Tracy Witham

Tracy Witham

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Haven't created any projects yet! 

Published on Mar 14, 2015

Thank you to experiment.com!

If you're into making the world a better place, it's tough to think of a better way to go about it than what the people at experiment.com are doing. And it's been an honor for me and my reel boat t...

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Published on Feb 27, 2015

The Reel Boat Aesthetic and Promise

Clearly, this is NOT a reel boat (it's a WindRider 16 Trimaran), but it represents the correct aesthetic: simplicity and elegance. Simplicity and elegance are my design principles. ...

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Published on Feb 21, 2015

Reel Boat--component names and patent games

In patent language the drawings represent the "preferred embodiment."So in seeking intellectual property protection for an invention, the process of describing and representing the invention waits ...

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Published on Feb 13, 2015

Reel Boat Test in August

Sunrise on Lake Superior near Two Harbors, MN.My 2015 Minnesota Weather Guide Environmental Calendar says that "August is the month of light winds and sunshine..." The Two Harbors Kayak Festival ta...

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Published on Feb 07, 2015

A digression that's not beside the point

This was to be the lab note that explains the reel boat experiment planned for August 7, 8, or 9 of this year. But a small existential crisis has prompted this short essay instead—which I believe w...

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Published on Feb 01, 2015

The Reel Boat: challenges and trade offs

The background concept for the reel boat can be extrapolated from what a Stone Age hominid would have seen as a round rock continued in motion after the rest of a rock slide had stopped. So, provid...

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Hi Estelle, I need to be patient and build interest slowly. Posting here was a nice first step in that. I feel bad that experiment.com gets nothing, since--presumably--I won't fund. I have the domain name "reelboat.com," but haven't set up the site, as I have no pictures/drawings. But I will have...more
Mar 15, 2015
Project: Reel Boats: wheeled efficiency for watercraft?
Jane, How kind of you! As I indicated when we talked about the idea, I feel a responsibility to it because I know that it deserves to be tested. But I forgot to say that I'm equally determined to have fun in the process. Many thanks!
Mar 01, 2015
Project: Reel Boats: wheeled efficiency for watercraft?
Hi Thomas, I always love to watch the snowmobiles skimming across the water. I'm reminded of a funny remark "gear head" types like to make: "There's no problem a little horsepower can't solve." Except, of course, if you're interested in efficiency. The relevant prior art for the reel boat begins ...more
Feb 27, 2015
Project: Reel Boats: wheeled efficiency for watercraft?
Thanks for the question, Thomas! Of course, the reel boat design will vary by intended use. But yes, typically it will be a catamaran-like watercraft--I believe. And you're correct to note that army tanks have the inclined forward and rear ends of their track, but with the opposite purpose of the...more
Feb 24, 2015
Project: Reel Boats: wheeled efficiency for watercraft?
Estelle, Thank you! Thank you!! Thank you!!! I was beginning to fear I'd have to turn to philosophy to answer the reel boat version of "If a tree falls in the forest, and..." Seriously, I hope that you can someday enjoy knowing you are the first person to publicly express support for this idea. I...more
Feb 21, 2015
Project: Reel Boats: wheeled efficiency for watercraft?
Estelle, Thank you! Thank you!! Thank you!!! I was beginning to fear I'd have to turn to philosophy to answer the reel boat version of "If a tree falls in the forest, and..." Seriously, I hope that you can someday enjoy knowing you are the first person to publicly express support for this idea. I...more
Feb 21, 2015
Project: Reel Boats: wheeled efficiency for watercraft?