Does anyone remember Gerry Spiess?

[Jdege]

Does anyone remember Gerry Spiess?

In 1979 he crossed the Atlantic in a ten-foot sailboat that he built in his garage.




He passed away last month, at the age of 79.
Alone against the Atlantic: Minnesota adventurer Gerry Spiess dies at 79

[Jammer]

I do remember him. He got a good deal of local news coverage at the time. Thanks for the link

[Tayana42]

I too remember him. I used to sail a trailer sailer on White Bear Lake where he lived. I admired his courage but had no desire to undertake that kind of discomfort myself. Still, he had the guts to go and the skills to finish.

[Franziska]

Funny enough he kind of got me into sailing.

My dad started sailing himself and bought a yachting magazine with an article on him and Yankee Girl.

It was inspiring, especially as I would have comfortably fitted into Yankee Girl at the time.

Anyway the classic career with Optimist, Lasers, Hobies... followed.

Rest in peace Gerry.

[ggray]

Ah yes, Dinty Moore.

[Jdege]

M A R L I N* * B R E E - Alone Against the Atlantic: The all-time magnificent maritime adventure!

Onboard Yankee Girl, why did Gerry Spiess carry 20 sparkplugs, 48 cans of tuna, 30 gallons of distilled water, 26 cans of Dinty Moore beef stew, 16 pounds of beef jerky, plus 35 pairs of shorts and T-shirts, 10 pairs of pants, 28 long sleeved shirts, 2 belts, 5 caps, and 2 foul weather suits, among many other items? The answer is that he was planning on a 60 day crossing of the North Atlantic, but had to provision Yankee Girl for 90 days for an emergency. The remarkable Minnesota sailor planned to be prepared as he could be for any emergency. For more info, click on Small Craft Advisor Blog - Small Boats - Big Adventure. You can get a full appendix of all items carried onboard this amazing 10-foot boat in Along Against the Atlantic (Gerry Spiess with Marlin Bree) and read about his later Pacific crossing in Marlin Bree's Broken Seas.