Flicka 'round the world' trip planned

[Captain Smollett]

Update on Heather's website, to which I have only one reaction:

"You go girl."

;D ;D

I think it is fair to say the lady is no quitter.  To my mind, there is absolutely no shame in taking a step back and re-grouping.

Who among has not done that at least once in their life?

She's learned an awful lot in the past few weeks, about herself and the 'big bad world.'  That's what it is all about, right?  Whether you are doing that on a sailboat or via any other mechanism is, as they say, just geography.

[AdriftAtSea]

Sounds like a good plan... sailing around the Caribbean will probably give her the familiarity with the boat that she should have had prior to setting out.. and de-bug all the systems on it.

[Lynx]

The west coast of Fl will do that as well.

[gltea]

It has to be tough for Heather.  She has put herself out there in more ways than one.  Both the sea and the internet can be cruel.  I hope she spends this time mending her hand so she can sail another day in good health and not defending herself on other sites.  If she decides to go to Thailand, I have some wonderful contacts and places in mind.  It is a great place to heal both body and mind.

I have read many of the posts on this site regarding Heather and am happy to be in such kind company.

I think she has true grit and her sailing days have just begun.

[Lynx]

One of my best days of sailing has been the day after a really bad one.

[Captain Smollett]

One of my best days of sailing has been the day after a really bad one.

Wow.  Grog for that one.  Very well said.   :)

[AdriftAtSea]

I've also found that the days I learn the most about sailing are often the worst ones in terms of weather, boat handling, etc...  It is hard to really learn about sailing when it is sunny, 15 knots of wind and everything is going perfectly. :)

[Lost Lake]

It has to be tough for Heather.  She has put herself out there in more ways than one.  Both the sea and the internet can be cruel. 

I think she has true grit and her sailing days have just begun.

Yes the sea and the internet can be cruel. Excellent point. Grog to you!

[CapnK]

Grog, James - that's quotable. :)

[Shipscarver]

Heather is taking some time to asses her future and heal. She will be in the soft cast for another month and in therapy for 2 months after that.  She will completely miss the weather window for departure. God knows she has seen enough weather for a while. Those of us who know her are more than confident that she will successfully accomplish whatever course she take in the future. And those who have seen the Flica are in love with it. If she were mine I would have to name her, Sole Mate. :)

[s/v Faith]

First.  BZ to Heather.

  It takes a lot more moxy to undertake something then to sit at a computer and criticize someone who does.

  I took a look at her log and found the following;

January 23, 2008 - Since my last post I have received a truckload of emails, most of them kind and understanding and supportive (thank you, I needed that!)...and some reaming me pretty fiercely. I've been criticized for everything under the shining sun -- from saying I might take some time off for a vacation, to worrying about the weather window to get to the Marquesas, to being scared because I was locked in the cockpit in the storm, to using my injured hand as an "excuse," to, well, you get the picture. (It sure is easy to tell a complete stranger what to do from the comfort and anonymity of your Barcalounger, isn't it?). One sensitive fellow emailed (and I quote in full), "too bad it didn't work out for you. How much for the boat?" Buddy, your wife really got a prize when she got you. Darn, the good ones are always taken!

I'm typing pretty much with one hand and having trouble keeping up with all the emails, so I'd like to clarify a few things here.

Firstly, the boat isn't for sale. And when and if it ever is for sale, Sir Galahad of the Email doesn't have enough money to buy it.

Secondly, I'm pretty sure my thumb would be an asset if I were hitch-hiking, but I am unable to use it for anything as simple as holding a fork, brushing my teeth, operating a can opener, or zipping my pants. Hoisting the mainsail, working on the engine, hefting anchor chain, or, say, maybe hanging on to a lifeline in rough seas, pumping out the bilge, or maybe setting a storm para-anchor, are all out of the question. (I know, I know, I'm such a sissy!)

Third, I'm not scared and I haven't quit. But I am being honest and realistic with myself and you in admitting I know there's probably no intelligent way I can go this year. I'm also realizing that I could use a little more sailing time and familiarity with handling the boat in rough weather. And, despite even some family urging to sell the boat, I have no plans of that at this time. My vague, subject-to-change-because-I'm-a-woman-and-reserve-that-right plan is to take some time off, take a vacation, do some closer-to-home sailing (Bahamas are likely), and begin again. Believe it or not, this change in plans has been an awfully big pill to swallow and, by golly, I'm entitled and unapologetic!

To the folks who have offered encouragement and well-meaning advice, thank you, thank you, thank you - I needed it!

To you yahoos in your Barcaloungers: I talked to your momma. She said to tell you, "Shame on you! If you can't say something nice, hush!"

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go do my thumb exercises.

;)

[Pappy Jack]

You gotta love her spirit ;)!!! Many other people would have been scared spitless and quit. We'll see her later when her hand is healed and the sailing window is open. We'll see her do it, we just have to have patience and give her words of encouragement ;D ;D ;D

Fair winds Heather,

Pappy Jack

[nick]

Ok, I just wasted a good hour reading through this entire thread. I could say a lot of things, but I don't see the point.

Tell me, what the heck happened to 'Captain Heather' ??

She has very little, if any time to start her Pacific run now if she hasn't left yet. What's the go?

n

[CharlieJ]

Last I heard she was laying off a while to allow her badly damaged thumb to heal, then planned to regroup and begin again.

Otherwise, I've seen nothing new. Check her website for her last postings. Here's a link to her ships log age. Last post was Jan 28th.

ht+p://www.solo-sailor.com/ShipLog.htm

[nick]

I see... Interesting.

She seems convinced that every day out is going to be in storms, deploying her para-anchor, as if her life were hanging by a thread. Someone has scared the heebie jeebies out of her. I guess you're ready when you're ready - Too bad her stupid dad has been going about the place talking the whole thing up like mad. I'd be furious if that's what my dad were doing.

[AdriftAtSea]

Her father didn't help any IMHO, since the pressure she must have been under only ramped up under the publicity of it all.

[nick]

Yes, but the publcity of it all was as a result of her dad running around every sailing forum on the internet, telling the boards he is a master mariner and his amazing incredible wonderful fantastic daughter is going to start her sailing any day now...

[oded kishony]

I'm looking forward to the day when she feels comfortable enough to undertake the voyage. I enjoy these stories and like to cheer on those brave souls that venture out.

Reminds me of another story that can across this site. "Harley" (not Davidson) was planning a non stop cirumnavigation in an 8 ft boat. One of the most ill concieved plans on the most un seaworthy crafts ever attempted. The boat was so flimsy and poorly designed he could not leave the dock!

Oded

[AdriftAtSea]

One other circumnavigation attempt that has gotten a lot of attention recently is David Vann's attempt in a 50' LOA x 30' Beam home built  trimaran. Esquire magazine is publishing a blog for him and he's gotten a lot of press.  However, his attempt isn't going too well, since the boat left SFO a few days ago and had to put into Santa Cruz due to the aka attachment points on the main hull failing.  The problem is that David Vann doesn't have an ounce of common sense and made some very poor design choices in building his boat... one of his heroes is Ken Barnes, who had to be rescued off the Chilean coast a couple of years ago, and between the two of them, they've sank three boats out from under themselves.

Since Vann couldn't get a welder running at the fuel dock, thank god for small mercies... he's headed back to SFO to see if he can repair his boat.

[Lynx]

My heroes are the ones that made it.  They are worth my time. Those who do not have some problem that was not resolved. The FAILURES are not worth my time.