BearboatXL
BearboatXL is the latest member of a family of programs for designing kayaks and similar small craft. The original program distributed on the web was Bearboat Classic, originally known simply as Bearboat. It was released in 1998 and ran only on Windows PCs.
In 2002, Bearboat Classic was superseded by Bearboat Pro, which ran on both Mac and PC. In 2009, BearboatSP replaced Bearboat Pro. Finally, in 2026, BearboatXL, which runs exclusively on the Mac, replaced BearboatSP.
Access to BearboatSP apps is being maintained for the time being, but changes in both the Windows and macOS operating systems have made them impossible or nearly impossible to run on modern machines.
There is no direct or automatic way to read earlier Bearboat file formats using BearboatXL. Although BearboatXL uses many of the same design parameters as earlier versions, files cannot be imported directly. However, if you have access to BearboatSP files — which are, to some extent, human-readable — it is usually possible to manually recreate earlier designs in BearboatXL with a high degree of accuracy.
RAAViewer
A program to access many images of human anatomy. These images are useful for learning anatomy and as reference tools for medical practitioners, radiologists in particular.
RAAViewer →Terminologia Anatomica
Obtain large lists of anatomic terms in a hierarchical outline format.
ASK_Palette (on hiatus)
A program to create 2-D palettes to control Keyboard Maestro, AppleScript & Shortcuts. I have a distant hope of reviving this application — I found it very useful in my own life. The problem is that increasingly severe security rules imposed by Apple make installation of this sort of application difficult, perhaps impossible.
ASK_Palette →XojoDeprecated
A program to search for recently deprecated commands in the Xojo language.
XojoDeprecated →KM_GridPalettes (historical)
This page remains available only for historical reasons. ASK_Palette has the same functionality and more, but sadly ASK_Palette is now not usable — security restrictions have made it kaput.
KM_GridPalettes →Kayak Charts & Tides
Kayak Charts
Charts formatted to be useful to kayakers, covering areas that I have recently paddled. Free to download.
Kayak Charts →Tidal Current Chart Finder — San Juans
The Canadian Hydrographic Office publishes a book of charts documenting tidal currents during the various phases of the tide. This tool helps you quickly find the appropriate chart.
San Juan Currents →Tides for 2026
Tide tables of interest to kayakers and others, provided as easy-to-read colorful graphics.
Currents information for 2026 is not available at this time. (02/16/26)
Miscellaneous
Ferrer Point Radar Station
A nice short hike on the northwest corner of Nootka Island to the ruins of a World War II radar station near Ferrer Point.
Ferrer Point, Nootka Island →SEEK 1969
Wilderness camping for Seattle urban youth.
SEEK 1969: Information →Triangle Area in 3-D
Calculate the area of a triangle knowing three vertices.
Triangle Area Calculation →Fox Island Cemetery
View plot maps.
Fox Island Cemetery →