Gronicles

[Bayboat]

It was suggested in a recent post that we try to track the term "gronicle" to its lair. It's one of those words that's used when no other will do. Like speaking of things that are difficult to label, but must be mentioned. It's a generic term, referring to an object that either joins, adjusts, connects, modifies, alters, justifies, rectifies, or otherwise affects at least two other parts or things. Usually but not exclusively on a boat or nautically relevant machinery or fittings.

Now that that's straightened out, how does one acquire a gronicle? They are becoming quite scarce, having been replaced by thickened googe in most applications. Occasionally, one turns up
in establishments that deal in old arn (spit on floor) or ancient bandsores. There have been many attempts to manufacture one's own gronicles, but all have met with somewhat less than success.
In the old days there were many purveyors of gronicles, but most are now out of business, due to the overwhelming inroads of googe, as mentioned previously. However, there is at least one surviving outfit that still manufactures gronicles: Karakorum Distributors, 10 Shamal Lane, Ugricstan, Republic of Wayout Mongolia, zip-code WM19 NJ7 IOR H8M. They can be ordered prepaid through the mails, but some nations do not allow passage through their postal systems, partly because they don't know what they are nor understand their use, and partly on religious grounds. However, those systems can be bypassed by camel caravan, which is faster. If the latter is specified, merchandise will be routed through Station Kyzyl Kum, on the Silk Road, which may be consulted concerning the status of your shipment. Their e-mail address is kyzylkum@Bactrianpc.erg.

I hope this helps.

[ 04-02-2003, 04:07 PM: Message edited by: Bayboat ]

[videoguy]

Wow thats even better than ebay. smile.gif smile.gif ...Phil

[Greg H]

Gronicle question
Greg H
.
Member # 108
In response to a request......Rescued fromt he Bilge

posted 04-01-2003 07:59 AM

Ian Oughtreds plans are quite detailed, however he does not indicate if or where the gronicles should be located. Also there is
no electric system in the boat so I'm trying to find plans for construction of gronicles from the pre-electric era, ancient
gronicles, so to speak. I beleive they were carved and assembled from two woods with different electicle proporties, such as
Ironwood and Lignemvitae or Oak and Walnut.
Any insight?

I read through this post, but locaion is hard to determine...

http://media5.hypernet.com/cgi-bin/UBB/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=002404&p=

[ 04-01-2003, 08:25 AM: Message edited by: Greg H ]

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Greg

From: Great Falls, Va | IP: Logged

Mrleft8
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Member # 1215

posted 04-01-2003 08:04 AM

MMMMMMHM!

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Never trust a man with a clean workshop

From: Guilford Ct | IP: Logged

Mr. Know It All
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Member # 4106

posted 04-01-2003 08:21 AM

Donn says mine are brass.

From: The North Coast | IP: Logged

Andrew Craig-Bennett
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Member # 506

posted 04-01-2003 08:47 AM

On reading your post I promptly, this morning, paid a visit to Sutton Hoo to inspect the gronnekyles on the Sutton Hoo Long
Ship, built c. 590 AD, used as a burial c. 623 (they built them properly in those days) and, managing to locate the curator in
the museum cafe, I bought him a horn of mead to quaff whilst I took out my vellum and quill.

Aye am nowe slightlie the worrse forr meade but the foll. points i can still rede...

1. The more noble wood should be forward of the less noble. This is to make allowance for the potential difference between the
aerated water of the bow wave and the still water under the keel (Hiscock has a good discussion of this in his section on copper
sheathing).

2. The Sutton Hoo Ship actually has no timber remaining, due to being buried in acid sand, but electrodenrdrochronicity has
revealed that the port forward gronnekyle was English Oak, the port aft gronnekyle was Scots Pine, the starboard fore
gronnekyle was English Elm and the starboard aft gronnekyle was, possibly, Ash.

Oh, and they were through fastened with cross wedged blind trenails.

Hope all clear now.

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Que scais-je?

From: Woodbridge, UK | IP: Logged

Bruce Taylor
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Member # 2142

posted 04-01-2003 08:53 AM

Andrew, the Sutton Hoo gronicles have long since gone to dust, but some of the mounting hardware has been preserved intact.
This is probably the earliest surviving gronicle mount:



From: Wakefield, Quebec, Canada | IP: Logged

Greg H
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Member # 108

posted 04-01-2003 09:06 AM

Ah, the unparallleled beautiful hand work of the ancesters.

Andrew....Four gronicles That explanes a lot. I was thinking there were only two and the woods were nested.

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Greg

From: Great Falls, Va | IP: Logged

ken mcclure
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Member # 2957

posted 04-01-2003 12:10 PM

If you are mounting a single pair of gronicles, they should be, IIRC, somewhere forward of amidships - roughly where the
chainplates are (or would be if it was a sailboat.)

It's common to attach the fixing bolts to the chainplate for grounding, as long as your rigging is also grounded.

Mounting them aft can cause some problems with directional stability, and in hot operation can also affect the compass if
they're right aft.

--------------------
Knowing where you're going is not the same as knowing how to get there.
And knowing what needs to be done is not the same as knowing what needs to be done next.

From: Pittsburgh, PA USA | IP: Logged

From: The North Coast | IP: Logged

Don Olney
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Member # 1617

posted 04-01-2003 12:45 PM



From: 40 North 52, 73 West 26 | IP: Logged

Hughman
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Member # 1622

posted 04-01-2003 02:37 PM

Ah, but! Fresh water applications require different properties, and must be mixed with various Ethyl compounds to achieve
parity with salt water, to affect the collective aura of the data. Traditionally, various mammal offal was selected for the trace
compounds found therein, (which leading to the modern misdefinition of the concept, that of specific reproductive glands) that
affected the directional propensities of the device. Ancient Mariners understood the relationship between the long-deprived
sailor and his port of entry, as evidenced by the unerring reliability with which he ascertained the correct method of achieving
the consummation of his voyage.

[ 04-01-2003, 02:38 PM: Message edited by: Hughman ]

From: Goose River, Maine | IP: Logged

Mr. Know It All
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Member # 4106

posted 04-01-2003 02:43 PM

Do you work for the government Hughman?

From: The North Coast | IP: Logged

JimD
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Member # 4669

posted 04-01-2003 02:59 PM

According to Webster's Dictionary there is no such word as gronicles. Even the wild card search gron* came up only with a
province of the Netherlands. But gronicles should never be made of dissimilar metals in the presence of an electrolite

From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada | IP: Logged

Concordia..41

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Member #
4675

posted 04-01-2003 03:52 PM

A. Webster obviously wasn't a boat owner.

B. I know Greg's question pertained to manual gronicles, but explain this:

C.

From: St. Augustine, Florida | IP: Logged

Mr. Know It All
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Member # 4106

posted 04-01-2003 04:08 PM

I remember reading the word "gronicles" for the first time in one of Dasboat's (our dear departed friend) posts. The true
meaning of the word escapes me at the moment but It's definately a word. Mr. Webster just missed it or he couldn't remember
either.

From: The North Coast | IP: Logged

Donn
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Member # 1938

posted 04-01-2003 04:15 PM

"Vol. 52, no. 2, 2002

RASRT's Question Clearinghouse

by Jim Pate

First and Second Gronicles

"What is a gronicle?", you might ask. That's what several folks have wanted to know at our library and at other libraries too.
Recently I was contacted by Kelly Laney in our Business, Science and Technology Department, and we went through the
normal reference interview kinds of questions about context, source of the question, and such. She indicated that our questioner
had only the additional bit of information that she "thought it was a nautical term". My first response was that I thought I'd
heard the word before and that it was something on a ship that held something else such as the ship's compass. (Of course I was
thinking of the word "binnacle".) I did a bit of search engine looking and got very little, but I told Kelly that I would run it
through the Stumpers archive. Surprisingly to me, I found that exactly the same question had been asked back in 1996 by Jane
Salisbury, Humanities Reference Librarian at Multnomah County Library in Portland, Oregon. There were a few responses
listed to Jane's posting so I thought that the answer would be right there in one or more of the responses. Alas, it was not to be.
A couple of guesses including a plausible idea from John Dyson of Indiana University that it might be a child's
mispronunciation of "chronometer". Since there was no definitive answer given, I labeled my posting to Stumpers "Gronicle
Redux" and asked the question again. This time a number of people responded with the best assumptions being that the word
"gronicle" is a made-up word perhaps used by experienced seafarers to dupe landlubbers and novices who might not be in on
the joke. So, are any of you esteemed readers of this column also of the nautical persuasion and not sworn to secrecy
concerning gronicles? Would you be willing to avow publicly that they are nonexistent and fall in the same category as
left-handed monkey wrenches, shelf stretchers, three-pronged blivets, and snipe hunting? Or, perhaps we have all simply missed
something and there really is such a thing. Inquiring minds, you know?"

link

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Donn

God Bless Our Leaders, and Protect our Troops.

From: Great South Bay, Long Island, NY | IP: Logged

Cosmo Lengro
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Member # 4970

posted 04-01-2003 04:23 PM

JimD, in my nearest ship chandlery the Gronicles are alphabetized and lie on the shelves below the Blurfls.
I stay away from the newer Chiwanese imports and go with the Scandanavian or Brit ones myself.
Metrification seems not to be a big factor in sizing Gronicles, at least so far.

From: Where I hang my hat | IP: Logged

Meerkat
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Member # 4667

posted 04-01-2003 04:36 PM

acb, respecting that aft ash gronnekyle: do you suppose, that if one had a pair, that might have been the origion of "hauling
one's ashs"?

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If you don't think for yourself, someone else will do it for you!

Meerkat
Seattle, WA

From: Seattle, WA | IP: Logged

Cosmo Lengro
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Member # 4970

posted 04-01-2003 04:46 PM

Nah pointy nose one, the term 'hauling ashes' comes much later when there was an attempt to make steam powered Gronicles. It
never got off the ground as steam powered Gronicles were to expensive to make and maintain.

From: Where I hang my hat | IP: Logged

bob goeckel
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Member # 2428

posted 04-01-2003 04:47 PM

i've still got a little bit of gronicle cream left that i picked up at rite aid pharmacy. it's done a fair job of keeping the gronicles at
bay but it's a bit embarassing when you have to apply it in public. there really is no cure for it though. research funding is very
limited.

[ 04-01-2003, 04:51 PM: Message edited by: bob goeckel ]

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"quando omni flunkus moritati"

From: flint,mich usa | IP: Logged

John B
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Member # 2113

posted 04-01-2003 04:54 PM

Those early Polynesian navigators had some gronicles you know. Theirs were covered in shell and were fixed in place with
pegs of coconut wood and flax. They worked fine apparently , which leads one to think that perhaps the whole principle of the
things is being over analysed in the modern day.
Don’t get me wrong, I know they are necessary, but this whole electrolytical/ grounded/ scientific inquisitional analysis seems a
bit over the top to me.
It’s simple. You need them, you should have them, why not just leave it at that.

From: Auckland, New Zealand | IP: Logged

ken mcclure
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Member # 2957

posted 04-01-2003 10:28 PM

Ah! Margo! Thank you for posting that. My web site is down, since my ISP changed their servers around, and I haven't been
able to migrate it yet to get access to all the pics.

That diagram is the one I got from Uncle Henry, and it is definitely not for the older manual gronicle systems. This one is
meant to be fully integrated into the ship's electrical system, with the caveat that items 30 and 41 require special attention.

Neglecting the oil follicles can lead to the unit running dry at which time it will probably seize and overheat - possibly causing
a fire. They use #10 light machine oil, and need to be checked at least weekly. The charging lights are notorious for coming on
only after it's too late.

Improper grounding can also lead to several problems, the most notable of which is spatial displacement. It is also important to
be sure that the grounds are not hooked backwards, causing a reverse in polarity.

And I agree with JB. The older manual ones were simply more reliable even if they were slow. The trouble is, you just can't get
them any more. If you could get a matched set made from lignum vitae or beech, you'd really have something!

--------------------
Knowing where you're going is not the same as knowing how to get there.
And knowing what needs to be done is not the same as knowing what needs to be done next.

From: Pittsburgh, PA USA | IP: Logged

Phil Young
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Member # 1000

posted 04-01-2003 10:39 PM

I saw a boat once with the manaul type, 4 of them, one at the bow, right below the breasthook, one at the stern, actually nestled
inside a grown crook between the keel and transom, and one each side, just aft of centre, facing forward and inward, about 30
degrees by my guess.

It was certainly a very unusual arrangement, but in practice was quite elegant, nicely balanced, and most effective. Required
almost no ongoing maintenance at all, although why has always been a mystery to me.

From: Adelaide, South Australia | IP: Logged

nedL
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Member # 1976

posted 04-02-2003 07:53 AM

They most certainly are of a critical nature. They are even discussed in four editions of "The Mariner's Catalog", complete with
a manufacturer's name & address in one issue if I remember correctly. (You do all have the six volume set of "The Mariner's
Catalog" don't you?)

From: Woodstock,CT.06281 | IP: Logged

Greg H
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Member # 108

posted 04-02-2003 08:56 AM

Alas no, It's something that will have to wait a bit.

I'm surprised Mike Field at Wooden Boat Fittings hasen't offered traditional gronicles on his web site yet.

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Greg

From: Great Falls, Va | IP: Logged

John B
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Member # 2113

posted 04-02-2003 03:29 PM

He could market the coconut type.

From: Auckland, New Zealand | IP: Logged

[Dave Fleming]

Funny thing, it wasn't until after I finished my apprenticeship, that I was exposed to my first West Coast style gronicles. On an old halibut schooner built in the early 1900's.

[JimConlin]

We in the East are appalled at the thought of actually buying gronicles from Republic of Wayout Mongolia or whatever uncivilized quarter. Heaven knows what the quality might be.
It's simply not necessary. We have them.

[ 01-15-2004, 12:51 AM: Message edited by: JimConlin ]

[bob goeckel]

look if you guys don't believe me i'm gonna haft to take a picture of my gronicle scars and post it here. and it's not gonna be a pretty picture. and it's gonna hurt to get the camera in the right location to shoot it. :eek:

[Howler]

<Member # 2113

posted 04-01-2003 04:54 PM

Those early Polynesian navigators had some gronicles you know. ... It’s simple. You need them, you should have them, why not just leave it at that.

From: Auckland, New Zealand | IP: Logged >
------------------------------------------

While there has been some discussion on gronicle placement, most of the installations have been below decks where they are subject to humidity encroachment and eventually leading to ultimate destruction by mold requiring agonizing replacement. The solution to this problem is simple. The deep penetration properties of CPES on grown gronicles should not be dismissed. In addition, experimental applications have shown improved stability in high wear areas. Beats the heck out of bundles of chaff.

The real meat of the discussion is whether gronicles are a structural necessity in modern applications. My wife suggests that gronicles are unnecessary and can be dispensed with altogether. She has kindly offered to remove them from my favorite craft even while I sleep. At the same time, my recently divorced neighbor said that she very much enjoys the look and feel of exposed gronicles on her deck.

[Cedarhill Boatworks]

I have a complete set of gronicle wrenches, standard and metric. It took me a whole afternoon to figure out that the port side gronicles are reverse threaded. I just kept tightening them until one finally sheared off. It was getting dark anyway so I had a beer and smoked a cigar.

[JimConlin]

The more authentic gronicles require Whitworth wrenches.
Again, if you need them, you have them or have a school chum who does.

[Dave Fleming]

Rumor has it that Snap-On Tools was first started to make both Metric and Whitworth Gronicle Wrenches at the request of Isambard Kingdom Brunel. There was no free manufacturing capacity in Great Britain at that time. The Mahdi was tying up manufacturing capacity with the revolt in the Sudan and all efforts were concentrated on making Lee-Enfield rifles for the British Army.

[ 04-04-2003, 01:35 AM: Message edited by: Dave Fleming ]

[Art Read]

I find it amusing that so many folk post these "tongue-in-cheek", ironic descriptions of gronicles. It's obvious they have no clue what they really are and so they're just trying to "fit in"... Lubbers!

[Garrett Lowell]

I admit it, Art, I have no idea what it is.

[Cedarhill Boatworks]

I inherited my gronicle wrenches from my uncle. I saw the snap-on ones, way too expensive for me.
You can joke all you want, they seem awafully real when one bounces off you knee when you're on your back under the boat, lying on the cold gravel.......

[R.I.Singer30]

So if I understand correctly a "gronicle" is to boat building what a "coniveral pin" is to mechanical work. ie. the bucket of steam or the left handed monkey wrench?Ah the learning curve.

[Art Read]

Garrett... I'll do you one better. I almost asked once! Right here on the forum... redface.gif

(Hey, if such things DO exist, I just hope you don't need 'em to keep the water out, 'cause my boat ain't gonna have 'em! ;) )

[Concordia..41]

Yup - got me too. I went through every one of Dave's survey manuals, a book on celestial navigation, dictionary of nautical terms, etc. Thank goodness I was a shy lurker in those days redface.gif

Just look what two years of hanging around this joint will do for 'ya :D Tuesday morning I found myself looking for the annual in-debth gronicle discussion.

Cheers guys!

[ 04-04-2003, 06:42 PM: Message edited by: Concordia..41 ]

[WWheeler]

Author Topic: Bonding gronicles
DougWilde
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Member # 1367

posted 04-01-2001 12:25 PM
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Its Spring fitting out time and I'm trying to correct a problem that developed over last season.
In order to correct a blistering problem last year I decided to bond my gronicles. I must say it was quite successful and I had no difficulties whatsoever.

However, I noticed problems with my electronics, specifically my GPS. My Garmin consistently reported my location 300 meters to port of my true position.

I asked Sparks about this at the yard and he asked whether I had the gronicles wired in series or parallel. I said series and he said that was the problem.

Will wiring them in parallel solve my problem? I'd like to know of anyone eles's experience with this before I crawl down into the bilges of Williwaw and pull new wire.

TIA

Doug Wilde

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From: Bowie, Maryland

Bob Cleek
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Member # 1211

posted 04-01-2001 02:31 PM
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Lining the inside of your sou'wester with tinfoil will solve the problem completely. The foil reflects the radio waves much like a radar reflector. By tilting your head just so while wearing the lined sou'wester, you can micro-tune your GPS to cure that reading error.
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From: San Francisco Bay

Bryan Mehus
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Member # 2205

posted 04-01-2001 08:14 PM
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Doug,
How many gronicles do you have?
If there are an even number, say 4, then wire one on the port side in series with one on starboard side, then parallel them with the other two. Should work. Otherwise follow Bob's advice, but be advised that in heavy weather you may have problems.
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From: Westbank,BC,Canada

Jamie Hascall
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Member # 335

posted 04-02-2001 02:01 AM
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Seeing that the GPS is working on a time calculation to give the location, I would have to assume that you're getting a gronicular resonance effect which is throwing off the readout. (Of course you may have stumbled onto the source of possible time travel) Wiring them in parallel may help, but may set up an alternate wave that would give you an even less predictable positioning. Have you considered giving the gronicle cluster a shielding of lead to try to alleviate the deviation?
Let us know what you find.
Jamie

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From: Seattle, WA USA

Scott Rosen
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Member # 1201

posted 04-02-2001 09:37 AM
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Did you remember to connect your bonding wires to your battery terminals?
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From: West Hartford, Connecticut, USA

ken mcclure
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Member # 2957

posted 04-02-2001 04:36 PM
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Doug,
Have you considered the option that you may, in fact, actually BE 300 meters to port of your true position? There are some relevant writings on the effects of gronicles on operator perception, some of which have to do with spatial displacement issues.

I also noted another interesting side effect when I dismounted a complete set of gronicles from an uncle's boat which was being decommissioned and broken up. As they had been maintained meticulously, including an annual cleaning of the little oil sumps, I hated to see them just thrown away. I decided to install them in my basement study/office as decorative items, but decided to wire them and make them functional as a conversation item. A couple weeks after the installation, a neighbor stopped in to chat and observed that my house seemed bigger on the inside than it looked to be from the outside. We took out the measuring tapes and found that within plus or minus 1/4 inch (it was a fast measurement) the inside horizontal dimensions exceeded the exterior by about 2 percent while vertical dimensions were the same.

If you decide to dismount yours, don't throw them away. I figured that I picked up about 75 square feet of space that really helps with storage.

By the way, which series do you have? I'd be willing to buy them if you're not going to keep them. My shop is getting small, and I don't really have enough land space around it to expand.

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From: Pittsburgh, PA USA

John B
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Member # 2113

posted 04-02-2001 04:55 PM
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Once when I was sailing on the Barquenbrig "Peter Pillock" there was some sort of problem with the gronicles. As soon as the gooses bridle was adjusted the problem was resolved and we just carried on as normal.
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From: Auckland, New Zealand

Ross Faneuf
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Member # 904

posted 04-02-2001 08:43 PM
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Do your gronicles have the old-fashioned wrought-iron displacement lubricators? If so, it's likely that bonding them is subjecting the iron to some stray current. Due to the peculiarities of the way Bodger Industries used to make these things, the circular grain structure and high impurities inclusions actually makes them into miniature electromagnets if a stray current runs through them. You should look for the replacement lubricators laid up with carbon fiber and mucilage. They don't take quite as clean a thread, but what the heck, there isn't that much load on the mounts.
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From: Lincolnville Center, ME, USA

DougWilde
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Member # 1367

posted 04-02-2001 11:08 PM
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In answer to the questions...
I have just the pair, port and starboard.

No, they are not connected to the battery terminals. Once burned...twice shy.

Unfortunately I was unable to afford the Acme casehardened gronicles, which would have alleviated all these problems. Mine are nondescript, having obtained them in Marseilles. But they are old, of quality manufacture, but unknown alloy. Not that junk coming out of the former Soviet bloc countries or Taiwan.

I think I'll forego the tin foil in the sou'wester. It gets pretty hot here in Arkansas and besides, Bubba in his bassboat wouldn't know what to do with it. (Or maybe he would..Soooyyyyyeeee, squeel like a pig).

Ross' suggestion with the displacement lubricator might be the problem. Mine are without (hey, they came from France). Is this an easy aftermarket modification or are there any tricks?

Doug

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From: Bowie, Maryland

Scott Rosen
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Member # 1201

posted 04-03-2001 09:23 AM
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Before you give up on the batteries, you should try reversing the polarity.
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From: West Hartford, Connecticut, USA

ken mcclure
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Member # 2957

posted 04-03-2001 09:25 AM
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Uncle says that there are aftermarket bolt-on lubricators, as that's how he got his. Must be the same manufacturer because he ordered his upgrades from France.
Unfortunately, he can't remember who he ordered them through but if he can come up with the name he'll forward it.

He did say, however, that it is imperative that the oil sumps (he called them follicles) be kept full with #10 machine oil and that they be cleaned annually. He did it usually right when daylight savings time started in the spring, and used to remember the task with a little mnemonic.....

Spring ahead, clean the gronicle follicles.
Fall back.

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From: Pittsburgh, PA USA

Ross Faneuf
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Member # 904

posted 04-03-2001 10:20 AM
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That's a great way to remember! For those of us who need bifocals, and occasionally use some means of increasing the light available (those bilges are dark), we have to dig out the gronicle follicle speculum spectacles.
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From: Lincolnville Center, ME, USA

nedL
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Member # 1976

posted 04-03-2001 12:29 PM
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If you find the supplier of those french made lubricators would you pass it on to me. It seems that while helping me do some engine work last summer a well intentioned friend accidentally stepped on my #2 port side gronicle and broke the lubricator off! Ever since then I've been real cautious about going out for the day if we are going need to spend too much time on a port tack.
By the way- do the french ones have left hand threads on the needle valves?
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From: Woodstock,CT.06281

Norm Harris
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Member # 2723

posted 04-03-2001 12:57 PM
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Y'know, I recently bought my first GPS and find that when I take a reading I am aobut 300 yards to STARBOARD of where I used to think I was.
Do any of you think that if I add a pair of gronicles connected the same way Doug's are it will correct my problem? It seems that that might work even if I don't add the lubricators.

Doug, if you think that this is a viable solution, maybe you could sketch a schematic of your installation.

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From: San Jose, CA, USA

ken mcclure
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Member # 2957

posted 04-03-2001 01:02 PM
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Ah. Good thing they're close by in the office here. The port side have right-hand threads, the starbord have left-hand.
Uncle says that he still can't remember the name of the company he ordered from, but as this was around 30 years ago he thinks they're out of business. Nobody uses gronicles anymore.

Try searching the web for any writing on the topic. I haven't had any luck so far, but I haven't done an exhaustive search. I do know that Uncle read something in an agricultural magazine 15 or 20 years ago about their application in livestock transportation and some of the lubricating problems that came up. He recommends that you search for "gronicle follicle articles" or check the local library.

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From: Pittsburgh, PA USA

Andrew
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Member # 64

posted 04-03-2001 01:05 PM
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It seems that I remember something about the civilian GPS applications adding a 200 meter error factor randomly to each sector, a sector being a ~200 meter square. Is that still in effect? Though if your deviation is always to port. this in not the cause of your problem.
[This message has been edited by Andrew (edited 04-03-2001).]

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From: The banks of Sleepy Creek

ken mcclure
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Member # 2957

posted 04-03-2001 02:16 PM
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Norm, here is an old diagram Uncle had. Not sure if it's the same as your model but it's a starting point.


Note that entry number 30 is the "oil follicle charging light" which is supposed to come on when the follicle, or sump as I call it, needs refilled. Uncle says that his light never worked, so he had to go and check them once per week by eye.

Note also that item # 41 shows "Earth connections via terminals and fixing bolts" indicating that you should ground not only to the battery, but to the fixing bolts. Be sure that you hook to both port and starboard fixing bolts, as a natural imbalance can occur.

You may have a polarity problem if you have shifted to apparent starboard.

[This message has been edited by kwmcclure (edited 04-03-2001).]

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From: Pittsburgh, PA USA

bob goeckel
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Member # 2428

posted 04-03-2001 04:21 PM
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as i've said before in another posting about gronicles: go see a gronicoligist (M.D.G.)(the exam isn't as bad as some say) he'll give you a prescription for some gonocream(www.stop that itch.com) and you can go on your way without that embarassing private need to scratch.........................................so rry i had to take care of a personal problem...them.
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From: flint,mich usa

Bryan Mehus
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Member # 2205

posted 04-03-2001 04:44 PM
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How come Gronicoligists(sp)always have such big knuckles?
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From: Westbank,BC,Canada

John B
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Member # 2113

posted 04-03-2001 08:52 PM
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I did a search on Gronicles and came up with this in some sort of yachting forum.
Quote
>I was looking at my husbands gronicles last night.Is there any way to
>refurbish them ......you know make them look and act like new?
>
>Stormy
>6800 feet
>and cold

Getting them to look like new takes only some polishing and perhaps
replating, but getting them to act like new may take an overhaul...
New rings should help the compression, if all else fails....
L

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From: Auckland, New Zealand

HAT
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Member # 2472

posted 04-04-2001 09:46 AM
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Doug-Back in my college days,we had an old professor who had done some consulting with the US Navy during WW 11 on aiming and guidance problems in the old Mk 3 torpedo(the steam powered model with the little,jewel-like triple expansion steam engine).Prof determined that the gronicles used in the torpedo were traditionally made by investment casting, but to expedite production,they switched to sintered powdered metal. Turns outthat in the sintered product, the resulting interstitial intersteces allowed an electron resonance phenomenon to occur which in turn influenced the torpedo's guidance system. The Navy switched back to investment cast gronicles,solving the problem. I believe, however,that sintered gronicles continued in commercial production for some time after the war.You may have some of these in your boat,which are affecting the GPS.
P.S. I saw one of the Mk 3 engines in a restored naptha launch in an antique boat show up on Lake George NY last summer.Wish I had bought one after the war when they were advertised in the back of Popular Mechanics for $12.95.
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From: Middleton,MA ,USA

ishmael
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Member # 1866

posted 04-04-2001 10:21 AM
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There really are a bunch of waggish cards posting here. LOL, over and over again.
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From: Bangor, ME

DougWilde
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Member # 1367

posted 04-04-2001 11:48 PM
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As far as polarity goes, remember the old mnemonic: Port - Positivity. If you don't you'll have a discoloration problem. That happend to me two years ago.
The starboard deviation is quite rare. Port is the norm (if such exists with gronicles). Sparks even referred to the problem with my GPS as GPS: gronicle port slue. Live and learn.

As far as visiting a gronicologist, that only is necessary if your gronicles develop blisters, the dreaded gronorrhea. I had that last year. Lets not go there.

I really appreciate kwmcclure posting the wiring diagram. I could not find mine. But to make up for that I post a photograph of my installation.



Pretty cool, don't you think.

Anyways, I've decided to go with the parallel wiring. Thanks ever so much for the knowledge so freely shared.

Doug

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From: Bowie, Maryland

bob goeckel
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Member # 2428

posted 04-05-2001 12:21 AM
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doug! gronorrhea! i hope you're wearing them rubber boots!
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From: flint,mich usa

kpenokie
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Member # 1640

posted 04-05-2001 12:44 PM
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John
Soooooo if she polishes his gronicles more frequently they won't "look and act like new?"

I don't know about these rings. Seems to me once a ring is involved the gronicles get polished less. LOL

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From: Escanaba, Michigan, Delta

John B
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Member # 2113

posted 04-05-2001 04:54 PM
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Hey, nothing to do with me...... it's the only thing that google could come up with.
I'm asking around though.
I'm just so pleased I can make it to my age and come across a word which #1 sounds like something out of C.S.Lewis and #2 I have never heard of before.
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From: Auckland, New Zealand

landlocked sailor
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Member # 586

posted 04-05-2001 06:55 PM
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Doug, can you fit down into the bilges of Williwaw or is this job for a professional? Rick
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From: Muncy, PA, USA

Ross Miller
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Member # 1226

posted 04-05-2001 10:00 PM
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But John B, surely you've read "The Gronicle Chronicles."
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From: quasi-historic tourist town

John B
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Member # 2113

posted 04-05-2001 10:06 PM
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No , I missed it...... went straight to "The Pillocks Papers" A story about a nerd who took small pills whilst standing upon a moderately raised earthen mound.
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From: Auckland, New Zealand

Tom Beecroft
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Member # 2489

posted 04-06-2001 07:23 PM
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Doug
I've had a similar gronicle problem, but not near as consistent. My first mate called it a wandering eye, GPS put me all over the place. The ring helped for a while, then it was back to wandering.

Finally had a professional gronicologist just clip the blue wires that lead from the gronicles to the bowsprit. And that was the end of that!

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From: Sydney, NSW Australia

bob goeckel
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Member # 2428

posted 04-06-2001 11:57 PM
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i bet the forumites over at misc. could use a gronocologist bad. should we send ours?
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From: flint,mich usa

thechemist
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Member # 1468

posted 04-07-2001 11:49 AM
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Dunno why......they already sent you all of theirs.
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Junkman
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Member # 2896

posted 04-07-2001 01:32 PM
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A really long time ago when I was a shipwright on a very large barge project, the question of Gronicle installation came up. I said to the boss, "Noah, where do you want them gronicles installed"? Noah replied, "Ask the Unicorns". Well we all know they never showed up for launch, so we had to sail with them loose in the bilge.
Worked for us -
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From: Grand Bay, New Brunswick, Canada

Ross Miller
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Member # 1226

posted 04-07-2001 02:03 PM
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It’s great how we add to each other’s knowledge here. I will make it a point to read “The Pillocks Papers,” since it seems, from your description, to bear an uncanny resemblance to my life story.
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From: quasi-historic tourist town

Mike Field
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Member # 2239

posted 04-07-2001 11:48 PM
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Gentlemen, I've been reading this thread with a great deal of interest.
What I find particularly galling, though, as a student of words (and a former member of the Spelling Police -- yes, I'm allowed to say that, now that I've retired) is that everyone so far has misspelt the key word.

Gentlemen, please be informed that the correct spelling is "gronnekylle," and this is indeed is the way it was spelt in the stone tablets left to us by Messrs Noah & Associates, Boatbuilders.

I and I am sure my former colleagues would be most gratified if you could use this correct spelling in any future postings.

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From: Western Port, Victoria, Australia

Mike Field
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Member # 2239

posted 04-07-2001 11:53 PM
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While on the subject of Noah & Associates, I imagine many readers will be aware that Noah was in fact the only boatbuilder in the history of the world to complete his vessel on time.
The reason for this almost-miraculous event was surprisingly simple, really -- he knew that he would be drowned if he didn't.

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From: Western Port, Victoria, Australia

John B
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Member # 2113

posted 04-08-2001 04:51 PM
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The job always expands to fill the time available.
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From: Auckland, New Zealand

Norm Harris
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Member # 2723

posted 04-10-2001 04:05 PM
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Tom,
Several years ago I faced a similar problem and worked out the same solution. However, I discovered that there is a sub-species of gronicle-polishers who are attracted to gronicles that carry no charge. Needless to say that this unintended consequence did not align my gronicles to the proper GPS location. As I mentioned earlier, I still tend to drift to starb'rd.
Mike,
I think that you are wrong about the spelling. It looks as though the spelling you pefer is actually the result of an mis-translation of the original Aramian into Greek. This translation was then retranslated into English. I believe that the correct tranlation path brings is to "gronnicle"

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From: San Jose, CA, USA

bob goeckel
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Member # 2428

posted 04-10-2001 07:05 PM
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wow, i just looked at myself in the mirror sans clothes, i was shocked(no not because of my 53yr old condition) but because my gronicles have just about disappeared. The savings on that cream will help pay the gronicologist bill(insurance won't cover gronicles). SWMBO has gotten over ROTFLHAO and actually seems a bit pleased. she is still chuckling a bit at something but i think i can stop that.
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From: flint,mich usa

Mike Field
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Member # 2239

posted 04-11-2001 01:23 AM
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Norm, it could be you're right about the spelling, because I find that the gronnekylle etymology is actually about 9th Century English.
Under the circumstances, though, I think I must stick with my stipulation that it should be used in preference to the common, non-English, "gronicle" spelling.

Or is it your contention that gronnekylle, being a pommy word, should really be americanised to gronicle in view of the fact that this is in fact an American website??

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From: Western Port, Victoria, Australia

Phil Wardle
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Member # 3182

posted 04-11-2001 01:44 AM
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Due to an over indulgence in farnarcling my GPS reports my position as being 300 metres BELOW where I think I am....or is that I think therefore I am or not?
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From: Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

Mike Field
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Member # 2239

posted 04-11-2001 05:01 AM
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Simple, Phil. It's because we're Aussies. ALL GPS's report us as being down-under.
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From: Western Port, Victoria, Australia

Phil Wardle
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Member # 3182

posted 04-11-2001 05:54 AM
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I'll pay that one!
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From: Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

Ed Harrow
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Member # 1235

posted 04-11-2001 09:44 PM
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Back before, and during WWII my father worked for the US Coast and Geodetic Survey (AKA Cost and Idiotic if I remember correctly). Before the war started he worked on what he called the Gravity Party, as near as I can figure they were attempting to locate the earth's center of gravity. Anyway, I know that they made extensive use of gronicles for this work. Interestingly, these were produced by the lost wax method, and made of aluminium, the early units, brass the later models, and stainless the last. All, however, featured drip lubricators as used on old Fairbanks Morse make and break engines. These lubricators were fitted as they were readily available, at the time, just about anywhere in NA. Also, they never used 10 Wt machine oil, they had a proprietery mystery oil in the drip lubricators.
The only difficulty that they ever had with their gronicles involved, the same as Doug, error in positions. Obviously, if attempting to locate the earth's center of gravity by triangulation, one would have to know one's location on the earth quite precisely. The most interesting of these occurred near Duluth. Their typical technique was to have three individuals take celestial sights, using open containers of Hg in place of the horizon.

The gronicles they were using at that time, which were manufactured by Telechron Clock, required 110 volt, 60 Hz AC power to operate properly, but, being a party of males, no one had bothered to read the operating manual. However the gronicle's label did note the 60 Hz power requirement. They were approx 50 miles from the nearest source of AC power so Dad, having an electrical bent and an EE degree, decided that, by connecting the gronicles to their trucks' ignition systems they could provide power of suitable frequency, as long as the engines were kept at precisely 1750 rpms. Of course the trucks did not have tachs, so this was going to be a trick.

They worked out the gear ratios and discoverd that if the trucks were in second gear, and driven at 25 mph, the engine's speed would be 1750 rpm. Naturally, taking celestial sights off reflecting pools of Hg while driving 25 mph was not a recipe for success. So, the back of the trucks were jacked up so the wheels were off the ground, the engines were started, the trucks were shifted to third gear, contraptions were rigged up to keep the throttles such that the speedos read 25 mph, so they were set to take their sights.

The three took their sights and, when they worked them out, each found themselves in another's location, displaced clockwise. They repeated the excercise with the same result, each was displaced clockwise to the next party's location. They spend several days in conference via SW radio to headquarters trying to come up with an explanation. Finally someone realized that they had the trucks in the wrong gear and the power was being supplied at 40 Hz not 60.

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From: Woodville, MA USA

[R.I.Singer30]

Youre bustin our gronicles.

[Hughman]

I know it's a small detail, but....

Ed Harrow
Member # 1235

posted 04-11-2001 09:44 PM
<snip> Also, they never used 10 Wt machine oil, they had a proprietery mystery oil in the drip lubricators.

...The "mystery oil" used is/was sperm whale oil.
As I'm sure you know, this is the only oil suitable for plunger injectors used on the pre-WWII saddle mounted applications. Synthetics are used today.

[davef]

Question: Do Canadian Gronicles utilize a square drive?

[capt jake]

I think they take a torx drive. smile.gif

[Ian G Wright]

Classic Marine and Daveys of London still have them in their latest catalogues, all sizes in bronze or galvanized to special order, but, as you will know the name has changed.

IanW,

[Bayboat]

Forumites interested in acquiring the latest versions of gronicles will be glad to learn that at great expense and effort by The Management, we have acquired a copy of the catalog issued by Karakorum Distributors of Ugricstan, Wayout Mongolia. It includes gronicles, appropriate tools, adjusting mechanisms, and instructions for installation. Since the information in the catalog is copywrited under Wayout Mongolian regulations (the penalty for infringement is impalement) , we cannot share its contents. Unfortunately, the tools and attachments are in Wayout Mongolian measurements, which however can be converted to metric equivalents by applying to the Turkish Embassy in Karakorum for the appropriate tables. By international convention the Turks have been charged with this responsibility. There are also electrical specifications. Copies may be
obtained from the Turkish Embassy upon their receipt of the postpaid price, WM$600,000. At current exchange rates this is US$0.78.

We have attempted to test these arrangements by ordering one gronicle (electronic type) and a meter and tool for adjusting the electronic potential. We are in corresondence with the postal station at the Kyzyl Kum caravansarai, and they inform that the caravan bearing our order is now passing through western Sinkiang and should arrive in about three weeks. The merchandise will be forwarded immediately to Samarkand and then Trebizond, again by camel caravan. From there it will be delayed somwhat because the former route through Baghdad has been disrupted. But after much negotiation, Istanbul has taken on the responsibility of forwarding, and from there it will enter the European postal system.

So bear with us, it won't be long until we can inform you further about the latest high test high tech gronicles and their appurtenances.

[Bayboat]

BULLETIN: The Management regrets to inform you that the gronicles being conveyed from the Republic of Wayout Mongolia for marketing in the West will not be available. They have been interdicted at the Kyzyl Kum cavaransari upon reciept of an urgent message from Karakorum Distributors. The caravan, bearing the gronicles, has been turned around and is making its way back through western Sinkiang to its home base.

The reasons given for this reversal are:
1) the association by potential customers of gronicles with certain human body parts;
2)the reports of untoward interferences with GPS systems, which they fear will instigate lawsuits;
3)the confusion of "gronnekylle" with the legitimate and more ancient pre-fluvial term used by Karakorum Distributors;
4)references to Wayout Mongolia as an "uncivilized quarter" incapable of designing and manufacturing intricate mechanisms. This alone would have caused their withdrawal from the Western market. They are a proud people.

Despite this unfortunate reversal, The Management is diligently seeking other sources of high-quality gronicles. There seems to be some promise from our contacts with a manufacturer of high-tech mechanisms situated in the region of El Pantanal, Paraguay. As soon as we determine the translation of "gronicle" from English to Guarani
we will attempt to enter negotiations.
We will keep you informed of developments.

[ 04-10-2003, 04:35 PM: Message edited by: Bayboat ]

[Dave Fleming]

Spent several hours last weekend pouring over the inventory of our local San Diego second hand marine hardware stores looking for gronicles and a bronze stern light for DonnW..
Alas no luck on either item. I thought the 'snow birds' who are starting to trickle back through here after a winter in Mexican waters would be changing rigging and trading in smaller gronicles for larger ones for the stronger winds of the PacNoWest. I reckon they are now realizing the value of both sizes and are just rerigging and keeping the smaller for next year.
Wonder if the Iraq conflict has any bearing on their decisions??

[JimConlin]

Funny. I'd have thought that the annual change in magnetic variation (It's 1' /yr. in these promiscuous parts) would prompt a stready supply of gronicles in the secondary market. You can't be too careful about these things and should swing the gronicles during each blue moon.

[Bayboat]

"Wonder if the Iraq conflict has any bearing on their decisions [by snowbirds to retain their winter gronicles]".
___________________________________________

You bet it does. As reported previously, the caravan route utilized by Karakorum Distributors, one of the few remaining purveyors of modern, high-tech gronicles, passed through Baghdad. For obvious reasons, the Baghdad caravansarai is no longer operating. Istanbul is now the western terminus of the route, where merchandise is transferred to the European postal system. However, as previously reported, gronicle shipments from Karakorum Distributors have been terminated. The snowbirds returning from Mexico are thus well advised to hang onto their winter gronicles for further use.

[Dave Fleming]

Bay I guess that means a tight market for second hand Gronicles in the immediate future. Know of any Gronicle rebuilders?

[Cedarhill Boatworks]

Dave,

How would you go about rebuilding a gronicle? I've never successfully taken one apart without breaking them. And that little tiny spring always comes all undone.......

[Greg H]

I found a couple of photos of some early results in on going experiments to recreate natural grown gronicles.

The first are Live Oak
http://txforestservice.tamu.edu/forestry_education/insects_and_diseases/insects/oak_gall/images/goutyoakliveoakcrop.jpg

These are from some Valley Oaks, in Ca
http://grounds.stanford.edu/topics/images_pests/oakgall.jpg

Pin Oak Gronicles
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/pp/notes/Ornamental/odin19/pineoakgall1.jpg

Looks promising, but sea trials are a year away due to funding cuts. :rolleyes:

[Dave Fleming]

I have not yet disassembled a gronicle and that is why I posed the question. The inner workings are a mystery to me. I just lube with the organic grease and oil, wipe off the Monel zerk fittings and put it back in use.
Question; does anybody know what exactely is in that organic oil and grease that replaced Sperm Oil and Sea Lion Grease? I recall there was some period before the correct formulas were found that the failure rate of gronicles was something terrible due to lube problems.

[ken mcclure]

It's a Spanish product, I think, Dave. Actually made partly from the bile of fighting bulls. They process this in conjunction with fat from the shoulders. According to the originator, it can only be done successfully immediately after a bull fight when the bile is freshest.

It's called, I believe, Oil of Ole'

[Bayboat]

Dave F.: I've read that "jojoba" oil, from a plant that grows in the southwestern U.S., is a satisfactory substitute for sperm oil. I don't know if it would work on gronicles, nor do I know what's in it. Maybe it's worth a try.

[Hughman]

Dave
Disassembling gronicles is fraught, I say, absolutely fraught, with issues. Especially if the gronicles are yours.
Before you go to that extreme, try this: Find a cardboard tube of the appropriate size, say an oatmeal box, (and it ought to be organic oatmeal, as the pesticide residue can mimic estrogen compounds that wreak havoc with performance) and wind bell wire around it in a clockwise direction (if you're in the Northern Hemisphere). this will form a de-gaussing chamber. place the starboard gronicle in left end (the clockwise end) and the port gronicle in the other end. wire the ends to a 6V dry cell, and leave overnight, preferably a new moon. in the morning, wipe with hot (95-115F)sperm whale oil until glossy. They should perform within tolerance.
Good luck.

[Hughman]

So. Did it work?

[Dave Fleming]

I have my gronicles are in deep storage. A Cedar of Lebanon chest with Owl Feather cushioning.
And Chinese Champor Blocks to prevent corrosion.
So I am in no position to disassemble any of them.
I will however pass on the information to the folks at Pacific Marine Supply. They deal with lots of cruisers going to and from South of the Border.

[ 04-15-2003, 11:33 PM: Message edited by: Dave Fleming ]

[Bayboat]

Dave F.: A note of caution. The increasing development of theory about treatment and storage of gronicles suggests that their half-life may be less than formerly estimated. The Management suggests that you unpack your gronicles at monthly intervals to air them out. Better yet, you might consider putting them into operation for a few minutes to avoid atrophy.

[Dave Fleming]

Bay, I will do the airing out part ASAP but putting them into use is not feasable at this time. Any alternate ideas on prolonging the life of my gronicles?

[Bayboat]

An alternative for long-haul storage of your gronicles is cyrogenic treatment. If you go this route, dispense with the sperm oil. Hughman's degaussing treatment may be necessary to render
them operative again, but it must be applied gently and lovingly.

[Hughman]

Originally posted by Dave Fleming:
Bay, I will do the airing out part ASAP but putting them into use is not feasable at this time. Any alternate ideas on prolonging the life of my gronicles?The Mk 1 gronicle will last indefinitely if kept properly calibrated. This should be done in an environment of zero deviation, and compensated by proximity wavelength accelerators using octahedral zirconiums. These can be found at Wal-Mart.

Owl feathers. sheesh.

[Bayboat]

Hughman: What about variation? Does one have to travel to the isogonic line to accomplish the compensation? Wal-Mart reports a substantial run on octahedral zirconiums, and back-orders are now dated Dec. 10, 2004.

[Hughman]

Well, there have been some high quality gronicles produced in areas of zero variation, but subsequent observations with gonimetric electrophilic resonance detection protocols have suggested that variation is beneficial.

Wal-Mart? back orders? you're kidding.

[JimD]

I'm posting this on behalf of a friend. 'Harry' has a serious problem with chaffing gronicles. He's heard that having his gronicles hot dipped galvanized will solve the problem but is afraid the zinc coating will leave his gronicles less noble. Does anyone have any advice for Harry? PS - he's already had them acid etched with a hydrochloric solution if that matters.

[JimD]

Another thing I forgot to mention: At first Harry thought the problem might be that his gronicles weren't perfectly round, so he tried squeezing them in a vice to see if that would help but the chaffing has persisted. :confused:

[Hughman]

Originally posted by JimD:
I'm posting this on behalf of a friend. 'Harry' has a serious problem with chaffing gronicles. He's heard that having his gronicles hot dipped galvanized will solve the problem but is afraid the zinc coating will leave his gronicles less noble. Does anyone have any advice for Harry? PS - he's already had them acid etched with a hydrochloric solution if that matters.I would think ignoble gronicles would constitute a vice in and of itself. As for chaffing, try owl feathers. :rolleyes:

[Bayboat]

On browsing through this informative thread I re-read Mr. Cleek's suggestion to line the inside of your sou'wester with tinfoil to correct undue influence of gronicles on location as determined by GPS. I henceforth lined the inside of my Hinckley Sou'wester 34 with tinfoil and turned on my GPS. The instrument recorded our position as 300 feet ABOVE our assumed position. This of course removed the factor of wetted surface, and I now have the fastest Hinckley Sou'wester 34 in captivity. The race committee has taken this under advisement.

[Dave Fleming]

I was up in the Bay Area last week and noticed that the gronicles used in Sausalito are not Hot Dipped Galv nor Silicon Bronze but Monel!
Must be some of that dot com money was spent on them prior to the collapse. Very snazzy looking and almost noiseless in operation.

[Scott Rosen]

There's a US Government Classified Report about an experiment conducted on one of the recent Space Shuttle missions, in which titanium gronicles, engineered to the finest tolerances, were used in a zero-gravity environment, and the results compared with normal silicon bronze gronicles used at sea level.

Although the results are not public, and probably never will be, I hear that the US Navy has commissioned Hamilton Standard to manufacture titanium gronicles for use on selected nuclear subs and carriers. They are supposed to increase the efficiency of the reactors and reduce the waste over 95%.

[Hughman]

The Japanese have been using super conducting ceramics, incorporating a proximity deflocculant, by laminating tape-cast superconducting and insulating films, rolling them into a coil, and firing the entire assembly in an atmosphere-controlled furnace. However, this latest technology, like most recent "advances" has only resulted in virtual paralax dislocation, whereas the traditional gronical installation corrected by ferric mass, the so-called "captains balls" results in actual sidereal dislocation.

In other words, go with the "old ahrn", ya folla?

Hope this helps.

[ 04-27-2003, 11:07 PM: Message edited by: Hughman ]

[R.I.Singer30]

I hear North Korea has been working on nuclear powered gronicles,of course it's classified.Atomic Gronic.

[Hughman]

Originally posted by Hughman:
The Japanese have been using super conducting ceramics, incorporating a proximity deflocculant, by laminating tape-cast superconducting and insulating films, rolling them into a coil, and firing the entire assembly in an atmosphere-controlled furnace. However, this latest technology, like most recent "advances" has only resulted in virtual paralax dislocation, whereas the traditional gronical installation corrected by ferric mass, the so-called "captains balls" results in actual sidereal dislocation.

In other words, go with the "old ahrn", ya folla?

Hope this helps.I forgot to mention-occilation anodes, the ones made into a doughnut shape (They're rotomoulded these days, but formerly hand dipped)should be installed AND REPLACED! at regular intervals.

[R.I.Singer30]

I had an old gal who was a specialist in the hand dipped method. I don't think a machine could ever do the job as efficiently as she. :eek:

[JimD]

my friend's gronicles were destroyed in a fire. Apparently they were made out of wood.

[Bayboat]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Bayboat:
[QB]It was suggested in a recent post that we try to track the term "gronicle" to its lair. It's one of those words that's used when no other will do. Like speaking of things that are difficult to label, but must be mentioned. It's a generic term, referring to an object that either joins, adjusts, connects, modifies, alters, justifies, rectifies, or otherwise affects at least two other parts or things. Usually but not exclusively on a boat or nautically relevant machinery or fittings.

As this thread has developed, "gronicle" has been defined and described more and more loosely. Various electronic characteristics have been attributed erroneously, as well as various means of adjusting, repairing, replacing, altering, calibrating, and storing them. There have also been scurrilous inuendos suggesting affinity with human body parts. Few of these are relevant to True Gronicles, which has clouded issues of availability and use. As a result, The Management has requested that Karakorum Distributors send a sample of a True Gronicle.
KD has responded that because of the world-wide confusion about characteristics and use of gronicles, they will require an outrageously high premium price in advance. The Management considers this an insufferable requirement, given that gronicles have been all but replaced by googe in almost all applications. We thus will for the time being leave the matter in limbo. We have not yet heard from the potential manufacturers in El Pantanal, Paraguay. We'll keep you posted.

[Greg H]

From the Odyssey, Book 17:

Then Minerva said, "Father, son of Saturn, King of kings, it
served Aegisthus right, and so it would any one else who does as he
did; but Aegisthus is neither here nor there; it is for Ulysses that
my heart bleeds, when I think of his sufferings in that lonely
sea-girt island, far away, poor man, from all his friends. It is an
island covered with forest, in the very middle of the sea, and a
goddess lives there, daughter of the magician Atlas, who looks after
the bottom of the ocean, and carries the great columns that keep
heaven and earth asunder. This daughter of Atlas has got hold of the gronicles of
poor Ulysses, and keeps trying by every kind of blandishment
to make him forget his home, so that he is tired of life, and thinks
of nothing but how he may once more see the smoke of his own chimneys......

[Hughman]

Originally posted by Bayboat:
Karakorum Distributors send a sample of a True Gronicle.Wait a minute- Aren't these people the same outfit that distributes the China Diesels??
tongue.gif

[Bayboat]

Hughman: Ayup, one and the same. Since the Silk Road route for export by Karakorum Distributors has been disrupted, we are negotiating with them to export gronicles and other merchandise by the same route that China Diesels reach the Western World. That is by way of the Sanmen Gorge and various ports in Shang Dung province. In the latest communication from Karakorum Distributors they announce that left-hand thread silicon bronze wood screws are once more available. That's great news, considering how boring it is to always install screws by turning clockwise.
The new screws have the revolutionary torque-camout drive, with drivers also available exclusively from Karakorum Distributors.

[Wild Dingo]

shows yer just how dumb I can be at times eh? :( And here I thought gronicles referred to testicles or the lack thereof... sheesh sometimes Shane yer worry even yerself! :rolleyes:

[Kermit]

Whoa! I just last week retrofitted my original equipment gunmetal gronnicles with the carbon fibre o-rings recommended by Eddie Bauer, and the pressures have returned to factory specs, and haven't had to drain the follicles so much as once. I'm having a little trouble keeping operating temperatures down to normal, so have had to give up polishing. I'm beginning to appreciate the verdigris patina they are acquiring. Should I be concerned?

[Greg H]

I realy don't understand the facination with hi-tech wonder gronicles. Maybe if you're driving a 60kt "Super Scrofulous" gofast boat, you could justify, vacu-formed, zero G crystalized, bucky balls with carbon fiber nanotubes atomicly fitted into a hydrodynamicaly dragless beryllium shell, but on a wooden boat? I just can't get my mind around it. :rolleyes:

[ 05-02-2003, 08:47 PM: Message edited by: Greg H ]

[Dave Fleming]

I agree Greg, traditional gronicles either Lignum or Live Oak are fine for me.
Though I do appreciate the monel zerk fittings on the newer ones that can be retrofitted to my traditional 'Gs'.

[Hughman]

Originally posted by Greg H:
I realy don't understand the facination with hi-tech wonder gronicles. Maybe if you're driving a 60kt "Super Scrofulous" gofast boat, you could justify, vacu-formed, zero G crystalized, bucky balls with carbon fiber nanotubes atomicly fitted into a hydrodynamicaly dragless beryllium shell, but on a wooden boat? I just can't get my mind around it. :rolleyes: It's just a techno fad, Greg. Anyone going that fast and making all that noise can't benefit from the gronicle effect anyway.

[J. Dillon]

You guys are all crazy. ;)

JD

[Dave Fleming]

You guys are all crazyDefine Crazy?


<insert big sneaky winky grin here>

[Bayboat]

Crazy, is it? He who disparages the importance of gronicles is destined to drift in a flat calm and rolling swells forever. May a camel pee on your moustache.

Hey, Dave F.: Just a note of caution. You may want to think about bonding your zerk fittings, since monel and lignum vitae are fairly close in the Noble Sequence.

[ 05-03-2003, 03:56 PM: Message edited by: Bayboat ]

[Kermit]

Okay, Bay, I tried the camel pee, and my gronicle folicles puked. I did have to substitute dromedary for the higher quality bactrian--shouldn't have been a problem, should it? I'm returning to lignum vitae and sperm oil, serviced on the hard annually.

Here's hemp in your hookah. Cheers.

[Dave Fleming]

Kermit, I thought a hookah was one of those gals that used to hang around Market St. in Philadelphia when I was in undergrad school there?


<insert graemlin of choice here>

[JimD]

Originally posted by Kermit:
Okay, Bay, I tried the camel pee, and my gronicle folicles puked. I did have to substitute dromedary for the higher quality bactrian--shouldn't have been a problem, should it? I'm returning to lignum vitae and sperm oil, serviced on the hard annually.

Here's hemp in your hookah. Cheers.Kermit, you used dromedary????!!!!! You might as well have used pony or panther! Bactrian, man. Only bactrian! The difference between one hump or two is far more than just a single hump. Now you'll have to take acetone to them and start all over. SHEESH!

[Hughman]

Originally posted by Dave Fleming:
Kermit, I thought a hookah was one of those gals that used to hang around Market St. in Philadelphia when I was in undergrad school there?


<insert graemlin of choice here>Dave, Did you try to smoke one of em'?

[Dave Fleming]

Dave, Did you try to smoke one of em'?ROFLOL!!!!!

Nope. Lips that touch tobacco will never touch mine.

[Bayboat]

Originally posted by Dave Fleming:
Lips that touch tobacco will never touch mine.[/QB]Boy, yer sure missin' a lotta fun.

[Hughman]

Originally posted by JimD:
The difference between one hump or two is far more than just a single hump. Well, JimD, there are humps, and then there are Humps. I have been the beneficiary of the one hump treatment, and I have tried the two hump technique, and there is much to be recommended in a good quality hump. Poor quality humps, of any quantity, I agree, are not to be recommended.

[Bayboat]

I knew there would be trouble if camels were brought into the conversation. If you think humping is fun, think about the poor camel:

"The love life of the Egyptian camel
Is not as good as one thinks.
For it seems that he spends most of his time
Trying to make love to the Sphinx.
Now, the posterior end of the Sphinx
(As you know),
Is covered by the sands of the Nile,
Which undoubtedly accounts for the camel's
hump
And the Sphinx's inscrutable smile."

Don't ask about the Bactrian (2-hump) kind. It's not fit for tender ears.

And pity the poor llama. It has no hump at all, but is still stuck with the camel's supercilious smirk.

[ 05-06-2003, 11:51 PM: Message edited by: Bayboat ]

[Greg H]

"The word "camel" is Egyptian. It is spelled thus: k-a-ma-a-a-a-l. The a was evidently very broad, for it
is repeated four times, the whole ending with the generic determinative of a hide, as in the word hetra,
or "horse." http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/edwards/pharaohs/255-1.gif

The original word that represents the phonetic sound "K" is lost to history. Could it represent gronicles?. We may never know. It seems likly that early boat people would, over time, develope navigation aids, and the pyramids show the technical sophistication of the times.
The Mediteranian area and it's seafaring people may be the mother of gronicles, as well as civilization. But the truth may lay in the ashes of the ancient library of Alexandia.

[ 05-07-2003, 09:05 AM: Message edited by: Greg H ]

[J. Dillon]

I wonder if there is a Gronicle support group ? :confused:
JD

[JimD]

Originally posted by Hughman:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by JimD:
The difference between one hump or two is far more than just a single hump. Well, JimD, there are humps, and then there are Humps. I have been the beneficiary of the one hump treatment, and I have tried the two hump technique, and there is much to be recommended in a good quality hump. Poor quality humps, of any quantity, I agree, are not to be recommended.</font>[/QUOTE]Then there are those of the opinion that even a bad hump is still pretty good

[Hughman]

Originally posted by JimD:
Then there are those of the opinion that even a bad hump is still pretty good
Well, sure, it's the quality vs. quantity, argument. Gronicles will respond to most any hump, but as you pointed out,

Bactrian, man. Only bactrian!

However, gronicles really respond to two quality humps at the same time!

I was taught this in my "yut" bye Nordic Twins (May they ever be Capitalized)

[Hughman]

Originally posted by Greg H:
[QB The Mediteranian area and it's seafaring people may be the mother of gronicles, as well as civilization. But the truth may lay in the ashes of the ancient library of Alexandia.[/QB]Greg H, The use of gronicles as a navigation aid, as opposed to a sacremental aid is probably lost in time, although the Polynesian peoples used swinging gronicles quite sucessfully for orientation during long voyages, and quite recently, I am told.

[JimD]

Originally posted by Hughman:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Greg H:
[QB The Mediteranian area and it's seafaring people may be the mother of gronicles, as well as civilization. But the truth may lay in the ashes of the ancient library of Alexandia.Greg H, The use of gronicles as a navigation aid, as opposed to a sacremental aid is probably lost in time, although the Polynesian peoples used swinging gronicles quite sucessfully for orientation during long voyages, and quite recently, I am told.[/QB]</font>[/QUOTE]Yes, I recall reading that in Thor Hyerdal's book 'The Gronicle Chronicles'

[Kermit]

Ah, yes--llamas. Brings to mind Ogden Nash.

The one-l lama,
He's a priest,
The two-l llama,
He's a beast,
And I will bet
My silk pajama
There isn't any
Three-l lllama.

Or words to that effect.

And after an exhaustive googling, I have failed to locate a gronicle support group. One company did suggest investigating athletic supporters, but I fail to see what sports fans know about gronicles.

This may prove interesting though, there is a Gronicle Polishers Society, better known as GPS. It's a subgroup of the PSEBS.

[ 05-09-2003, 10:56 AM: Message edited by: Kermit ]

[ken mcclure]

Originally posted by Dave Fleming:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />You guys are all crazyDefine Crazy?


&lt;insert big sneaky winky grin here&gt;</font>[/QUOTE]Crazy is repeating an action and expecting a different result. I'm on my third wife.

[JimD]

Originally posted by ken mcclure:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Dave Fleming:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />You guys are all crazyDefine Crazy?


&lt;insert big sneaky winky grin here&gt;</font>[/QUOTE]Crazy is repeating an action and expecting a different result. I'm on my third wife.</font>[/QUOTE]:D :D :D

And speaking of crazy, this may sound strange but our boat was previously owned by a pro baseball player and the gronicles are badly scratched.

[Dave Fleming]

Crazy is repeating an action and expecting a different result. I'm on my third wife.All sorts of wise arse remarks floated through my soggy brain but, I will refrain and let your words speak for themselves.
Hoping the third time IS the Charm.
Best
dave

[Bayboat]

The Management has just received a communication from Karakorum Distributors, the last known purveyor of True Gronicles. The gist of their communication is that they will no longer send gronicles to addresses in the Western World. It seems that their Executive Council has been following this thread, and has decided that many users of and commentators on gronicles are not worthy to receive their product. Their most serious deliberation concerned the several instances of relating gronicles to human body parts, and various treatments recommended for their maintenance, good appearance and utilization. Apparently this is anathema to Wayout Mongolian ethical persuasions, to say nothing of various objectionable religious overtones. Particularly offensive, it seems, was the suggestion that gronicles should be contained in jock straps. Since there does not seem to be any feasible route of appeal, we suggest that you all hold onto the gronicles you have until the climate in Wayout Mongolia improves. In the meantime, we hope to hear from the potential manufacturer in El Pantanal, Paraguay, who may fill in this serious gap in gronicle production occasioned by Karakorum Distributor's attitude.
We'll keep you posted.

[ken mcclure]

Hmmm. I say we make a phone call to Iraq and add Karakorum Distributors to the target list. A single hit should bring them right into line.

[Eric Sea Frog]

Aren't these just grillocks ?

[Hughman]

Originally posted by Eric Sea Frog:
Aren't these just grillocks ?You're thinking of gilhickeys. gronicles are different.

[Eric Sea Frog]

Just the English version. That harbour-harbor thing.

[Hughman]

Divided by a common language. Can't imagine what it would be in 'strine! :eek: :eek:

[Greg H]

Gillies and Gronys, most likely. Objects get shortened, it's the adjectives that go on and on...
;)

[Wild Wassa]

Originally posted by Kermit:
Whoa! I just last week retrofitted my original equipment gunmetal gronnicles with the carbon fibre o-rings recommended by Eddie Bauer, and the pressures have returned to factory specs,...
&lt;snip&gt;

Kermit, you could have blown me over with a sparrows fart, ... how have I missed your valuable posting.

If you want to keep the pressure up, so you don't eventually need to install the Carbo-titanium bits, as race proven by the America's Cup Crews, could I suggest Team McLubes dry lube. In the Harken 2003 catalogue, it's on page 38.

I hope this helps, it helped me, I still haven't even painted mine after the first good dry lube.

[Wild Wassa]

Originally posted by Hughman:
"Divided by a common language. Can't imagine what it would be in 'strine! :eek: :eek: "

My dear wife asked me that very same question, "what are those," she said, she is English. I think I understand the cultural difference, :rolleyes: .

I told her, that you don't ask questions of a man's Gronicles. But since this is Special International Men's Business I can tell you, Hugh. Over here the most exposed, are called 'Cods', fancy ones are called 'Brass'. Brass always looks good attached to a good woodie.

What do you call a good woodie in North America ?, ... one that's under 15ft. Bigger than 15ft they are called something else I think, and tend to be difficult to manage, with inexperienced hands.

Warren.

ps,Do you polish your Gronicles and to give your cluster a lustre? ... try NEW Naca Lacquer.

[ 05-16-2003, 04:07 AM: Message edited by: Wild Wassa ]

[John B]

Well ,I'm glad the subject of Polynesia came back up because I'm beginning to think you guys aren't taking the south pacific gronicles seriously. All this sophisticated engineering to solve such a simple problem.

The nut ones are best.
Coconut is a much under rated timber.

[Wild Wassa]

John B, I like timber ones too. Coconut has nice colours. Silvery blacks. Is the Hairy Sheoak used for Gronicles.

[John B]

I believe it is Wassa. Although I understand there are some issues if you get epoxy anywhere near them. The tannin in the Sheoak reacts with it. Still, I beleive some have had excellent results with that material when it has been seasoned for several years and attached the old fashioned way. Leather lanyards and Mathew Walker knots.

[Wild Wassa]

John, The Coconut that I used was hard. I've only had a couple of bits. The timber was waxy. The router thought the timber was hard.

I didn't coat the boat today, it actually rained. It has been nearly 2 years since the last rainy day, ... so it made me rethink the day, then it stopped. I'm now up to the Gronicles, and the day has dried-out already. The drought Rules OK.

Warren.

ps, The Purple Gidgee is colourful timber, reds, whites, browns, blacks and silver, striped. If I can find a stick of Gidgee, big enough of course, I can make a new colourful set of Gidgee Gronicles, ... if I run into a stick of Coconut, :rolleyes: .

[ 05-16-2003, 02:37 AM: Message edited by: Wild Wassa ]

[Hughman]

Purple Gidgee gronicles embedded in a hairy sheoak?

Anyone ever think to take a photo of this?

[JimD]

Originally posted by Hughman:
Purple Gidgee gronicles embedded in a hairy sheoak?

Anyone ever think to take a photo of this?Photo? Please don't :rolleyes: :D

[Wild Wassa]

Originally posted by Hughman:
"Purple Gidgee gronicles embedded in a hairy sheoak? Anyone ever think to take a photo of this "?

Yes, but only for research. Unfortunately, the shots are not of publication quality.

Warren.

ps, I think that only high quality photos of Gronicles should be displayed, publicly. Anything less has only resulted in the proverbial balls-up, for those using a high prescission tool.

[ 05-16-2003, 11:51 PM: Message edited by: Wild Wassa ]

[JimD]

Originally posted by Wild Wassa:
Originally posted by Hughman:
"Purple Gidgee gronicles embedded in a hairy sheoak? Anyone ever think to take a photo of this "?

Yes, but only for research. Unfortunately, the shots are not of publication quality.

Warren.

ps, I think that only high quality photos of Gronicles should be displayed, publicly. Anything less has only resulted in the proverbial balls-up, for those using a high prescission tool.Agreed. No fuzzy fotos

[Greg H]

Originally posted by Wild Wassa:
John B, I like timber ones too. Coconut has nice colours. Silvery blacks. Is the Hairy Sheoak used for Gronicles.My expierience has been, that Hairy Sheoak is very particular about the external form and internal composition of the mated woods. Not every union will eliminate deviation and it's an art to predict which will work. There is no scientific way to determine this ahead of time.
....Also Sheoak (generaly) will not provided acceptable results when joined with any variety of Fagus or Nothofagus. However, both Fagus and Nothofagus can be used to form monospecies gronicles or monoaymonogonicles, I believe it is the only species where this is practical.

Hope this helps.

[Wild Wassa]

It did, and was a great relief. I went out to the boat just then, tightened the side stay and twanged the wire.

Warren.

[Greg H]

Ah, glad I could help smile.gif

A note about monoeymonogronicles...

Fagus (commonly known as Beech) does not stand up to long immersion in water. So use is really limited to short term craft and quick and dirty construction. I'm not sure about Nothofagus (southern beech), it's more or less unknown around these parts.

[ 05-17-2003, 09:18 PM: Message edited by: Greg H ]

[Hughman]

Originally posted by Greg H:
....Also Sheoak (generaly) will not provided acceptable results when joined with any variety of Fagus or Nothofagus. &lt;snip&gt;
Hope this helps.True. Several varieties are very compatable: Quercus Phellos and Pinus Rigida are favorites. Populus Deltoides will do in a pinch, as will Ulmus fulva, but avoid Prunus virginana and Paulownia tomentosa.

[ 05-17-2003, 09:39 PM: Message edited by: Hughman ]

[Greg H]

Localy, Carpinus Carolinia (Hornbeam, Ironwood, Musclewood) is popular. Also (though slightly less durable) Carpinis bletulus, particularily columnaris, fastigiata and purpurea when it can be found, no luck with pendula.

How about Corylus Fusco-rubra, Heterophyla, or even contorta, any experience?

[Hughman]

Also, a critical warning: If Sarcocephalus diderrichii or Sequoia sempervirens are used, any of the family of Euphorbiaceae must accompany the process. Use of Sequoia gigantea has generated much interest, the grounds for which, of course, is a myth.

[Greg H]

Yea, Bilinga would be difficult to handle without proper protction.

Rubeaceae is a potent family.

[Bayboat]

All those suggestions about various species of trees that yield gronicle wood are pretty much off the mark. You should know that the only wood from which true gronicles are fashioned nowadays is Pterocarpus mongolica var. groniclea from the rainforest of Wayout Mongolia. Gronicles made of some of the other woods mentioned might work for a while, but exterior shredding of the follicles, interior fungus attack and various electrolytic problems will weaken them and eventually render them useless.

We have made contact with the aforementioned prospective manufacturer in El Pantanal, Paraguay. They propose using wood from the Swietenia pantanalense var. groniclense , which is related to Mahogany. Experiments have started, but due to harvesting problems (El Pantanal means The Big Swamp), the results may not be available until about 2013. We'll keep you posted.

Home builders of gronicles should be aware that although both the bark and planks were used by the aboriginal folk for making canoes, Nothofagus sp. of appropriate quality is only available in the temperate rainforest of the Chilean Archipelago.
The minimum shipment from Puerto Aguirre, at the mouth of the Aysen Fjord, is 3,000 board feet, FOB Puerto Aguirre, which would make more gronicles of inferior quality than anyone would ever need.

[ 05-19-2003, 01:38 AM: Message edited by: Bayboat ]

[Greg H]

Oi, it never occured to me that there was a rain forest in Watout Mongolia, (so much to learn, so little time).
I found a list of trees from the remainder of the Gondwanaland forests. Most of these trees grow in New Zealand, Chile and the S.American Andes, Tasmania, and on some of the mountainous islands of the south pacific. Looks like some of our sothern brothers might have access to native wood suitable for individual gronicle production.
There is a move underway to protect the last remaining Gondwana forests, which is a good thing IMHO, even if it means the loss of material for traditional gronicles.

www.gondwana.org (http://www.gondwana.org)

I'm not sure what the prefered species is, because most of the information is anecdotal. May have to resort to trial and dispacement error. ;)

Nothofagus antarctica.............Ñire

Nothofagus betuloides.............Guindo or coigue

Nothofagus cunninghamii...........Myrtle beech

Nothofagus dombeyi................Coihue

Nothofagus fusca..................Red beech

Nothofagus menziesii..............Silver beech

Nothofagus moorei.................Antarctic beech

Nothofagus pumilio................Lenga

Nothofagus solandri.
var. cliffortioides ..............Mountain beech

Nothofagus truncata...............Hard beech

[ 05-19-2003, 08:59 AM: Message edited by: Greg H ]

[Kermit]

Very revealing, Greg. I understand that the CIA and FBI are currently feuding over who gets to conceal the fact that it was recently discovered that the south pole is made from Nothofagus antarctica, which explains both the stasis of the Tasmainian magnetic subfield and the withershins coreolis effect in Chilean forests. I understand why N. antarctica is prefered for antipodean gronicles. It seems so obvious to me now.

[ 05-21-2003, 10:39 AM: Message edited by: Kermit ]

[Greg H]

Interesting implications. With no land mass at the northrn pole......maybe our entire outlook is wrong. Could it be navigation equipment should be oriented on the South Pole rather than the north?

All our northrn hemisphere predjudices may be the result of a misconception, carried over from our ancestors lack of knoledge. They didn't know of the antipodies, and the lands down under and the true orientation of the world.
So without access to the ancient forests of the southern hemisphere, our ancestors set to work with what was available.

Could the Rowan tree (Sorbus aucuparia) be the the true source of gronicle wood in the northern hemisphere?
While reading about celtic mythology, I came across these bits.....

".....Its name is linked to the Norse and the Sanksrit word "runa" which in Norse means 'a charm' and in Sanskrit, 'the magician'.
Its Celtic name is "Luis", (pronounced 'loosh') and it is the second letter in the Beith-Luis-Fearn alphabet of the Celts, and is also known as the Quicken Tree, the Quickbeam (meaning 'living wood') the Witch Tree.

....Rowan was commonly used for waIking sticks so that the wanderer would be protected from harm, and was a prevention
against getting lost, guiding the wayfarer home.

Boats made of this wood were said to be protected from storms and from going off course. It commonly represented 'one who
steered', especially upon the waters ...."

Hmmmm, more research to be done.....

[ 05-21-2003, 07:40 PM: Message edited by: Greg H ]

[JimD]

Greg, the true source could be the Rowan tree, but then again it might be the Martin tree. Even a combination is possible so conceivably the origins lay in the Rowan and Martin tree, laughable as that may seem to some.

[Greg H]

"Very Interesting"

[ken mcclure]

That, then, would explain why the original gronicle manufacturers shipped a special tool, called a "toomey" that was supposed to be used when replacing the oil sumps. It was made to work with a standard 3/8" socket wrench.

[Bayboat]

CAUTION: The use of Nothofagus (southern beech) in the manufacture of gronicles is fraught with difficulties, indeed, with peril. Due to the Coriolis Effect on trunk growth, this wood develops a left-handed growth spiral. It has been reported that when the twist is pronounced this can have an adverse effect on boats employing gronicles manufactured from this wood. This manifests itself when such a gronicle is used in conjunction with a GPS. Several reports state that with this combination, boats have assumed an inverted orientation (they turn upside down). The disconcerting result is akin to pitchpoling, although this can occur in a flat calm. Wood with only mild left-handed twist may be used, although initial stability may be affected slightly (the boat will be a bit more tender when heeling to port). About two dozen sixpacks stowed to starboard ought to correct this.

[ 05-22-2003, 03:20 PM: Message edited by: Bayboat ]

[JimD]

Originally posted by Bayboat:
CAUTION: The use of Nothofagus (southern beech) in the manufacture of gronicles is fraught with difficulties, indeed, with peril. Due to the Coriolis Effect on trunk growth, this wood develops a left-handed growth spiral. It has been reported that when the twist is pronounced this can have an adverse effect on boats employing gronicles manufactured from this wood. This manifests itself when such a gronicle is used in conjunction with a GPS. Several reports state that with this combination, boats have assumed an inverted orientation (they turn upside down). The disconcerting result is akin to pitchpoling, although this can occur in a flat calm. Wood with only mild left-handed twist may be used, although initial stability may be affected slightly (the boat will be a bit more tender when heeling to port). About two dozen sixpacks stowed to starboard ought to correct this.Bayboat, I used to have nothofagus gronicles as ornaments hanging from the rear view miror of my car. The car would inexplicably flip on its side, occassionally doing compete roll overs, even when parked in the driveway. I never made the connection before.

[Hughman]

Originally posted by Bayboat:
CAUTION: The use of Nothofagus (southern beech) in the manufacture of gronicles is fraught with difficulties, indeed, with peril. Due to the Coriolis Effect on trunk growth, this wood develops a left-handed growth spiral. &lt;snip&gt;Those in the know will look for the corresponding right-handed tree: this occurs in spite of the Coriolis effect, due to the phenomena wrought by the thirteen spotted web-foot ground squirrel. This little known rodent will inexplicably run rapidly around young trees in the early spring, in which an Rustyferris owl (Osphos Reactos) is roosting. At this time of year the young trees are particularly susceptible to disfigurement, etc., from environmental forces. Thus, as the owl clings to the tree under which the thirteen spotted web-footed squirrel is racing in his headlong anti-clockwise circuit, the owl is bound to follow his progress, and even an owl can't rotate his head more than 6-8 times without suddenly unwinding. This puts a permanent right-hand twist in the tree, as the owl neglects to let go of the branch he is sitting on.

[JimD]

Originally posted by Hughman:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Bayboat:
CAUTION: The use of Nothofagus (southern beech) in the manufacture of gronicles is fraught with difficulties, indeed, with peril. Due to the Coriolis Effect on trunk growth, this wood develops a left-handed growth spiral. &lt;snip&gt;Those in the know will look for the corresponding right-handed tree: this occurs in spite of the Coriolis effect, due to the phenomena wrought by the thirteen spotted web-foot ground squirrel. This little known rodent will inexplicably run rapidly around young trees in the early spring, in which an Rustyferris owl (Osphos Reactos) is roosting. At this time of year the young trees are particularly susceptible to disfigurement, etc., from environmental forces. Thus, as the owl clings to the tree under which the thirteen spotted web-footed squirrel is racing in his headlong anti-clockwise circuit, the owl is bound to follow his progress, and even an owl can't rotate his head more than 6-8 times without suddenly unwinding. This puts a permanent right-hand twist in the tree, as the owl neglects to let go of the branch he is sitting on.</font>[/QUOTE]Oh, come on, now! I find that a little hard to believe!

[Hughman]

No ****, this really happens.

Natural world if fascinatin', aint it?

[Greg H]

But wouldn't it be easier just to invert one of the gronicle blanks? After all a tree twisted clockwise looking up, is twisted anti-clockwise looking down.

[Hughman]

Well, no. you see, you're back to polarity issues. Up is up, and to install upside down will flip the effect.

[Greg H]

That is the antipodian enigma.

For up is up here, but it is also down when viewed from there. Hence the camel grease.

[Hughman]

up here is down there only when viewed from here. when viewed from there it becomes a relative situation. As we all know, we can't pick our relatives, much as we would like to. antipodian camels are Llamas, which is one L of a relative and two L with this I'm going to explore the inside of my eyelids.

[JimD]

Originally posted by Hughman:
up here is down there only when viewed from here. when viewed from there it becomes a relative situation. As we all know, we can't pick our relatives, much as we would like to. antipodian camels are Llamas, which is one L of a relative and two L with this I'm going to explore the inside of my eyelids.And we all know that double 'L's in Spanish is prounced as a 'Y', so llama is properly pronounced 'yama'. Einstein touched on this in his theory of relativity in his original manuscripts but the linguistic semantics proved mathematically problematic, interfering with the exquisite simplicity of special relativity equations. The general theory, encompassing gravity, was far more complex, of course.

[Hughman]

Einstein's gravid gronicles were a source of some concern to his relatives. He loved sailing, however, and intuitively understood their use and purpose. It's a shame that his notes on this topic have not survived, or we would be left with a succinct and elegant equation, and none of this discussion would have been necessary.

[John B]

speaking of Einstein,A Scotsman called Enequielz McSqeert ( who lent his initials to one of the theories) was famous for the very fine finish on his Gronicles. He'd learnt the art of spit and polish in the British army whilst serving in Khamasutraland, putting down the uprising in 1842.
They did this with cold water normally,as there was a healthy and productive relationship between the parties and violence was abwhored. Some accidental spillage followed by some vigorous polishing/drying to some prototype gronicles he had on his person, produced a shine unseen by any man ( or women)before or since. I suspect there may have been other ingredients or components involved, but Mr McSqeert lives on in history because of his contribution to modern society.

[Greg H]

Hmmmm, I don't know that one, though I have heard it refered to. On second thought, that was mostly in the States, so it's probably a Fagus rather than a Nothofagus. Then again, it might be a local thing like the the "he fir" and "she fir" of the southern Appalachian Mountains.
I'll have a look in Dirr later on, got to get to work now ......

[Greg H]

Here is a quote from Dirr:
"The American Beech is a variable species and there are at least three different races. The northern type is the Gray Beech is found from Nova Scotia to the Great Lakes Lakes, and on the higher mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee.........
"White Beech" is found on the southern coastal plain...between these two forms and mixing with thm is the "Red Beech." These races are anything but clear cut,and all types of intermediat forms occur. I like to think the American Beech is one contiguous population displaying the "typical" species characteristics that allow one to identify it in Minnisota as well as Florida. " So F. gradifolia "Sonova" is probably from a crossed local Beech.

Then there are the European Beeches like...
F. syvatica " Grandentata"
F. syvatica "Purpurea Pendula"
And the ever popular..F. sylvatica "tortuosa"
........most of them only suited for short term gronicles.

[Ged]

Originally posted by WWheeler:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />
-------------------------------------------------
From: Lincolnville Center, ME, USA

DougWilde
.
Member # 1367

posted 04-02-2001 11:08 PM
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In answer to the questions...
I have just the pair, port and starboard.

No, they are not connected to the battery terminals. Once burned...twice shy.

Unfortunately I was unable to afford the Acme casehardened gronicles, which would have alleviated all these problems. Mine are nondescript, having obtained them in Marseilles. But they are old, of quality manufacture, but unknown alloy. Not that junk coming out of the former Soviet bloc countries or Taiwan.

I think I'll forego the tin foil in the sou'wester. It gets pretty hot here in Arkansas and besides, Bubba in his bassboat wouldn't know what to do with it. (Or maybe he would..Soooyyyyyeeee, squeel like a pig).

Ross' suggestion with the displacement lubricator might be the problem. Mine are without (hey, they came from France). Is this an easy aftermarket modification or are there any tricks?

Doug

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</font>[/QUOTE]Doug, if your gronicle problem still persists, I would be happy to help out. A swift kick aft of the gronicles is generally the accepted solution in these parts and should repair the problem with respect to attitude. Let me know if I can be of any assistance.

[Bayboat]

It seems all is lost. The continued reference to gronicles as human body parts has terminally offended Karakorum Distributors, the only known purveyors of genuine gronicles manufactured from wood from the Wayout Mongolian rainforest. They have severed all connections with the Western World and will deal only with East Asian retailers. All caravans en route along the Silk Road, carrying gronicles, have been recalled. Unless a viable black market develops (which is not without the realm of possibility) we in the rest of the world will have to make do with the gronicles we have or with gronicles fashioned from inferior materials. Given the wholesale substitution of googe for gronicles, this may not work too heavy a hardship on many of us.

[JimD]

Originally posted by Bayboat:
It seems all is lost. The continued reference to gronicles as human body parts has terminally offended Karakorum Distributors, the only known purveyors of genuine gronicles manufactured from wood from the Wayout Mongolian rainforest. They have severed all connections with the Western World and will deal only with East Asian retailers. All caravans en route along the Silk Road, carrying gronicles, have been recalled. Unless a viable black market develops (which is not without the realm of possibility) we in the rest of the world will have to make do with the gronicles we have or with gronicles fashioned from inferior materials. Given the wholesale substitution of googe for gronicles, this may not work too heavy a hardship on many of us.Its sad alright, but the Mongolian government has done little to protect the dwindling rainforest, so maybe its a good thing. I hope the the Silk Road caravans have packed the gronicles in enough ice to get them home. But then what?

[skuthorp]

Down here in Aus you occasionaly find 'em in cast bronze for them that want to put on side but mostly theyre turned out of Mulga knots from stumps salvaged from the woodheap.
Lot's of raw material about and they sure polish up nice. I thought of gettin' some for the Mack but Ian's plans didn't mention em so I bought another bottle of Glenmorangie instead.
Reckon I made the right decision, Merry Christmas!

ps; Over Dingo's way I hear they make 'em out of Gidgee or Jarrah.
:D ;) :rolleyes:

[doorstop]

Here in South Oz we fashion 'em from petrified crow crap which is collected from a fairly common tree which grows at regular intervals along roadsides, its' known locally as Pinus Reflectorum and is a favoured perch of the local crow. They ( the gronicles that is) take a fine shine and seem to last well even when subjected to intense UV and close inspection....

[ken mcclure]

Ah. This discussion usually doesn't pop up until springtime, but it's good to see the interest is still waxing on the gronicles.

I would think that when you consider some of the items sold on ebay there would probably be at least some market for gronicles, but you would need to consider shipping and packaging costs carefully.

With gronicles, even more than many products, the package is so important.

[jwaldin]

I've got some excellent photos of two different types. "See them soon on jws pics".
All the best to all of you and your families this Christmas.

[JimD]

I can't believe someone actually dug up this ridiculous thread :eek:

[Greg H]

:D It's in the FAQ list!

[jwaldin]

Not you too Dave? Dear oh Dear.

[skuthorp]

Ridiculous??....dont be ridiculous! :eek:

[Bob Adams]

One more Gronicle story. SHMBO must of heard me discussing the importance of bonding one's Gronicles for best preformance. Being the dear that she is, she thought she would help by bonding my Gronicles for me one evening whilst passed out from the effects of too much grog, One has not lived until one has removed Superglue from one's Gronicles!

[JimD]

Boating season is just about upon us here in the northern hemisphere (not meaning to exclude our freinds from south of the equator). Time to shine up those gronicles and get back in the water. I can hardly wait!

[John B]

If you see popeyes thread in the bilge you'll see that the ones that come packed in a doily are the best ones. If you havent got the original doily that they came with ,just steal one off your Nana.If you haven't got a Nana then steal one off a friends Nana. If you're really clever , you can get away clean by replacing the doily with a drinks coaster.

[ 03-24-2004, 12:00 AM: Message edited by: John B ]

[John B]

oo look , is that Bing Crosby/ Val Doonican/Roger Whittaker?( depending on taste)

whip that doily right on out of there.

[WX]

gronicles? Sounds like that part of the body that first comes into contact with the bar on a boys bicycle when you are riding standing up and the chain comes off. :eek:

[JimConlin]

bump

[Steve Lansdowne]

chuckle also

[Lucky Luke]

That was a vey interesting - although lengthy - reading.

As it happens that my geographical location has allowed me to collect recently declassified information (since the Vietnamese "doi moi", or "rejuvenation" of the country), I feel obliged to share some of it with my fellow forumnites.

The Vietnam veterans might not have been aware of it, but gronicles of very good quality, made in USSR, were extensively used by the Vietcong during the war here, up to 1975.
One of the reasons of their very good functionning was the amazing dexterity with which the vietnamese women (only women were capable of doing this job) used to fit them on, and maintain them in perfect working condition. The Russians were never able to have them so well fitted.

One essential use of them was when launching SAM missiles. You HAD to have perfectely functionning gronicles for that operation.

Colonel Bob Smalser, who at that time had no time for sharpening chisels and other old man's jobs, certainely remembers the damages done at the beginning of the conflict by these SAMs.

However, and that is the recentely declassified information, the Americans soon discovered that fitting gronicles of inverted polarity in the cockpit of F 15 jets did make them far less vulnerable, as it was confusing the detection system of the SAMs. I don't think that you can purchase these items, that were specially made for the military, even today.

They were maintained, in absolute secret, by a specially trained team of Saigon women (vietnamese also), who were flown to US with the last chopper from the roof of the American Embassy, in order to preserve the secret.

After the conflict, the quality of the Russian made gronicles was found declining, and experiments were carried for manufacturing them locally, from rice and bamboo. This last material prooved quite good, since the Vietnamese have been expert for centuries in manufacturing items from their various species of bamboo.

Alas, after the fall of the communist regime in Berlin, and the explosion of consumerism in Vietnam, Chinese made, low quality gronicles appeared on the local market. I am afraid that Bayboat has wasted a considerable amount of time trying to purchase some of this lousy stuff from Mongolia (and other places in China). They are real crap.

I can, however, for those really interested, provide some original ones, whether the Russian or the American model, from some carefully preserved stocks. Mind that you can only use pairs of identical polarity, i.e, of the same origin.

Since it is the way they are fitted that has proven essential to their proper operation, some mothers have kept teaching their daugthers - just in case - and I could, as well, arrange for these Vietnamese ladies to come and help. A morerate contribution will be demanded (I hope that mentioning it is not forbidden by the forum rules, and that I shall not be scottled for that...?)

If interested, you can reply here or by private message. I will be glad to help.

[ 11-23-2005, 03:01 AM: Message edited by: Lucky Luke ]

[ssor]

This is the thread without end. :D

[Paul Fitzgerald]

I remember playing with toy gronicles in my youth which were made from Pinus Radiata, which I recall was a real prick of a wood.
Is it true that you have to reverse their polarity in the southern hemisphere? I was also told they rotate counter clockwise here, not clockwise as in the US and Europe.

[Lucky Luke]

This CW or CCW rotation question seems to be a very interesting question.

I read in the earlier post that some were facing confusing problems, not only with the polarity, but also with rotation direction. The Coriolis effect was also mentionned, which clearly refers to Northern vs. Southern hemispheres.

Since the Southern hemisphere is far less populated than the Northern one and also - with all due respect - of a lower technnological level (generally speaking), it seems logical that only a small number of gronicles would be produced there, specifically for use in the Southern hemisphere, where they would function acceptably, but would cause problems when used in the Northern one. People from US or EU, unaware of their origin since they seldom encounter one, would think they are faulty while they are not.

Then, the equatorial use of them should not cause any problem, of course, and I would even think that anywhere between Cancer and Capricorn, in the tropical regions, any kind of gronicles prooves very satisfactory, whatever their origin. Some, whose gronicles are causing functional problems, in EU particularly, find that sejours in places like Thailand, and more and more Vietnam, have curative vertues.

An interseting observation too, is the increasing number of female specialists from former USSR and other Eastern block found in EU nowadays, specially in places like Nice or Cannes and main cities like Paris and Berlin. Obviously a post cold-war phenomena.

This will deserve further investigations.

[ 11-23-2005, 09:47 PM: Message edited by: Lucky Luke ]

[Paul Fitzgerald]

I have also wondered for some time what would happen if the earths' magnetic axis shifted. Would gronicles suddenly start rotating in the opposite direction? Considering the confusion this could cause for mariners, a dedicated gronicle might provide early warning, so they could turn their charts upside down and find their way home.

[ssor]

Do the gronicles in the southern hemisphere behave abnormally when shifted to the northern hemisphere. Just as the little whirlpools in a drain rotate in different directions in each hemisphere?

[Bayboat]

Although Dad is still quite ill, he thought it important to straighten out this aspect of gronicle use: "If you get them shiny enough it makes little difference in which hemisphere you use them. Just be careful not to rub off all the follicles." I don't know what this means but Dad is almost always right on the subject of gronicles, whatever they are. He sez so. John, his son.

[ 11-24-2005, 03:40 PM: Message edited by: Bayboat ]

[Paul Fitzgerald]

I understand its important to palpate your gronicles regularly, but to polish them? I've never considered it but i'm willing to give it a go. Do you use boot polish or shellac?