Sandy Davies of Rhumbline Yacht Services came up from CT to fine tune the satellite internet interface yesterday. Sandy is a master of all things electronic so Clinton felt that while on the boat, it’d be a good chance to get Sandy to run a few tests on Bagan’s 12, 8D batteries… Bagan’s 12, 10 year old 8D batteries… Bagan’s 12, 10 year old, original, 8D batteries… Don’t ask. Yet some very good news to counter the less-than-good-news about the health of the batteries is that award winning cinematographer Ulli Bonnekamp will be joining the trip for the Halifax to Greenland leg. This is a major bonus for the documentary in that Ulli is a very highly recognized and respected cinematographer who’s work has been admired throughout the industry. Ulli is a good friend of the documentary’s writer, Marc Rosenberg’s and after Marc filled him in on the project and to my great delight, Ulli too felt that this was a story in need of telling. The chances are very good that you’ve seen some of Ulli’s remarkable work as he’s shot for such projects as “An Inconvenient Truth”, “The American Experience” and the PBS series “Carrier”. While I assured him that Bagan wasn’t quite as large as an aircraft carrier, the food and company would be far better… and what with the 12 new, 8D, gel-cell batteries…
Posted on Thursday, May 28th, 2009
Filed under: Preparing for the Northwest Passage by Sprague
No Comments »
While I went down to New York for meetings wide and varied, Clinton and Allen Fontaine from DePaul Diesel in Portsmouth, RI broke down the gen-set and main engine for a their regular service as well as preventative inspections. Happy to report that my meetings were very successful (Watch This Space) and even happier to report that there were no hidden $urprise$ to be found in either piece of machinery… And that, for me, makes a very good day. Think I just might sleep tonight!
Posted on Friday, May 22nd, 2009
Filed under: Preparing for the Northwest Passage by Sprague
No Comments »
Organizing a project of this size, boat as well as documentary, is, as I’ve said before, not for the faint of heart. At the best of times it’s crazy making. What off-sets all the insanity is the amazing work that everyone on the crew has been doing. From Matt and Molly at Rubics, to Tony Linder with the fund-raising and sponsor search. To the person everyone has done far more than originally contracted and at a discount price. These are the good guys. The bad guys are something else indeed; yesterday I received a notice form the IRS that an audit which I’ve been trying to appeal for the past 18 months was dismissed. This audit was the result of an error by accountant, a normally very conservative and thorough man. Nonetheless the IRS has found that with penalties and interest I owe an amount that is more than what the new watermaker cost the project. Once again, the illusion of freedom. Under normal circumstance I’d try to fight this with my accountant, but he’s since retired and moved to points unknown. Also under normal circumstance I guess I’d just have to “suck it up” and pay the tax, interest and penalties; but these aren’t normal times in that financial sponsorship has (understandably) been impossible to find and to that date this expedition/documentary has all been paid for out of my pocket. I keep reminding myself that as of June 15th, a lot of these hassles will be left ashore.
Posted on Wednesday, May 20th, 2009
Filed under: Preparing for the Northwest Passage by Sprague
No Comments »
The general mayhem continues; work lists being worked through, check book being burned through. With approximately four weeks to go we’re in good shape but one always has to wonder if good will be good enough. One of the many bright spots in a sea of jobs was the modification to the existing salon. Last year, Clinton, Dominique and I decided that as wonderful a configuration that the current salon layout was, we could do away with the existing whicker chairs and install a proper, full sized settee. This would also double as a sea berth is bumpy weather. I enlisted the help of master carpenter and artesian Ted Croy and with enough massaging of measurements we came up with a design that’s approximately three feet deep and six and a half feet long. This would also help Dominique with her storage of food and supplies. Today Ted delivered and installed what has to be, hands down, the most stunning piece of handcrafted furniture I’ve yet too see. The man is a true artist/genius and has made for us what will be a very welcome addition to the voyage. As Ted will be coming along on the Newport to Halifax leg, perhaps he envisioned a few nights during which he’d be taking full advantage of his amazing creation. … Back to writing checks.
Posted on Tuesday, May 19th, 2009
Filed under: Bagan, Preparing for the Northwest Passage by Sprague
No Comments »
As the man in the movie said, “We’re through the Looking Glass here people”. A few days ago I drove down to CT to help Clinton prepare Bagan for the delivery up here to Newport. The next morning the sign men came and stared applying the various logos to Bagan’s hull… and it hasn’t been the same since. It’s as though this whole project was quickly moved from the backburner to the front burner and turned onto high in one fell swoop. Shortly after the sign guys were through I met with Jeff Marshall of Green Earth Technologies, aboard Bagan. He is fully committed to the project but, as all of us are, is effected by the economy. Having said that he’s making calls for us to various broadcast contacts, politicos and has assured us that this next quarter’s budget will include us. I felt it a very positive meeting in that Jeff struck me as being a man of his word as well as understood the scope of the documentary. Then, Sandy Davies of Rhumbline Yacht Service (he’s the genius doing all the new electronics for Bagan) introduced me to his father who was great pleasure to meet. He’s doing a lot of behind-the-scene calling for us and has, through email, introduced me to Dr. Tony Knap who is the Director of the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Science. Whether we can be of any service to Dr. Knap or not, the fact that the documentary is getting exposure on that level is very, very comforting. Also, Peter Jannsen of MotorBoating has asked that we provide a series of articles for the magazine. I met Peter on a past project and the man’s the salt of the earth. To get the trip and doc exposure like this is one thing, to work with Peter again is a very welcome ‘nother. (Oh yeah, we’re through the looking glass alright… I just got a call from Clinton; Ocean Options just finished a inspection of the water maker, it’s shot. A combination of years and weather has taken it’s toll. Long story made short: this is going to cost… and cost big.)
Posted on Wednesday, May 6th, 2009
Filed under: Preparing for the Northwest Passage by Sprague
1 Comment »
