ESSENCE...Venture Xplore Discover

An Overcoaster is one who undertakes self-reliant adventure travel, in remote coastal regions and islands, via off-grid, camping-enhanced vehicles, seaworthy personal watercraft, and commercial ferries. The objective is total immersion in remote coastal environments. Overcoaster adventures can last for weeks, months or years, span multiple coasts, and often cross international boundaries.

My 1994 Overcoaster kit!

Venture

Venturing-out is the getting there...to then xplore and discover!

Work is progressing slowly on my own personal watercraft design, the ArroCat. Over the last several months I have made further design modification and filed new patents that bolster it's Overcoasting credentials.

For this year's Maritime Overcoaster adventure I will paddle my 22.5 lb. Level Six Ultra light, 12' 6". It will be an easy carry to and from the beach and racking it on my Mini Paceman will be a snap,

Xplore

My 2024 Overcoaster kit!

I evaluated several rugged, light-weight teardrop trailers, under 1000 lbs. that could be towed easily by my six-speed Mini Paceman S, All4. The Paceman is a capable SUV and a dream to drive.

I purchased a square-drop design to have a bit more headroom. It was built to my specifications over the winter and I received it at the end of May.

With a 45 inch interior height and side windows the interior will be a welcoming space on rainy days to review my specimen finds and to work on my blog. Since I cook and prepare meals away from the trailer (I don't eat where I sleep!) I will use the teardrop "galley" area at the back as a electronics, drone, fishing tackle, and specimen workshop.

Squaredrop: Solutions 4S, Si:9 Sm:10 Su:7.5 Sa: expectation of 9 Of the many iterations of off-roading, my SUV/Squaredrop Trailer combo is perhaps the most efficient, affordable, and camping-oriented.

Discover

I have spent many years collecting microcrystalline quartz beach stone such as Agate and Jasper. A few years ago I discovered that most of my microcrystalline beach stone collection was neither Agate nor Calcedony. After considerable research I have come to understand what these stones have an organic origin and I will use my 2024 Maritime Loop expedition to find more.

I have pinpointed a number of glacial-till beaches and coastal, glacial-till-terrain sites where I believe I will find the specimens I am searching for. There were five different glacial periods affecting the regions within the Maritime Loop with the LCI or Last Ice Age being the most significant. My six weeks in the Loop will give me ample time to perfect a scientific research approach and hone my specimen collecting, and documenting skills

My Glacial Till Research Expedition will begin on Grand Manan Island, New Brunswick, towards the end of July. I don't do any digging, or disturb the beach in any way, I am a no-trace explorer. My approach is let the wind and the waves, and ever-more-frequent hurricanes, do the heavy lifting.