Good Evening Everyone,

Lots has been happening, it’s a fluid situation and we want to keep you all in the loop the best we can.

We had a meeting tonight to talk through the issues the minimus team is facing and work on solutions. It was a very productive meeting. I know I felt better afterward. There is still some information missing before we can determine the best course of action but we should know more in a few days. Nathan is keen to re-attempt the qualification as soon as possible.

Here are some possible options:

1. Repair/ replace the batteries and/or charging system, sail back to Miami and start again. The re- attempt could happen soon or in a few weeks depending on other factors such as Nathan’s employer, the equipment needing to be replaced, etc.
2. Obtain permission from the Classe Mini in France to alter the qualification route and set out from Eleuthra for a 1000 mile sail ending in Miami. This would depend on similar factors as above plus obtaining permission from the Class
3. Leave the boat somewhere in the Bahamas for a few weeks (we have had an offer of free dock space in Nassau) and return in February to re-sail the qualification route as specified.

What we need to know:

1. What is actually wrong with the charging system? - (Patrick Sherwin on the Island will be helping with this tomorrow hopefully)
2. Can Nathan get additional time off from work now or later?
3. Would the Classe Mini alter the Course?
4. Can we leave the boat in Eluthera or is Nassau or Miami better?

In any case, it looks like the weather will not be favourable to go anywhere until early Thursday morning. There is nowhere to go but upwind at present and this is an exercise in frustration as the boat is not really designed for extended periods of upwind sailing in heavy wind and large seas even if the auto pilot and charging system are working. The Mini Transat (race he is trying to qualify for) is basically all downwind sailing , hence the design of the boat.

How you can help?

1. Any thoughts or information you might have that would impact on the decision making process would be useful.

2. We need to find Nathan a way of getting or converting his outboard to a long shaft. He was forced to get a tow into the harbour at great expense because the borrowed engine he is using does not reach deep enough into the water to be effective in strong wind and choppy seas. Anyone have a 4 hp long-shaft outboard?

3. We also need to get him a gas powered generator as a back-up battery changing option.

4. Aero plan points in case he has to fly home before doing a re-attempt.

5. Finally he needs a set of outriggers for a 70 ft Sport Fishing power boat. His mast became entangled in some when he was towed in and now the owner is demanding he pay for the damage. Unfortunately, they can only be ordered in pairs. I doubt anyone has a set, but worth asking You never know.

Nathan should have a detailed report out in the next day or so. Internet access is limited so that has not been easy.

I spoke with him tonight. He is in good spirits but not able to do much without someone there to help. It is very windy and he is staying close to the boat to make sure it does not blow loose and get damaged.

Thank you again for all of your support. It means a lot to Nathan knowing that so many people are wishing him well.

More as we know it.

minimus sailing central

Please leave your comments and suggestions using the comment section…

Here’s the latest from John Curtis and Alison Fraser at minimus team central…

Good Morning All,

It has been a tense few days trying to figure out the battery problems on board Boys & Girls Club of Canada. After the first fix of bypassing the controller the batteries did take on a charge but were not able to be fully charged and seemed to discharge faster than they should.

After battling for nearly two days with this problem Nathan decided it was not safe to continue on the designated course. The wind had increased substantially and with the auto helm not entirely reliable, he took the decision to head to a sheltered spot where the sea would be calmer so he could do more trouble shooting. This has involved sailing back toward the islands he had just come from. He expects to reach Rock Sound on the Island of Eleuthera later today. He is about 30 miles away now. (9 am Saturday)

There are several possible explanations. Don Kerstens has contacted a friend, Patrick Sherwin from Cape Eleuthera Institute. Don met Patrick on his travels down in the area. Patrick happens to be a solar equipment installation specialist who works as a teacher at the Cape Eleuthera Institute. What luck!

I spoke with Nathan yesterday just after he had decided to head for shelter. He was feeling terrible about disappointing all his supporters. He really felt he was not going to be able to complete to journey. I told him not to worry about us, that his safety was much more important and that we would just have to deal with things one at a time. I told him that this is just another test and that working through this has become his goal for now. He seems to have refocused well and made good progress towards Eluthera yesterday and last night. Well done Nathan! I know it was not an easy night.

Alison spoke to Nathan this morning and reported the following:

I just got off the phone with Nathan. He sounded great, looking forward to getting into port! He is 30 miles off the coast of Eleuthera and looking forward to arriving at Rock Sound.

The wind was 30-35kts all night but has now dropped to 20kts. He had in 3 reefs and had the storm jib up.

It is uncertain at this time if he will be able to continue this attempt at the 1000 mile qualifier without outside assistance (eg. new battery or other parts). We will know more later today after Nathan has had a chance to rest and eat.

Stay tuned….More as we know it.

Nathan continues trek around Bahamas

Alison from minimus team central reports…

Hello All,

John Curis and I had a great session at the B and G Club in Kingston tonight, what wonderful kids!

Nathan is having difficulty with power that unfortunately was not resolved over the course of today. Currently, he does not have enough power to use the auto-helm. After a variety of phone calls two plans have been developed:

Plan A: After talking with Rick from Quantum Energy, tomorrow once it gets light, Nathan will try to bypass the charge controller into the main battery which (fingers crossed) could solve the problem and then he will be able to continue sailing.

Plan B: If Plan A doesn’t work, Nathan will go into Arthur’s Town on Cat Island for assistance/parts/problems solving.

Nathan is in very good spirits. There is only a whisper of wind so he does not have any sails up and is using this opportunity to study charts, enter coordinates etc. Despite this latest challenge, his is feeling relaxed and optimistic.

Thanks for your ongoing support!
Alison

Nathan completes ‘first’ leg….

Here’s an up-date from minimus team central…

As you have all seen by now, Nathan has completed the first leg of his journey–fantastic! Something to be celebrated for sure! The wind remained light last night and he was beating into it, which made for a rather rough night. Today, he was slightly cracked off the wind and the breeze was bigger. He was still rocking and rolling quite a bit, but at least making more significant headway. Nathan said that for the first time, he felt a little sea sick today, likely because of the inconsistency in the wave action (short chop, long swells).

Weather updates from Chris Parker have been spot-on, which has been great for Nathan. Chris tells him that by Friday the wind will be around 30kts, gusting up to 40. In preparation for this, Nathan has checked over the boat and storm sail and has tried to grab some extra sleep and food. Nathan is in good spirits.

During the evening/night he tries to conserve power where possible, just to be on the safe side. Nathan reports that at this time in the trip, things are just starting to get wet to the point where they are unlikely to dry until after the trip. His changes of clothes are sealed up in zip-lock bags, so he has dry clothes to change into on “special occasions” (the plan was a new ‘outfit’ for the start of each leg). He is trying to keep the interior of the boat well organized and neat. He fine tuned his system after the Bermuda trip and was feeling good about the system he had developed.

Here’s wishing Nathan a safe night, we are all thinking of him!
Alison

Nathan Baron gets across the fast moving Gulf Stream!

Canada’s Nathan Baron is in the early stages (legs) of a circumnavigation of the Bahamas in his 21′ sloop called the “Boys and Girls Club of Canada”. Nathan and the minimus sailing team are working to be Canada’s sole entry in the 2009 4500-mile solo race from France to Brazil starting in September.

Charge on Nathan.

The journey of a 1000 miles begins with the first hoist…

Canada’s Nathan Baron has set sail this morning to circumnavigate the Bahamas in his 21′ sloop called the “Boys and Girls Club of Canada”. Nathan and the minimus sailing team are working to be Canada’s sole entry in the 2009 4500-mile solo race from France to Brazil starting in September.

The weather looks light but favourable for his crossing of the Gulf Stream.

Forecast as of 10:04 am EST on January 11, 2009
Coastal Waters From Deerfield Beach To Ocean Reef, Fl Out 20 Nm-
Waters From Deerfield Beach To Ocean Reef, Fl Extending From 20 Nm
To The Territorial Waters Of The Bahamas-
Rest Of Today
Southeast winds around 5 knots. Seas 2 feet or less.

Tonight

Southeast winds around 5 knots. Seas 2 feet or less. Intracoastal waters smooth. Slight chance of showers.

Monday

Northeast winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Intracoastal waters a light chop. Slight chance of showers.

Monday Night

Northeast winds around 10 knots becoming southeast. Seas 2 feet or less. Intracoastal waters a light chop. Slight chance of showers.

Tuesday

South winds 10 to 15 knots becoming southwest 15 to 20 knots. Seas 2 feet or less building to 2 to 4 feet. Intracoastal waters a moderate chop. Chance of showers.

Actually, it’s more like it touches bottom.

Latest new from our fearless solo sailor…
Hello Friends,

Right off the bat, I want to thank James Brown. James has been following the emails and called me up the other day to say “Just go check into a hotel somewhere, you need your rest before you go”. He then called the hotel and got a preferred rate and chatted with the Hampton Inn’s General Manager, Israell?????. It makes a huge difference having a bed to go home to at night. I met Israel this morning and he was extremely gracious, offering to take care of any of my needs. I’m so grateful to both Israel and the staff at the hotel who are putting up with my flaky sailor ways.

Got the boat in the water first thing this morning, just after high tide. A little sketchy as the water wasn’t really that deep where the forklift was to drop us in the water. I quickly moved the boat out of the mud an into a better slip. It’s low tide now and I am really close to touching bottom. I am really looking forward to the water coming up a little, I’ll feel a bit more relaxed then.

The weather outlook is changing a bit. Right now the GFS model shows that Sunday will be the better day to depart, but I will have to talk with Chris Parker tonight and see what he thinks. The dock talk on the Gulfstream ranges from downright scary to “awe it’s not that bad.”. I can’t help but be really nervous about the first sixty miles of sailing. One thing sailors are really good at is telling scary stories and everyone seems to want to tell me those stories right now…
Broken gear

Had the usual last minute things go wrong. I stepped on the mast head wand in cabin today and broke off all of the cups. This is the instrument that goes at the top of the mast and gives us wind direction and and speed. A pretty vital piece of gear. So I spent a bunch of time mixing epoxy and trying to get it all glued back together. Still working on that one. I also have to drop a new halyard now that the boat is back in the water. Hopefully I can combine all this into one trip up the mast.

I also got the new logos on the boat for the Limestone Learning Foundation LLF this morning. This is the charitable arm of the Limestone School Board, and I am very please with how they look. I haven’t had a chance to talk much about the LLF. The work that the foundation does to support learning opportunities for kids dovetails beautifully with the Boys and Girls Club and I am just so happy to be able to support and encourage kids in any way I can. Thanks to Kathy Crothers-Leverrette who has been so enthusiast in getting this communitty partnership going. /i’m looking forward to sharing these experiences with the folks at the LLF.
Thinking of the kids
I’ve been thinking a lot about the Boys and Girls Club and the LIT group while I am down here. Besides the nice weather there is something for almost everyone. I was thinking today about Liam would really dig all of the history down here. We don’t learn enough American history in Canada, and I bet he would like to see the mix of old and new down here. I was also thinking of Caitlan who would just love Cocoanut Grove. There is a restaurant here that has an artists loft on the second floor where the artists work and can sell there work right there in the restaurant. (Maybe a business idea for Kingston…)

I was also reminded of Rookie by one of the fork lift operators, Tony. He’s a little guy with a lot of spunk who is constantly giving orders to the rest of the crew. It’s a lively bunch that run the marina and Tony sees to make sure that everything is running smoothly. A great reminder that you can work hard and still have fun. I love hanging out in boat yards as they are almost always an eclectic group of cultures and languages, and you are just as likely to hear someone cursing in Spanish as you are English or french.

So we are getting very close to the off. I’m a bit nervous about everything but feeling pretty good about the boat and the preparation for the trip. The last minute frustrations are always there, but they always will be. You just have to deal with things as they come and hope that your luck will hold out. I still have my fingers crossed…
NB

Saturday alright for fighting the Gulf Stream…Seas may be steep but wind on the beam or aft.

Splicing and Thawing and Preparing

Spoke with Chris Parker about the weather and a good window to leave. Chris is an expert in Bahamas weather and writes for ocean navigator. Looks like Saturday or Monday are the twp possibilities. Don Kerstens was very kind to donate the money to take advantage of
Chris’s amazing weather knowledge. I feel much better being able to get such good advice from him.

The boat is almost ready to go. we put the mast up yesterday and got the deck and below cleaned up. Sails are bent, and I just have a few tweaks and repairs to make before we are ready for the off. Had to splice a new bobstay and do a few things that I had to wait to thaw before I could do.

Provisions are aboard and the layout down below is all set up for departure. (Things tend to change a lot once we start sailing.

I keep getting lots of question about the boys and girls clubs of canada, and I always smile when people are so interested about how the kids at the club are involved. I take pride in telling people about the fundraising, learning about the ocean and what it means to be a leader. I hope the kids at the club are following along on this adventure. (To Brandy and the LIT Group: Leave a comment on this site, and I will will do my best to answer.)

The Hampton Inn are helping us out with a better rate for my stay at the hotel. James Brown called them up to tell them what I am up to and they have graciously offered a reduced rate and flexibility with my departure date. Hotels are not used to weather windows… (Ironically, the Hampton Inn is the choice of many a sailor down here. Great hotel and the most reasonable rates in Coconut Grove.)

The team at home have been very busy helping to get communications out to folks as well as thinking about the quickly approaching trip to Europe. The classe Mini have recently published the calendar for the coming racing season and it is really important that I get my choice of races submitted before I go. WE are also getting further into the logistics for getting the boat to Europe.

So things are truckin right along. We are a little behind our scheduled departure date ,but that was pretty much to be expected. I’m glad that the boat is starting to look like a proper sailboat again and that things moving along. I just can’t wait to get out there and get sailing!

More soon,

Nathan

Favourable winds for Saturday?
Here’s the latest forecast. North and East winds - BAD. Southerly flow - Good.

GULF STREAM HAZARDS
SEAS NEAR 6 FEET POSSIBLE TODAY AND TONIGHT.

THE APPROXIMATE LOCATION OF THE WEST WALL OF THE GULF STREAM AS OF
JAN 07, 2009 AT 1200 UTC…

7 NAUTICAL MILES SOUTHEAST OF FOWEY ROCKS.

SMALL CRAFT SHOULD EXERCISE CAUTION

TODAY
NORTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. NEAR SHORE…SEAS 2 FEET OR
LESS. IN THE GULF STREAM…SEAS 4 TO 6 FEET SUBSIDING TO 2 TO
4 FEET. INTRACOASTAL WATERS A LIGHT CHOP.

TONIGHT
NORTHWEST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS. SEAS 2 FEET OR LESS NEAR
SHORE AND UP TO 4 TO 6 FEET IN THE GULF STREAM. INTRACOASTAL WATERS
A LIGHT CHOP.

FRIDAY
NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. NEAR SHORE…SEAS 2 TO
3 FEET. IN THE GULF STREAM…SEAS 4 TO 6 FEET SUBSIDING TO 2 TO
4 FEET. INTRACOASTAL WATERS A LIGHT CHOP.

FRIDAY NIGHT
EAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS 2 FEET OR LESS.
INTRACOASTAL WATERS A LIGHT CHOP.

SATURDAY
SOUTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. NEAR SHORE…SEAS 2 FEET
OR LESS. WELL OFFSHORE…SEAS 2 FEET OR LESS BUILDING TO 2 TO
4 FEET. INTRACOASTAL WATERS A LIGHT CHOP.

SUNDAY
WEST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS. SEAS 2 FEET OR LESS NEAR SHORE
AND UP TO 2 TO 4 FEET IN THE GULF STREAM. INTRACOASTAL WATERS A
LIGHT CHOP. SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS.

SUNDAY NIGHT
NORTHEAST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS. SEAS 3 TO 5 FEET.
INTRACOASTAL WATERS A MODERATE CHOP.

MONDAY
NORTHEAST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS BECOMING SOUTHEAST AROUND
5 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO 4 FEET. INTRACOASTAL WATERS A MODERATE CHOP.
SLIGHT CHANCE OF LIGHT SHOWERS.