World record breaking Vega 27

[Lin Pardey]

Just in case you haven't heard about Matt Rutherford and his voyage around all of the Americas, thought I'd mention it as a wild, crazy but well executed modern day small boat voyage. Matt has already broken a lot of records and is only 400 miles from crossing his outbound track as he sails toward the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay after 280 days at sea. (www.solotheamericas.org).  Since he is raising funds for my favorite group, CRAB - an Annapolis gang of sailors with disabilities, I have been following his attempt since he left.

We hosted an Easter Regatta here at our home base in New Zealand and at the barbeque on our deck several folks who work with team New Zealand and their Volvo race entrant were talking about the sponsorship money being poured into their effort - $25 million so far and all crew are highly paid professionals. Matt has had $6000 worth of sponsorship and is a 30 year old who earns his keep by helping on yacht deliveries.

Meanwhile, just in from moving Taleisin from her mooring to the jetty marina berth by way of a sail around the two islands outside our bay - took an extra two hours but it was lovely.

Lin Pardey

[Jim_ME]

Lin, Thank you for posting the link to Matt Rutherford`s website. I have read some of the information there and his entries, and just realized that it is a nonstop solo voyage. Guess that what you wrote about his being at sea for 280 days should have been a clue to a more alert reader...  ;D What a great achievement and cause.

Good to hear that you took the long way from the mooring to the marina berth, and had a lovely sail.  :)

-Jim  

[s/v Faith]

Lin,

  So glad to have you aboard!  Thanks for joining, I know that many of us here have been the recipients of much help from your and Larry's books and videos.

  Congrats to Matt!  Thanks for sharing this with us here.  ;D

[Captain Smollett]

He's finished the circle.  Closed the loop on 18 April at 1038 EST.

There will be a live stream of his homecoming party in Annapolis on the 21st.

Here's the link for more details:

http://www.solotheamericas.org/?p=509

What a cool accomplishment for a cool cause by what seems like an unassuming, humble sailor.  This is very inspirational on many levels.

[Tim]

What a cool accomplishment for a cool cause by what seems like an unassuming, humble sailor.  This is very inspirational on many levels.

Absolutely, Stands way above so many of the other, both impressive and worthwhile.

[Tim]

Practical Sailor has a good article this month about Matt, his voyage and his boat. goes over well how "little" he really needed.

And I have to say I love the name of his boat "St. Brendan" so fitting when one knows who "Brendan the Navigator" was.

[Oldrig]

Practical Sailor has a good article this month about Matt, his voyage and his boat. goes over well how "little" he really needed.

Ditto on that PS article.

When stuff broke, Matt just kept going, and doing without. I was disappointed to see that his Kindle failed early  :(

--Joe

[SeaHusky]

Is it possible to read/buy this article on line or does one have to subscribe?