Input for Mike Harker Interview

[Gary Wyngarden]

Hi to all,For those of you not familiar with the name, Mike Harker, 60, has recently completed a mostly solo circumnavigation in his Hunter 49, Wanderlust 3. Mike only started sailing at age 52, his first offshore adventure being the Baha Ha-Ha in a Hunter 34 (Wanderlust) with further ocean crossings in a Hunter 466 (Wanderlust 2) back and forth across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. To add to the accomplishment, Mike is a legal paraplegic, the result of a hang gliding accident that left him bed ridden for six years with promises from doctors that he would never walk again.Given the interest over the years about the suitability of Hunters for offshore work, we thought an interview with Mike for the site would be valuable. I've spoken with Mike, and he's agreed to the interview. Before we schedule the interview, I'd like to know what questions you would like addressed to Mike. I can't promise to ask them all, but I will certainly try to. Please let me know what would interest you, and look for the interview on this site some time over the next few weeks.Gary WyngardenS/V Wanderlust h37.5

 

[Phil Herring]

Great opportunity

This is the time to dig up all those questions about Hunters' blue water performance, and get answers from someone who's been there and done that.Please post questions here.Thanks, this should be fun!

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

one suggestion

that you advertize this opportunity and allow folks from all forums, not just the Hunter one, to ask questions regardling either Hunters or his trip. The reason I suggest this is to give everyone an equal chance to dispell some the the myths regarding Hunter quality.

 

[bp]

Comparison of His Boats

I'd be interested to hear his DETAILED comparisons of the relative strengths and weaknesses of his last boat (46) and his current boat (49), and what he'd change about either.

 

[Mark Anthony]

What Modification did he made to the H49 and why?

Specifically, details on the SSB installation and Arch modifications.thanks,MA

 

[John Nantz]

Suggestions for Newbies

There are frequent posts from those who want to take up sailing or cruising and they want to know things like 'best boat', how to get started, etc. Case in point a recent and still active post here - reference the link on this site: http://www.sailboatowners.com/forums/pviewall.tpl?fno=122&uid=73210077360&sku=2008065221108.23 as a somewhat fairly typical example of the scope.What would you suggest for the newbie who wants to get started into sailing and cruising?, or words to that effect. Probably needs to be broken down into several questions or be prepared for a loooong answer.By the way, my hard drive crashed a while back and I'm having a heck of a time with typing on a laptop!And also another by the way, Gary, this looks like a good 'job'!

 

[patrick17440]

Harker interview

I would also like a comparison between the H460/466 and the H49 as well as addressing the composite rudder shafts vs stainless steel. For the last several years, Hunter supplies Foss Foam with the stainless and Foss builds the rudder around Hunter's shaft and blade. Hunter build in house the composite rudders for the H450,460,466 for about 7 years before switching back to stainless and out sourcing to Foss.I know that Mike lost his rudder after impacting with a fishing net in the South Pacific on his H466. Does he have any concerns with the composite rudders? I have a composite on my H460 with no problems but I just ordered a new stainless shaft rudder from Foss. I'm getting ready for an extented cruise to Mexico and Central American and would rather be safe than sorry.

 

[bp]

Patrick of Newport Beach

Can you give us a review of your 460? Strengths, weaknesses, etc.

 

[newly anonymous]

the big question, of course, is...

...how far offshore one must actually venture before the water is blue enough to necessitate a bluewater boat.

 

[JC2]

Mike Harker and ocean sailing

This might sound like a big 'duhhhh' suggestion, but we all have to bear in mind that just because this guy did it doesn't mean we, or our boats, are capable of it too. The big question you can ask him, Gary, as pertains to this site, is how much work he did to the boat. Modifications to the rig, the hull and deck structures, the engine, the electrical and electronics, hose clamps, and all the redundant and safety gear-- these are the things that prepare a boat.Then there are the trip-planning issues, schedules, weather prediction, contingency plans. I just read that a boat was lost in SF because they race committee thought they had dropped out. You better believe ocean voyagers don't ignore potential help by not communicating.Moreover, it would be valuable to know what he did to himself. These people train like athletes... oh that's right... they are athletes. I was told to not even volunteer for crew in an ocean race because of my bad back... Richard Cunningham in his book said people like me are a threat to the survival of the others. Just great.And before I go right by the fact that Mike is a parapelegic... that does put things into a different context. Of course he has had accomodations for his boat for that too. That will probably yield information that out-of-shape clods like me can benefit from as well. So in that way he is all of our hero.JC 2