Four Old Guys Cross the Atlantic on a Raft

[dennisjay]

Pretty amazing.

Sailor, 85, crosses Atlantic on raft with friends - World news - Americas - msnbc.com

[Hud3]

Anyone in St Martin/St Maarten will have an opportunity to hear more about the voyage. Here's an excerpt from an email sent out by the manager of the Sint Maarten Yacht Club...

...The day after their arrival (so either Thursday or Friday) we are planning to hold a “Questions and Answers” evening at the SMYC – where we will have a visual presentation of the construction of the raft and their mission with Water Aid Charity. See their website: www.an-tiki.com...

The vessel's name, An-Tiki, is a play on words recognizing the ages of the crew.

[sailorboy1]

Look at that; a Blue Water boat!

[atoll]

boys will be boys,even if they are old boys,well done!

[jyoung]

that is way cool! hope i have that much spunk when i'm their age...Love the boat!

Anyone know how they damaged two rudders?

[Mark1977]

There was a thread started about this a while back, I thought for sure they wouldn't make it. Guess i'm wrong again...... Congrats to them.

[perchance]

What can I say? Old guys rule.

[Jesse]

Fantastic

[hummingway]

These guys get my "Adventure Of The Year" award, hands down!

Marvelous

[gonesail]

There is nothing to be scared of. We were all old men

[skyskier]

Originally Posted by perchance

What can I say? Old guys rule.

X2

[S/V Alchemy]

We probably shouldn't go into why sending kids to sea on stunt solo circs bugs some of us, but a bunch of pensioners on a raft evokes cheers...

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by S/V Alchemy

We probably shouldn't go into why sending kids to sea on stunt solo circs bugs some of us, but a bunch of pensioners on a raft evokes cheers...

Why, I think it is pretty simple: we old farts have at least some idea of what the dangers and other issues might be and are unlikely to leave devastated parents behind if we cop it. There has been, even in these hallowed musings on CF, a decided impression (expressed only by a few actually) that old people shouldn't be out cruising at all, let alone undertaking difficult voyages.

Another difference in this case is that these folks didn't seek sponsorship, didn't attempt to set some bogus world record, and in general didn't seek publicity.

I add my congratulations on completing a well managed (if somewhat quirky) voyage. Well done, mates!

Cheers,

Jim (still a ships boy compared to these guys!)