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EXPEDITION AMERICA - A MODERN DAY VIKING ADVENTURE

A documentary about Draken - The World´s largest Viking Ship Sailing in Modern Times

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EXPEDITION AMERICA - A MODERN DAY VIKING ADVENTURE

EXPEDITION AMERICA - A MODERN DAY VIKING ADVENTURE

EXPEDITION AMERICA - A MODERN DAY VIKING ADVENTURE

EXPEDITION AMERICA - A MODERN DAY VIKING ADVENTURE

EXPEDITION AMERICA - A MODERN DAY VIKING ADVENTURE

A documentary about Draken - The World´s largest Viking Ship Sailing in Modern Times

A documentary about Draken - The World´s largest Viking Ship Sailing in Modern Times

A documentary about Draken - The World´s largest Viking Ship Sailing in Modern Times

A documentary about Draken - The World´s largest Viking Ship Sailing in Modern Times

Viking Kings, Inc.
Viking Kings, Inc.
Viking Kings, Inc.
Viking Kings, Inc.
1 Campaign |
New York, United States
$3,012 USD 49 backers
10% of $30,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal
Overview
Set sail on a genuine, trans-Atlantic Viking adventure with the biggest Viking longboat to sail the oceans for over 1,000 years! In April 2016, the Draken left her home in Norway and set course for America. The crew was to sail across the Atlantic, following in the wake of Leif Erikson. Ahead lay a daunting journey through treacherous waters, icebergs, storms, and constantly changing winds. This documentary follows the crew of the Draken on their epic voyage from Haugseund to New York City.

THE DOCUMENTARY PROJECT:

To continue the Draken’s legacy of re-experiencing the adventures of a Viking ship in the modern world and modern seaways, a documentary is set to be released, chronicling the Draken’s maiden voyage from Haugesund, Norway across the Atlantic to Canada, and her adventures through the Great Lakes. This film highlights the drama and rawness of crossing the North Atlantic, as well as the innovative ideas and techniques that go into the ship’s building and sailing, and the impact she had on the people of the ports where she visited.

The 2016 voyage had a cinematographer on board the Draken, as well as on a support ship for the duration of the journey, leading to rare and unique footage of the ship’s travels. While the initial filming has been completed, your donation will go towards post-production costs, like narration and editing.

 

THE SHIP:

Quick Facts:

Name: Draken Harald Hårfagre (Dragon; Harald Hairfair, the first king to unify Norway)

Recreated time period: Late Viking Period; circa 1000 A.D.

Length: 115 ft. (35 m)

Width: 26 ft (8 m)

Height from keel to top of mast: 79 ft. (24 m)

Draught (depth under water): 9 ft. (2.5 m)

Top speed under sail: (14 kts)

 

Hull: Norwegian and German Oak

Mast: Douglas Fir

Sail: Silk/Canvas

Rigging: Hemp/Tar/Linseed oil

Nails: Low coal iron

Meet the Draken Harald Hårfagre:
This modern day Viking ship is continuing a revolutionary expedition of innovation and education, after crossing the Atlantic Ocean in 2016 on an epic voyage from Norway to Canada, following in the footsteps of Leif Eriksson himself, the first European to explore North America. Her mission is to inform the public about Viking culture and how a renaissance of traditional skills, can be considered innovative techniques for future sustainability programs.

 

The Draken was created as an amalgamation of knowledge derived from a patchwork of different sources. Along with archaeological examples, current Norse shipbuilding techniques, the ancient Norse sagas, contemporary written sources and analyses, and ancient pictorial evidence were referenced before starting construction.

 

Archaeological remains of Viking ships are limited to burial ships and shipwrecks, and some materials involved in their construction are better preserved than others, due to the conditions in which they are found. The main archaeological reference used in the creation of the Draken was the Gokstad, one of the best preserved Viking ships, on display at the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo. Other archaeological ships; the Skuldelev, Hedeby 3, and Klåstad, were also studied in preparation for building the Draken.

 

An additional source of information about the construction of Viking ships comes from the shipbuilding traditions of Vibrandsøy, Haugesund, Norway, where the Draken was constructed between 2010-2012. Along the coast in Haugesund, people still build and use clinker-built ships (with the strakes of the hull lapped over each other), also known as Nordlandsbåt, which are thought to be built in the same fashion as ancient Viking ships. These Nordlandsbåtar do not utilize drawings in their construction, but instead rely on ratios and formulas passed down through the generations and known by heart.

 

Finally, trial and error of three prototypes, and sail training on the Draken before departure (in which the mast broke in two[!!], as captured in the documentary); along with modern seafaring regulations, solidified the final form of how the Draken would ultimately look.

 

THE 2016 CROSSING:

In April of 2016, Draken said goodbye to her home port of Haugsund, Norway, with a crew of 34. The crew was pretty much 50:50 men and women, and 50:50 professional sailors and volunteers (over 4,000 people applied for volunteer positions!), hailing from over 13 different countries. 

One of the first tribulations encountered was shortly after departure, when one of the primary shrouds (the rigging which holds the mast upright) broke, requiring the ship to take refuge in the Shetland Islands. Once repairs were completed, the ship sailed to the Faroe Islands, into Iceland, then Greenland, and finally Newfoundland, Canada, where the only known Viking site in North America is situated (L’Anse aux Meadows).

 

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Choose your Perk

No reward, just gratitude! :)

$5 USD
If you would like to support our efforts, but are limited on funds, or uninterested in any of the perks we offer, we would appreciate even the mildest financial contribution!
Included Items
  • Endless Gratitude
0 claimed

Streaming version

$20 USD
A first look at the Draken documentary, before final post-production is finished; as well as a streaming version of the complete documentary once it is released
Included Items
  • E-version of the Documentary
Estimated Shipping
July 2018
3 claimed

DVD & Streaming version

$30 USD
You will get a hard copy of the Expedition America documentary, plus the online version
Included Items
  • E-version of the Documentary
  • Draken Documentary DVD
Estimated Shipping
July 2018
16 claimed
Ships worldwide.
All that, plus a tote bag!

All that, plus a tote bag!

$50 USD
A classic, all-purpose natural cotton tote. • 100% Bull Denim Woven Cotton construction • Dimensions: 14 3/8" x 14" (36.5cm x 35.6cm) • Dual handles • Fabric weight 13.0 oz/yd² (440 g/m²) • Made in the USA
Included Items
  • E-version of the Documentary
  • Draken Documentary DVD
  • Draken rigging design tote bag
Estimated Shipping
July 2018
13 claimed
Ships worldwide.

Picture book & individual tour

$100 USD
Comes with everything offered above, plus a copy of our coffee table book full of photos from the 2016 crossing. Additionally, have an individual tour for 2 at any port where the Draken stops (eligible only during open hours)
Included Items
  • E-version of the Documentary
  • Draken Documentary DVD
  • Draken rigging design tote bag
  • Picture Book
  • Individualized Ship Tour
Estimated Shipping
July 2018
10 claimed
Ships worldwide.

Book signed by Captain Bjorn

$200 USD
Have your picture book personally signed by our legendary captain, Björn Ahlander.
Included Items
  • E-version of the Documentary
  • Draken Documentary DVD
  • Draken rigging design tote bag
  • Individualized Ship Tour
  • Signed Picture Book
Estimated Shipping
July 2018
3 claimed
Ships worldwide.

Breakfast for 5 onboard

$500 USD
Have a continental breakfast for you and 4 of your friends onboard the Draken! Breakfast time entertainment will be provided by sleepy crew stumbling around. Additionally, get a private tour of the ship before she opens to the public for the day. Each person gets one of each perk item included. (Please email for pricing for more than 5 people)
Included Items
  • E-version of the Documentary
  • Draken Documentary DVD
  • Draken rigging design tote bag
  • Individualized Ship Tour
  • Signed Picture Book
  • Breakfast for 5
0 claimed
Ships worldwide.

Private tour for up to 20

$1,000 USD
Get your very own private tour of the ship, led by our very own Captain Björn, for up to 20 people, before or after opening hours. Each person gets one of each perk item included. Available at any port on the 2018 tour.
Included Items
  • E-version of the Documentary
  • Draken Documentary DVD
  • Draken rigging design tote bag
  • Signed Picture Book
  • Private tour for up to 20
0 claimed

Private screening for up to 20

$5,000 USD
Have your own private screening of the Draken documentary for you and 19 of your friends, either via projection screen on board or a nearby cinema, weather depending. Each person gets one of each perk item included Available at any port on the 2018 tour.
Included Items
  • E-version of the Documentary
  • Draken Documentary DVD
  • Draken rigging design tote bag
  • Signed Picture Book
  • Private tour for up to 20
  • Private screening for up to 20
0 out of 20 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

Private party for up to 60

$10,000 USD
Celebrating a milestone birthday or life event? Make it a night to remember with a unique venue! The ship can hold 32 for a sit down dinner, or 60 for cocktails and standing tables. More tables can also be set up on dock alongside ship. Each guest will get one of each perk item included Catering costs not included
Included Items
  • E-version of the Documentary
  • Draken Documentary DVD
  • Draken rigging design tote bag
  • Signed Picture Book
  • Private party for up to 60
0 claimed

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