Stormy Normy Sets Sail: How a Miniboat Connected Davidson Day with Coastal Communities

Two years ago, Mrs. Mullineaux saw a news story about a sixth-grade Norwegian boy who recovered a miniboat that had washed ashore on an uninhabited island. The Educational Passages miniboat was launched by New Hampshire middle school students two years prior to its discovery across the Atlantic Ocean. Intrigued and inspired by the story, Mrs. Mullineaux began planning a miniboat project for her students.

There was only one obvious place to start in the boat’s development: the miniboat needed a name. After the students landed on “Stormy Normy,” as an homage to Davidson Day’s mascot named after Lake Norman, the hard work began. Over the course of a year and a half, they dedicated countless hours to building and preparing the miniboat for a smooth launch. The students filled the keel, attached it to the hull, set up a sensor system to measure air and water temperatures, learned how to tie sailing knots, practiced latitude and longitude, and designed the hull and sail, all while completing their other STEM classwork and assignments. 

The students overcame a myriad of obstacles on their journey to launch, such as moisture seeping into the cargo hold and dislocating their original GPS setup during the first test. They had to pivot, redesign, and rebuild the system to ensure functionality.

After navigating the ups and downs of being a boat owner, Davidson Day’s miniboat was ready to set sail. And despite the unpredictability of the sea and some unfriendly weather, Stormy Normy was released into the Gulf Stream by Cape Fear Community College’s Marine Technology Department in April 2024. 

The miniboat spent only two and a half days at sea before washing into the mud flats near Edisto Beach, South Carolina. Thanks to the GPS system, the students were able to track Stormy Normy’s location. Within 24 hours, a local crabber named Doug discovered Stormy Normy and contacted the school. Doug generously stored the miniboat until a new launch partner was found.

Educational Passages assisted in identifying a local teacher and boat captain who deemed the vessel seaworthy. On June 8, 2024—none other than World Ocean Day—Stormy Normy was relaunched into the Atlantic. After an 11-day journey northeast along the Gulf Stream, the miniboat veered off course and ended up back in North Carolina, landing in Avon.

This time, Captain Brian of Silver Lining Charters discovered Stormy Normy. Captain Brian performed the needed repairs on Stormy Normy and stored the miniboat throughout the summer. He also arranged for Stormy Normy’s third launch to be completed by star of the National Geographic hit show “Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks,” Captain Greg Mayer of the Fishin’ Frenzy. On September 26, 2024, Captain Greg and his crew released Stormy Normy back to sea. 

However, once again, the wind was not favorable. Four days later, Stormy Normy ended back on a North Carolina beach, where it was discovered by a lifeguard named Morgan. Morgan recovered the miniboat and delivered it to nearby Manteo Middle School. 

Coincidentally, students in Manteo Middle School’s career and technical education classes had just begun planning and building their own Educational Passages miniboat when Stormy Normy arrived. Since then, Mrs. Mullineaux and the Davidson Day School students have been sharing tips and stories to assist the new boat owners.

Currently, the students at Manteo Middle School are repairing Stormy Normy’s mast, while Davidson Day’s students await an upcoming launch date.