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SailOar · 12-02-2017, 20:09

Hope it's not too soon to start thinking about another "crack" at the Northwest Passage.

Temperatures in the Arctic are skyrocketing — for the third time this winter | Washington Post

Quote:

...It’s at least the third such extreme winter-warming event for the Arctic this season — temperatures skyrocketed on two occasions in November and December as well. Similar incidents also occurred in December of 2015 and 2014.

...In a recent paper published in December, Moore notes that these types of anomalous warming events have been recorded since the 1950s — but they usually only occur once or twice a decade. Scientists believe that factors related to climate change may now be making it easier for weather systems like this week’s storm to carry warm air into the Arctic...

jdazey · 13-02-2017, 05:59

Certainly not too soon for 2017 and not too soon for planning 2018.

Thanks for keeping this going.

**a64pilot** · 13-02-2017, 06:18

You guy's are nuts. How often does someone make it? Do many, any get trapped?

Boatguy30 · 13-02-2017, 06:22

[QUOTE=a64pilot;2325105]You guy's are nuts. How often does someone make it? Do many, any get trapped?[/QUOTE

Really? Have you not been paying attention?

Pretty much anything down to Albin Vegas have been sailing thru the last several years. Mostly with no issues.

Rhapsody-NS27 · 13-02-2017, 06:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boatguy30

Quote:

Originally Posted by a64pilot

You guy's are nuts. How often does someone make it? Do many, any get trapped?

Really? Have you not been paying attention?

Pretty much anything down to Albin Vegas have been sailing thru the last several years. Mostly with no issues.

You make it sound like more than one Vega have made it... Other than this one, what other sailboats have been known to make the crossing. I think I've only heard of one steel or aluminum sailboat go that route so I'm not sure of others. I've been interested in seeing who else has.
Thank you.

**a64pilot** · 13-02-2017, 06:48

I have not been paying attention. I don't do cold anymore, but admit it is interesting.
Just not my cup of tea. I'm just not that adventurous anymore but like hearing about others that are

Boatguy30 · 13-02-2017, 06:51

I know of a glass Bavaria 44 a Westsail 42. Larger boats but well short of expedition boats.

KrazySailing · 13-02-2017, 07:52

From: Arctic Northwest Passage

The North West Passage has been described as the Everest of sailing. Since Roald Amundsen’s successful transit in 1903-1906, a total of only 94 sailing boats have been able to follow his example. For every sailor who has sailed the North West Passage, 12 climbers have scaled the highest mountain in the world.

BLOGGER COMMENT:
NW Passage transit list as of the close of 2015:

http://www.americanpolar.org/wp-cont...0/NWP-2015.pdf

Rhapsody-NS27 · 13-02-2017, 08:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by KrazySailing

BLOGGER COMMENT:
NW Passage transit list as of the close of 2015:

http://www.americanpolar.org/wp-cont...0/NWP-2015.pdf

Cool, Thanks!

rosatte · 13-02-2017, 09:18

i thi k a steel boat and a crew of at least 4 would be required im sure glass boats have done it but most have had kevlar reinforced waterlines..

fatherchronica · 13-02-2017, 09:20

Jimmy Cornell's rally uses it as one of the routes.

Munoz · 13-02-2017, 09:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhapsody-NS27

You make it sound like more than one Vega have made it... Other than this one, what other sailboats have been known to make the crossing. I think I've only heard of one steel or aluminum sailboat go that route so I'm not sure of others. I've been interested in seeing who else has.
Thank you.

Teleport is wooden (with a Junk rig for good measure):

Teleport Expeditions - Chris Bray & Jess Taunton

They have a blog and also a lot of videos on Youtube if your interested....

Suijin · 13-02-2017, 09:31

It's not for the faint of heart. If you read Matt Rutherford's account of his trip in his Albin Vega, it will make the hair on the back of your neck stand up at points. Like passing through an iceberg-infested straight in heavy fog.

As an FYI, Matt now owns a steel boat, lol

Plenty of fiberglass boats of have done it, but I'd go steel or aluminum or go home.

Rhapsody-NS27 · 13-02-2017, 09:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suijin

It's not for the faint of heart. If you read Matt Rutherford's account of his trip in his Albin Vega, it will make the hair on the back of your neck stand up at points. Like passing through an iceberg-infested straight in heavy fog.

As an FYI, Matt now owns a steel boat, lol

Plenty of fiberglass boats of have done it, but I'd go steel or aluminum or go home.

and the Vega is still for sale, I believe.

The picture I linked earlier is one I took while walking through a yard a month ago. Looks like it's been sitting in the back side of the yard for a while.

Talking to a rigger who did work for me, also worked on his boat. He said they called Matt's boat "the coffin" because they were saying he was going to kill himself on that trip.