Cruising along.

Just leaving Henry, Illinois and cruising at 9 miles an hour. Waves and wind are picking up. 2-4 foot waves. 25 miles an hour.

I met a guy named Bob. . .

Bob Hankins. Nice and helpful.

Henry, Illinois - Henry Harbor Inn

While at the Henry Harbor Inn, recouping after 3 days of rain and some modifications of the prototype have to be made over the next few days.

Hopefully there will be enough donations to complete the second outrigger in St. Louis, Missouri.

Seneca, Illinois - Katie Hooper staff - Thanks

Still raining. It has been, on and off, since I started yesterday. It's being relentless at the moment. Thanks to the Katie Hooper staff for allowing me to dock.

45 foot lock

The trip started with plenty of rain, headwinds, and high waves.

Thanks to the Army Corps of Engineers (the people that maintain the locks), for words of encouragement, a hot cup of coffee in 40º temperatures which stopped hypothermia and allowed the trip to continue.

20 miles outside of chicago

Coming from Chicago, to the industrial area, entering the locks.

Redux

So, the last few days have been spent purchasing another boat, any lost electronics, food, and materials that are needed to do this trip, that were lost with the first boat.

The original startup before the capsizing was $11,000 with 14-16 hours a day of work being put into it. After the capsizing, another $4,000 had to be used for the replacements.

Now, the following days will include working many hours to alter the boat and make certain adjustments and custom tweaks. Lots of bolting, polyurethane coating, shopping, brainstorming, and shuffling, to name a few things.

Thanks to Jeff's Marine Service, Inc. for a diligent job, working on the 9.9 Johnson motor that was submerged in water overnight. He charged a fair price for a swift and thorough task.

First prototype - Beast (canoe) - Capsized

On the afternoon of September 10th, 2011, the first departure of this trip was cut short near Navy Pier, in Chicago, Illinois.

Beast, the first prototype, was destroyed by a 4 story cruise ship that circled the canoe, while 50 to 100 passengers snapped pictures of the event and almost jeopardized the trip. The 12 foot swirling vortex created, dropped the tiny craft then buried it in waves measuring between 8-10 feet in height. It caused irreparable damage that was estimated at $4,000.

I would like to thank boat 688 from the Chicago Fire Department and the Chicago Police Department for their prompt help in retrieving the wreckage.

coming soon.

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