Product Testing on the Van Dieman May 18, 2007

Gregg Drude and his girlfried Josie have been traveling around the globe on the "Van Dieman" for almost 2 years now in search of uncrowded surf. They have found quite a few gems along the way.

The journey has been amazing with private tropical anchorages and empty lineups of nameless waves.

He has been doing some serious product testing for us, with coffins strapped to the bow experiencing the brunt of tropical sun and salt water.

This is a shot of one of the coffins that has been strapped to the bow of the boat the whole time. It has not seen shade for almost 2 years and, despite a little sun and salt rot the bag is still holding its own. The zipper remains intact although the sewn in tie down loops gave out.

A close up reveals some sun and salt rot that weakened the sewn in tie down loops.

We have already fixed this problem on all future coffins by putting backing all sewn points with webbing on the inside of the bag.

That should avoid problems like this in the future, although most traveling surfers will never expose a bag to as much abuse as the bags on the bow of the Van Dieman have experienced.

After a full days sail Gregg scrambles off the boat after setting anchor for an evening solo sesh.

Looks and sounds like a dream trip to me.

Gregg is quick to point out that it hasn't been peaches and cream the entire trip, it has been an adventure of a lifetime.