14 yr old's boat left in Antigua.................

Re: 14 yr old\'s boat left in Antigua.................

I thought the plan was always to sell daddies boat in Antigua and then ship sonny's boat back. Presumably they would have thought about how much it would cost to get the boat back before they started, and presuming they've sold dads boat (cause there's no mention of it) then what have they done with the money?
 
Re: 14 yr old\'s boat left in America.................

Must say I agree with MC and Auldsot. It's not exactly a surprise that at the end of an ocean crossing your boat will be (you hope at least) on the other side of the ocean. If the father's company had to pay for the advertising in magazines, newspapers, TV and radio that resulted from the crossing it would have cost HUNDREDS of thousands. £10k to return the boat is a real snip so surely the father's company should pay this?
 
Re: 14 yr old\'s boat left in America.................

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£10k to return the boat is a real snip so surely the father's company should pay this?

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Or just sell the boats where they lie?
 
Re: 14 yr old\'s boat left in America.................

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Or just sell the boats where they lie?

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... and get the laddie to send a bill to Dad for services as a delivery skipper! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Re: 14 yr old\'s boat left in America.................

Well that all very British. The lad gets off his arse and sails his boat across the pond, which is more than most on here have ever done and a damn sight better than hanging out painting graffiti on walls. Yet the best that the forum can offer is a load of sniggers and snide comments. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Maybe the lad should go back to daydreaming about serious sailing like the majority of forum members.
 
Re: 14 yr old\'s boat left in America.................

No comment on the laddie's achievement ... but a serious one on whether or not they considered the predictable consequences of such a venture - which we now see to have had quasi-commercial overtones - before they set out.
 
Re: 14 yr old\'s boat left in America.................

No sniping from me birdseye. As stated in a previous post I think Michael’s achievement is incredible and above all else, not forgetting the venture was undertaken against the advice of the MCA and RNLI, I’m glad he made the crossing safely.

This discussion thread is entitled ’14 year old’s boat left in America’ and my comments are about the return of the boat. Think for a moment about the amount of planning that must have gone in to this and it’s hard to imagine they simply didn’t realise the boats would be in America after they’d sailed them there. Think then about the commercial gain the father’s business has from the whole venture (buying that much press time/space in National newspapers, Magazines, radio and TV would see little change out of £1m if any). It’s difficult to believe they didn’t consider the return of the boat. They just seem reluctant to pay for it and after the service Michael has done for his father’s business I find that somewhat surprising.

Not forgetting that the father sailed across too, where is his boat now?
 
Re: 14 yr old\'s boat left in Antigua.................

Looks to me very much like a preplanned "twist" to keep the story alive in the media. My bet is that next a generous shipping company will now step in and save the day, again all agreed before departure.
 
Grumpy Olde Men!!

"he was alone on the boat, so solo. Round the world racers are solo, but 'cruise' in company with other boats doing the same. No one every accuses them of not being solo"

Agreed!

They are also 'consenting adults', with full comms & back-up from an expensive shorebased team, giving all sorts of assistance including the occasional emotional 'cuddle' when required.

The fact that 'daddy' was shadowing the lad, doesn't diminish his achievement, he was still alone at sea! For god's sake guys, he is only 14yrs old!!

How many so called adult 'sailors' would wet their 'Tena' pants just at the thought of doing a transatlantic, even if shadowed by their dad.

Try to remember what were you into at that age, besides pulling wings off other defenceless creatures & playing conkers, could you have done this? Honestly?

Shame on you! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
 
Re: 14 yr old\'s boat left in America.................

My sons six and with a little help managed to take 7 chess pieces from me tonight, I'm sure there are many 20 or 30 year olds that could beat the pants off me without help - doesn't detract from the lads achievement though; good kid did well (sailor not chess player)!

In terms of stupidity- rates on the low side compared to the solo round the world yachtsmen that get rescued with knackered keels/masts/rudders/engines/generators whilst talking to hundreds of experts by sat-phone and e-mail (solo my arse).

Father seems to be a decent business man who looked after his son (financially and in person)- nowt wrong with any of that.
 
Re: 14 yr old\'s boat left in Antigua.................

The manouvere didn't become "Lakesailoring" for nothing you know.
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That is the logical outcome and was probably the plan all along. Whether this story is a publicity puff to assist the sale or has come out despite their best efforts remains to be seen.


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However I'm pleased at least 2 of us noticed it.
 
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