First up today: Star Clippers revealed plans earlier this month to build the largest, most expensive sailing vessel ever constructed.

The new gargantuan ship will be 518 feet long (157 meters) and 61 feet at the beam with a 20-foot draft. She is set to debut in 2010 and will accommodate 296 guests (double-occupancy) and 140 crewmembers.

For more information on Star Clippers’ existing ships, visit http://www.StarClippers.com

Next up: Meet B.J. Walling, a 17-year-old high school student who is “engineering a better solar electric boat” as part of the Authentic Scientific Research Program.

B.J. has spent the last two years researching his project and began building his boat this past summer 2007.

His project is supported by donations of supplies from Toms River High School South, Viking Yachts, Harbor Sales, North American Composites, and Cedar Cove Marina.

To learn more about B.J.’s project, visit his website at http://www.freewebs.com/rjwalling/index.htm

To see B.J.’s collection of boat building videos, visit his YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/SurferChico250

We will update you on B.J.’s progress with his project later in the school year.

Finally today, it’s time for some Nautical Nomenclature: “First rate,” a term used to imply excellence, stems from the naval tradition.

From about the 16th century on until steam powered ships took over, British naval ships were rated as to the number of heavy cannons they carried.

A ship of 100 or more guns was designated a “First Rate” ship.

Second rates carried 90 to 98 guns; Third Rates, 64 to 89 guns; Fourth Rates, 50 to 60 guns. And then on down the line to where 48 to 20 guns were fifth and sixth rated.

TheBoaters TV, hosted by Julie Perry, airs 5-7 minute episodes every M, W, & F here on YouTube, and on our vlog at http://www.TheBoaters.TV (where you’ll find a higher res version). Also available on iTunes.

Thanks for watching!

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Duration : 0:3:29

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