Do we need a new definition of solo RTW sailor.

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fuss

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Firstly, I haven't sailed solo around the world.
However I reckon I could do this with all the modern stuff available... I might need a couple of attempts as any attempt always has unforseen events. I probably cant set any records but with a bit of patience, I reckon its no sweat. If it all goes a bit wrong then pick me up and I'll start preparing for the next go.

However, if I have no-one to talk to or communicate with for the whole journey, no epirb, no vhf, no cell phone, no iridium phone, no email, no technical help to fix things, it would be a very different, very lonely journey.

Hmm... the 2nd one sounds a bit hard to me.
 
Firstly, I haven't sailed solo around the world.
However I reckon I could do this with all the modern stuff available . . . I reckon its no sweat.
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Go on then, off you go - and keep us posted here. I reckon it is still quite a challenge no matter how you do it. Of course daily communication with loved ones and onshore advice and encouragement make a huge difference, but if you were in the Southern Ocean on an old 34ft boat like 16 year old Jessica Watson you might not be so sanguine. What she has done so far is a real achievement in any frame of reference.

- W
 
Whilst greatly respecting the solo sailors of the 60s, and later who did the circumnavigation without the level of electronics now available I don't think they did it that way through choice, if today's kit had been available they would have used it. You could do the trip without the modern aids of course and there are those who do recreate historical voyages Bounty Boat. I think most of these do have the electronics to comply with regs. but seal them away from use apart from emergency.

You could set out to do the trip yourself unsupported and good luck but you would still have to decide which technological advances to use and which to abstain from, but I don't think this would be the same as the first pioneers or diminish those who do it today with the modern aids.
 
webcraft said:
Go on then, off you go - and keep us posted here. I reckon it is still quite a challenge no matter how you do it. Of course daily communication with loved ones and onshore advice and encouragement make a huge difference, but if you were in the Southern Ocean on an old 34ft boat like 16 year old Jessica Watson you might not be so sanguine. What she has done so far is a real achievement in any frame of reference.

- W
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Well, I wasn't talking about 16 year olds, but if these days, as you suggest, the judgement is made on age then I would be far more impressed by a 9 year old.
 
I set out on the OSTAR without a radio or EPIRB. When things went wrong I had to get myself back - 800 miles with no steering. So do I think the sailors of today have it cushy? No. It's just as hard as it ever was. I had to use a sextant in earnest but there was plenty of time so the advent of GPS hasn't really made life easier. Being able to chat on SSB is nice but it doesn't keep watch for you in the middle of the night or stop a gale blowing.

Today's sailors may be able to reef without goling on deck and they have more of a chance of survival in extremis but when you're out there alone you have to be self-sufficient.

Lots of people who haven't done it say the ARC is for people who need to hang onto mummy's apron strings and couldn't manage on their own. That is just as wrong. When you're out there, you still have to do it yourself and the fact that there are others who will come to your aid if things go wrong is no help in the day-to-day job of ocean sailing.

Those who get round without having to be rescued have done it all themselves and can be just as proud as the likes of RKJ.
 
snowleopard said:
I set out on the OSTAR without a radio or EPIRB. When things went wrong I had to get myself back - 800 miles with no steering. So do I think the sailors of today have it cushy? No. It's just as hard as it ever was. I had to use a sextant in earnest but there was plenty of time so the advent of GPS hasn't really made life easier. Being able to chat on SSB is nice but it doesn't keep watch for you in the middle of the night or stop a gale blowing.

Today's sailors may be able to reef without goling on deck and they have more of a chance of survival in extremis but when you're out there alone you have to be self-sufficient.

Lots of people who haven't done it say the ARC is for people who need to hang onto mummy's apron strings and couldn't manage on their own. That is just as wrong. When you're out there, you still have to do it yourself and the fact that there are others who will come to your aid if things go wrong is no help in the day-to-day job of ocean sailing.

Those who get round without having to be rescued have done it all themselves and can be just as proud as the likes of RKJ.
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What Snowy said. Good post.

- W
 
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