Canadian Yachting October 2022 - 62

CROSSING THE LINE
THE PEOPLE WHO
INVENTED BOATING
TECHNOLOGY-PART 8
By | John Morris
I
t's fall. As the Canadian Boater
University gets back to classes, we can
share some of the courses that acknowledge
achievements by boating's great
technical innovators over the years.
TOOL SELECTION 201
In year one of this critical course for all
boaters, the material focused on oil filter
removal tools and clean-up techniques. In
the lab, it became immediately apparent
that diesel and engine oils create significant
damage to foul weather gear, boating
tablecloths and tropical print bathing suits.
In this second-year offering, students
take a look at the often under-appreciated
" Allen " hex key, a critical component of
the overflowing boat tool kit that sits gently
rusting in the bilge locker. William
Grampian Allen patented the hex head
screw and key system in Connecticut in
1910. His nephew Ben 'Beneteau' Allen
subsequently developed a special clasp
key holder designed so that the one key
you need to fit a specific screw has slipped
out and is lost forever - the idea was to
promote additional sales.
Allen keys are used to secure many elements
of the boat's hardware; pretty much
anywhere you'd expect to find a conventional
screw or bolt thereby ensuring you
didn't bring the tools you require on projects
day.
The " Allen " key is sometimes confused
with the 85 kg " Al-Len " key which was
developed by the Phoenicians who used it
to adjust the cedar planks of their Uluburun
ships. Modern keys weigh considerably
less and are available mixed - Imperial,
Metric and Ikea - by the bushel at Princess
Auto (the attractive reusable bushel basket
is excellent for boat laundry).
As the professor notes at the beginning
of each semester, " you may have a bushel
of Allen keys, but it's a cinch you won't
have the one you need. "
HEAD MAINTENANCE 102
This important offering introduces one
of the most significant pioneers of boating
technology. Phillip Holding invented the
tank that bears his name to this day when
he realized that the civic sewer line that
supported his home could not be conveniently
extended to his boat.
While many believe that the very critical
Joker Valve's unusual name came
from the 1986 Batman film " The Justice
League takes a Personal Break " , in reality,
it was also the work of Holding; well
known as a kibitzer. Almost a topic for
another fun course itself, historians still
reminisce about the laughs he had with his
sea-going whoopee cushion set - you can
certainly understand how the name for the
one-way valve recalls this hilarious gag.
When the early prototype editions of
the valve and tank he created overflowed,
Holding also designed his perhaps most
famous brainchild, the rubber boating
boot.
BOAT ETYMOLOGY 104
In stormy seas in 1878, the brig Priscilla
encountered a gale and in an unfortunate
turn of fate, Priscilla Coyle, daughter of
Captain Hiram Coyle and in honour of
whom the boat was named, was lost at
sea.
After inspecting the brig for the probable
cause, Captain Hiram acknowledged
that the somewhat ungainly Priscilla likely
tripped over one of the many sheets and
lines strewn about the decks. He issued
a decree that from that day forth, ropes,
dock lines and hawsers would be wound
up or " coyled " at all times. Modernized
to " coil " we continue to utilize this technique
today to manage our ropes.
Interestingly, proper rope coils do not
62 CANADIAN YACHTING | OCTOBER 2022
always un-coil quite as conveniently
guaranteeing that when you are in a particular
rush, like approaching a lee dock
in a rolling sea, the rope in your hand will
suddenly evolve into a mountain of seemingly
rock-solid knots. While this doesn't
seem logical or even possible, try it yourself
and report the results (after you call
your insurance agent).
CTL Columnist shares a personal moment.
At the dawn of our union, my darling Sophia
presented me with this romantic gift. Since
that day, to both honour our adoration (and
to avoid losing that critical key), I have kept
the cherished set under my pillow.
Canadian Yachting October 2022

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