALS SOURCED

Cramond, Edinburgh, Scotland

55º58'50.93"N, 3º17'48.95"W

December 2007

VITAL STATISTICS

Hull - 1 x litre soft drink bottle

Deck - plywood

Mast - light sabre

Shrouds - electrical wire

Sail - expanded foam insulation panel

Ballast - 1 x small soft drink bottle filled with water

Keel - plastic tube

Binding - assorted nylon string

LAUNCH SITE

Cramond, Edinburgh, Scotland

55º58'50.93"N, 3º17'48.95"W

13th January 2008

FLOTSAM PERCENTAGE

0%

JETSAM PERCENTAGE

100%

PERFORMANCE

0/10

This was an experiment with bottles. I was wondering how to use some of the thousands of plastic bottles that are thrown and washed into our seas. Away from the great keel supply area of the Slate Isles of Argyll, I would be need to find an alternative ballasting system. But, I had completely miss understood the science of using water as ballast. Of course it was going to end up on it’s side! The water in the bottle becomes neutral when the boat is afloat. The only ballast was being provided by the plastic tube and the small bottle, probably only adding up to a few ounces! Next time fill with sand!

Although I did think she looked good with the cambered sail and cylindrical keel.

CONTACT INCLUDED

Yes

THE FLOTSAM FILOSOPHY

G'DAY

NAME

G’Day

MATERIALS SOURCED

55º45'29.54"N, 1º59'17.43"W

Spittal Beach, Berwick upon Tweed, England

27th November 2007

VITAL STATISTICS

Hull - 2 x plastic soft drink bottle

Deck - polystrene

Mast - rocket launching tube

Bowsprit - fishing float

Sail - assorted fireworks bag

Boom - wire

Ballast - small plastic soft drink bottle

Tiller - rocket launching tube

Rudder - fosters larger can

LAUNCH SITE

55º57'37.36"N, 3º7'14.19"W

Portobello, Edinburgh, Scotland

3rd December 2007

FLOTSAM PERCENTAGE

0%

JETSAM PERCENTAGE

100%

PERFORMANCE

8/10

Made with cast offs from bonfire night, maybe used on the beach, but found in the high water mark so I have decided they’re allowable. Not the prettiest vessel, and not as ridgidly built as others. Eventually launched over the border in Edinburgh, at Portobello beach. Cast off into the cruiser yacht equivalent size of 8 metre high breakers. G’Day powered her way through, the flexiability of it’s construction helping it to absorb the blows. With no keel and flimsy build I was pleasantly surprised.

CONTACT INCLUDED

Yes

THE FLOTSAM FILOSOPHY

JUST DO IT

NAME

Just Do It

MATERIALS SOURCED

56º30'5.67"N, 5º27'1.17"W

Sgeir Liath, Benderloch, Scotland

24th September 2007

VITAL STATISTICS

Hull - 2 x litre mineral water bottles

Outriggers - flip flop slpit down the middle

Outrigger spar - Plastic bicycle mud guard

Tiller - lobster pot tube

Mast - lobster pot tube

Gaff - folded half litre youghurt pot handle

Boom - nylon rod from tidal survey float

Sail - lining material from nylon jacket

Burgee - lining material from nylon jacket

Keel - slate

Binding - assorted nylon string

LAUNCH SITE

56º27'3.94"N, 5º24'28.82"W

Camus Bruaich Ruaidhe, Argyll, Scotland

28th October 2007

FLOTSAM PERCENTAGE

10%

JETSAM PERCENTAGE

90%

PERFORMANCE

8/10

A pretty good performer for a shoe, she kept up wind, did few tacks and swung round to a jibe or two before lodging herself in the weed. Like the trainers that spill from container ships in the Pacific that the oceanographers use to study currents, I hope my modified sneaker will travel far. I decide to try not to use clear sails if possible as they're difficult to spot it in the distance.

CONTACT INCLUDED

No

THE FLOTSAM FILOSOPHY

AQUA VITA

NAME

Aqua Vita

MATERIALS SOURCED

56°9'11.42"N, 5°36'1.74"W

Achanarnich Bay, Craignish Point, Argyll, Scotland

SW facing bights between rocky ridges.

25th October 2007

VITAL STATISTICS

Hull - 2 x litre mineral water bottles

Outriggers - flip flop slpit down the middle

Outrigger spar - Plastic bicycle mud guard

Tiller - lobster pot tube

Mast - lobster pot tube

Gaff - folded half litre youghurt pot handle

Boom - nylon rod from tidal survey float

Sail - lining material from nylon jacket

Burgee - lining material from nylon jacket

Keel - slate

Binding - assorted nylon string

LAUNCH SITE

56°17'18.78"N, 5°35'59.49"W

Seil Sound, Argyll, Scotland

28th October 2007

FLOTSAM PERCENTAGE

0%

JETSAM PERCENTAGE

100%

PERFORMANCE

9/10

So far, the most satisfying sailer. She left a very convincing wake behind her. Took many quiet evening hours to build in the saloon of Sea Moss.

CONTACT INCLUDED

No

THE FLOTSAM FILOSOPHY

FEATHER FLOTSAM

NAME

Feather Flotsam

MATERIALS SOURCED

55º59'2.73"N, 3º14'2.14"W

Granton, Edinburgh, Scotland

21st October 2007

VITAL STATISTICS

Hull - oasis

Sail - sea gull feathers

Rudder - bicycle quick release leaver

Keel - peice of flat, hardened epoxy and plastic

LAUNCH SITE

55º59'2.73"N, 3º14'2.14"W

Granton, Edinburgh, Scotland

21st October 2007

FLOTSAM PERCENTAGE

20%

JETSAM PERCENTAGE

80%

PERFORMANCE

2/10

A quick build, She did travel on a broad reach for some metres but I under estimated the incredible power of a birds feather, the lightest gust healed her right over, windage on the hull kept her on her side.

CONTACT INCLUDED

No

THE FLOTSAM FILOSOPHY

THE GAVNOR

NAME

The Gavnor

MATERIALS SOURCED

56º7'23.40"N, 5º41'29.03"W

Kinuachdrachd Harbour, Jura, Scotland

10th September 2007

VITAL STATISTICS

Hull - polystyrene core of boogie board

Tiller - stick

Mast - stick

Masthead fitting - leash teather off boogie board

Bowsprit - stick, langoustines claw

Boom - nylon tube

Sail - plastic feed bag

Shrouds - stripped plastic packing binder

Keel - slate

Rudder - plate metal

Binding - assorted nylon string, plastic packing binder, boogie board leash.

LAUNCH SITE

56º7'23.40"N, 5º41'29.03"W

Kinuachdrachd Harbour, Jura, Scotland

10th September 2007

FLOTSAM PERCENTAGE

2.5%

JETSAM PERCENTAGE

97.5%

PERFORMANCE

1/10

I spent so much time making this, about three hours, I missed a serious technical design fault. The centre of balance was completely out of...balance. The keel too far back and mast too far forward, forcing her so far up wind she was virtualy slipping sideways. The mast was also too heavy. She looked great though. I hope if ever it’s found, the fault will be spotted and adjusted...?

CONTACT INCLUDED

Yes

THE FLOTSAM FILOSOPHY

FARM FOODS

NAME

Farm Foods

MATERIALS SOURCED

56º2'22.69"N, 2º36'27.86"W

Tyninghame Beach, East Lothian, Scotland

8th September 2007

VITAL STATISTICS

Hull - 2 litre plastic Danish milk bottle

Tiller - dried reed

Mast - dried reed

Upper spar - wing bone from sea bird

Boom - dried reed

Sail - Farm Foods carrier bag

Rudder - plywood

Ballast - stones

Binding - assorted nylon string

LAUNCH SITE

56º2'22.69"N, 2º36'27.86"W

Tyninghame Beach, East Lothian, Scotland

8th September 2007

FLOTSAM PERCENTAGE

20%

JETSAM PERCENTAGE

80%

PERFORMANCE

2/10

A quick build, with a poorly thought out ballast solution. I cut into the upper part of the milk bottle, so damaging its bouyancy integrity, the ballast was nudged forward as she sailed down wind and over a wave, the next few waves filled the hull with water, within 10 yards of the beach she was sunk out of site!

CONTACT INCLUDED

No

THE FLOTSAM FILOSOPHY

FLOTSAM 1

NAME

Flotsam 1

MATERIALS S

OURCED

56º7'58.22"N, 5º35'50.79"W

Craignish Point, Argyll, Scotland

15th July 2007

VITAL STATISTICS

Hull - fishing net float

Mast - drinking straw with plastic core from drum

Bow sprit - plastic from drum

Sail - heavy plastic feed bag

Keel - slate

Jib tack - assorted nylon string

Mainsail sheet - assorted nylon string

LAUNCH SITE

56º7'58.22"N, 5º35'50.79"W

Craignish Point, Argyll, Scotland

15th July 2007

FLOTSAM PERCENTAGE

0%

JETSAM PERCENTAGE

100%

PERFORMANCE

8/10

The boat that started it all off. A couple of hours ashore with Leigh and Dita passed fiddling with bits I find lying around. The great surprise was how well she sailed, I was hooked and now would never be able to walk past flotsam iin the tide line again. She got 8 instead of 9 beause I felt she heeled just a little too much.

CONTACT INCLUDED

No

THE FLOTSAM FILOSOPHY