Ode on a Dragonfly – Circumnavigation – Day 02

Posted on October 4, 2013 by oceanexplorer

Day 02 : Atlantic Coast

Things are rolling right along out here … made all the more pleasant by gentle breezes and relatively calm seas, largely due to the high pressure system which has settled in over the region.

Onward and Windward …

My plans are now to stop for a couple days in Bermuda to identify and neutralize a few uncooperative gremlins that have infiltrated our telecommunications set-up. The KVH satellite system is having a heck of a time locking onto a satellite. It’s done it a couple of times, but the vast majority of time, it just keeps searching. Now, it may be that the course I’m sailing puts the mast and carbon in the way of the signal … though I’m not sure why that would be an issue … or it may be something else entirely. Whatever it is, I don’t have any easy way to deal with it out here other than to call their tech support, which I will attempt later today. (This part of sailing isn’t much different than at home, is it?)

Anyway, while I’m talking tech, our set-ups onboard have redundancy built-in, so for example we have two computers. Unfortunately, the second computer hasn’t been totally set up yet and I need more internet time to do that … so until I do that, I have to write on the first computer and then transfer it over into the Iridium system – which while reliable, offers only limited bandwidth. Anyway friends … all that said … we’ll work out these issues, because they effect how we get information and stories from the boat to you. Ok, enough of that … shees!

Since being on the water, I’ve been engaged in some serious R & R. The days before departure were very long and allowed little time for rest. In my more active hours though, I’ve ventured some into the research agenda.

Secchi Disc

I tried my hand at the “Secchi disc.” After testing it yesterday, I see I will have to consider some different methods to get this to work well … because as clear as the water is, at 40 feet deep, in the time it takes the disc to sink that far, Bodacious Dream just doesn’t like to sit still. So, I have to figure out how to keep the boat still enough in the water to allow the disc to sink faster. This will be no problem in places such as harbors and moorings. And we most certainly want to get a method in place before we hit the Southern Hemisphere, for which very little data of this type exists.

Today I did my first water filtering with the citizen-scientist kit that Tegan Mortimer put together for me. It’s actually very easy and simple to do, so you might want to try that at home. We described it midway through an earlier post here.

Another one of the things I’m doing for Earthwatch is recording what I see by way of wildlife and debris in the water. So far, I haven’t seen any debris, and the wildlife I expected to see, has been hiding out from me. What I didn’t expect was a visit from a bird, a moth and a dragonfly last night!

I wonder how a dragonfly makes its way 300 miles offshore? I suspect it gets caught up in the winds. Or do you suppose it might have hitched a ride on another boat, got tired of the food service onboard that boat, and then set off looking for another boat? It gets you imagining how the advent of ocean-crossing vessels altered native species migration. A vessel from Europe leaves for the New World, and it has some bugs onboard. They land in the New World and the bugs begin to procreate … (not unlike the passengers onboard.) On the return trip, along with cargo … you’ve got New World bugs now going back to Europe and disrupting the species pool over there … and so on back and forth. That is one larger role the oceans play … to serve as transit systems to move species of animals and vegetation from one unique environment into a totally different one, and in the course of that, to change the balance of nature all over the world.

Tigger the Bird … but from where?

Aside from musings like that … (you see what R & R will do to your brain) … it’s been awesome sailing. The weather is warm; the nights are clear and comfortable. With some luck, I should land in Bermuda on Sunday … with a hefty load of questions for the business world once it opens up on Monday morning. Once all that is settled, I hope to be back on the water by Tuesday or Wednesday.

Thanks to everyone for following. We’ll get these gremlins figured out, cause that’s our job … to keep you posted on what’s going on out here as we go sailing AROUND the world!

– Dave, Bodacious Dream, Dagger the Dragonfly & Tigger the Bird

Departure from Newport – Circumnavigation Day 01

Posted on October 3, 2013 by oceanexplorer

Day 01 : Atlantic Coast

I departed Newport and Jamestown Harbor yesterday, Wednesday, October 2nd a bit belatedly (12:25 EDT,) as my “top associate” Tim Eades had gotten held up back at Hinckley’s Boatyard. It was a nice sendoff. There were some folks from the local paper, sailing fans as well as a merry host of friends – some of whom are pictured here in this photo.

From left to right … that’s Billy Black (Sailing Photographer) and his assistant Megan Beauchemin, then Julianna Barbieri and Hugh Piggin (from 11th Hour Racing and presenters of the Atlantic Cup Race) then Rick Palin (Board Member for Hurricane Island Outward Bound), then to the left and right of yours truly (in my new super shades,) dear friends Beach Baywood and Mary Zemansky. Thanks for being there, guys.

So, after some more pics and goodbyes … and actually having had an ok night of sleep, I was all ready to go. Had a great sail out the bay accompanied by Joe Harris on his Class40, Gryphon Solo.

@BillyBlack

Once I was out in open water, I began to settle into the boat, and the motion of the water began to bring out my fatigue issues. Being ashore for a while always means a period of reacquainting yourself with the sea, with its soothing motions, sounds and smells. It always seems to take a couple of days for the emotional wavelength to transform from the state of heightened preparation and having to push time over to the more relaxed state where you are being pushed by time (and waves and wind.) That’s when you slip back into a comfort zone with the boat and environment. I’m sure by tomorrow I’ll be even more acclimated. Working so hard to get the boat ready left me pretty worn down … so I just napped through the night and nibbled on turkey and cheese. I read a few pages of a book … but couldn’t really get into it. This is typically how it goes for the first couple of days.

Sunset on Day One

Last night, the sky was all full of stars as the moon was just a sliver at the end of the night. The winds blew about 20 knots as I headed out of Narragansett Bay, but by morning they had diminished to just 6 knots and from straight behind, so I threw the motor on to aid the sails. Now will begin the never-ending calculations of fuel consumption and distance. The overall course is largely designed to track good sailing winds, but here along the coast, the winds come and go more – so there may be more calls for the motor.

Also, I think I’m going to make a short stop in Bermuda – fill up on fuel and take care of any issues that arise in the run down there. The whole “electronics/ satcom/ connectivity/ %*^#&!” thing is a little sub-agenda all of its own. I’ve begun a dialogue with our KVH SatDome. We’ll see if we strike a rapport.

Later this afternoon, I’ll slow down and do the first experiments for Earthwatch, using the “Secchi disc” and the water filter gear. (More on that soon.)

And that’s pretty much it for Day One. We’re on our way now!

Best to all,

– Dave & Bodacious Dream

Coordinates: 40 28.7942 N, 70 46.3949 W

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T’was the Night Before a Dream!

Posted on October 2, 2013 by oceanexplorer

Well, here we go!!

It’s the night before departure and as usual, there are so many last minute things to do … but now there’s no time left to do them. I guess that’s how you know it’s time to go.

We sailed Bodacious Dream down to the Jamestown Harbor today from her berth at Hinckley’s Boat Yard in Portsmouth, where she has been for the past several months getting readied to take on the oceans of the world. Big thanks to all the crew there at Hinckley’s for taking such grand care of us and at each twisty step of the way. They looked out for me well, and always found a way to help me get done what needed doing.

Yesterday, some sailing friends from the Great Lakes showed up to help with projects, after which we took Bodacious Dream out for a late afternoon sail, ending up in the harbor in Jamestown where I’ll finish loading BoDream up in the morning and saying my goodbyes before heading out midday. It’s been an amazing few weeks with so many friends stopping by to lend a hand, extend good wishes or get an up-close look at BoDream. I thank all of them as well as the many online friends who have sent their good wishes too. I only wish I had time to respond to each and every one of you!

Tomorrow begins the journey of a lifetime … the culmination of many years of dreaming … the start of my first solo circumnavigation. I know the story has been told, but tonight of all nights, it bears repeating. Sailing around the world alone has been a dream of mine since my childhood days … and here I am now, 55 years of age … and finally setting out for that farthest horizon. From this vantage point, I can look back over those years and see myself at many ages and from many perspectives, and I can also look forward and imagine what life might be like for me in the future. But for now, it’s truly a matter of living in the present, and setting myself to the practice of enjoying (and studying) every mile as it passes under the keel of Bodacious Dream. I intend to be there with every wind shift and wave change, with every star in the sky and with every ray of sun bursting from behind the clouds. This will be a magical journey … I know that … full of all sorts of learnings … and not just for all of you with whom I will share the journey … but for me as well.

I’m going to keep this short, because I’m tired and need some sleep before morning comes. But once I get going, settle into the routine onboard, make sure all the important stuff like cookies and chocolate are safely secured, I’ll get back on the computer and begin to share with you tales from the waves. This is going to be exciting, engaging and fun … so please stay tuned.

Just to remind you, the BDX Website is here … the BDX Facebook page here … and if email is easier for you, then the Email Sign-Up form is right here!

And one more time – straight from my heart, thanks to every one of you for getting me to this point in time. And a special final thanks (and toast) to Tim Eades for putting up with me these past few weeks, whether it was helping out with some little shopping chore, or taking on one big boat job after another … or just guiding me home at the end of a long day!

Plenty more to come soon.

– Dave and Bodacious Dream

A Short Delay Before We Get Away!

Posted on September 30, 2013 by oceanexplorer

Well, as sometimes happens … things get a little sticky when the time comes round to depart!

The wizardly Jonathan Pond was visiting here with me over the weekend and we went through a checklist of our various electronic issues to make sure that everything was in order with the satellite communications, computers, Iridium phones and all that electronics magic that is sometimes my arch-nemesis.

Well, as you might guess, we ran into some issues – this time with the Iridium phone, its charger and connecting devices. The Iridium is our fall-back communications system. The connection is supported by 66 low-Earth orbiting (LEO) cross-linked satellites, which operate as a fully meshed network … which basically means it works just about everywhere, but at fairly low bandwidth. We’ll use our KVH Tracphone V7ip unit for higher bandwidth communication when we are in satellite range to make that work.

Spinnaker Testing

Anyway, we are having the new equipment shipped in today … but this is going to delay the departure until Wednesday morning. Wish it wasn’t so … but these are critical components to the operation.

On the upside though, we were able to get out yesterday to test some sails, as well as the hydro generator and we also get some video footage out on the water. The hydro generator worked well, the sails are looking good and everything else seems to be coming together.

So, stay tuned….we’ll be heading out soon!

– Dave and Bodacious Dream

Getting Up to Speed on Citizen-Science

Posted on September 27, 2013 by oceanexplorer

Well, departure time is fast approaching and while it looks like we’re still on track to launch the circumnavigation next Tuesday, October 1st … there looks to be a big storm brewing out in the Atlantic that may delay us a day or so.

That said, I want to start by heaping thanks on Tim Eades for hanging in there with me as we work through the action list, gather pieces and parts, argue with people about time frames, hope for things to arrive on time and commiserate when special orders don’t arrive when expected. But, isn’t that what preparing boats (or ourselves) for life’s challenges is all about? And truth be told, we are having a ball – LOL at ourselves over here. I’m sure if you were here watching us from the pier, you’d be laughing too at our SDSS (Semi-Disorganized Sailor’s Shuffle!)

Everyday has its highlights too. The first of today’s “moments” was adding the new Hurricane Island Outward Bound School logographic up on the boat. Capt. Tim and I are getting pretty tight to the line there.

Even better was yesterday’s highlight … the arrival of Tegan Mortimer from Earthwatch Institute with a box full of scientific research tools for me to use during the circumnavigation.

Here’s a video of Tegan and I opening my box of new science tools. I would have been excited about it … even if there were no vacuum-sealed cookies in the box!

As you may remember (from a previous post,) Tegan is a science coordinator at Earthwatch, and she has been instrumental in bringing me up to speed on the research programs I’ll be contributing to when I’m traveling out into the “data sparse” parts of the oceans. It’s relatively easy to draw data from coastal and near-coastal areas, but in the open ocean, not so … hence, the term … ”data sparse.” While we travel through these areas, Tegan has outlined some ways that we can help to do our part in gathering scientific data … even if the tools we’re using aren’t quite as sophisticated as the ones full-on scientists use.

Tegan has also agreed to serve as a kind of go-to pro for your questions about the ocean. She has also begun to put together a great set of links to “Citizen Science” projects … some of which are specific to our Circumnavigation. We’re very excited about this! Thank you Tegan! You can find our evolving BDX “Citizen Science Resources” page HERE!

So, back to our training session … Tegan explained that we’ll be looking at three different areas in which to gather information. FIRST and easiest involve regular observations of animals, interesting phenomena and debris that we encounter. The great thing about this camera I have is that it geo-tags photos! So, if I see a whale … or some surprising debris, I can take a photo and it will log the GPS location, time of day and date, and that photo can then be analyzed by Tegan and other researchers and added to their geo-specific database of information.

The SECOND area we are going to pursue involves taking samples of water and filtering them to determine the amount of micro-plastics and other microscopic types of things our samples contain. Research vessels have sophisticated ways of doing this, but since we’re more citizen-scientist than career-scientist, we’ll use a much simpler method. You can do this at home yourself if you like. It involves using coffee filters, a strainer and a measured container for water. I’ll collect a specific amount of water in a measuring cup; pour it into the coffee filter held over the strainer, which allows the coffee filter to strain out all the microscopic bits. I will then log and number these samples, take a photo of that sample so it is geo-tagged and email off the results. Easy as that! It will be interesting to see just what can be gained from inspecting these filters.

The THIRD area involves one of Tegan’s special interests, and that is measuring plankton with what’s called a “Secchi Disc,” which is a white disc, hung from a tape measure. The idea is to drop it into the water until you can’t see it any more … then once you make sure you have the proper depth, you lift it up until you can see it and then you drop it again until it disappears. You do this with the sun at your back and between 10 am and 2 pm, so the data is consistent. This same scientific method of determining water clarity has been in practice since 1865! Now, what’s cool is all this data can then be logged into the free Secchi app on my iPad and sent back to the researchers. This app (for Android too) is neat in that it will log my passage through these areas, what I found and where I was when I did so. If you check out the app, you will see that there is very little existent data south of the Equator where I am going, so I’ll be contributing some pretty rare first-hand research. Whoo-hoo for science! That’s another thing that makes this trip so much fun … is this exploring and discovering areas of the world from which research scientists very seldom get data!

So, THAT was yesterday. Today Tim and I are finishing up the installation of the hydro-generator, which is a pretty fascinating piece of machinery that I’ll talk about more in a day or two. So, for now, it’s back to work on the boat. Lots to do, but this afternoon I’m hoping to transit into “logistical” mode as the action list grows shorter … because it’s time to start packing gear and provisions onboard!

We’ll be getting more videos on Tegan’s visit up on our BDX YouTube Channel very soon … and when you get the chance, check out the above apps that we’ll be using. Maybe you and some friends would like to sample the water around your area. And sign up for the mailing list, why don’t you?

Again, huge thanks to Tegan for her enthusiastic help in getting our science program underway! I’m sure we’ll hear more from her as the trip progresses!

Until later,

– Dave, Tim, Tegan & Bodacious Dream

One Week till Circumnavigation Time!

Posted on September 21, 2013 by oceanexplorer

Today is Friday, September 20th! That means there are just 10 days left until I depart on my solo-circumnavigation. The days are full from beginning to end with all sorts of things to do … from working on the boat to tracking down equipment and ordering food.

Today was no exception as I finished up some small projects, and then spent some time on the computer before going out for another test sail with some of the crew from Bodacious IV. What a beautiful Friday evening sail on Narragansett Bay, not unlike the wonderful open sails that old friends and I used to take Friday nights on Lake Michigan. When I sit here now and think about crossing the oceans, I fall into thinking about how huge Lake Michigan felt back then. Will the feeling be at all similar or will it be something entirely different?

The boat projects are nearly done … well “almost” nearly done. We got the KVH satellite dome back and installed. Later this coming week, I’ll be installing the hydro generator and a new stern hatch. The hydro generator is an impressive piece of ingenuity, which generates electricity directly from the flow of water under the hull. This is one of the initiatives that 11th Hour Racing, our friends that sponsor the Atlantic Cup Race, the first carbon-neutral sailing race in the world, promote to lessen the overall impact of sailing on the environment. Stay tuned for more on that subject, as I put this technology to a real test.

While working on Bodacious Dream, I walk down the dock each day and notice the strange jellyfish that seem to float in the currents as the tide flushes in and out of the harbor. Each day, twice a day at about 6 hour and 15 minute intervals, the tides flow into and out of the harbor raising and lowering the water levels by about 5 feet. Some of the places Bodacious Dream has sailed, the tides range up to 30 feet in water elevation … which as you might imagine stirs up a lot of current as this massive amount of water flows in and out of the bays and nearby inlets.

Truth be told, I’ve grown unreasonably fond of BoDream’s new splashguards …

Today, while walking I took a closer look at the water and had the most amazing time observing the small minnows and fish darting around these translucent jellyfish. These jellyfish just amaze me. They are about the size of a large grape or small plum and their very thin membrane of body has a bluish tint. Actually you can see right through them … and inside, well, I don’t know how to describe it, but there seems to be a small filament of fiber that somehow pulsates and throws off this curious iridescent color. It isn’t just a reflection of the sunlight, but seems to pulsate from within … and I almost think their responses are tied to my being there and hovering over them. Maybe they are communicating with each other or maybe there is some propulsion factor involved, but regardless, the amazing nature of these beauties is a wonder to watch. One thing I better appreciate now is how this life form has managed to survive been for hundreds of millions of years! No easy feat! Guess this is just the beginning of my staring into the mysterious deep! Anyway, here’s video on them to watch!

The Jellyfish beckon …

I have to keep this short, because with such long days, and more to come, it’s time for some rest … so I can … oh yeah … do it all again tomorrow!

More later.

Dave and Bodacious Dream … (and a few thousand of our new friendly jellyfish!)

Circumnavigation/ The View from Two Weeks Out!

Posted on September 16, 2013 by oceanexplorer

Our time here in Rhode Island has passed quickly and our departure date for the Circumnavigation now looms just two weeks away! The excitement builds while quiet anxiety seeps in to fill the gaps. Questions keep circling through my mind … what am I forgetting, what’s going to break, how’s the weather going to be … will there be dragons out there? So while I’m hoping that those questions all resolve themselves peacefully, I know for sure that many unexpected things will arise, and well … that’s the fun of it! Being self-sufficient while sailing across these enormous expanses of ocean, embedded in the deepest wild of nature; this is living as close to the fullness of life as I can imagine. Such thoughts help me to offset the labor of long days at the yard working on the boat!

This weekend produced a number of completed projects and items crossed off the list! Thanks to the help of stalwart friends Tim Eades and Matt Scharl, we have new clutches on the foredeck, and new splashguards to protect me in the cockpit.

BoDream with her spiffy new splashguards!

Thanks also to Dave, Phil, PJ, Peter and all the guys at Hall Spars, the rig is in and we sail-tested it on Saturday to make sure the tuning is proper. It’s sort of like tuning an instrument, as we tighten the shrouds (which are the wires that hold the mast up) to various tensions to keep the mast in column (straight) when the wind blows. Needless to say, we had a great day of sailing on Saturday to accomplish this with the help of Collin (Dave’s Son) and Carolyn, Phil’s wife. Carolyn is a teacher’s coach and enrichment counselor and hopes to introduce our BDX educational program to first, second and third graders at her schools, as well as to perhaps help us put together more interesting learning ideas. We’re always on the lookout too for others who can help with new ideas and ways to help us share this great expedition – not just with kids, but with everyone! If you have any thoughts, let us know … info@bodaciousdreamexpeditions.com

Eric Wakefield at the North Sails Loft took the time to look over and make any repairs to the sails that I’ll use. On the water, chafe and small tears are often occurrences, and these are best and most properly repaired back on the sail loft floor. Imagine a large gym floor with the sails spread out … much easier to look at and work with them like that. We also got a chance to put up and sail with most of those sails this weekend, and now have them onboard and packed away. Sails are like the engine on the boat only they don’t come with a throttle or gas pedal, so it’s necessary to keep changing sail sizes and shapes to best accommodate the strength and direction of the wind. With the full range of variables in weather we may well encounter around the world, it will be necessary for us to be carrying 8 or 9 various sails with us.

In the meantime, our KVH satellite dome is off being repaired. The hydro-generator mount is nearing completion, auto-pilots are sorted out and we installed a back-up wind wand on top of the mast, that sends wind direction and speed info down to our computer. And to top it all off, Bodacious Dream even got a good washing before I took off for the day on Sunday. Plus I got a few vaccinations this past week too! Shots in the arm! Ouch!

So finally, it’s time to start making the transition from boat projects to logistical work, which means finding, getting, sorting and storing all sorts of gear, charts, food, clothing, paper and pencils, pens and such. Ice cream too, though that will have to be of the freeze-dried variety. But cookies? For sure on that!

At just more than two weeks away from leaving, the well wishes and bon voyage messages come quite frequently. Thanks to all of you for checking in, and keeping me in your thoughts as I head off into this most amazing dream expedition. I promise pockets bursting at the seams with stories when I return, but until then, you can read them as they happen simply by signing up for the email list or by following us on Facebook. Start getting the kids revved up about following us too. We are working on our new Explorer Guides for the trip and already have quite a few other things that will help put a special discovery frame around the expedition.

It’s all happening … almost all at the same time. Be back soon with more!

– Dave and Bodacious Dream

A Whale of a Watch!

Posted on September 5, 2013 by oceanexplorer

Well, it’s now September 5th and it’s less than 30 days until the start of the Bodacious Dream Expedition around the globe! Work continues on Bodacious Dream each day, as we continue to make modifications to improve my ability to sail the boat by myself, and also to make it easier to communicate with you the many wonders we’ll be encountering.

I mentioned briefly in the last update about my trip with Earthwatch Institute Researcher Tegan Mortimer onboard the vessel, Whale Watch. It was great spending time and learning from someone so passionate about her work. As I mentioned, Tegan specializes in plankton and whales – cool huh? – from the tiny to the titanic!

So, here are some interesting facts about whales that I learned:

Did you know that all dolphins are whales, but not all whales are dolphins? Yes, there are differences.
Different whale species are often most easily identified by the shape (or by the absence) of a dorsal fin?
Many Humpback Whales are identified by the coloring and markings on their tails?
Many of these Humpbacks have individual names given to them by researchers, and so are tracked throughout their lives?
Many whale populations are rebounding, but are still greatly reduced from historical records.
My own quick math says that whale populations are approximately about 10% of what they were in the 1800s? If you think about that … sometimes today’s whale watch boats see 10 or more whales at once. Can you imagine what it was like back in 1800s, when that number might have been 100! That’s a lot of big bodies in the water!
There are only about 350-500 of the protected Northern Right Whales still in the Atlantic Ocean, and they ALL pass through the shipping channels outside of Boston.
Each whale species has their own specific dive sequence. Some of these whales show their tail when they dive and some don’t.
There is a fresh water adapted dolphin, called the Boto, in the Amazon River that is pink in color? Boto Dolphins are thought to be very magical – believed to be the spirits of ancestors because One very different thing about them is that their necks turn like a person? No other dolphin has that capability. I had to do an image search to see just what they looked like.

Well, I learned so much more from Tegan about whales too. She showed me how to spot whales and how to compare their dive sequence with the reference manual to help make sure that I’ve identified them correctly. I found this to be very helpful because whale sightings happen so quickly sometimes, that it’s not easy to get a picture that can identify the species conclusively.

Learning about Whale’s Dive Sequence

For the circumnavigation, I got a new camera that automatically geo-tags the photographs and videos I take. This will be helpful in collecting all the data necessary to allow Earthwatch whale researchers to use the information. The photos contain info on the latitude and longitude of the picture, as well as the time of day and the direction I am looking when I shot the photograph. The videos will help us to identify the whale from the dive sequences. This is going to be one of the most exciting parts of the trip as I pass through a broad variety of different whale populations and territories.

Another cool thing Tegan explained was how sensors were being used to warn ships of the small remaining world population of Right Whales who all pass through the shipping lanes near Boston.

Looking out for Right Whales

Our trip aboard Whale Watching provided us many other things to see too. We spotted some debris in the water, mostly floating wood and plastics in the harbor. We also saw a very fun and amazing thing – a feeding school of Blue Fin Tuna! These majestic fish have a very distinctive shape to them. The ones we saw were probably 60 to 100 pounds in size, jumping clearly out of the water. The tuna are a warm-blooded fish and can swim as fast as 40 miles an hour!

Jumping Blue Fin Tunas!

So … many thanks to Tegan and to Earthwatch for providing me the time to learn how to research, catalog and identify the whales I’ll be seeing along the trip.

For now, it’s back to boat projects as we get ready to launch this coming Monday after completing the satellite work as well as finishing the work on and reinstalling the mast. Soon we’ll be out sailing once again, and it will be time to work on loading the boat with all the necessary equipment and food for the trip.

More soon,

– Dave & Bodacious Dream

Step-by-Step, Day-by-Day – We’re Getting Closer!

Posted on August 30, 2013 by oceanexplorer

I’ve been in Rhode Island for about 10 days now, getting Bodacious Dream ready for the upcoming circumnavigation. Sorry for the lack of updates, but as you might imagine, there’s a lot going on over here!

There are several significant projects happening concurrently – modifications to the mast, adding new satellite mounts and a hydro generator – as well as other tasks, each of them requiring that I order parts, organize the work, set up schedules and follow through to completion. While sailing often looks like just another fun day on the water, there’s easily as much time spent off the water in preparation and maintaining a boat as there is in sailing her!

At present, the mast is dismantled and over at the Hall Spars shop in Bristol, RI, and in the competent hands of Dave Moffit, P.J. Schafer and Phil Garland. We choose to move the mast to their shop, as they have all the necessary tools there to install a winch on it and to add some clutches, a new shive or two and do some detail checks of the rod rigging. As you can imagine, the mast is like the engine in the car … without it, the boat stalls out and you’re a floating box … so having everything in perfect working order is paramount.

While that is going on, we started installing the new satellite mounts and reworking the stern life lines, which are the taut wire handrails that keep us from flipping overboard! This has required drilling new holes, filling old holes, adding new hardware and rerouting wires. We’ve also upgraded our computer system to handle the workload better – which feels great.

On Wednesday, Steven Griffin from KVH, the mobile satellite communications company, and provider of our Tracphone V7ip unit, were kind enough to give me a fascinating tour of the KVH facilities right here in the Newport area. What amazing technology the’ve developed to produce the most sophisticated satellite tracking hardware available for boats today. It’s an impressive operation, run with not only a precision focus on quality and technology, but also with a firm and moral commitment to their workforce too! I learned that many of the employees have been there from the first days when they made gyro-stabilized compasses. I’m proud to use their equipment.

Each day is a little like Christmas here as boxes arrive regularly with parts and pieces in them. When considering that I will be away from U.S. shores for eight to ten months, it’s necessary that I consider the availability of spare parts. While I may be able to receive shipments in Cape Town, South Africa or Wellington, NZ (cookies ship nicely, btw,) deliveries to the middle of the Indian Ocean are a different story. So, you have to think it through, and take a real close look at what you have and what you might need. Things like spare pumps, hoses, clamps, tools and such all have to be packed to ensure I’m as self-sufficient as possible.

Last week, we had a great meeting of the minds with the Earthwatch Institute team and myself to discuss our future progress. We are all looking forward to this joint venture, as we’ll be able to provide Earthwatch with a “virtual” expedition, as we send back research data from remote points on our travels. The Earthwatch folks are also connecting us with other research projects of theirs, as well as with tools and methodologies to do samplings of plankton, micro-plastics and visual observations, etc.

I look forward to integrating all this research into our Bodacious Dream Expeditions Circumnavigation’s Explorer Study Guides which are our learning and discovery components, to help provide context and insights along the way, for learners of all ages. It’s quite a job when you consider the 30,000 mile wide whiteboard we are working on!

After the meeting, Tegan Mortimer, a dynamic young woman whose enthusiasm for whales and plankton is deep and inspiring, invited me to join her for a whale watching tour on the boat she works on. I’ll do a separate update just on that part of the Earthwatch program, as Tegan showed me so many interesting and exciting things that I never knew about the really big guys, whales and the really little guys, plankton. Here’s one factoid … did you know that plankton is responsible for the oxygen we use in 1 out of every 5 breaths? Amazing, huh?

Here’s a short video intro to Tegan … with subsequent ones to come in the next update … as well as soon on our Bodacious Dream Expeditions YouTube Channel.

So, I’ve got to get back to work here – some composite work in the back of the boat to make mounting the satellite, lifelines and hydro-generator all work out. So, off I go … mask on, into the dark and scrunchy depths of the stern lazzarette to grind away at some fiberglass. All you sailors know just how much “itch by itch – little by little” fun that is! Oh well … just another day in the life of a dreamer … and what a fortunate one I am!

Until later, thanks as always for your support!

Dave & Bodacious Dream … (out here on the “verge” of the dream …)

From Newport to Newport, by way of the Earth!

Posted on August 25, 2013 by oceanexplorer

#`I arrived back in Rhode Island this past Monday from my home on the shores of Lake Michigan. At the Hinckley Boatyard in Portsmouth, RI, I’m reunited now with Bodacious Dream, which has been waiting patiently for me to return.

Bodacious … just hanging out … getting ready …

Leaving there and arriving here marked a big transition in the life of Bodacious Dream
and myself. It means I’ve done the majority of the organizational work necessary for me to be away from home for some ten months! Imagine if you had to do the same … a whole lotta lists … that’s all I can say.

We’ve kept you updated the past two years as best we could with our travels and our races onboard Bodacious Dream … but that has all been something of a dress rehearsal for what is about to happen now … in that all that has allowed me the opportunity to really get to know this marvelous sailing ship and to see just how I might best configure her for the main event … that of a SOLO GLOBAL CIRCUMNAVIGATION.

We’ve done well in some of our races and learned a lot in the rest, but I’ve learned the most I would say from sailing her back from Europe alone, and from talking with other sailors with more open-ocean experience than I. So, now the time is upon us and for the next six weeks, I’ll be here in Rhode Island implementing those lessons and refinements so that I can sail her around the world in as safe and natural way as possible.

Here’s a video I shot Wednesday at the boatyard … a little introduction as to what lies ahead … and some of the work that needs to be done before we set sail.

Dave’s Intro #1 to the Circumnavigation …

We’ve got new mounts for the KVH Satellite Dome, where our Internet connection resides. We’ve also got new hatches, new hardware, new spray shields for the cockpit, new lines and halyards as well as expanded storage units for lots of food (and cookies) to keep us fit and happy. We’re also working on enhancing the quality of our information uploads with GPS-tagged photographs and Google Earth/Ocean mapping tours. These amazing technologies are going to allow you to see much more of what’s happening in real-time, than we can show you here in e-mails or blog posts. We are determined to get ourselves on the leading edge here in so far as how we use these great new tracking and recording technologies!

To give you a feel for the scope and distance of the adventure, here is our ITINERARY for the circumnavigation, along with a few details and comments.

We’re looking for good weather October 1st to leave Newport, RI and to return there around June 1st, 2014!

If you are reading this and you have any thoughts, learning advice, questions or such, please feel free to email them to us at info@bodacousdreamexpeditions.com!

So, let’s take a look!

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:: GLOBAL BODACIOUS DREAM EXPEDITION

Circumnavigation of the Globe (Planned Itinerary – updated 8.20.13)

#1) DEPART NEWPORT RI (OCTOBER 1, 2013)
Coordinates: 41 29’ 13.20”N, 71 20’ 34.25”W

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#2) Commence onward to ST. HELENA ISLAND (in the middle of the Southern Atlantic)

Coordinates: 15°55’4.42″S, 5°43’42.36″W
Length of sail: 5758 miles
Expected duration of sail: Approximately 30 Days

Goal: This remote and desolate island in the middle of the south Atlantic provides a unique opportunity to stop and explore.

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#3) Commence onward to CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

Coordinates: 34 15’ 11.115”S, 18 37’ 33.29”E
Length of sail: 1700 miles
Expected duration of sail: Approximately 10 Days
Goal: Visit whale habitat, various cultural areas and this historical maritime waypoint for world circumnavigators both modern day and historical. Cape Town is known as the “Tavern of the Seas.”

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#4) Commence onward to WELLINGTON, NZ

Coordinates: 41 20’ 15.265”S, 174 50’ 49.61”E
Length of sail: 6500 miles
Expected duration of sail: Approximately 32 Days
Goal: Wellington, NZ is on the southern tip of the North Island of New Zealand. It is also the birthplace of Bodacious Dream as she was launched there in December 2011. The plan is to visit many interesting natural sites around New Zealand.

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#5) Commence onward to CAPE HORN AND STRAIGHTS OF MAGELLAN

Coordinates: 55°43’2.15″S, 66° 6’59.07″W – Google Maps
Length of sail: 4200 miles
Expected duration of sail: Approximately 21 Days
Goal: Visit and cruise historic Cape Horn and Straights of Magellan. Cape Horn is the Everest of Sailing.

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#6) Commence onward to the FALKLAND ISLANDS

Coordinates: 51 49’ 19.01”S, 59 35’ 22.24”W – Google Maps
Length of sail: 400 miles
Expected duration of sail: Approximately 2 Days
Goal: These interesting islands are just east of the southern tip of South America.

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#7) Commence onward to SOUTH GEORGIA ISLAND

Coordinates: 54 28’ 46.78”S, 36 26’ 26.66”W
Length of sail: 800 miles
Expected duration of sail: Approximately 4 Days
Goal: This historic location was the final rescue place of the Shackleton Expedition when they were trapped on Antarctica through the winter and traveled overland, built a small boat and sailed to South Georgia Island for rescue. This was an amazing story of human endurance. Shackleton is buried on South Georgia Island.

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#8) Proceed North towards South America to the MOUTH OF THE AMAZON RIVER (off the coast of BRAZIL)

Coordinates: 0 34’ 15.04”N, 49 23’ 33.97”W
Length of sail: Approximately: 14 Days
Expected duration of sail: 2700 miles
Goal: Explore the mouth of the largest river in the World and its effect on the ocean and species of animals that adapt to the mix of salt and fresh waters.

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#9) Commence onward to ANTIGUA, WEST INDIES

Coordinates: 17 0’ 46.41”N, 61 46’ 17.63”W
Length of sail: 5000 miles
Expected duration of sail: Approximately 30 Days
Goal: A short visit to this great Caribbean Islands on the way back to the East Coast of the United States.

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#10) Commence onward to CHARLESTON, SC

Coordinates: 32 44’ 27.10”N, 79 51’ 11.99”W
Length of sail: 1400 miles
Expected duration of sail: Approximately 6 Days
Goal: A quick stop in Charleston, which has become a second home for Bodacious Dream as she has competed the past two years in the Atlantic Cup Race that starts in Charleston.

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#11) Commence onward to completion of circumnavigation in NEWPORT, RI

Coordinates: 41 29’ 13.20”N, 71 20’ 34.25”W
Length of sail: 700 miles
Expected duration of sail: Approximately 4 Days

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Bodacious Dream – A Class 40 Sailboat