He's cheating :)

NautiDuck · Dec 31, 2006

OK, OK

It is single handing BUT it is not the same -by any reasonable measure - as sailing solo across the ocean. Sorry, but a backup boat two miles away in full radio contact is a very substantial support system that takes much, if not all, of the danger away. A dumb mistake in the Atlantic by yourself can be tragic. A dumb mistake with a backup boat behind you is, well, just a dumb mistake. There is a world of difference.

Mike · Dec 31, 2006

What doesn't some understand?

I've been following this thread, and can't resist voicing my own opinion, just as what everyone else who've responded so far have done, voiced their opinions. What I don't understand is why some people insist that this KID, because that's what he is, a KID, has his father following him in another boat, is not single handling his own boat. Who in the world is trimming the sails, steering the boat, making his meals, standing watch while he sleeps, or any other freaking thing on that boat? the answer is NOBODY! The KID is doing it all by his 14 year old self! I haven't done it, and I wonder if any of the KID's detractors have done it.

NautiDuck · Dec 31, 2006

Bad choice of words

Mike, nobody is saying this kid is not precocious and worthy of respect. He clearly is. All people are saying is that what he is doing isn't the same as departing from the east cost, saying farewell to everyone, and next meeting up with the family in England. That's all. Both are significant accomplishments but going without a support boat right behind you is even further up the moxy scale.And, yes, I have sailed clear across Fern Ridge Lake by myself on several occasions.

Moody Buccaneer · Dec 31, 2006

Cheating?

Not hardly.Having support whether it is 2 miles away or 200 or 2000 is just a matter of degree.A totally unsupported solo-passage would very rare in this day and age. Even using the GPS system could be called outside support. Using printed reduction tables to fix your position could also be called outside support. How many people, much less 14 year olds, have the courage to even attempt to fulfill their dreams?I view crossing an ocean with other boats in close (relatively) contact as prudent seamanship. I also view setting out without such support as possibly foolhardy. In one case, your support is made up of willful participants. In the other case, your support is made up of publicly funded rescue organizations.I think good seamanship involves reducing risk rather than maximizing it. Compared to the guy that is sailing around the world solo and non-stop, this 14 year old is setting an excellent example.The fact is that if conditions threaten one boat, they will be equally bad for the other boat. In overwhelming conditions neither boat will be of much use to the other. In the case of gear failure or collision, having a rescue boat close by seems like a pretty smart move.

higgs · Dec 31, 2006

Robert Gainer hit it

The analogy of the race is a very good one. Solo racers do have the added safety factor of others being out there with other racers, not to mention the weather and routing information they get. Sometimes they are in sight of each other for extended time frames and no one suggests that invalidates the solo part of thier race. Each participant is also in radio contact with other participants and they help each other out with info, suggestions, and encouragement. At least, this has been my experience when solo racing on Lake Michigan - not an Altlantic crossing , for sure.Even with close contact, things happen. If that kid goes overboard he could easliy be lost by the time his father realizes the kid hasn't ckecked in. It is quite an accomplishiment - assuming he is successful.

Joe · Dec 31, 2006

Cheating???.

...please cite the rule broken here. Don't pat yourself too much on the back, Franklin.

Ross · Dec 31, 2006

Franklin, Did you feel like you were alone

when you made a night time jump even when there were 500 others doing the same jump? Sailing a boat across an ocean by yourself will be the same.

Guy D · Dec 31, 2006

Take it for what it is

Robert Ganier and Moody have it right.The point is not the record book. I doubt the kid has the record book very high on his priority list compared to crossing the Atlantic. He's a little old for show and tell at school but you get the picture. I guess, what did you do with your summer would be more appropriate. The chase boat is irrelevant. As a parent, I would think that the nearby presence of support, or lack thereof, might be a deal breaker. Believe me, if the support wasn't there and he was lost there would be no shortage of out-cry against the parents. It seems prudent in any event, and is that not the definition of good seamanship?The next question is, what's he going to do next? Kids being kids, he's going to want to top this.

Robert Gainer · Dec 31, 2006

Franklin, you and I differ on the word "Solo"

Franklin,Obviously you and I have a very different benchmark for “solo”. Feeling alone and frightened has nothing to do with how close other people are. From personal experience I can tell you that the feeling you get at 0200 when you are midway on a solo trans-ocean trip in 1974 with no radio, engine or modern electronics on a 22 foot boat when you hear a bang accompanied by a change in the boats motion is exactly the same feeling you get when you are on watch and someone bursts out of the companionway at 0200 midway between Washington and Bermuda in 2005 on a CSY 44 with all the modern bells and whistles and tells you “we are taking on water, FAST.” In both cases you don’t feel good and you can take my word on it. Having someone else nearby doesn’t make you feel any better.Having other boats and people near by doesn’t change the fact that the kid is alone onboard and can’t ask for help when he turns in a reef. He can’t ask for help when it’s raining on a moonless night with the sea running and the wind ripping through the rig and the sound and motion of the boat suddenly changes. He is the only one that can go out and deal with any problems. Every day he wakes up he has breakfast by himself and he knows that no one is stopping by to help him clean up and start his daily routine. Every day he is responsible for maintenance and the daily walks around the boat checking for chafe or unusual wear in a part. He can’t ask someone else to do it and he can’t take a day off and he can’t lower his guard for a moment. The sea is relentless in its search for a weakness to exploit and if he makes a bad mistake, well at best it’s just the end of the trip and at worst he will pay a terrible price for that moment of inattention or the poor decision he made because there was no one else on the boat to warn him or point out that wave coming from behind him. As far as making it into the “ink”, well other people will decide what the rules are for getting into the record books. But “ink” will not change his sense of accomplishment nor will it add or diminish the respect he gets, not from the landlubber or daysailor but from his peers. Again, from personal experience I can tell you “ink” isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on when you need help on board and there is nobody there. My name is in Richard Henderson’s “Honor Roll of Single-Handers” in the second edition of his book on Single-handed Sailing. But having my name alongside truly skilled people with real accomplishment (I always maintained my inclusion in the list was a mistake) doesn’t mean much if I can’t call out to people like Joshua Slocum, Sir Francis Chichester or Robert Manry and have them come on deck when I need help. It’s the same thing for that kid right now. He can’t call out and have anybody else turn out on deck to help no matter how much he screams. He is as alone on that boat as anybody can be and I wish him fair winds all the luck in the world.All the best,Robert Gainer

Ross · Dec 31, 2006

Lets put together a regatta of singlehanders

and sail across the Atlantic enmass and set a record for the most singlehanded boats to sail across and land all on the same day. That way we could also raft up in the middle in a calm and set the record for the biggest raft-up, farthest from land.

jeff s · Jan 1, 2007

sailing solo

I really am not sure of all the particulars but when I am out alone and there are 10 boats beating on the same tack a few hundred yards apart , am I not sailing solo? The boy needs and deserves encouragement,would I give my 14 year old permission probably not.When someone swims the English Channel or swims from LI to Conn.do they have a support craft? I believe having another boat in close proximity is just prudent. We have so many modern technological advantages today why not have one of the most basic advantages ,the buddy system.

Dave5031 · Jan 1, 2007

Well said Robert

Dave

higgs · Jan 1, 2007

I vote for Robert

You said it Robert. End of discussion.

Ross · Jan 1, 2007

Hi Franklin, Touchy, Touchy ,Touchy

There are many ways to qualify for a record. Climbing El Capitan without a rope is one of them (it has been done),but prudent people don't recommend it.

ed · Jan 1, 2007

if this doesnt count the most records dont

let me think, fly arround the world with chase planes and resuce boats in place...or swim the channel with boats following giving the swimmer bannas and drink...or climb everest with 20 people carrying the equipment..........or sail a 14 foot cat across the gulf of mexico with a power boat following with parts and lunch.seems like the ostar single handed race had satalite tracking devices other competetors rescuing each other and lots of other safety stuff in tow.then there is the round the world guys with t.v. hookups and live internet aboard, and the guy who had to operate on his arm himself while at sea. but did it with a live tv hookup to an american hospital...Ill be one of the guys who writes to this kid and tells him how he achieved what i never could.. Seems like he has a record when he gets in and that he damn well deserves it..........

NautiDuck · Jan 2, 2007

Ed, none of those are records

When Lindberg flew across the Atlantic with no support that was a record. Sailing across the ocean with a support boat is quite an accomplishment but not any where near the same as doing it completely alone. Ditto swimming the English channel, flying around the globe, climbing Everest with Sherpas carrying all the stuff. Accomplishments? Yes. Record setting? No.

Paul Akers · Jan 2, 2007

Here's the story from Yahoo!

Read it and it will explain how he set the record by the rules...

From: Yahoo!British teenager sails into Atlantic record books By Jeremy Lovell 11:00 amA 14-year-old British boy sailed into the record books on Wednesday as the youngest person to make a solo voyage across the Atlantic.Michael Perham, who skipped school to make the trip, cruised into Nelson's Dockyard in Antigua at 10 a.m. (1400 GMT) to be met by steel bands, after an arduous six weeks crossing 3,500 miles of open water from Gibraltar, followed by his father."It feels absolutely fantastic being back on dry land. Absolutely brilliant," Michael told BBC television as he stood on the dockside with his father and surrounded by well-wishers."The worst bit was being away from my family and people generally. It was really a fantastic trip. I enjoyed almost every minute of it," he added. "I am looking forward to a nice warm bed."Mother Heather at the family home north of London said she was proud but also relieved the pair had completed the trip."It is just an amazing feeling to know they are both safe," she said.The previous holder of the record was Seb Clover who was 15 when he completed the shorter solo voyage to Antigua from Tenerife in January 2003 after three weeks at sea, also tailed by his father.Michael, who started sailing when he was seven, already had several thousand miles under his belt before he began the latest -- and to date longest -- voyage.In a modified 28-foot yacht named Cheeky Monkey, Michael had hoped to complete the trip following the trade winds in about four weeks, but had to divert to Lanzarote and the Cape Verde islands when his navigation equipment failed.The trip for both father and son has been hampered by bad weather and equipment damage, including the rudder on father Peter's boat and the sea anchor on the Cheeky Monkey.In his diary blog, Michael, who is described on his www.sailmike.com Web site as cheerful and determined with a love of outdoor sports and chocolate, describes the loneliness and ups and downs of the epic voyage."Experienced my first experience of squalls, they really do knock your teeth out," he wrote on November 25.He described how on December 15 he had to tie a rope around his waist and jump overboard to cut free his steering gear.He expressed joy at seeing dolphins skimming alongside his boat and flying fish landing in his lap."It is an amazingly good feeling when you are on the open sea and no land in sight," he wrote.He even said he managed to do a bit of homework.Peter, 47, sailed close by and was always in radio contact but under the rules of solo yachting was not allowed to make physical contact during the voyage. Copyright © 2007 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Copyright © 2007 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved.

He's cheating :)

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