Last year I ran a bunch of Ham Radio patches for Art, aboard Wandering Star. Within a month of meeting him (via radio) he lost his boat in the South Pacific. The reason? Loss of steering. He abandon the boat some 150 miles from Tahiti. If you get a chance, take a look at his story and see what you think. My opinion is, he could have saved the boat by steering with his sails?? How about you?? See attached link.... Ron/KA5HZV
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That's What I Think...
Based on the brief description of the event on his web site, it's hard for anyone to say if he could have saved his ship. The statement that he had loss all steering capability was attributed to Officer Smith of the US Coast Guard who relayed a message from the Tahitian Coast Guard. Since in Tahiti they speak French, the Tahitian Coast Guard's statement could have been abbreviated in the translation. The loss of all steering capability could have also meant that he had loss all means of propulsion and therefore could not steer since he was dead in the water. This could have meant that he loss his engine and sails so therefore had no steerage capability. It could have also meant that he just lost his rudder and could not jury-rig a temporary rudder or steer with sails alone. Based on the tiny photograph on his web site, his sailboat looked like it had a high stern, maybe he couldn't jury-rig a temporary rudder on the open ocean. I am not familiar with his type of sailboat, it looked like a fin keel slooped rigged sailboat based on the tiny photograph on his website. Maybe he did not have enough sail trim adjustments on his boat to ajust the balance on his boat to affect the steerage, therefore she would just roundup into the wind without a rudder. I believe any sailor who can sail a 37 foot sailboat solo from Long Beach California to within 150 miles of Tahiti when he says that he could not save his boat after he loss all steering capability. I believe this based on his sailing abilities and his guts sailing solo across the Pacific Ocean. I believe that he tried everything humanly possible at the time to save his ship. That's what I think. Fair Winds. Clyde
Based on the brief description of the event on his web site, it's hard for anyone to say if he could have saved his ship. The statement that he had loss all steering capability was attributed to Officer Smith of the US Coast Guard who relayed a message from the Tahitian Coast Guard. Since in Tahiti they speak French, the Tahitian Coast Guard's statement could have been abbreviated in the translation. The loss of all steering capability could have also meant that he had loss all means of propulsion and therefore could not steer since he was dead in the water. This could have meant that he loss his engine and sails so therefore had no steerage capability. It could have also meant that he just lost his rudder and could not jury-rig a temporary rudder or steer with sails alone. Based on the tiny photograph on his web site, his sailboat looked like it had a high stern, maybe he couldn't jury-rig a temporary rudder on the open ocean. I am not familiar with his type of sailboat, it looked like a fin keel slooped rigged sailboat based on the tiny photograph on his website. Maybe he did not have enough sail trim adjustments on his boat to ajust the balance on his boat to affect the steerage, therefore she would just roundup into the wind without a rudder. I believe any sailor who can sail a 37 foot sailboat solo from Long Beach California to within 150 miles of Tahiti when he says that he could not save his boat after he loss all steering capability. I believe this based on his sailing abilities and his guts sailing solo across the Pacific Ocean. I believe that he tried everything humanly possible at the time to save his ship. That's what I think. Fair Winds. Clyde
Clyde
Based on what his wife told me in phone calls, he had a working engine and sails. What was not working was his steering, i.e. rudder, tiller, etc... But you make an interesting point... Ron/KA5HZV
Based on what his wife told me in phone calls, he had a working engine and sails. What was not working was his steering, i.e. rudder, tiller, etc... But you make an interesting point... Ron/KA5HZV
Noticed the windvane.
The picture shows a windvane. It obviously was NOT the model that included it's own rudder. Hard to imagine why you could not rig something. How about a line and a bucket? Or some other kind of warp?
The picture shows a windvane. It obviously was NOT the model that included it's own rudder. Hard to imagine why you could not rig something. How about a line and a bucket? Or some other kind of warp?
Know When To Save Yourself
Using a line and bucket as a rudder is an excellence idea. I had been thinking about using an oar or part of a table or boards ripped from the deck, etc. I had been thinking in the box while Ed had been thinking outside of the box. Using a line and bucket you could supply the drag vector to the boat to steer her. You could adjust the amount of drag vector to the boat by the size of the bucket and where you attached the line to the boat. You could adjust the drag by the bucket by getting a bigger bucket to increase the drag or punch holes in the bucket to decrease the drag. By attaching the line either on the bow, amidships, or the stern, you can control the amount of drag vector the bucket is applying to the sailboat to steer her. You could also use your spare sails, clothes, or anything else you could find to drape it over the side to add drag to one side of the boat to try and steer her in the general direction you need to go. Sailing a boat without a rudder may be hard, but what's really hard is trying to sail a boat in the direct you want her to go without a rudder. It doesn't matter whether if you are under engine power or sail power or adrift in the water if you can not steer a boat in the general direction you need to go Sitting here at the computer, it's easy to analyze this crisis coolly and with academic detachment. We can discuss this situation electronically with others and ask for ideas. You have to remember that this guy was in the middle of the Pacific Ocean alone without the benefit of either voice or electronic communications to talk to another human being; he had to use his EPRIB to tell the outside world that he was in trouble. To abandon ship after sailing her day and night across the Pacific Ocean from Long Beach to Tahiti must have been the most difficult decision he had to make. This was his once in a life time trip. I don't know whether I could think rationally in his situation to call for help before it was too late to save myself. I probably would have been "Pig Headed" and waited until a storm sank me before admitting defeat after trying everything I've done before numerous time without success. You can always get another sailboat, but you first need to be alive. I still think he did everything he could to save his ship at that time and under the extreme condition of being alone in the middle of the Pacific Ocean with no one to talk to either by voice or email. Fair Winds. Clyde
Using a line and bucket as a rudder is an excellence idea. I had been thinking about using an oar or part of a table or boards ripped from the deck, etc. I had been thinking in the box while Ed had been thinking outside of the box. Using a line and bucket you could supply the drag vector to the boat to steer her. You could adjust the amount of drag vector to the boat by the size of the bucket and where you attached the line to the boat. You could adjust the drag by the bucket by getting a bigger bucket to increase the drag or punch holes in the bucket to decrease the drag. By attaching the line either on the bow, amidships, or the stern, you can control the amount of drag vector the bucket is applying to the sailboat to steer her. You could also use your spare sails, clothes, or anything else you could find to drape it over the side to add drag to one side of the boat to try and steer her in the general direction you need to go. Sailing a boat without a rudder may be hard, but what's really hard is trying to sail a boat in the direct you want her to go without a rudder. It doesn't matter whether if you are under engine power or sail power or adrift in the water if you can not steer a boat in the general direction you need to go Sitting here at the computer, it's easy to analyze this crisis coolly and with academic detachment. We can discuss this situation electronically with others and ask for ideas. You have to remember that this guy was in the middle of the Pacific Ocean alone without the benefit of either voice or electronic communications to talk to another human being; he had to use his EPRIB to tell the outside world that he was in trouble. To abandon ship after sailing her day and night across the Pacific Ocean from Long Beach to Tahiti must have been the most difficult decision he had to make. This was his once in a life time trip. I don't know whether I could think rationally in his situation to call for help before it was too late to save myself. I probably would have been "Pig Headed" and waited until a storm sank me before admitting defeat after trying everything I've done before numerous time without success. You can always get another sailboat, but you first need to be alive. I still think he did everything he could to save his ship at that time and under the extreme condition of being alone in the middle of the Pacific Ocean with no one to talk to either by voice or email. Fair Winds. Clyde
Ham Radio
Okay Clyde... Here is another point to think about. Art was a Ham operator (that's how I met him) and checked in nightly on the Pacific Seafarer's Net. In fact, his communications were so good that he ordered a list of parts one night while I had him patched through to his wife. Incidently, he talked to his wife several times a week. His calls got longer and longer; I've got the phone bill to prove it. His wife had sent e-mails out saying he was depressed and would we all send him e's to lift his spirits. He'd been alone for a long time and maybe, just maybe this was his way to throw the towel in. If he gave up he would be a quitter (in his mind, perhaps) but if the boat gave out...????? Sort of like the stunt Robin Graham pulled to cop out of his circumnavigation. Some people can't handle the loneliness of a long voyage. So, my thoughts are, he gave up and let the boat go.... Ron/KA5HZV
Okay Clyde... Here is another point to think about. Art was a Ham operator (that's how I met him) and checked in nightly on the Pacific Seafarer's Net. In fact, his communications were so good that he ordered a list of parts one night while I had him patched through to his wife. Incidently, he talked to his wife several times a week. His calls got longer and longer; I've got the phone bill to prove it. His wife had sent e-mails out saying he was depressed and would we all send him e's to lift his spirits. He'd been alone for a long time and maybe, just maybe this was his way to throw the towel in. If he gave up he would be a quitter (in his mind, perhaps) but if the boat gave out...????? Sort of like the stunt Robin Graham pulled to cop out of his circumnavigation. Some people can't handle the loneliness of a long voyage. So, my thoughts are, he gave up and let the boat go.... Ron/KA5HZV
Sad Way To Give Up Your Dream…
Ron, Based on what you said, the long distance sailing and being alone for so long affected Art to the point where the rudder crisis gave him a perfect excuse to end his dream of sailing solo across the Pacific. If he had the ability to communicate with the outside world, than after trying everything he could think of to steer his boat, he would have tried to talk with someone to get their advice. I don't think that he would have activated his EPIRB if he still had radio communication and have some Coast Guard guy calling his wife at home and saying they received a distress signal from his boat. If he was thinking straight, I don't think he would have put his wife through something like that. A lot of guys who are preparing to retire have a dream of doing something daring and adventurous like sailing around the world in a sailboat. Sometimes you have to start your dream in stages, instead of just jumping into it "Cold Turkey". I wonder if he did extended solo trips to prepare himself for the Pacific crossing? I would have started by going south from Long Beach along the Mexican coast and down to South America and stopping at isolated spots to prepare myself for being alone and only having myself to rely on. If I couldn't hack it, I would be close enough to a harbor to put in for repairs or if I really couldn't hack it anymore, I could sell the boat and fly home. It's sad when you realize that your dream didn't turn out to be as you expected it to be. I agree with you, Ron. Fair Winds. Clyde
Ron, Based on what you said, the long distance sailing and being alone for so long affected Art to the point where the rudder crisis gave him a perfect excuse to end his dream of sailing solo across the Pacific. If he had the ability to communicate with the outside world, than after trying everything he could think of to steer his boat, he would have tried to talk with someone to get their advice. I don't think that he would have activated his EPIRB if he still had radio communication and have some Coast Guard guy calling his wife at home and saying they received a distress signal from his boat. If he was thinking straight, I don't think he would have put his wife through something like that. A lot of guys who are preparing to retire have a dream of doing something daring and adventurous like sailing around the world in a sailboat. Sometimes you have to start your dream in stages, instead of just jumping into it "Cold Turkey". I wonder if he did extended solo trips to prepare himself for the Pacific crossing? I would have started by going south from Long Beach along the Mexican coast and down to South America and stopping at isolated spots to prepare myself for being alone and only having myself to rely on. If I couldn't hack it, I would be close enough to a harbor to put in for repairs or if I really couldn't hack it anymore, I could sell the boat and fly home. It's sad when you realize that your dream didn't turn out to be as you expected it to be. I agree with you, Ron. Fair Winds. Clyde
Of course we could give him the benefit of doubt .
... that perhaps in winds of 30+ and a sea state in the Pacific to match ... that a bucket would hardly do any serious good. And with only two hands and a tired body ... he would truly be unable to jury rig steer say for more than a couple of hours before he realized that the amount of effort was too great? Of course this opinion is from an old man ... but a younger man could easily last four hours of heavy exertion trying to mickey mouse steer. I wonder where we would be ... alone ... in 20 ft. seas when the autopilot fails ... and locking the wheel doesn't make it through two wave cycles ... and we have to hand steer ... and then the rudder breaks off and we are out of control .... trying to lower some of the sails downwind .... and then rig a sea anchor to at least maintain some control ... Vic K1IVX
... that perhaps in winds of 30+ and a sea state in the Pacific to match ... that a bucket would hardly do any serious good. And with only two hands and a tired body ... he would truly be unable to jury rig steer say for more than a couple of hours before he realized that the amount of effort was too great? Of course this opinion is from an old man ... but a younger man could easily last four hours of heavy exertion trying to mickey mouse steer. I wonder where we would be ... alone ... in 20 ft. seas when the autopilot fails ... and locking the wheel doesn't make it through two wave cycles ... and we have to hand steer ... and then the rudder breaks off and we are out of control .... trying to lower some of the sails downwind .... and then rig a sea anchor to at least maintain some control ... Vic K1IVX
Boat Type
The boat was an older heavy displacement Taiwan bult boat according to on of the links (below). Details of the boat: Wandering Star: Year built: 1978 Model: Fantasia, Design: Bruce Bingham Length over-all: 37'7" Beam: 11', Draft: 5' Displacement: 24,000, Ballast 6600 Builder: TA-YANG Building Co. Tiawan Hull/Deck: Fiberglass Engine: 40 HP, Pisces 40 3 cylinder Diesel Tankage: Water 200, Fuel 130 Don't know this design but with only 5 feet of keel and 24,000 pounds displacement the keel is probably the cut-away type with a opening for the prop. The rudder is probably either skeg mounted or attached to the keel. The fastenings are most like bronze and are often covered with fiberglass. Failures often occur because the bronze has been eaten up with electrolysis and failures often occur where the fiberglass starts to cover the metal. Rudders tend to be one of the weak links in blue water boats. They get a lot of use and if not in good condition and robust enough they can fail. Booms are another common weak link and his broke and had to be repaired with a splice. The conditions he was in (60 knots)would tax even a well found boat. We don't know what the skippers background is, how much sailing experience he had, or how well he prepared his vessel. Coming form Missouri perhaps he just had lake sailing exerience??? In his prior log he mentioned about getting banged up (knee smashed, skin on hands removed, etc.), and the cumulative effect of being "beat up" and, lets face it, as you get older things take "more work". Maybe he just got too exhausted and the conditions became too overwhelming. Given the weather conditions and sailing solo he probably just wanted out. He still has the option to sail another day. Personally, I'd want to cruise with someone, not alone. I've sailed alone locally on the inisde passage and even that gets old. It's very tiring and a lot of work to solo. At least I could pull over to the side of the road, drop the hook, and make dinner, get a good nights sleep, make breakfast and head out again. Double handed he wouldn't be nearly so tired and could probably put something together. Maybe, exhausted, he just couldn't take it any more. Sailing stories talk up the romance of sailing and cruising but typically don't mention much about all the dirty work.
The boat was an older heavy displacement Taiwan bult boat according to on of the links (below). Details of the boat: Wandering Star: Year built: 1978 Model: Fantasia, Design: Bruce Bingham Length over-all: 37'7" Beam: 11', Draft: 5' Displacement: 24,000, Ballast 6600 Builder: TA-YANG Building Co. Tiawan Hull/Deck: Fiberglass Engine: 40 HP, Pisces 40 3 cylinder Diesel Tankage: Water 200, Fuel 130 Don't know this design but with only 5 feet of keel and 24,000 pounds displacement the keel is probably the cut-away type with a opening for the prop. The rudder is probably either skeg mounted or attached to the keel. The fastenings are most like bronze and are often covered with fiberglass. Failures often occur because the bronze has been eaten up with electrolysis and failures often occur where the fiberglass starts to cover the metal. Rudders tend to be one of the weak links in blue water boats. They get a lot of use and if not in good condition and robust enough they can fail. Booms are another common weak link and his broke and had to be repaired with a splice. The conditions he was in (60 knots)would tax even a well found boat. We don't know what the skippers background is, how much sailing experience he had, or how well he prepared his vessel. Coming form Missouri perhaps he just had lake sailing exerience??? In his prior log he mentioned about getting banged up (knee smashed, skin on hands removed, etc.), and the cumulative effect of being "beat up" and, lets face it, as you get older things take "more work". Maybe he just got too exhausted and the conditions became too overwhelming. Given the weather conditions and sailing solo he probably just wanted out. He still has the option to sail another day. Personally, I'd want to cruise with someone, not alone. I've sailed alone locally on the inisde passage and even that gets old. It's very tiring and a lot of work to solo. At least I could pull over to the side of the road, drop the hook, and make dinner, get a good nights sleep, make breakfast and head out again. Double handed he wouldn't be nearly so tired and could probably put something together. Maybe, exhausted, he just couldn't take it any more. Sailing stories talk up the romance of sailing and cruising but typically don't mention much about all the dirty work.
A Sad Sailing Story…
I had wanted to believe that a sailor who sailed solo across the Pacific wouldn't just abandon his ship without first fighting tooth and nail to bring her into port if she was crippled, but after reading Ron's comments and re-reading Art's web site log I can't. On his web site log it stated that he was in radio contact via ham radio with his wife after he had triggered his EPRIB. The log stated that he was waiting 5 hours for a cargo ship that was to meet with his crippled ship. On his web site log it later stated that he was to be picked up in route, by the Tahitian Coast Guard. If he was able to use his radio communication equipment to talk to his wife, then he should have been able to broadcast "PAN, PAN" to ask for assistance since he was in no immediate life threatening danger. He should not have triggered his EPRIB alarm. He should have used his radio to contact the closest Search and Rescue personnel or vessel and told them of his problem. The EPRIB should be used as your last resort to call for immediate help because of a life threatening danger. The EPRIB doesn't provide Search and Rescue personnel with the nature of your immediate life threatening danger, therefore Search and Rescue personnel will risk sending out people to come to your aid immediately. His boat wasn't taking on water and his engine was working and he wasn't seriously injured, therefore I believe that he risked Search and Rescue personnel needlessly. Based on his web site log and Ron's comments, I can not give him the benefit of doubt. His engine and sails were in working order and he still had use of his radio. He did not issue a "PAN, PAN" broadcast to request for assistance when his radio was still in working condition before he triggered his EPRIB. I think he just lost it and gave up and wanted to get off his boat like Ron believes. Fair Winds. Clyde
I had wanted to believe that a sailor who sailed solo across the Pacific wouldn't just abandon his ship without first fighting tooth and nail to bring her into port if she was crippled, but after reading Ron's comments and re-reading Art's web site log I can't. On his web site log it stated that he was in radio contact via ham radio with his wife after he had triggered his EPRIB. The log stated that he was waiting 5 hours for a cargo ship that was to meet with his crippled ship. On his web site log it later stated that he was to be picked up in route, by the Tahitian Coast Guard. If he was able to use his radio communication equipment to talk to his wife, then he should have been able to broadcast "PAN, PAN" to ask for assistance since he was in no immediate life threatening danger. He should not have triggered his EPRIB alarm. He should have used his radio to contact the closest Search and Rescue personnel or vessel and told them of his problem. The EPRIB should be used as your last resort to call for immediate help because of a life threatening danger. The EPRIB doesn't provide Search and Rescue personnel with the nature of your immediate life threatening danger, therefore Search and Rescue personnel will risk sending out people to come to your aid immediately. His boat wasn't taking on water and his engine was working and he wasn't seriously injured, therefore I believe that he risked Search and Rescue personnel needlessly. Based on his web site log and Ron's comments, I can not give him the benefit of doubt. His engine and sails were in working order and he still had use of his radio. He did not issue a "PAN, PAN" broadcast to request for assistance when his radio was still in working condition before he triggered his EPRIB. I think he just lost it and gave up and wanted to get off his boat like Ron believes. Fair Winds. Clyde
Final Clue........
The trip to the South Pacific was not supposed to be a solo event. Linda, Art's wife, was to go with him, but at the last minute her mother had a serious stroke. With Mom's life in limbo, Linda decided against the trip. Art had saved, planned and prepared for this once in a life time adventure. It was now or never so he decided to go it alone. Instead of a husband and wife dream come true, it suddenly became a singlehanded fiasco. And the rest is.......history. I haven't spoken to Art or Linda since the loss of The Wandering Star, but I will remember them both, for a long time...... Ron/KA5HZV
The trip to the South Pacific was not supposed to be a solo event. Linda, Art's wife, was to go with him, but at the last minute her mother had a serious stroke. With Mom's life in limbo, Linda decided against the trip. Art had saved, planned and prepared for this once in a life time adventure. It was now or never so he decided to go it alone. Instead of a husband and wife dream come true, it suddenly became a singlehanded fiasco. And the rest is.......history. I haven't spoken to Art or Linda since the loss of The Wandering Star, but I will remember them both, for a long time...... Ron/KA5HZV
Never go on a passage without an emergency rudder.
I saw some great videos from the Single-handed sailing society (SF Bay Area) in which they discussed emergency rudders. The best sort for single handing is either permanentely mounted or like a centerboard box. Mine was made of laminated marine ply and was tried out beforehand steering very well. However, it used the classic pintle method of attachment. The idea was to lower control its lowering with the davits ((inflatable Tinker was stowed). In retrospect, doing this at sea in waves on my own would have been quite a task and the centerboard method is much better. I just used the spare rudder as a backrest!. If (and I do want to , one day) I go on another passage (to the S. Pacific) I think that I would mount the rudder already before leaving, and even get a tiller autopilot for it. JW
I saw some great videos from the Single-handed sailing society (SF Bay Area) in which they discussed emergency rudders. The best sort for single handing is either permanentely mounted or like a centerboard box. Mine was made of laminated marine ply and was tried out beforehand steering very well. However, it used the classic pintle method of attachment. The idea was to lower control its lowering with the davits ((inflatable Tinker was stowed). In retrospect, doing this at sea in waves on my own would have been quite a task and the centerboard method is much better. I just used the spare rudder as a backrest!. If (and I do want to , one day) I go on another passage (to the S. Pacific) I think that I would mount the rudder already before leaving, and even get a tiller autopilot for it. JW
build a rudder
If you have the 'CAN DO' attitude then you can build one. You pull out your tools, pull the cabin doors off, and you strip parts off the boat and build a make shift one to get you the 150 miles.
If you have the 'CAN DO' attitude then you can build one. You pull out your tools, pull the cabin doors off, and you strip parts off the boat and build a make shift one to get you the 150 miles.
Steering leak
Anyone else notice the mention of a slight hydraulic leak in the steering system, in Art's log? Seems interesting htat he's mention this and not much about any other mechanical issues. jvb
Anyone else notice the mention of a slight hydraulic leak in the steering system, in Art's log? Seems interesting htat he's mention this and not much about any other mechanical issues. jvb
I think we are going to have to get some of you ..
... out in some real wind and seas to get the true feeling of a boat that is in control of you. A boat where it is all consuming just to scramble five feet without banging into something hard and pointy twice. Where waves are breaking on the deck ... where lifelines can be just as dangerous as helpful ... where broaching doesn't really happen but feels like a disney hiG ride. And where you need two hands just to hold on ...then try to actually start constructing some jury rig piece that will only get your fingers mashed. Hell the safest place is at the chart table with the cabin closed up playing on the radio till the antenna goes away. that would be my first choice. But then again if the wind died down ... and the water flattend out ... even my 89 year old Mom could get us home in a couple of weeks. Vic - K1IVX
... out in some real wind and seas to get the true feeling of a boat that is in control of you. A boat where it is all consuming just to scramble five feet without banging into something hard and pointy twice. Where waves are breaking on the deck ... where lifelines can be just as dangerous as helpful ... where broaching doesn't really happen but feels like a disney hiG ride. And where you need two hands just to hold on ...then try to actually start constructing some jury rig piece that will only get your fingers mashed. Hell the safest place is at the chart table with the cabin closed up playing on the radio till the antenna goes away. that would be my first choice. But then again if the wind died down ... and the water flattend out ... even my 89 year old Mom could get us home in a couple of weeks. Vic - K1IVX
Lessons Leaned…
Art's web site log stated that he was getting rid of excess weight on his boat for the 21 day up wind trip to Hawaii from Tahiti. I assume that he was reducing weight to allow for the extra provisioning he would need for the long trip. His last log before departure indicated that was apprehensive of the up wind sail and his wife was giving him prep talks to keep a positive attitude. His wife's log entries on the day of incident indicated that he had left around midnight with 34 knots of wind and at 11:45 am he reported that he was 100 miles out at sea. Assuming he had left at midnight and had sailed for 11hrs and 45mins his average speed would be about 8.5 knots. The EPIRB call she received was at 4:30 P.M. Assuming he was doing 8.5 knots, his position would have been 140 miles out after sailing for 16hrs. and 30mins. This was the beginning of his trip and he was less than a day from his departure point and he should have been at his peak physically and mentally. I believe that his mental attitude affected his sailing. In his previous log entries he had endured harsher conditions at sea. I believe that it doesn't matter how much sailing experience you have if you do not have a positive attitude. I believe that his dread of having to sail up wind to Hawaii for at least three weeks affected his judgment. I don't think that he would have let his wife endure the anguish of having the Coast Guard inform her that his EPIRB had gone off when his radio was in working order if he was thinking straight; he would have called her. I still believe that Art is a great sailor, this unfortunately incident could have happen to anyone of us. The lesson here is that a positive attitude can sometimes be more important than sailing experience. A positive attitude can sometimes be the difference between life and death at sea. Fair Winds. Clyde
Art's web site log stated that he was getting rid of excess weight on his boat for the 21 day up wind trip to Hawaii from Tahiti. I assume that he was reducing weight to allow for the extra provisioning he would need for the long trip. His last log before departure indicated that was apprehensive of the up wind sail and his wife was giving him prep talks to keep a positive attitude. His wife's log entries on the day of incident indicated that he had left around midnight with 34 knots of wind and at 11:45 am he reported that he was 100 miles out at sea. Assuming he had left at midnight and had sailed for 11hrs and 45mins his average speed would be about 8.5 knots. The EPIRB call she received was at 4:30 P.M. Assuming he was doing 8.5 knots, his position would have been 140 miles out after sailing for 16hrs. and 30mins. This was the beginning of his trip and he was less than a day from his departure point and he should have been at his peak physically and mentally. I believe that his mental attitude affected his sailing. In his previous log entries he had endured harsher conditions at sea. I believe that it doesn't matter how much sailing experience you have if you do not have a positive attitude. I believe that his dread of having to sail up wind to Hawaii for at least three weeks affected his judgment. I don't think that he would have let his wife endure the anguish of having the Coast Guard inform her that his EPIRB had gone off when his radio was in working order if he was thinking straight; he would have called her. I still believe that Art is a great sailor, this unfortunately incident could have happen to anyone of us. The lesson here is that a positive attitude can sometimes be more important than sailing experience. A positive attitude can sometimes be the difference between life and death at sea. Fair Winds. Clyde
to John ... point is that the Superman is fiction
... and weekend sailors sometimes just can't visualize just how rough it can be as you start to get tired ... Vic Newport and Naples 6mo a year each.
... and weekend sailors sometimes just can't visualize just how rough it can be as you start to get tired ... Vic Newport and Naples 6mo a year each.
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