Stop Press -- 84-Year Old Man Crosses Atlantic In Garden Shed

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by colemj

I wonder how this thread would have gone if he had not made it and needed rescue?

Mark

The difference is that this trip was meticulously and systematically planned, in all of its various aspects, by an intelligent person. And the vessel -- although made out of B&Q materials costing probably less than $10k -- was carefully designed with regard to actual structural principles, and the design was tested first with a model and then with an actual scaled-down prototype.

The fact that he made it successfully all the way across the Atlantic from the Canaries to almost within sight of Florida, apparently without any significant problem, is not a coincidence. Of course, he needed a certain amount of luck. With a three month passage time and two knot speed, there is no way to do foolproof weather routing. Nevertheless, I am reminded of the phrase: "The harder I work, the luckier I get."

And the bloke was 84 years old! A great contrast to the Hot Rod voyage, and indeed, to Rebel Heart's.

[RTB]

Wow....I had no idea. We were anchored with Antiki in Governors Harbor (Eleuthera) last February. It sure would have been interesting to talk with the guy! It's beyond the two sailboats in the center.



Ralph

[roland stockham]

You have to know British culture to understand, but that isn't a garden shed, it's an allotment shed.

[lesterbutch]

I think it tells us, your never too old to do great things!

[Mycroft]

I think these guys were just VERY lucky. It would have taken but a moment for a storm to flip that raft upside down.

That said, I also think they knew this and went anyway. They'd rather go out in an adventure than sit around the pensioner's home dying of boredom.

[Cheechako]

The only conclusion I can reach is that a multihull made of garden supplies and 55 gal barrels is better than a Gunboat.

[captlloyd]

Cross the Oceans in a 12ft Tinkerbell or raft, sure. Does not matter. But if Mr. Fate wants you, he will take you. (think Titanic)

[RTB]

I love this quote -

"After two weeks on the raft, a routine had been established. I thought it amazing that we could each be so matter-of-fact about our novel situation, brushing our teeth in standard fashion, washing clothes and hanging them up to dry, as if we’d always lived on board a flat and bouncing thing buoyed up by lots of pipes.
Most luxuriously, the Antiki had two outside loos, or ‘heads’ as they are known to sailors. On a nice day it was most comforting, to sit there in the warmth, while having rarely exposed bits of oneself enjoying the sun, and know that life was good."

[TeddyDiver]

Originally Posted by Mycroft

I think these guys were just VERY lucky. It would have taken but a moment for a storm to flip that raft upside down.

Nope, superb seamanship and huge amount of initial stability don't you see :-D

[tropicalescape]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

The only conclusion I can reach is that a multihull made of garden supplies and 55 gal barrels is better than a Gunboat.

and a Hunter... Help!..over here ! ha. ha.

[RTB]

Originally Posted by tropicalescape

and a Hunter... Help!..over here ! ha. ha.

Nah....they got their idea's from Hunter http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...st-133684.html



Ralph

[Steadman Uhlich]

Rainmaker vs. Antiki?

I see a huge difference in the: vision (goal), resourcefulness (ability to do it with less), determination (they did not give up), patience (stuck with it despite literal setbacks), and resilience (kept going despite odds) of the skipper and crew…on the Antiki of course.

Obviously on the surface the difference is one of materials (boat) and "fortune" (double meaning here), but most importantly I see a difference of human character.

Antiki and crew won my admiration!

Perhaps that of Neptune too.

To me, Antiki demonstrates what "Adventure" means and has meant for men such as those who have crossed oceans on rafts or in extremely small vessels, and with little more than their guts and willpower.

I may be in the minority of sailors, but I would rather cross an ocean with the skipper and crew of Antiki, instead of those of Rainmaker.

For one reason, they show the kind of spirit that does not give up. That is essential when the saltwater hits one in the face.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by Steady Hand

Rainmaker vs. Antiki?

I see a huge difference in the: vision (goal), resourcefulness (ability to do it with less), determination (they did not give up), patience (stuck with it despite literal setbacks), and resilience (kept going despite odds) of the skipper and crew…on the Antiki of course.

Obviously on the surface the difference is one of materials (boat) and "fortune" (double meaning here), but most importantly I see a difference of human character.

Antiki and crew won my admiration!

Perhaps that of Neptune too.

To me, Antiki demonstrates what "Adventure" means and has meant for men such as those who have crossed oceans on rafts or in extremely small vessels, and with little more than their guts and willpower.

I may be in the minority of sailors, but I would rather cross an ocean with the skipper and crew of Antiki, instead of those of Rainmaker.

For one reason, they show the kind of spirit that does not give up. That is essential when the saltwater hits one in the face.

I agree! Except for this bit: "with little more than their guts and willpower." I think you contradict yourself. They had a lot more than ust guts and willpower -- they had discipline, persistence, intelligence.

And I agree about who I'd rather cross an ocean with

[hellosailor]

Right, and this is just SO much more advanced than Kon-Tiki, fifty years ago?


(Yawn)

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by hellosailor

Right, and this is just SO much more advanced than Kon-Tiki, fifty years ago?


(Yawn)

Of course it is... we don't use natural materials anymore.. apart from living quarters.. and even thats borderline..