*Seriously* the Wrong Way...

[Amgine]

Victorian attempts to become first North American to circumnavigate "backwards"

Canadian adventurist plans a southern high lats upwind circumnavigation. His boat is a rebuilt 1969 Cheoy Lee Offshore 40, specially beefed up for this venture. The boat is named the Kim Chow, reportedly Chinese for "sword through water".

Because this is a record attempt, the propeller shaft has been sealed. (Although the motor can still be used for electricity generation, the fuel capacity is only 150 hours so solar and wind generation systems have been added.)

Incidentally, this is an unsponsored attempt.

The boat and sailor *do* have a website, however. Departure is scheduled for 1pm 23 Sept. 2007, C Dock in Victoria Harbour, British Columbia, Canad. (I'm wondering how he's guaranteeing wind...)

[SkiprJohn]

Good luck to him. I'm not certain I'd try that route the "Right way."

JohnL

[rebel heart]

That's some of the worst waterways in the world. Cape Horn and Cape of Good Hope? And that's the southern end of the Tasman Sea. I hope he's bringing his thermos and foulies!

[Pblais]

Incidentally, this is an sponsored attempt.

I hope you don't expect sponsors here. I don't think just because they don't get money for this attempt it means anything more. Some things are dumb enough just because they are. This would be the poster child example! I don't wish them harm, but I can't say it should be anything except NOT encouraged.

[rebel heart]

Oh man I just realized he's on a beat the whole time. What a train wreck. Good luck to him I suppose. He will certainly be a better sailor than I he's done.

[Lodesman]

Some people will do just about anything to avoid another long, wet and windy winter on the wet coast.

[Amgine]

Nah, pblais... I think this is one of those macho Canadian moments. You know, like people who train and race in the Iditarod. I don't think he'd *accept* a sponsorship. "What? you think I'm doing this for money? I'm doing it because my chest is hairier than any RCMP officer's!"

Still, it'll be interesting to see what breaks and what doesn't.

[44'cruisingcat]

Can't say I envy him, but good luck to him anyway. I hope he doesnt run into those people trying to sail round in circles for 3 years....

[cat man do]

Already done in 1971 by Chay Blyth

SIR CHAY BLYTH SAILING AROUND THE WORLD SINGLE HANDED AGAINST THE PREVAILING WIND IN BRITISH STEEL 1971: SIR FRANCIS CHICHESTER: ELLEN MACARTHUR: CLAIRE FRANCIS: SIR ALEC ROSE: JOSHUA SLOCUM AND THE FIRST SOLO WORLD NAVIGATION, RECORDED AS SAILING AL

In 1971 aboard the 59ft ketch British Steel, Chay Blyth became the first person to sail non-stop around the world against the prevailing winds and currents - westwards - a feat no one had previously attempted. This “impossible” voyage was described by The Times newspaper in London as "The most outstanding passage ever made by one man alone". In recognition of his achievement, he was made a Commander of The British Empire (CBE) and was voted Yachtsman of the Year by the Yachting Journalists Association. For this achievement he was voted Yachtsman of the Year and awarded the Chichester Trophy. Since then he has accumulated a staggering list of racing successes including

[Celestialsailor]

Positive proof...We are running out of records to break!!!

[Lodesman]

Originally Posted by cat man do

Already done in 1971 by Chay Blyth

And apparently some others - the article didn't hide that fact at all -"the 57-year-old hopes will make him the first North American - and only the fifth sailor ever - to circumnavigate in what common wisdom says is backwards."

If you check out his sight, he mentions that he's getting some help and advice from a fellow club-member, Tony Gooch - who IIRC, was the first person to solo non-stop circumnavigate from the West coast of North America, and may be the oldest person to have completed a solo non-stop circ.

[vonotto]

I bet its one of those Canadian moments of "it sounded good over beers last night".

[jdoe71]

Originally Posted by vonotto

I bet its one of those Canadian moments of "it sounded good over beers last night".

I didn't know good ideas over beer were a uniquely Canadian thing. Seems like there's the odd American who's had one of these moments as well.

[GordMay]

“Hello, my name is Ken Barnes. I am 47 years old. I was born and raised in Southern California and no, I am not crazy ...’
KenSolo

[vonotto]

jdope71.......oops hope you didn't take what I said to heart. It was ment to be funny. For some reason on reading the 1st post here a picture popped into my head of two Canadians bundled in heavy coats in a small ice fishing shack drinking and one says "hey I bet we could sail around the world backwards".