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sailorboy1 · 09-01-2012, 13:53

My wife, otherwise I wouldn't get to sail!

**boatman61** · 09-01-2012, 13:54

Sounds like an Iceland-Greenland-Newfoundland story here...

MacG · 09-01-2012, 14:11

Sure, Shackleton belongs to the pioneers. But he was not a sailor. Nordenskjuld was. They were pioneers for another reason. In any case, not sailing.

**minaret** · 09-01-2012, 14:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacG

Sure, Shackleton belongs to the pioneers. But he was not a sailor. Nordenskjuld was. They were pioneers for another reason. In any case, not sailing.

Seriously? All his voyages were under sail, the Endurance was a bark, and he made his famous journey from Elephant Island just off the antarctic continent to South Georgia island, across the worst stretch of ocean known to man, in a tiny sail boat which they decked over themselves, the James Caird. An amazing sailor. I'd say this journey makes Bligh's much longer voyage look tame in comparison. I'd like to see a modern sailor try to do the same in a cobbled together wooden launch with similar equipment. They'd die. Looks like sailing to me. The closest attempt I've seen was the crazy Berserker crew, and most of them are dead now. Impressively crazy people.

TeddyDiver · 09-01-2012, 14:32

Hanno, Erik the Red, any of the captains of Henry the Navigator, Nordenskjold, Nansen, Slocum, Heyerdahl...

Celestialsailor · 09-01-2012, 14:40

Gotta go with Bernard Moitessier and Sterling Hayden if not only for their writing style.

mrohr · 09-01-2012, 14:42

O.K.:So far you all seemed to have picked those on my list,but still missing and maybe deserving #1 is Eric andSusan Hiscock.
Also worth mentioning: Webb Chiles,Tillman, Blackburn,and Thor Hederdall.

**minaret** · 09-01-2012, 14:46

+1 Hiscocks. How about the Pardeys? And Tim Severin was an awesome pick, though some of his voyages were not under sail.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Severin

**sneuman** · 09-01-2012, 14:50

I don't see Hyerdahl or Jessica Watson making it on my list, but the rest seems about right. I could quibble with the order, but otherwise ...

Ellen McCarthur and Robin Knox-Johnston deserve to be there.

GeoPowers · 09-01-2012, 15:48

Two local sailors I grew up near and hung out with occasionally. Their liveaboard lifestyle and cruising stories planted the seed for me and later my wife. A.K.A. "That local liveaboard guy at the marina who's cruised to so-and-so each year".

Frank

ShaunJ · 09-01-2012, 16:09

In a few years, Matt Rutherfords name should appear on a list or two. He just rounded Cape Horn.

Target9000 · 09-01-2012, 16:11

Though they aren't pioneers, I have been inspired by the previous owners of our boat. Roger and Molly Firey took her around the globe 3 different times. We were lucky enough to catch up with them on the telephone and they were some of the most interesting, patient, and gracious people I've ever had the pleasure of talking with.

It would be an understatement to say that we're inspired by them. Every time Dani and I set foot on our boat we find ourselves thinking of the near 30 years of love and cruising that were invested in her. And we have to remember to carry on that most excellent of traditions.

Though sentimental, I almost feel as though the boat is imbued with the spirit of adventure and love. That is inspiring to us.

Roger and Molly were kind enough to send me a voyage outline along with their account of a 360 degree roll off the coast of Africa. I have it on our site here.
Previous Owners | Sundowner sails again

Roger and Molly are SSCA lifetime achievement award winners. That is a short list! I believe I've seen Beth Leonard and Evans Starzinger posting here on this board, another on that short list.