Insanity?

[randall]

Just started reading David Lewis' book about the 1960 singlehanded race from Plymouth to New York.

What dumbfounded me was the photo of one of the contestant's yachts - A 22-FOOT PLYWOOD CENTERBOARD BOAT. Took him 69 days to cross.

Is crossing the Atlantic in that boat insane?

Randall

 

[snowleopard]

Crossing the Atlantic singlehanded in anything is regarded as insane my some. Certainly there has been a steady increase in the size that is considered safe, the classic example being jester which is considered too small for next month's OSTAR.

There have been some pretty crazy stunts over the years - in 1976 an Italian used a C-class racing cat with a cut-down rig. The comittee made him demonstrate that he could right it after a capsize which was great entertainment for those of us with sensible-sized boats. In the end his boat didn't capsize but broke up.

The real nuts are those who have whittled away at the 'smallest boat to cross the atlantic' records. The current holder was shorter than the height of the skipper!

If you enjoyed David Lewis's book, there are a couple more to try - 'Daughters of the Wind' and 'Children of three oceans' about his second OSTAR and subsequent circumnavigation with 2 daughters, wife and friend.

 

[rjp]

I seem to recall that one of Ellen MacArthur's earliest publicised victories was a transatlantic one in a Mini-tonner of around 18ft. Also Shane Acton's wanderings around the globe in Shrimpy were pretty notable at the time. I feel ther's far too much emphasis on size and complexity these days, often to the detriment of enjoyment and adventure, which is surely what it's all about.

John

 

[randall]

Thanks you two,

There's a Swede who just crossed in a homemade 12 footer, too. I had a look at the websites of some ocean rowers for grins, and that looked pretty crazy to me as well.


The reason I ask is mostly because I looked at that plywood boat and thought to myself that I should be much safer in my own boat (a 1968 Signet 20.) I'm not crossing the Atlantic, but I am cruising solo long distance, and there has been much consternation among the peanut gallery about my sanity (also because I'm a beginner.)

After seeing that seafaring piece of plywood, I was much encouraged.

Randall

(Speaking of insanity, I just watched the video of Berserk's trip to the Arctic. Good fun, that was.)

 

[BobOwen]

You sound like a potential Shane Acton /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

As RJP mentions, get hold of the books if you can "Shrimpy" and "Shrimpy sails again". (If you can - they are rare)

The guy set off with a plastic sextant which he couldn't use, a Mickey Mouse watch and a few hundred quid - in a tiny plywood boat.

After his circumnav, he wrote "Shrimpy" and was slated in many yachty circles as being lucky. So he did it again /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Good luck and ignore the gallery.

 

[boatmike]

But do recognise that Shane Acton is now deceased...... There are old sailors and bold sailors, but no old, bold sailors.......

 

[BobOwen]

Shane acton died from lung cancer - not from sailing his way.

 

[Talbot]

I know of someone who singlehanded a 30yr old plywood bob cat (catamaran) to Australia a couple of years ago. He was going round the world, but seems to have got stuck in Aus for some reason! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Vara]

Do it.

But in the words (of I think) Blondie Haslar "Be prepared to die like a gentleman"

If you cross and survive I'll buy you a pint.