Several years ago I heard a story about an individual that took a 16' sailboat across the Pacific! Can anyone verify this, or tell me where I might find info about it, if true? thanks
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Another crossing
I met a young couple that took a 19' boat from South Africa to the BVIs. They made it BUT I would not say it was the smartest thing to do. The harbor master would not let them in the harbor for fear of sinking. I don't think stories like this show if it should be done.
I met a young couple that took a 19' boat from South Africa to the BVIs. They made it BUT I would not say it was the smartest thing to do. The harbor master would not let them in the harbor for fear of sinking. I don't think stories like this show if it should be done.
Tinkerbelle
When I was a kid I read a book by Robert Manry about his solo crossing of the Atlantic in a 14-foot sloop named "Tinkerbelle". I think that was the book's title also. This was in the early 1960's, when a lot of what's considered essential cruising gear today hadn't been invented yet.
When I was a kid I read a book by Robert Manry about his solo crossing of the Atlantic in a 14-foot sloop named "Tinkerbelle". I think that was the book's title also. This was in the early 1960's, when a lot of what's considered essential cruising gear today hadn't been invented yet.
Niagra Falls & Barrels
D: All kinds of amazing (and, if you're part of the escapade, foolish) attempts have been made that involve man or woman + boat and ocean. I think the smallest trans-ocean passage has now been made by a <9' vessel. And while that means nothing about the vessel, it means a lot about the sailor. Jack
D: All kinds of amazing (and, if you're part of the escapade, foolish) attempts have been made that involve man or woman + boat and ocean. I think the smallest trans-ocean passage has now been made by a <9' vessel. And while that means nothing about the vessel, it means a lot about the sailor. Jack
Famous Small "Boats"
If you're interested in ocean crossings by small boats (and other craft, including an 8ft bath tub) here is a link to a list of same. Tinkerbelle shows up in 1965 and there was a book written about the crossing. Not listed were Joshua Slocum (36 ft "Spray", first solo circumnavigation) in 1895; Captain Voss in "Tilikum" (an Indian dugout canoe), and probably many others. The Victoria BC maratime museum I think has the Tilikum on display. "Mermaid" used to be on display in the San Francisco Maritime Museum - an impressive little boat that went from Japan to California. Size of the vessel isn't everything and one needs to consider the holistic situation including the ability to make good decisions or the ability to extricate oneself from bad decisions. 1999, Atlantic crossing on a raft of recycled materials: http://www.floatingneutrinos.com/son%20of%20town%20hall/atlantic_crossing.htm
If you're interested in ocean crossings by small boats (and other craft, including an 8ft bath tub) here is a link to a list of same. Tinkerbelle shows up in 1965 and there was a book written about the crossing. Not listed were Joshua Slocum (36 ft "Spray", first solo circumnavigation) in 1895; Captain Voss in "Tilikum" (an Indian dugout canoe), and probably many others. The Victoria BC maratime museum I think has the Tilikum on display. "Mermaid" used to be on display in the San Francisco Maritime Museum - an impressive little boat that went from Japan to California. Size of the vessel isn't everything and one needs to consider the holistic situation including the ability to make good decisions or the ability to extricate oneself from bad decisions. 1999, Atlantic crossing on a raft of recycled materials: http://www.floatingneutrinos.com/son%20of%20town%20hall/atlantic_crossing.htm
More on "Mermaid" Sailor
The Mermaid, mentioned by John is a 19' plywood sailboat that Kenichi Horie sailed from Japan to San Francisco in 1962. He left under the cover of darkness since he lacked the proper permission and visas and set a record for the youngest single handed Pacific crossing at the time. The Mermaid is on exhibit at the SF Maritime Museum. His book on the crossing is an outstanding read. Since then he's outdone himself, including crossing the Pacific in a 9.8' boat, also in a boat made of beer kegs, and many other unusual voyages. Do a web search on his name to find out more.
The Mermaid, mentioned by John is a 19' plywood sailboat that Kenichi Horie sailed from Japan to San Francisco in 1962. He left under the cover of darkness since he lacked the proper permission and visas and set a record for the youngest single handed Pacific crossing at the time. The Mermaid is on exhibit at the SF Maritime Museum. His book on the crossing is an outstanding read. Since then he's outdone himself, including crossing the Pacific in a 9.8' boat, also in a boat made of beer kegs, and many other unusual voyages. Do a web search on his name to find out more.
Smaller still
I grew up in Panama and spent my time hanging around the Balboa Yatch Club. I met an Englishman who had sailed an 11 foot sailboat th(The Egg) from England. He finally disappeared in the Tazmanian Sea after sailing 3/4 of the way around the world. (He was weill over 6' tall)
I grew up in Panama and spent my time hanging around the Balboa Yatch Club. I met an Englishman who had sailed an 11 foot sailboat th(The Egg) from England. He finally disappeared in the Tazmanian Sea after sailing 3/4 of the way around the world. (He was weill over 6' tall)
mentioned in Sailing Promise
A Canadian couple sailed around the world on a 30 ft catamaran a dozen or so years ago. Sailing Promise - a book written by Alayne Main - tells the story of their journey and mentions encounters with a fellow who was going around in his 16 ft. dingy. I remember smiling when they recounted how when they offered him a nights sleep on their boat he declined not wanting to leave his boat unattended for fear it would be stolen.
A Canadian couple sailed around the world on a 30 ft catamaran a dozen or so years ago. Sailing Promise - a book written by Alayne Main - tells the story of their journey and mentions encounters with a fellow who was going around in his 16 ft. dingy. I remember smiling when they recounted how when they offered him a nights sleep on their boat he declined not wanting to leave his boat unattended for fear it would be stolen.
Don't forget Tristan Jones
On can not mention small boat adventures with out pointing to Tristan Jones.
On can not mention small boat adventures with out pointing to Tristan Jones.
Dove
There was a young man and his girlfriend who sailed a small boat, about 26' I think. It was named "Dove" but I can't remember the book or the couple's name.
There was a young man and his girlfriend who sailed a small boat, about 26' I think. It was named "Dove" but I can't remember the book or the couple's name.
Tristan Jones
Walt, you are right about T. Jones. I can't remember the name of the book (maybe someone here knows) but one of his best is the story of how on the same voyage he sailed the highest and lowest elevation bodies of water.
Walt, you are right about T. Jones. I can't remember the name of the book (maybe someone here knows) but one of his best is the story of how on the same voyage he sailed the highest and lowest elevation bodies of water.
Tristan Jones Books
One of my "Heroes" is Tristan Jones. None of his accomplishments were Super human. What he demonstrated is what anyone can do if they keep at it. His tenacity is amazing. "But," he would say, "we all have it. Use it." Below is a link to a good listing of his books.
One of my "Heroes" is Tristan Jones. None of his accomplishments were Super human. What he demonstrated is what anyone can do if they keep at it. His tenacity is amazing. "But," he would say, "we all have it. Use it." Below is a link to a good listing of his books.
12 ft. boat
A couple of years ago, I read a very good book by Serge Testa (500 Days: Around the World on a 12 Foot Yacht). Look it up on Amazon.com or Barnesandnoble.com. I have some information on my website: http://www.texassailor.com/book020.htm
A couple of years ago, I read a very good book by Serge Testa (500 Days: Around the World on a 12 Foot Yacht). Look it up on Amazon.com or Barnesandnoble.com. I have some information on my website: http://www.texassailor.com/book020.htm
Small world cruisers.
As a teenager I made something of a study of long-distance solo cruising in small boats (though never got to actually DO any of it). Robin Lee Graham's circumnavigation aboard his 24-ft Lapworth Islander 'Dove' is legendary. As prepared as he was the whole voyage struck me as almost a lark. But I came to believe that a boat of this size is about the smallest sensible thing in which to contemplate such an adventure. (Graham's shakedown was a voyage across the Molokai in a 16-ft open lifeboat which almost foundered in a storm. An open boat is tantamount to suicide.) There are STILL boats old and new which would serve the purpose of Graham's Dove. I immediately think of the Mull Ranger 23, FIVE of which were shipped to locations round the world for the filming of the 1973 film 'Dove' with Timothy Bottoms. In one scene they show a REAL R-23 being tossed by a REAL storm. The Tripp Columbia 26 Mk2 is another that comes to mind (and one was used for a voyage to Hawaii and Fanning in a 1972 TV special 'The Voyage of the Yes' (with Desi Arnaz Jr). These are small but practical keel boats, more 'yachts' than mere daysailers, with solid sailing characteristics and robust construction. In fact they remind me of the Hunter 25 Mk1, which is often praised in these boards for being 'seaworthy' and 'able to really take it'. In about 1974 there was actually a guy who'd added an inboard diesel and wind vane to one in preparation for soloing it across the Atlantic. Did anyone ever hear of this or anything else like it? JC
As a teenager I made something of a study of long-distance solo cruising in small boats (though never got to actually DO any of it). Robin Lee Graham's circumnavigation aboard his 24-ft Lapworth Islander 'Dove' is legendary. As prepared as he was the whole voyage struck me as almost a lark. But I came to believe that a boat of this size is about the smallest sensible thing in which to contemplate such an adventure. (Graham's shakedown was a voyage across the Molokai in a 16-ft open lifeboat which almost foundered in a storm. An open boat is tantamount to suicide.) There are STILL boats old and new which would serve the purpose of Graham's Dove. I immediately think of the Mull Ranger 23, FIVE of which were shipped to locations round the world for the filming of the 1973 film 'Dove' with Timothy Bottoms. In one scene they show a REAL R-23 being tossed by a REAL storm. The Tripp Columbia 26 Mk2 is another that comes to mind (and one was used for a voyage to Hawaii and Fanning in a 1972 TV special 'The Voyage of the Yes' (with Desi Arnaz Jr). These are small but practical keel boats, more 'yachts' than mere daysailers, with solid sailing characteristics and robust construction. In fact they remind me of the Hunter 25 Mk1, which is often praised in these boards for being 'seaworthy' and 'able to really take it'. In about 1974 there was actually a guy who'd added an inboard diesel and wind vane to one in preparation for soloing it across the Atlantic. Did anyone ever hear of this or anything else like it? JC
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