I love that John gave (rather than sold) Northwest Spirit (aka Duracell) to y'all, and that the plan is that he'll have the first chance to sail her when she's back in the water.
That story.... made me cry. What an incredible story. I think the company should sponsor a part of the project for all the publicity that they will get from it.
It sent a shiver down my spine when I heard of Mike Plant's fate. I've heard a few stories of racing boats losing their counterweights and flipping, sending their crews to watery graves. I know that the race boats sometimes push the structural materials close to the edge, making the keel as skinny as they can get away with for minimal drag, and the counterweight as heavy as possible (to allow full sail running with large sails in high winds), but I feel that combination of a heavy counterweight on a spindly keel has become an Achilles heel sometimes, and resulted in tragedies like Mike Plant's. All I can say is, please make sure your keel on the Duracell rebuild is substantial or strong enough for whatever counterweight you put on it, without pushing the envelope on the material strength of the structure.
There is something about the production quality of this video that harkens back to a simpler time. It resonates with me. I look forward to the journey with you.
This is amazing! My father was on the design team for Duracell and Coyote, and through seeing both boats built and used Mike became a hero of mine. Thanks for breathing new life into this old gal! I can still remember sitting on the dog house’s X’ed roof on a downwind run in Narragansett bay.
That's awesome! I got to hang out with Rodger Martin for an afternoon at his house in Newport a couple years ago when we first learned about the boat. He pulled out all the files and drawings for the boat with me. It was super fun. Thanks for watching!
I love restorations of racing boats with pedigree and being in the first Vendee Globe is as good as it gets. Mike Plant was a member of my racing club(s) back in Minnesota. This is beyond overwhelming for me so I won't be dreaming of following in your wake but I'm sure you are the team for the job and it will be fascinating to watch. To the previous owner and the original who had their circumnavigations foiled, I'm sure they and their families will be proud of you rescuing her and restoring her purpose.
Hi Matt and Janneke, love what you are doing, and thank you for keeping a bit of history alive, Mike would be so proud of you guys, this boat was his pride and joy. I remember this boat back in her hay day, I never knew John, but I knew Mike from back in the BOC days, he had a boat in the 2nd BOC challenge 1986/1987 called “Airco Distributors” where he won class two, then he built this boat, and as you know he was sadly lost at sea from his next boat Coyote, a great guy and a great sailor. I wish you all the very best with your project.
Hi Barry, very cool that you knew Mike Plant and we also hope that Mike would approve of our project, even though we are significantly changing the boat. We actually got in touch with a guy in Portugal, who found our channel, who bought Airco from Plant and fixed it up a few years ago! Let us know if you're ever in the Port Townsend area-we'd happily show you Duracell :)
Following you both every step of the way, great story. I'm reading Coyote Lost at Sea by Julia Plant. Plan to watch the documentary soon, Mike was definitely a interesting guy.
Great Project, thanks for sharing! Wish you all the luck and energy you need. Excited to hear new stories and reports .... Cheers from Lemmer, HR 42e - Erlano -
what a amazing story, I am at almost the end of a 4 years refit so I know what’s you are into lots of blood sweat money 💰 and teers but boy that’s Duracell worth 👌🏻❤️ good luck and iam going to follow your adventures from the Netherlands 🇳🇱
Hi Marcellus! Yes, blood, sweat, money, tears and yes, joy too :) Congratulations on being close to the end of your 4 year refit. What an accomplishment! Would love to see a photo!
One of my favorite questions to ask Matt these days is: "so how long would it take us to get to...[insert place in world] on Duracell?" From Seattle to Hawaii, for example, would take about 10 days. I think 10-12 knots will be easy.
Interesting choice for a world cruiser for you two. I wish you the best of luck! Duracell built for speed! Are you going to make modifications to the keel?
This project is proceeding on the basis that the ocean racing yacht from decades ago is a good basis for a cruising yacht. Any comments on the fact that the design of Duracell is long and narrow, whereas current racing yachts are much wider ...
just a different design philosophy...long and narrow boats are easier to push through the water. Wider boats have higher initial stability so I think they don't have to be as ballasted.
My friend and I have brought his boat back from the dead, so I know the work ahead... There is nothing more expensive then a free boat... but this one is definently worth it!! Do you have the keel? Carbon rig?🤞
The keel is detached, currently lying in our yard. We've got plans to make it more shallow, which we'll explain in an episode soon. And, yes, fingers crossed for a carbon rig! We're hoping to find one lying around in a shipyard in the area.
The first project was gutting the boat. Tons of old electronics, plumbing, wiring, petrified rats....I'm preparing to cut out the cockpit now. I'll share all this in upcoming episodes :)
![STORM FORCE @ CAPE HORN [Ep. 108]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/PTuSJpQ2Ie8/mqdefault.jpg)
I love that John gave (rather than sold) Northwest Spirit (aka Duracell) to y'all, and that the plan is that he'll have the first chance to sail her when she's back in the water.
Thanks Janneke for the background story on Duracel. I knew a little bit and had heard about Mike Plant.
Hi Nick, he was a fascinating person!-Janneke
Janneke tells the story wonderfully. Great to see a fabulous boat on the journey back to life.
Such a beautiful vessel. Love her design.
I had never seen this episode. What a wonderful introduction to this boat.
That story.... made me cry. What an incredible story. I think the company should sponsor a part of the project for all the publicity that they will get from it.
Wow, I just saw the documentary about Mike. What a brave soul and one fantastic sailor. Such a sad ending. R.I.P. Mike Plant. Beautiful boat. ⛵
It sent a shiver down my spine when I heard of Mike Plant's fate. I've heard a few stories of racing boats losing their counterweights and flipping, sending their crews to watery graves. I know that the race boats sometimes push the structural materials close to the edge, making the keel as skinny as they can get away with for minimal drag, and the counterweight as heavy as possible (to allow full sail running with large sails in high winds), but I feel that combination of a heavy counterweight on a spindly keel has become an Achilles heel sometimes, and resulted in tragedies like Mike Plant's. All I can say is, please make sure your keel on the Duracell rebuild is substantial or strong enough for whatever counterweight you put on it, without pushing the envelope on the material strength of the structure.
Thank you, we will. The goal is to make the boat as safe as possible.
There is something about the production quality of this video that harkens back to a simpler time. It resonates with me. I look forward to the journey with you.
This is amazing! My father was on the design team for Duracell and Coyote, and through seeing both boats built and used Mike became a hero of mine. Thanks for breathing new life into this old gal! I can still remember sitting on the dog house’s X’ed roof on a downwind run in Narragansett bay.
That's awesome! I got to hang out with Rodger Martin for an afternoon at his house in Newport a couple years ago when we first learned about the boat. He pulled out all the files and drawings for the boat with me. It was super fun. Thanks for watching!
I remember seeing this boat in the news.
back in the 80's? cool!
What an inspiring story...especially around Easter.
I love restorations of racing boats with pedigree and being in the first Vendee Globe is as good as it gets. Mike Plant was a member of my racing club(s) back in Minnesota. This is beyond overwhelming for me so I won't be dreaming of following in your wake but I'm sure you are the team for the job and it will be fascinating to watch. To the previous owner and the original who had their circumnavigations foiled, I'm sure they and their families will be proud of you rescuing her and restoring her purpose.
Thanks, Sean! Your words of encouragement are much appreciated :)
Hi Matt and Janneke, love what you are doing, and thank you for keeping a bit of history alive, Mike would be so proud of you guys, this boat was his pride and joy. I remember this boat back in her hay day, I never knew John, but I knew Mike from back in the BOC days, he had a boat in the 2nd BOC challenge 1986/1987 called “Airco Distributors” where he won class two, then he built this boat, and as you know he was sadly lost at sea from his next boat Coyote, a great guy and a great sailor. I wish you all the very best with your project.
Hi Barry, very cool that you knew Mike Plant and we also hope that Mike would approve of our project, even though we are significantly changing the boat. We actually got in touch with a guy in Portugal, who found our channel, who bought Airco from Plant and fixed it up a few years ago! Let us know if you're ever in the Port Townsend area-we'd happily show you Duracell :)
made me misty eye that such a elegant lady continues sailing the high seas even after so much adventures (and mishaps)
What a great story 👍🇦🇺
I look forward to following all this and sharing my own experience of how we recovered a 1992 abandoned Open 60.
Really? Very cool. I have so many questions!
We have a lot to chat about 😅💙🙈
I wish you a better outcome than her previous owners were dealt. I'll be watching !
Very interesting. I'm going to get that book and read it.👍.
.... what an exciting story
Such a cool story. Looking forward to seeing the project unfold.
The boat has been through a lot, we're looking forward to giving it new life. Thanks for watching.
This is excellent, wonderful story telling, as befits such a great story. Thank you!
Amazing history!
We think so too, Kate :)
Following you both every step of the way, great story. I'm reading Coyote Lost at Sea by Julia Plant. Plan to watch the documentary soon, Mike was definitely a interesting guy.
cool, glad to have you along! Yes, Plant was a fascinating character.
Totally amazing story,Cheers from Canada
I know all about Mike plant to well so sad what happened to him glad to see y’all bringing the boat back to life
Great Project, thanks for sharing! Wish you all the luck and energy you need. Excited to hear new stories and reports .... Cheers from Lemmer, HR 42e - Erlano -
Absolutely incredible story! So so cool. Glad I found your channel.
Like the awesome sailing cat hope he or she is still with you.
la Pawz hangs out a lot on Duracell in our backyard now😊
@@TheDuracellProject fantastic I’m glad he or she is home safe 👍👍👍
Great story.
Please keep us up to date on Duracells progress Mike Plant would be happy to know this I bet 👍👍⛵️⛵️🤠🤠cheers from Texas S/V Oceancowboy
Thanks, Ocean Cowboy! We like to think Mike Plant would approve!
Amazing history this boat have, i like the way its told, and i'm excited to see how the project will turn out, best of luck
what a amazing story, I am at almost the end of a 4 years refit so I know what’s you are into lots of blood sweat money 💰 and teers but boy that’s Duracell worth 👌🏻❤️ good luck and iam going to follow your adventures from the Netherlands 🇳🇱
Hi Marcellus! Yes, blood, sweat, money, tears and yes, joy too :) Congratulations on being close to the end of your 4 year refit. What an accomplishment! Would love to see a photo!
I am hooked, cant wait for the next video
Awesome story. Well done!
Thank you. It has a very interesting past for sure.
Amazing story....will follow the restoration with interest. All the best!
A great project. I will follow carefully all the time.
Super interesting project! Thanks for sharing and good luck! 👍
Great story!
I wish you all the best in this endeavour, thanks for sharing I will follow along with your story :)
Amazing, good luck with the project.
Im so excited to see you project especially from the shipwrite.
Enjoyed the history of this amazing boat! Great job Yanni. Looking forward to your next video!
Thanks Mimi :)
Such an amazing story! We're so excited to follow along. Can't wait to sail alongside y'all one day!!! ❤️❤️❤️
See you out there!
We'll meet up in Panama one day!
I'm so pumped for this!! I wonder what kind speed you will get once it's done?
One of my favorite questions to ask Matt these days is: "so how long would it take us to get to...[insert place in world] on Duracell?" From Seattle to Hawaii, for example, would take about 10 days. I think 10-12 knots will be easy.
Interesting choice for a world cruiser for you two. I wish you the best of luck! Duracell built for speed! Are you going to make modifications to the keel?
We're making plans for the keel to make it more shallow. We'll explain more in an upcoming episode :)
Love this.
Fascinating story! Is the Duracell now in Minnesota?
Duracell is now in our yard outside of Seattle!
Cool story! Funny that 7th place gets a medal in america!
Hei, veldig spennende prosjekt, lykke til.
Ps! Finner ingen link til Patreon siden..?
Takk, Jonny! Linken er i beskrivelsen under videoen :)
Awesome
How cool
This project is proceeding on the basis that the ocean racing yacht from decades ago is a good basis for a cruising yacht. Any comments on the fact that the design of Duracell is long and narrow, whereas current racing yachts are much wider ...
just a different design philosophy...long and narrow boats are easier to push through the water. Wider boats have higher initial stability so I think they don't have to be as ballasted.
Sub'ed - looks interesting! And local!
Are you keeping the keel and doing a modifying it to a shallower draft one?
Yes, we will definitely be shortening the keel. It's a huge project but it has to be done.
SWEET!!!
My friend and I have brought his boat back from the dead, so I know the work ahead... There is nothing more expensive then a free boat... but this one is definently worth it!!
Do you have the keel?
Carbon rig?🤞
The keel is detached, currently lying in our yard. We've got plans to make it more shallow, which we'll explain in an episode soon. And, yes, fingers crossed for a carbon rig! We're hoping to find one lying around in a shipyard in the area.
Are you going to keep the water ballast?
We've got ideas. We'll likely keep part of it, but cut it down and convert to freshwater storage, that can still be hiked.
what is the first thing/project/repair/ you are doing? Where do you begin!?
The first project was gutting the boat. Tons of old electronics, plumbing, wiring, petrified rats....I'm preparing to cut out the cockpit now. I'll share all this in upcoming episodes :)
@@TheDuracellProject After watching some of those waves she crashed through I'd be petrified as well. New sub here, wishing you well. :-)
You did not mention when the Duracell landed on Main street Jamestown RI Halloween storm of 1991
One of our viewers actually sent us a photo he took of that event. Maybe we’ll share it this Halloween!
Cat's name?
la pawz