Youngest sailor across the pond; Where will it end?

Re: Brave or Stupid?

Well done the lad. From hearing his mum on the radio, it sounded like it was the nipper's idea, inspired by the last time the record fell. His dad made it possible for him, and copped a lot of flack for doing so; so well done him, too.
 
Got me there too.

Being at school only allows you to get A+ results in a fistful of meaningless exams. Despite which "certain" North Western cities seem to have less 14 year olds at school than are there.

When I was at school they seemed disappointed when they found me there. and that was Grammar School.
 
Re: Brave or Stupid?

I heard it on the radio and saw it on the telly. It seemed like the news people were pressing the parents to say that it was the kids idea, yet they didn't say anything that could have even implied it. Dads idea I think.
 
Hi Becky
I hope the basic motivation came from the lad himself but if, if as you say, the father has a business connection I feel uneasy about it all. I have looked at the boat makers website and it does look like a Super-Mac which only makes me more uneasy. Just looked at the site again and father looks like the proprieter. N'uff said.
 
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My mate's wife was pregnant when they crossed the Atlantic, so I reckon their daughter, Zoë, beats everyone...

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Being an embryo rules you out for youngest singlehanded crossing - it's at least you AND your mum /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
Ah - but the Mum was only just behind ....

Without doubt it is a great achievement for anyone to single handedly sail a boat across the pond - even more so for a teenager, with a little jealousy though - I do think it would've been a greater achievement if the father wasn't shadowing his every move. I know in these days of easy communications there could've been a shore support team talking him through every minute - but it isn't the same as having a support boat a few miles away.
However, if the lad had been sent off by himself wouldn't we be chastising the parents for not taking better care of him?! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
Re: Brave or Stupid?

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Q question and I am not a sailor and this is not a troll but ellen (Or Dame) circumnavigated the UK at 18 single handed and this chap crossed the atlantic at 14 with the help or shadow of his father what is the greater achievement ?

[/ QUOTE ]Having done neither - I would have thought the UK circum is the toughest, even if not non-stop. And there is something 'better' about doing it in a boat you have scrounged off your grannie (or was it her auntie) and done up yourself, rather than a prototype hot off your dad's production line.

Nonetheless, this was a hell of an acheivement for a 14 yr-old.
 
Whilst I think that this was quite an achievement, it was not solo, it was an accompanied trip. Having Paddled a sea kayak to the Scilly Iles solo and again in company, both were challenging, but being totaly on your own is much harder. This young lad achieved something many of us will never do and he will grow from the experience, but it was an accompanied trip. The question I wish to ask is why start in Gibralta, or was Biscay a journey to far.
 
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it was not solo, it was an accompanied trip.

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What is wrong with everybody?

This lad sailed his boat with no assistance on board. That's 'solo'! What do folk get from trying to detract from the achievement with all this petty nitpicking.

He is undoubtedly a very lucky lad to have not just the ability but also the opportunity but he did it, not his Dad or anyone else, just him. Give him his due!
 
There was no need for the boy actually to be aboard at all. It could all have been done by remote computerised control from his bedroom in Gerard's Cross or wherever he lives. When he had finished his prep he could just log on to see how much progress his boat had made, make a few adjustments, and then get back to his Latin verbs.
No need to trouble his father to keep watch for him in another boat - let the computer do it.
 
I think everybody is giving him his due, some of us just aren't getting carried away with all the "Ah dear of him" bit, yes it was an achievement, but it was not a single handed passage in the way that I understand it.

Single handed means you do it on your tod, nobody tagging along behind you to pick you up if things go tits up. By saying that, I don't think I am detracting from the lads achievement, just trying to look at it a bit of perspective /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

This thread is banging along on two forums at the moment and you have had a pop at people on both of them. What's your problem? People are entitled to an opinion on the matter, whether or not it coincides with yours.
 
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This lad sailed his boat with no assistance on board. That's 'solo'! What do folk get from trying to detract from the achievement with all this petty nitpicking.

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For what its worth I completely agree with you.I think it really is nitpicking to detract from his achievment.

Dad had more problems than mike.Ie broken rudder pintle broken rudder blade and snapped cap shroud. what would the detractors be saying now had Mike needed to rescue Dad /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

As to navigation I believe he has had a lot of Yachtmaster instruction but cant qualify yet due to his age. Also any sharp eyed keen brained 14 year old will probably be using the advanced features of a GPS while his dad is still trying to switch it on /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

i remember the pride I had when my lad rode his bike for the first time without stabilisers .Did it not count because I was following on my bike? /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
People are allowed an opinion, that's part of what a forum's for, I'm expressing mine, just like you. If 'having a pop' is expressing a contrary view then so be it.

To me a lot of the comment comes over as very mean spirited and sour which I think is both sad and not untypical of the way Brits often seem to need to belittle achievement in many walks of life.
 
Graham, who is detracting from his achievement? Trouble with you parent type people is you get all mother hennish anytime some young whippersnapper does anything of merit.

I think the lad did very well, what do you want me to to do, carve it in stone on Dartmoor? I am just looking at it with a little more detachment is all. I am not taking anything from him by doing that.
 
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Gerard's Cross or wherever he lives.

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I think you mean Potters Bar. You got off the M25 too early /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
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