Mighty Merloe

[96elur]

Well for starters 50' of rode in a kelp bed didn't do much to keep Don from dragging into the cliff on Anacapa. Keep reading dude. Not my facts...

Thanks for responding. I agree with you, but if I say I was driving my car and ran into a building, I don't think anyone will consider that I may have forgotten to put my parking brake on when my car was in neutral and it rolled down a hill and hit a building.

Unless I say that instead of I hit a building. I see you ignored all of the other issues with your post that I pointed out. I understand why, though.

No worries. I'm over it now. I guess all I am trying to say is that if you, who are an experienced sailor, do some hair-brained stupid things, and another goes online and writes their own account of what you did, using the same method you had done with DL...well how would you respond to that writer?
I am not in any way defending DL. I know him better than 90% of the posers, oops, I mean posters responding to this thread because I delivered the boat to Newport with him after several days of first prepping the boat, attaching the three rudders, raising the main for the first time in 3 years. We did two test sails in San Diego Bay before departing for Newport.

0 new items by W P

photos.app.goo.gl

 

[96elur]

That ain’t fair. Captain Donald Duck has hung himself with his own rope and actions. For gosh sakes man just read the article you posted. And that is from the most forgiving PC source you could find no!? I would love to see him succeed and speak and act with integrity. The publicly stated vision as it relates to charity work (not the idiotic and clearly absurd record chasing) is admirable. But the more you look the more you find. And it ain't pretty to put it mildly.

I don't wish to go back and forth with you, but it seems you did not get the point of my post at all. Maybe you can convince me that I am wrong in pointing out what Raspy said as being wrong. I am not (as I said) supporting DL, in the least. I am saying that don't re-write incidents and changed the facts. Do you agree that he "hit the Island" is the correct way to re-report the incident when in fact his anchor dragged (for good reason).

 

[Raz'r]

I don't wish to go back and forth with you, but it seems you did not get the point of my post at all. Maybe you can convince me that I am wrong in pointing out what Raspy said as being wrong. I am not (as I said) supporting DL, in the least. I am saying that don't re-write incidents and changed the facts. Do you agree that he "hit the Island" is the correct way to re-report the incident when in fact his anchor dragged (for good reason).

I agree that he dragged and hit the island. What else would you call it?

 

[MR.CLEAN]

I delivered the boat to Newport with him after several days of first prepping the boat, attaching the three rudders, raising the main for the first time in 3 years.

How many of those "6000" miles did you do with Don? Since you know him so well, can you list the voyages that make up those miles?

 

[Monkey]

I don't wish to go back and forth with you, but it seems you did not get the point of my post at all. Maybe you can convince me that I am wrong in pointing out what Raspy said as being wrong. I am not (as I said) supporting DL, in the least. I am saying that don't re-write incidents and changed the facts. Do you agree that he "hit the Island" is the correct way to re-report the incident when in fact his anchor dragged (for good reason).

That hull damage wasn’t the result of verbal abuse from the island, so either he hit it or it hit him. Based on the mobility of your average island, I’m pretty sure I know who hit who. Having an anchor down doesn’t change that.

 

[MR.CLEAN]

I agree that he dragged and hit the island. What else would you call it?

"Gently caressed the island" sounds much nicer.

Or maybe "used the shore as an angle grinder during hull mods"

 

[MR.CLEAN]

I wonder if he's set any records yet. First Black ORMA skipper? Slowest >50' multihull SD to ACA?

 

[Wess]

I don't wish to go back and forth with you, but it seems you did not get the point of my post at all. Maybe you can convince me that I am wrong in pointing out what Raspy said as being wrong. I am not (as I said) supporting DL, in the least. I am saying that don't re-write incidents and changed the facts. Do you agree that he "hit the Island" is the correct way to re-report the incident when in fact his anchor dragged (for good reason).

Well in Navy terms the good Captain’s boat had an allusion with the island and the bucks stops with the so called Captain so…

And if you think that’s the worst he’s done I got a bridge to sell you.

 

[ChannelWatch]

Yeah, but what to do with it? Most marinas can’t handle the big Tri‘s. Most boatyards can’t handle them, either. Most of the hardware isn’t available at West Marine.

Trash it and sell the parts and electronics!

 

[ChannelWatch]

You know there are many folks here that wished you guys had claimed salvage and save the boat from him LOL.

"In admiralty, a person who rescues property at sea may obtain an award based not merely on the costs he incurs but on the value of the property saved and the degree of danger encountered. These rules are designed to encourage seamen to render valorous service in the salvage of property, and remuneration has accordingly been liberal." The Clarita and the Clara, 90 U.S. 1, 17, 23 L. Ed. 146,
23 L. Ed. 150 (1874); Gilmore and Black, Law of Admiralty, § 8-1.*

 

[stinky]

"In admiralty, a person who rescues property at sea may obtain an award based not merely on the costs he incurs but on the value of the property saved and the degree of danger encountered. These rules are designed to encourage seamen to render valorous service in the salvage of property, and remuneration has accordingly been liberal." The Clarita and the Clara, 90 U.S. 1, 17, 23 L. Ed. 146,
23 L. Ed. 150 (1874); Gilmore and Black, Law of Admiralty, § 8-1.*

would that be the value declared on the donation paperwork or the actual market value?
First one is a large positive number, second one might be negative and depend on how much the local dump charges/ton.

 

[Hitchhiker]

Well in Navy terms the good Captain’s boat had an allusion with the island and the bucks stops with the so called Captain so…

And if you think that’s the worst he’s done I got a bridge to sell you.

Allision (plural allisions) (nautical) The striking of a vessel against a fixed object; the act of alliding or an instance thereof. (rare) The act of dashing against or striking upon.

FFS.

 

[96elur]

How many of those "6000" miles did you do with Don? Since you know him so well, can you list the voyages that make up those miles?

Hey Allen,
Long time follower, first-time caller. I, unlike so many others, can answer questions when asked. Of those 6000 questionable miles I'd say I did about 140. I'd put that at 2.3%.

I think you are baiting me with your questions, but if that works for you and you know you are doing it, then I'm good.

I do not know him very well at all, but I'll take the bait. My original comment was I know him better than many of those who are trolling this thread. Re: Voyages (more bait) I previously wrote about the time on the boat and land that I spent with him.
I'd be glad to answer any direct questions from anyone on this thread if they are written without a preconceived tone of knowing me, baiting me or otherwise being a child. For those that ask in that tone you will get a "try again".

Raz'r: That's exactly how I would say. Wish others would have said it that way.

Monkey: When taken as a single stand-alone comment, you are right. He hit the island. However, when that is just one of a few comments in a thread, that was written in a 'simplified way' and adds up to a tone of 'Fake News'. Then further down the thread, people are asking...Hey, why didn't he see the island? Did he have anybody on watch? If you are unable to understand this, then join the group of the other posers who also can't seem to figure out why I even commented in the first place.

 

[vokstar]

Interesting in his post after his long awaited update he compares himself to Gitana team and The Maxi Edmond de Rothschild.

"Well, that is how record attempts go.
The best and most advance trimaran in the world, Gitana, had to come back to Port this morning after sailing 300nm+ into their record because- wait for it- their engine wouldn't charge!
Sound familiar?
Yes the same issue we had on our passage. It doesn't matter the funds, size of the boat, or the record, things happen when you are trying to compete for World Records!
They returned to their base."

I think the significant difference is I'm pretty confident they didn't leave port knowing that their engine needed a rebuild...

The communication thing baffles me too, saying he was getting happy new year and happy birthday messages as soon as the plane landed in the US, if you are planning international travel don't you pick a carrier that has international roaming? Or at the very least get a sim card that will work in the country you are in.. Also somewhat surprised that US carriers don't work in Mexico...

 

[Hitchhiker]

Interesting in his post after his long awaited update he compares himself to Gitana team and The Maxi Edmond de Rothschild.

"Well, that is how record attempts go.
The best and most advance trimaran in the world, Gitana, had to come back to Port this morning after sailing 300nm+ into their record because- wait for it- their engine wouldn't charge!
Sound familiar?
Yes the same issue we had on our passage. It doesn't matter the funds, size of the boat, or the record, things happen when you are trying to compete for World Records!
They returned to their base."

I think the significant difference is I'm pretty confident they didn't leave port knowing that their engine needed a rebuild...

The communication thing baffles me too, saying he was getting happy new year and happy birthday messages as soon as the plane landed in the US, if you are planning international travel don't you pick a carrier that has international roaming? Or at the very least get a sim card that will work in the country you are in.. Also somewhat surprised that US carriers don't work in Mexico...

Did Lawson return to his base? Is there a base to return to? I will be surprised if they make it to the Canal.

 

[munt]

Mr. 96elur, here a few very basic, straightforward questions:
1. Is Captain Lawson even remotely qualified to accomplish any of the sailing feats which he has very publicly proclaimed as his goals?
2. Is the vessel the proper tool to use in pursuit of stated goals?
3. Is the Captain a victim of his own hype who is now trapped without an honorable exit or did he deliberately set out to profit from sponsors naivety?
I think I know the answers to #1 and #2. I sincerely hope that the answer to #3 is that he's a well-intentioned dreamer who bit off more than he could chew. I give him credit for having the balls to try. What might take even bigger balls is finding a way out of his current predicament. If I ever meet him in a bar I'm gonna buy him drinks.
Calling people on this forum posers is a bit troublesome as many of them have extremely extensive sailing resumes. I'd buy them drinks too.

 

[vokstar]

Did Lawson return to his base? Is there a base to return to? I will be surprised if they make it to the Canal.

Well it sounds like he is still on the lookout for a base...

"The real work will happen when we finally have a facility on the East Coast that can properly house our boat and has the staff that knows how to repair these types of boats"

 

[M26]

I so wish I could show you all the incredible messages I get from Pro Sailors, Olympians, World Champions, Vendee Globe Sailors

Why can't he?

 

[mathystuff]

scientists invent a new type of radar which can detect large, rocky objects such as islands

Straight up murder.

 

[ronnie_simpson]

Right? I question how he arrived at this mileage figure.

In talking with Don directly, he has explained to me that they made it to within 800 ish miles of the Galapagos before turning back towards Mexico. I would guess this may be realistic, as he had to get from Cabo to Acapulco and were MIA about a month. Cabo to Acapulco ain't far, so they had to go somewhere. MM is a super fast boat, so even on a month-long Reid Stowe voyage around the Pacific, I bet he ate up 3 or 4k, which when added to the west coast tour miles and a journey to Cabo, he's easily at 6k in my opinion.