Welcome to the website of the 2009 Hudson Raft project. My name is Dallas Trombley and I am Captain of Assiduity, a twenty-four foot, biodiesel, solar, wind and electric-powered watercraft. Along with Robert Babcock-Ellis, our Navigator, and Todd Haggerty, our quartermaster and cook, I will sail from Albany to Manhattan in our self-built boat.
Over four years I have attempted to build a vessel which uses no fossil fuels and to sail from Albany to Manhattan. Four times I have been defeated. Once by sinking, twice by relentless storms and winds that pushed us upstream, and once by vandals who stole and burnt our ship before setting it adrift in the river while we resupplied ashore.
No man has ever come out ahead by quitting while behind. I have exhausted my mind and bank account, stressed the goodwill of friends, family and acquaintances, calloused my hands, lost girlfriends and expended every free moment to prove that the human mind and a sense of industry are equal to any problem.
I could never have gotten as far as I have without the help of Robert Babcock-Ellis who has contributed more than anyone else to the planning, building and execution of this adventure. Or my parents, or, well, any of the people who are listed on the right side of this page.
Please explore this site for pictures and notes about our previous expeditions and a description of the planning and building process this year. This project, which began as sort of a joke, has become an intellectual, philosophical and, of course, physical journey that has informed every aspect of my life. Check back often for updates, or try out the RSS feed to get an automatic notice when we update this page. Thank you for your interest.
-Dallas Trombley
8 responses so far ↓
1 Stephen Maynus // May 17, 2009 at 12:18 pm
I figured I was fairly unique when I came up with an idea to raft down the hudson in spring 2008.
guess I was wrong.
interestingly enough I’m a senior at RCS right now and me and some friends are going to maybe try something like this summer, or at least I’ll try it.
Good luck!
2 Julie Capron // Jun 3, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Keep rockin guys! I’ll be waiting for you with a round of drinks! Let me know what I can do to help out.
3 GarykPatton // Jun 16, 2009 at 3:28 am
I think I will try to recommend this post to my friends and family, cuz it’s really helpful.
4 Barb Jones // Jun 18, 2009 at 6:31 am
Best wishes for a successful launch on July 16th!! I’m rooting for you all. =)
5 CrisBetewsky // Jul 6, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Some of us even don’t realize the importance of this information. What a pity.
6 Erin Smith // Jul 7, 2009 at 6:20 pm
Good luck Dallas! I am wishing you and your crew lots of success!
7 Colleen McNessor // Jul 8, 2009 at 9:43 am
Dalls best of luck to you & your crew. You have all worked so hard. The boat looks great & we are eager to see you suceed! Best of luck & we will be there to send you off!
8 Jeanne Casatelli // Aug 19, 2009 at 7:47 pm
Dallas and Rob
I wish you all the best and will look forward to seeing you after your adventure!
Jeannie jcrenss@aol.com 477-6618
oh yes I can’t find the link to updates on the trip, so please advise or email me the link
thanks
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