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Doodles · 16-12-2013, 16:37

Lin Pardey posted this on her FB page today and confirmed its validity. Apparently Moitessier was not above spinning a tale … but he's still one of my heroes.

BERNARD MOITESSIER: What Really Happened to Joshua

**hpeer** · 16-12-2013, 17:14

I've read that from Lyn before. Bull Canyon?

Nice vid.

He's still a hero, maybe more so even, more human.

Besides, it would be in line with his earlier wrecks.

Pelagic · 16-12-2013, 19:31

Thanks Doodles, great update!
Agreed hypeer.

After reading ‘Sailing to the Reefs’ as a teenager, Moittessier became my biggest sailing hero and inspired me to become proficient with slingshot and the use of curry powder.

I followed his adventures in ‘the Logical Route and the Long Way’ and never felt he pretended to be anything but a rascal if it meant he could earn a few extra freedom chips.

So no surprise or judgment from me if after the storm, he tweaked the press release to gain maximum support for financial relief.

These days he would be called an ICW Pirate and smile as he took aim at the nearest politically correct crow or sheep.

MichaelC · 16-12-2013, 20:16

I have been trying to remember the year that I saw Joshua in Port Townsend, after the debacle in Cabo. She was still heavily dented, I think it was in her port bow area, but still sailing. I believe at that time she was owned and sailed by a Port Townsend guy, but I do not remember his name. I can't imagine how anyone would think Joshua had been abandoned in Cabo. When I was sailing there in the early 80s there were still pieces of fiberglass hulls partially buried in the beach. A steel boat would have been way too obvious [and whole]. Any PNW sailor would know Joshua had been here.

Rhapsody-NS27 · 16-12-2013, 20:36

Definitely going to read that when I have more time. Thanks for the info.

cheoah · 16-12-2013, 21:03

Another one here who's imagination was set ablaze by moitessier. I don't look to him for inspiration in my domestic pursuits, but what a sailor....and writer.

Great footage.

You gotta wonder why people do what they do sometimes. I mean who really cares if he was ashore and freak winds beached his boat? The pardey story just sounds like an old guy getting wasted and busted, whereas his story sounds like a monkey too smug to set another anchor.

gjordan · 16-12-2013, 21:06

I saw Joshua in late 76 on the hard in Papeete . She looked like a wreck and was dangerous to walk under because pieces of rust might fall off and hurt you. I saw her later in the year, or maybe early 77 in Ahe and she looked much better. I met Bernard at that point and was dissapointed that he hadnt bothered to learn the language of the people that he lived with on Ahe. Locals laughed about how much dope he smoked. I suspect that he and Thor Hyradahl, and Les Powell and maybe a few more will go down in history as the great exaggerators. Just an opinion. _____Grant.

steamgoat · 17-12-2013, 14:21

Thanks for the link and videos, a Joshua was always my dream boat,tried to buy one from Chantiers Meta back in the 70's but unable to get enough cash together ! They have done some amazing voyages,probably the most of any production boat [they built 80 of them] Bruce.

goboatingnow · 17-12-2013, 14:52

I just want to know what happened to the two air hostesses he sailed of with

Dave

Normanby · 19-12-2013, 02:20

Bernie's my hero too.
Mad and thoroughly French, writing existentialism as on the French can, i don't care if there was some BS. His books transport me...

**estarzinger** · 19-12-2013, 04:24

Mmmmmm. . . . . When you know various sailors and their experiences first hand . . . . You know there are ALOT of "fish tales" that have been told by numerous "well known" sailors.

These "modifications of the truth" are told for various reasons . . . . Pride, "to make a better story", to preserve boat resale value probably being the most common three.

**hpeer** · 19-12-2013, 04:55

Well, we are called "sailors" so that kinda implies a certain BS level don't you think?

I'm a hero in my own mind, all too often.

goboatingnow · 19-12-2013, 13:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by estarzinger

Mmmmmm. . . . . When you know various sailors and their experiences first hand . . . . You know there are ALOT of "fish tales" that have been told by numerous "well known" sailors.

These "modifications of the truth" are told for various reasons . . . . Pride, "to make a better story", to preserve boat resale value probably being the most common three.

+1, most be the greatest group of male cow manure defecators I know. all good for a laugh over a beer, the truth,well thats another thing altogether .

dave