This is a simply brilliant video! An amazing adventure, modestly and cleverly told and neatly explained. I loved every minute of this. Thanks for sharing your obvious skills as both parents, sailors and video creators!
Amazing adventure and great video (and very funny thanks to the narrator). May I ask you about the hard dodger construction and welding process? We also own an old aluminium sailboat and I considering doing it my own (the hard dodger) and also a few other welding works. Thanks!
For sure! We MIG welded it from 5000-series aluminum. It wasn't too difficult to learn and was a lot of fun. Frames and plating 3mm aluminum, which is fairly light and plenty strong to stand on etc
@@JohnPennington-xx8qx Appreciated! I think I'm gonna try it too. May I ask you about the welding machine you used and also any online tutorial that perhaps you used? Thanks again!
I used a Miller multimatic 215 with a spool gun. It was not cheap, but it runs on 110/220v 50/60hz anywhere in the world, and is quite small. The "correct" aluminum is 5053 or 5056 alloy but it's difficult to find. 5052 and 6000-series is okay for above the waterline and I found it at the local sheet metal shop so that's what our dodger is made from. We left it bare and it's starting very well. I used 5356 filter wire.
I think I watched all the tutorials... And read a lot of paper books too! Welding new aluminum is pretty straight forward but the old, dirty oxidized stuff is hard to get clean enough. Dental tools and small Dremel tools and lots of time!
Hi guys, I have to credit you all. We did this NWP trip E-W in 2001 (Turmoil) and tried the next year W-E and failed. It was hard on the first unassisted motor yacht to go through and being a sailor (and getting the Laser pics against a massive iceberg) I can imagine what is was like in your vessel, only 2 of you + Dean, despite the huge difference in pack ice thickness. Being an ice pilot as well, it does take away form the achievement nor make today any easier than it was 23 years ago. With just 3 of you....wow! Congrats and I look forward to following you through the very familiar Pacific.
WoW ! Bravo 👏 We are Louise and Yves , Amy’s friends ! We met you in Bermuda and also in Wickford very shortly . It’s was a real pleasure to watch this video . Thank you to share your beautiful experience with us !
Beautiful video , thanks for share it. wish you fair winds, calm seas and safe anchorages...... Hope to cross our path some day. Cheers. Zeek and Flor from S/Y Ypake II
What an amazing video.. so inspirational. My partner and I are in the process of rehabbing our own aluminum boat with a dodger. Where did you get the opening hatches and windows for your cockpit dodger? We are planning something similar.
Thank you! We used Wynne Enterprises in Alabama; they were helpful and by far the the most economical. Even cheaper is to go without frames--just using the rubber gasket--but I was worried the glass would be pushed in by a wave. Hope that helps. Fair winds!
Just completed the book 'Thicker Than Ice'. It joins the bookshelves with the classic sailing books of the last century alongside the Pennington's first wonderful book 'Orca'.
Wow this was such a joy to watch! Wonderful footage and editing, and amazing storytelling by Dean the legend! We miss being up there with you and will watch this many times :D
What an epic journey and video, we are so stoked for you guys! Kara, the editing was great and I love the perspective in which the story was told. Dean, great job narrating, you are a natural storyteller and one of the coolest kids in the entire world. John, great job on all the hardcore boatwork, the planning, and navigating required to pull off this mission. It does seem from the video that Kara steps in to handle most of the tough work and I think you were more into Quadamaran than Dean! I got a Tom Hanks and Wilson kind of relationship from Castaway vibe there. The desire and passion required to dream, plan, and to execute this adventure is extremely motivating for me and our whole family. We love you guys and are always here to support you in every way!
I love this video! This is the absolute best. I have always said if I needed a crew to sail to save my life it would only be you. For anyone watching this video the parents had already sailed one and a half times round the world before the narrator was born! I send my love to the crew and their fine ship. I see one of my pics made it in to the video. I'm dead chuffed. Loads of love Mr n 'Talisker 1'.
Thank you James! Loved sailing with you up to Lowestoft, so sorry we missed your photo credit. Updated the description to include you. Lots of love from Alaska!
John! You did not need to do that! That was not why I mentioned it. I want to sail in the Pacific before I die. I fear if I visit I'd be more trouble than Arthur! Your video has warmed my heart. Thank you thank you