Mighty Merloe

[ronnie_simpson]

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I don’t know if you’re intentionally trolling…but the byline says it all.

Sometimes it helps to actually read the article that you're referecing.

 

[Pants]

Ronnie, you're being way too kind.

OK, we'll take it that his non-profit has it for three years from the time of donation (another two years?). Fix it up? He couldn't get sponsorship then, and not likely to get it now. Any idea of what a new main will cost for that boat? New headsails? Hauling out and repairing the damage to the hulls? From all appearances he's walked away from this disaster. Perhaps his non-profit could donate the boat to another non-profit, but who would take it.

While we'd all like to see a good outcome from Mighty Merloe/Defiant, that's just wishful thinking.

Around $400,000 to replace the visibly trashed sails. Nomex core boat with a million penetrations - that probably can’t be fixed properly but every bit of $500,000 for the attempt to do that. Little change from a 1MM to just get the boat back to the state in which he received it.

 

[ronnie_simpson]

He's Reid Stowe with a riskier ride and darker skin tone.

Clean wins again.

 

[ronnie_simpson]

I was approached by a friend a few weeks ago at a Chesapeake Shorthanded Sailing Society meeting that was offered the opportunity to deliver the boat to the Chesapeake and turned it down after realizing that the captain is just a poser.

I guess he realized his plan to sail to Hawaii and then RTW from there with that boat was not realistic. Now it looks like he may not even make it to the new multihull mecca that multihuler is putting together in Washington NC. I plan to stop by there in two weeks as I sail down the intercoastal on my monohull cruiser to escape the cold.

If you make it by Beaufort and my rig's back in by then, you'd be welcome to a ride on my Open 50. North Carolina is pretty cool this time of year.

 

[MR.CLEAN]

A lot of people are probably talking shit on me for launching an Open 50 solo rtw racing campaign.

No, because you proved yourself on multiple occasions with humility, honesty, hard work and perseverence.

But i'm a dreamer and a doer, and that's where I can empathize with Don. He clearly bit off way more than he can chew, but with a bit of humility, hard work and good fortune the story could potentially have a happy ending. He's not gonna set any records on the boat, but if you break down his stated goals to their very core, he can maybe still make a positive influence on some people's lives and add some pigment to the sport. Wishful thinking, perhaps.

I hope he can find some humility and make something positive happen before it's too late.

We both had high hopes for Lawson's mission, but it was pretty clear from the start that he wasn't taking it seriously.

 

[karst]

Sometimes it helps to actually read the article that you're referecing.

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i can find countless references to his desire for the outright record.

 

[solosailor]

it appears he has mostly struck out finding sponsors and funding, which has in many ways led to his current predicament.

Not raising money had nothing to do with the current predicament.

 

[Wess]

Yes, I have a pretty good idea what sails and proper repairs would cost. I'm putting an entire inventory on my Open 50 in April, and the ORMA sails are probably right about double what my sails cost. And i'm pulling my rig tomorrow. Shit's expensive, I get it. Bank account can verify.

The man very clearly bit off more than he could chew. It's very clear that he won't set any records on the boat.

But hauling the lightweight boat in Mexico with a crane... slapping some carbon or even some glass over the exposed core and fairing the hull... Making it water tight and at least sea worthy... repairing the exisitng inventory and then getting some crew to help delivery-sail it to the Chesapeake would be possible. It's probably wishful thinking, but I am one of those guys that roots for under dogs. A lot of people are probably talking shit on me for launching an Open 50 solo rtw racing campaign. But i'm a dreamer and a doer, and that's where I can empathize with Don. He clearly bit off way more than he can chew, but with a bit of humility, hard work and good fortune the story could potentially have a happy ending. He's not gonna set any records on the boat, but if you break down his stated goals to their very core, he can maybe still make a positive influence on some people's lives and add some pigment to the sport. Wishful thinking, perhaps.

I hope he can find some humility and make something positive happen before it's too late.

But it’s the consistent lack of humility over the long haul that is so scary. How does a guy like that get competent multi crew to sail with him. Not enough money in the world for anyone with brains. Wish anyone well who does take the job.

And good luck with your program. Sincerely. You sound like somebody who actually know what you are doing and what you got into. Can’t say the same for DL.

 

[SailingTips.Ca]

Mustang bought in:

Captain Donald Lawson

When Lawson was just 9-years old, his mother organized a summer camp trip on the topsail schooner, Lady Maryland, where his passion for sailing was sparked. The captain of the ship told Lawson he could sail around the world. From that moment on, he knew he found his calling.

mustangsurvival.com

i think he got some safety gear kicked down from Mustang Survival...

It could be they knew exactly what they were getting into and thought "there's no better advertising than our gear saving a life in a highly likely emergency scenario"! ;-)

 

[solosailor]

A lot of people are probably talking shit on me for launching an Open 50 solo rtw racing campaign.

You've crossed the Pacific numerous times as skipper/crew racing and delivering. You have a racing CV with the appropriate experience on like sized boats. I couldn't find one race Lawson had skippered, not one.... maybe I missed something. Of course people can do passages and try to set records without ever racing.... but it would be rare.

 

[MR.CLEAN]

But it’s the consistent lack of humility over the long haul that is so scary.

Why does it scare you?

How does a guy like that get competent multi crew to sail with him.

Maybe having the name "Donald" gets a certain portion of people to immediately lose 50 IQ points when they come into contact.

 

[MR.CLEAN]

It could be they knew exactly what they were getting into and thought "there's no better advertising than our gear saving a life in a highly likely emergency scenario"! ;-)

I am quite sure they discussed the risk factors before 'sponsoring' Lawson and your point is likely accurate.

It could also be that they gave him a box of clothes to (a) avoid any accusation that they refused to provide safety gear to a POC sailor (b) take advantage of a marketing opportunity to the POC market.

 

[Multihaulasseur]

https://www.capitalgazette.com/opin...0210224-lgzlf6gcofe7dnfvdeiryctjby-story.html

Looks like an article in the Capital Gazette written by a guy named Donald Lawson claims that Donald Lawson “was”, “ the first African man to attempt 12 sailing world records, including the fastest person to sail around the globe solo”
And 2 time winner of the CBYRA “multihull championship”?? Didn’t know there was such a thing…

 

[PIL66 - XL2]

You've crossed the Pacific numerous times as skipper/crew racing and delivering. You have a racing CV with the appropriate experience on like sized boats. I couldn't find one race Lawson had skippered, not one.... maybe I missed something. Of course people can do passages and try to set records without ever racing.... but it would be rare.

Agree Solo ... I remember reading The Don did some time and came highly recommended by a well know US or Canadian Sailor who's name now escapes me and I can't find the article.... Anyone know..? Mike Plant or Bruce Schwab....?
@ronnie_simpson I too think you credit him more than he deserves.
In the short time since I met you with Sailor Girl at Cronulla I have followed your progress in sailing. I have no doubt you will do well on the 50 program.... The Don has dreams but not your industry knowledge and passion for the sport.
He does however seem to have passion for his charity so as long as he stays true to that and no one gets hurt then good on him...

Around $400,000 to replace the visibly trashed sails. Nomex core boat with a million penetrations - that probably can’t be fixed properly but every bit of $500,000 for the attempt to do that. Little change from a 1MM to just get the boat back to the state in which he received it.

I doubt the gear is trashed beyond repair. Sail repair looks probable and could be as little as $10k - $15k but heavy physical work getting it off and on. Hull repairs is hard to estimate but repairs to go sailing may be as little as $10 - $40k .... certainly not $900k....
Problem now seems to be the way he left the boat suggesting he may be done...? I don't know but it pains me to see boats end up like the famous Australian Crowther Tri "Bullfrog" where it's now virtually impossible to save.....
@MR.CLEAN ... good to have your usual realistic take on the Don... hope you are well.

Here was his FB post on Mustang sponsorship and the page is still up

 

[jmh2002]

More info in this thread on FB, the most informative of which is in the screenshot below - Donald Lawson is replying in that thread too:

The forum keeps breaking the FB link so I've coded it instead - you'll need to copy and paste if you are interested to read it

In other posts it also seems like the french guy who's FB it is (Sylvain Barrielle) has offfered to help with logistics if required.

We all know shxt happens sometimes, but bigger shxt happens, and more often, when you and/or the boat is poorly prepared and sea trialed.

https://www.facebook.com/sylvain.barrielle/posts/pfbid0ao5yJ2mcxrih5qfuRRELzgiUaJyXe7AuHKYDVEhPB6jDTTqP3Z9jzciMpGMYkmgxl

 

[karst]

Also from FB, playing on the ”Taken” meme. Apparently that set of maintenance skills doesn’t extend to engines or sails. Their skills of irony are on point, though.

“Operating an ORMA60 Trimaran is a lot of work! We don't have a massive shore team or a massive budget! We do have a certain- specific set of skills that allows us to maintain the boat. Enjoy! #orma60 #trimaran #boatlife #darkseasproject #baltimore #maryland #california #boats #maintenance #MustangSurvival #tmobile #ussailing #ATN #RinseKit #crookedhalo”

 

[Autonomous]

If only he has Rimas' uncanny good luck.

 

[trackday]

MEXICO... Where west coast boat dreams go to die.

 

[carcrash]

... He set up a non-profit and managed to get a super cool boat donated to the non-profit, and it appears he has mostly struck out finding sponsors and funding, which has in many ways led to his current predicament.

I agree. If he had raised, say, $30M, then he could have hired a good team and performed the extreme training required to pull this off, he could have afforded to pay for the multiple refits (before, during, and after training), and could have paid for the shore staff to pull off the round-the-world attempt. If he was very, very good with money management (for example, had already succeeded at several multi-million dollar start up businesses) then perhaps he could have done it all with half that budget.

Sailing a Mod 70, already in perfect condition, costs about $70k each day. I am sure the previous owner of the boat could divide the cost of his Transpac race by the days to get there and wildly exceed that number.

Sailing an ORMA 60 RTW is a very expensive endeavor for anyone. Add in the training required to get up to speed, and its clearly dramatically more expensive.

Perhaps he could have started with, say, a Moore 24. Has anyone ever done that? Of course we all know that answer.

 

[dreamingwet]

Some say the West Coast is where old boats go to die...

I am sorry but far more boats die in the Caribbean, specially around Antigua, Guadalupe etc. Owners do the race, do the 600 and think they will come back the following year. By the time they get back their boats a eaten by the humidity and paid lack of care.