Raft crossing the alantic

[catalac08]

My first thoughts on seeing this was that this was a fine adventure for a bunch of aged gents but that this vessel is not really a raft but a catamaran, having sails, rudder, leeboards and a living cabin. So why not just use a catamaran. On further thoughts the construction which consists of a number of heavy gauge water pipes is probably more resistant to being sunk than a catamaran as it has separate water tight compartments and having seen these pipes at the side of roads they are pretty thick and probably have higher resistance to piercing or breakage than a GRP laminate. So unless the lashings start to fail it looks a pretty good stable structure and probably cost very little to assemble.
I hope all goes well for them.

 

[prv]

I don't think the Mollymawks were particularly impressed with its effectiveness as a boat

http://www.yachtmollymawk.com/2011/01/antiki-raft/

Pete

 

[catalac08]

thanks for the link PRV, fascinating stuff and they seem to be well on their way now!

 

[SHUG]

QUOTE..."Possibly the most startling thing about An-Tiki is the design; or rather, the lack of it. Like the ostrich, she seems to have been assembled by a committee." Say no more!!

 

[DownWest]

In Two boats, Two women. Warram encountered a German in the Canairies. He was waiting for a weather window to cross in a canoe/kayak(!). Later he met him again in the islands.
Good luck to these guys. Far away from the publicity charged record attempts so common now.
From the 'shortest boat' attempts and the abandoned floaters , seems a piece of wood will get there if one choises the right time.So even if the the sailing is not OK they will drift there. Hope the food/water holds out.

 

[Searush]

Ben Carlin & his missus crossed W-E in an amphibious jeep called "Half-safe", took a few attempts to get it right - good book if you come across it.