Blue Water Sailing Magazine just published my article yesterday. Usually Patrick writes this one, but this year, it fell to me. Special thanks to Jeff Carlile for helping with editing, back in July, when an article deadline was just one of many problems in my life 🙂
This article talks about the many things we added to the boat in Richards Bay, at the Zululand Yacht Club, as well as at the Hout Bay Yacht Club in Cape Town, just before Patrick passed from Covid 19.
It includes a review of our GOST security system, our Torrid Hot Water Heater, Coppercoat, Hypervent from Defender Industries, our Manson Supreme and Manson BOSS anchor, our Raymarine Autopilot, and Raymarine Chartplotter with Predictwind, Our Victron Battery Monitor, our Freedom Won Lithium Iron Phosphate battery upgrade, our Balmar Alternator, Regulator and serpentine belt kit, as well as Propspeed, and our Cubic Mini woodstove, as well as our Avon Dinghy/RIB.
Sailboat Security Systems…GOST (Global Ocean Security Technologies) will always be watching now! It’s not just for super yachts any more…small cruising boats have them too!
What’s in all these boxes? Global Ocean Security Technologies (GOST) -The Cadillac Of Sailboat Security Systems!
Well, today I returned from the USA to South Africa to my sailboat “Brick House”. I was on a frequent flyer ticket, so I flew the long, wrong, multiple connections route. I of course, had lots of boat bits, so I came with 4 oversized, overweight checked bags, and 2 big carry ons. Even one of the carry-ons was too big, and in the end, they insisted on me checking it. But would I?NO WAY!!!Fragile, valuable, and mission critical!
True to my typical style, I had come prepared with other bags inside of my bags JUST IN CASE. I had arrived 3 hours early, for just this occasion.I had overspilling suitcases and bits scattered around me when the second customer of the day rolled through the door as bleary eyes as me, and I had to shuffle over to make room. I eventually had two properly sized carry ons, albeit without wheels or long enough handles to put on my shoulders. I stayed while they pulled every single one of my checked suitcases aside to do a messy, thorough search. I helped them repack with my cardboard, and styrofoam protectors properly placed to protect more fragile items including a Raymarine autopilot linear drive purchased as a backup. This was for our existing Raymarine autopilot which is doing well after 14 years. We are using the old one as a spare since it’s still in great working order! With 8 boxes from one company and 1 heavy one from another, I crawled to my gate overladen but determined. Why my insistence to carry so much on the plane with me?
I was returning with a complete, state of the art security system from GOST (Global Ocean Security Technologies). I was flying through Johannesburg, South Africa; an airport famous for pilferage, and outright theft of bags. What I had in those 2 bags was valuable, delicate, and vulnerable. I couldn’t chance losing them. In those 2 bags were 2 strokes of luck that I may never have again.
What was in my carry on bags promised to keep us safe and secure for years to come, so I was taking my short 24 hour shift to keep them safe and secure. I was to be laden down for the entire trip, unable to shop or enjoy dining between flights, having all I could do to carry those bags through winding arrival halls, up and down stairs, and through more security checkpoints in time for the next departure. Have you ever carried 8 boxes of electronics through no less than 4 security checkpoints? I had to unpack each time, put them in separate bins along with my shoes, watch everything like a hawk, and then pack them all back in on the other side of security. I had a lot of explaining to do too. I then had to wobble to my next gate as fast as I could, miss meals and hydration, andthen struggle on to crowded planes vying for the most secure location in the overhead bin, begging for mercy from strong men to help me lift them high but gently to a secure position that wouldn’t come loose or get crushed.
Because of all of this I could not run fast enough to make my very last connection to Durban. I missed it, despite the security scanners giving me a good break and exerting every last ounce of energy had.I was devastated, drained, and sooo concerned about my 4 other checked suitcases. Surely they would be pilfered, or dissapear all together.? And they were mission critical bits too! Most who know me would say I searched online til I found the cheapest flight to Durban.No…I took the next flight I could get, and I didn’t worry about the price of it. I wanted to get my baggage out of there just as quickly as possible!
We are in South Africa..where there are a lot of nice people…but also a few very bad ones, like anywhere. The locals had warned me profusely about airport problems, and problems right here in Richards Bay. We are heading to South America, where the same is true. This world is NOT getting safer. I didn’t even feel safe in the USA on this trip. I was amazed to see even in my small little rural hometown, where my family still lives, that they lock windows and doors, and have security systems armed even while at home. It’s no longer a world where doors are left unlocked, and people are universally trusted as the default. Yes…there are many many honest and generous people, the word over. This security system is for the unsavory few.
We had decided months ago, if not a year ago, that it was time to get serious about this worldwide reality, and set ourselves up right. We had messed around with a few security cameras and alarms on the boat, Patrick even made some cool home brewed alarms. I had read and emailed, watched countless YouTube videos, and contemplated how best to protect our floating home. (See https://youtu.be/pi0zpy7CH5o) But no security traps were perfect and admittedly, they left gaping holes in our security. There was only a small chance they would work when push came to shove. We don’t really want to just watch someone on a camera as they pilfer our boat and hope someone can identify them afterwards, like with our security cameras that are on the boat now…we wanted a real system that will scare away the unsavories before they get in, with nauseating alarms and blinding flashing lights, send alerts out by phone, email and SMS, and always be reliable, every time…with no false alarms…and even be able to monitor/report this worldwide to us and even local security teams/police, even when we are out of internet range!
We actually had narrowed it down to 4 systems that had some of the different components, different sensors and features that we liked. Only ONE had EVERY FEATURE AND COMPONENT AND SENSOR that we wanted, as well as many new ideas to consider…
GOST – (Global Ocean Security Technologies) was what I was carrying home like a delicate raw egg in my bags…very precious cargo…very critical. Everything we wanted in a security system. Our final solution on how to keep the boat safe from trespassers, pirates, thieves, intruders…
By the time Patrick and I had finished thoroughly examining GOST’s security systems, and has discussedthe various options at length with the Installation and Sales team there, we were both absolutely sold that this was the system worth spending our precious stash of cash on. No other company even came close to what GOST offered in terms of having ALL the sensors and security devices we now wanted. Finally I compiled a list and asked for the final quote. The prices certainly reflected the quality that I was seeing, and I was heartbroken when I succumbed to the fact that I couldn’t have all the bells and whistles that this ultimate marine security system can provide. But the technology was so advanced, so tried and true, so respected, and the technician so competent at GOST…that it made it painful to drop a good chunk of change on a different companies system that we felt was only a distant second in quality and reliability. It would have been like buying the Hyundai instead of the Cadillac knowing full well the Hyundai was not going to make us happy despite the endless car payments we would make.We would always be wanting the Cadillac. EveryoneI spoke with in the know, confirmed that GOST was the cream of the crop, the gold standard, that they were THE “go to company” for security systems! I couldn’t find one bad review online, from anyone. So we decided, rather than going for the lower pricetag second choice security system, we would go with GOST’s simplest base system and just not have every last sensor we wanted. Quality over quantity. Maybe we could afford to add more later. At least it would always work and always be there with us, and it wouldn’t collect in the junk drawer like countless other rinky dink dissapointing gadgets already have.
When GOST took my credit card for the most basic, they were probably pretty dissapointed, but remained very helpful and professional. They then confessed that they recognized our names from sailing magazines and YouTube videos, and announced that they would be giving us a bit more than just the basics, “just in case” we did a video or wrote an article about security in the future. Who us? Write or vlog about security? Yeah…I guess we have done a few! And maybe now this YouTube and blog stuff has paid off! I’m sure GOST wants to be sure that if we do a video, we can at least represent them with more than just the basics, though they were polite and didn’t make any demands. We did though, agree to make a video about our new system, so stay tuned.. it will be a brutally honest video if need be! They are confidant…we are too…it wouldn’t go on the boat if we weren’t already completely confidant that this is the best security system made!
GOST makes and uses the technology that the big ships use, and most of us little boats have never even considered before. This isn’t a system for a few hundred dollars, it’s up there with the price of a good Raymarine chartplotter. But if you have more than that to protect, and want hard core protection instead of a toy, GOST is who you should compare all other systems to. It’s worth going to their web site at GOST.com even if just for some ideas on what to look for in other systems. Even if you find you can not afford a comprehensive system like one from GOST, we highly encourage you to find a system that can work for you. The world is NOT getting safer…and we cruisers need to take a hint from those on land. (Beware: the technology you see on their site will spoil you for the possibilities that are NOT available at other security companies!!)
When I received the boxes, I couldn’t believe our luck! Not their amazing “Cloak”, and not the “Sound Barrier” which are really cool theft deterrents, but some pretty great stuff for a sailboat of modest means or more, like ours.I couldn’t wait to get this back to Africa, get it all installed, test it out..and make a video to show you too! You all know that we would make a video and/or an article about this regardless…it’s been a really big concern for us for a long time (see links below for all of our past security articles, blogs and videos)…butnow we will finally, finally have what it takes to protect ourselves against thieves and intruders onboard SV Brick House for the long term ! Thank you GOST for letting us see what’s possible!
Call before you drop by BRICK HOUSE from now on, OK? We wouldn’t want to wake up the whole neighborhood as you board!
More details to come in blogs and videos and articles, so be sure to subscribe for updates! THERE IS SO MUCH TO TELL AND SHOW YOU! You can click on this image below if you can’t wait for our videos and article/blog!
Check out the array of sensors this company can provide!
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Here are some videos and blogs we have done in the past. Yes…we really have been very concerned for years! Such a sigh of relief to finally have found something we feel will genuinely work!
Here are some non lethal, sometimes legal (depending on the country you are cruising) self defense products and ideas against NONARMED pirates, thieves and intruders: (Consider these carefully before purchasing and watch the above video and read all comments…it’s NOT a self defense weapon recommended or endorsed by us…they are just some ideas to round out the discussions we all have about what to do in this day and age if increased security risks aboard our sailboats)
Some of them are viable. Some are a little crazy…and deadly if the intruders are armed. Some could escalate a situation very quickly in to a deadly attack. But used in the right situation…against non-armed pirates , thieves and intruders…and it could be just the ticket!
It would be better however, in our opinion, to spend your money first, on a good security system that can warn you day or night or when you are away from your boat, that you are about to be robbed, and prevent it before it ever becomes an event. This is why we have made a very serious investment in a system from GOST (Global Ocean Security Technologies)
GOST ONLY protects boats…worldwide…big boats…little boats…all kinds of situations. GOST will now be watching our boat, day and night…but the GOST will never be seen!
Tips from one of our Viewers: Paintballs Guns as Self Defense on a sailboat…Loaded with Pepperballs…
We recently did a controversial YouTube Video entitled “Unarmed Pirates, Thieves and Intruders: Self Defense on Sailboats”
One idea from the video which has been particularly controversial has been the use of CO2 powered paintball guns, using pepperballs in a paintball gun, as a form of self defense, instead of actual paintballs, the legality and effectiveness of them in different kinds of piracy, theft and potential boarding of a sailboat, by both “innocent”, perhaps “opportunist”, fisherman, or criminals looking to steel your money or electronics.
We received a comment from one of our viewers, Travis Allen, which was particularly interesting in regards to the use of paintball guns on a sailboat, as Self Defense, that we think you should know about; About the actual accuracy of paintball guns, the types of gas in a paintball gun, the effects of UV on a paintball gun, the adjustments you can make to a paintball marker, and the care and maintenance of paintball guns and the paintballs or pepperballs, to be sure they are there when needed. Tips and tricks of a paintball gun, if you will.
Here is Travis’ email, reprinted, with his written permission, that you may find interesting: The video is located at the end, in case you haven’t already seen it.
Written by Travis Allen, September , 2019
I grew up as an only child in a remote area of the desert off of Highway 58. My nearest grade school friends lived 3 miles away. My father worked graveyard shift at Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex which was about an hour commute one way. This left mom and me home alone at night. It can be a dangerous world and some of my earliest childhood memories are of hiding in a dark hallway with my terrified mother because someone was trying to break into our house. Hitchhikers, illegal immigrants, and sometimes even truck drivers were the culprits trying to gain access to our home. This part of the desert is in San Bernardino County which had (or perhaps still has) the distinction of being the largest county in the United States. The problem with this is there has just never been enough sheriff deputies to effectively patrol that much area. So it’s imperative to learn to defend yourself because by the time the authorities arrive everything has already happened. After the first of these incidents my parents decided that we needed something more than the fireplace poker as home defense. As such, I grew up learning how to maintain and handle firearms. From the various articles I’ve read and videos I’ve watched (and the rest of the world’s general viewpoint on guns), I can see how having a firearm onboard your vessel for self-defense can cause ridiculous hassle and, I’m sure, would simply prevent you from even visiting certain parts of the world.
All that being said, I stumbled across your YouTube video titled “Un-Armed PIRATES & INTRUDERS – Self Defense against theft on Sailboats (Patrick Childress Sailing 42)” and found it very interesting. I actually have some experience that I can draw from and would like to pass that along to you. Whether or not you decided to purchase a paintball gun as a means of non-lethal defense is up to you and none of my business. Personally, I think it’s a great idea to have as one of many means to protect yourself and, honestly, one I had not until now considered. I’m going to continue this from the assumed viewpoint that you did indeed purchase one for use. You see, I used to play paintball on an official field (sometimes not on an official field) in my hometown with my friends. This was back in the early ‘90’s and technology has changed since I stopped playing the sport but some of the principles haven’t. When I began playing, the most common (and my first) paintball guns were pump action. Slowly semi-automatic paintball guns entered the market and were comparatively expensive. I drifted away from the sport shortly before the full-auto paintball guns were introduced. Following are some things (in no particular order) that one learns when playing paintball that are not necessarily common knowledge to the average person out there.
A common misconception is that paintballs and paintball guns behave like a normal firearms and ammunition. Paintballs are not as accurate as the ammunition used in a firearm and there are a few things that factor into this.
1.The barrel on a paintball gun is typically not rifled. It’s a smooth bore and imparts no spin to the projectile. Now, to be accurate, I had seen rifled barrels on the market back when I played but I don’t recall that I ever actually knew anyone that actually used one.
2.The paintball itself does not have ballistics like the ammunition used in a firearm because it’s not a solid piece of metal. The ballistics of a paintball are a little more like that of a water balloon. The regulation muzzle velocity limit when I played was 300 feet per second. (Most official paintball fields would lower that to about 285fps to have a bit more of a safety buffer.) When the paintball is fired at these speeds it meets the resistance of the air inside the barrel. This causes the paintball to compress to a degree and at this point the paintball is no longer a sphere. This will decrease accuracy. Also, the paintball is not entirely filled with paint. The paint has a tendency to settle at the bottom of the ball. This will cause the ball to be out of balance and will affect its flight. Especially if the paintballs have been stored for a very long time. And that’s another thing. They do kind of have a shelf life. Old paintballs can get brittle and are more prone to breaking when they’re not supposed to. Such as in the chamber when the paintball gun is fired. Paintballs also have a tendency to be sensitive to weather conditions. The paintballs can swell and/or “sweat” depending on heat and humidity. Swelling can cause accuracy issues and “sweating” can cause them to stick together which can cause issues feeding into the chamber. This sticking, however, can be minimized and/or eliminated by hoppers that have a battery powered vibrator or agitator that allows for a consistent gravity feed into the chamber.
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3.The air that is pushed out of the barrel ahead of the paintball causes turbulence outside of the muzzle. Now your no longer spherical paintball has to pass through that turbulence. This decreases accuracy even further. There is some good news on this point however. You may have seen that some barrels have ports machined down the length of the barrel. Usually closer to the muzzle. This allows the air to be pushed out of the ports prior to the paintball exiting the barrel thus reducing the amount of turbulence that the paintball must travel through at the muzzle. Additionally, if you have a barrel that does not have ports machined into it, a muzzle brake can be added to a barrel and will have the same/similar effect. Most, if not all, of these are easily attached with a set screw.
4.Gas. There are two options. CO2 and Nitrogen/Compressed Air. When I first started playing the sport everything was CO2. Whether you were using the 12g cartridges or the 7oz. bottles (some people even used as large as a 20oz. bottle carried on their belt or harness and attached to the paintball gun via braided line.) it was all CO2. CO2 is relatively cheap and more easily available but the drawback is it’s much more sensitive to changes in temperature. Hot day, higher velocity. Cold day, lower velocity. Something as simple as leaving the CO2 bottle in direct sunlight on a hot day can cause the muzzle velocity to increase beyond safety limits. Additionally, the CO2 will get colder with rapid trigger use. A rapid-fire situation can quickly cool down your system and cause your muzzle velocity to fall off. This will reduce your accurate range. This can be somewhat mitigated by using an attachment called an Expansion Chamber. As a matter of fact, it looked like the first “bottle-fed” paintball gun (it looked to be a Tippman which, btw, was a pretty solid manufacturer back when I played) that Zain showed youat about 15:53in your video was equipped with an Expansion Chamber. Notice there is a gas line running from the bottom of the primary grip to the bottom of the fore-grip. That fore-grip appears to be an Expansion Chamber. The Expansion Chamber allows for a more consistent pressure supplied to the system. It is also worth noting that the CO2 getting cold can and does damage the O-rings in the internal works of the paintball gun. (Side note: Always read and abide by the manufacturer instructions of course, but we used to put a thin coat of silicon grease on our O-rings. This seemed to increase the lifespan of the O-rings and minimize catastrophic failure during use.) These issues probably wouldn’t be experienced with a system that uses the 12g CO2 cartridges as the cartridge will be depleted before anything gets that cold. But it can and does happen with the systems that use the higher capacity bottles. The alternative is nitrogen. Nitrogen is much more stable, is not nearly as sensitive to fluctuations in temperature, does not cool with rapid-fire, and is not or not as harmful to the O-rings. The downside to Nitrogen is the cost relative to CO2. The Nitrogen/Compressed Air tanks for paintball guns are much more expensive than their CO2 counterparts. I cannot speak to the costs of refilling the Nitrogen tanks as I never personally used them. I was drifting away from the sport as they were being introduced but had I continued playing I would have definitely switched to Nitrogen.
5.Velocity adjustment. Every paintball gun I’ve ever used has had adjustable velocity and I don’t see any reason that would have changed. Some people might think to increase the velocity if they’re only planning to use the paintball gun as a non-lethal method of self-defense and not really for sport. And, on the surface of it, this makes sense. Higher velocity, more range. And let’s face it, in a self-defense situation you do want to inflict pain to deter the assailant. However, I would advise against doing this. Or at least doing this too much. Again, it comes back to the composition of the paintball. I have seen people increase the velocity in their paintball gun too high and the end result was the paintball rupturing in the chamber. Not something you would want to happen if when you’re using the pepper balls. This, of course, wouldn’t be an issue with the solid riot control balls.
Final thoughts… Try to balance price, quality, and ease of use/maintenance. Get a spare parts kit and an O-ring kit. Airgun Designs has always made a top of the line product but they can be a bit expensive. Tipmann (at least back when I used to play) was affordable and solidly built. The “Spectre” in Zain’s shop… I remember associating that name with cheap and unreliable but, to be fair, it’s been a long time. And, whatever you choose, get to know it. Practice with it. Become comfortable with it. Know its strengths and weaknesses, its accurate range, how it behaves with high fire rate. Know what you can and cannot expect from it. And I sincerely hope you never have to use it. But, if you do… as the saying goes “It’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.” I still find it amazing how much that applies to so many things in life.
As much as the sailing community such as yourselves, Sailing La Vagabonde, Sailing Nahoa, Sailing Uma, and Emerald Steel have given me by sharing your stories, knowledge, and advice through articles, podcasts, and videos… Well, consider this my small way of giving back at least a little bit by sharing what I have learned through my own personal experience. And, who knows, maybe my luck will change and I’ll see you out there someday. Until then, safe travels.
