Need a boat for circumnavigation

[LasVegasBob]

This is probably the most far out beginning thread even on this site,
I am planning to circumnavigate the globe in early 2017 when I will be 85 at the time. I am planning on establishing a Guinness book record for the oldest man to circumnavigate ALONE in a sailboat. I need all the help possible in obtaining Sponsors for EVERYTHING including the boat (27'-34') fully equipped for the task. This would include Boat, and ALL POSSIBLE equipment required to perform this monumental task. All help and advice is appreciated.
I am physically fit, an ex US Marine in excellent physical condition.

I do not need any comments about hair brained schemes, I get all of those from my son.

[carstenb]

Originally Posted by LasVegasBob

This is probably the most far out beginning thread even on this site,
I am planning to circumnavigate the globe in early 2017 when I will be 85 at the time. I am planning on establishing a Guinness book record for the oldest man to circumnavigate ALONE in a sailboat. I need all the help possible in obtaining Sponsors for EVERYTHING including the boat (27'-34') fully equipped for the task. This would include Boat, and ALL POSSIBLE equipment required to perform this monumental task. All help and advice is appreciated.
I am physically fit, an ex US Marine in excellent physical condition.

I do not need any comments about hair brained schemes, I get all of those from my son.

Welcome aboard Bob.

Sounds like your set on this - good luck.

There are some very able sailors on this forum, including some that have circumnavigated a number of tiems. They can give you some excellent advice

[Orion Jim]

Semper fi, do or die, gung ho, gung ho.

[wgewaldii]

Crowdfunding - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[JazzyO]

I would kindly suggest that your post is far too broad brush. There are many threads on equipping a blue water boat on this forum, may I suggest you read those first and from that you give a first stab at your set-up. We can then comment on that and help you refine it.

Every boat is different and every sailor is different. Both have specific needs. Without input from the sailor it is pointless to give advice. Perhaps you can start by telling us what the sailor is like - what level of experience do you have? History as a marine doesn't tell us much about your sailing abilities.

Great adventure, I wish you all the luck in the world!


Onno

[Suijin]

Limiting advice to securing sponsors, I think you would be best served by contacting solo sailors who have been down that path and getting input from them. There's a pretty extensive list. They've been down that road and should have some good insight on how to proceed.

I think your greatest challenge is going to be securing that first sponsor that gives you credibility to others, and that is going to require approaching them with a project plan that gives them some confidence that one, you're capable of pulling this off, both from a physical and organizational perspective, and two, the benefits to them merit an investment of their time. You're basically going to have to be your own best salesman.

So, write a business plan and start socializing it around with marine industry PR people and media folks. It's going to be a bit like pulling on a wet bathing suit at first...small tugs all around.

[ravinracin]

LasVegasBob, Are you sure you want to go to all that trouble? I am doing the same thing in 2031. I will be 86 and blow your record out of the water! I will be watching you and see how you do, then I will have a hand up on getting sponsors from watching how you went about it. Wish me success and if you run into a sponsor who is looking for a looooong term deal, send him my way. Best of luck to you.

[SimonV]

I suggest you study Mike's blog on his travels. We met him in the south Pacific and again in Australia. One of life's gentlemen. 80 and on his second time around. http://alchemi-of-falmouth.blogspot.com.au/?m=1

Sent from my GT-N7105T using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[Nadineon31]

I have just finished reading Les Powel's book entitled "Solitaire Spirit: Three times round the world single-handed". You might like to grab a copy and maybe glean some wisdom from his accounts?

[HappyMdRSailor]

Go Bob Go.... Love it...

Although the best comment is this one!

Originally Posted by ravinracin

LasVegasBob, Are you sure you want to go to all that trouble? I am doing the same thing in 2031. I will be 86 and blow your record out of the water! I will be watching you and see how you do, then I will have a hand up on getting sponsors from watching how you went about it. Wish me success and if you run into a sponsor who is looking for a looooong term deal, send him my way. Best of luck to you.

Keep reading... This thread is going to get busy!

[MarkJ]

Hey Bob, at least you know the get rich quick schemes of Las Vegas.

So you want to be given the whole thing, boat and all expenses for free?

But you say you are fit?

So why don't you get off your ass and work for your boat like the rest of us did??

Mark

[ozskipper]

Two Words. Sparkman and Stevens (ok thats three words)

Youngest boys (Jessie Martin- David Dicks respectively) did it in one .
Youngest girl ( Jess Watson) did it in one. (not official though)
First woman (Kay Cottee) did it in one.
Perie Banou went round twice non stop in one.
Jamie Dunross, quadriplegic, circumnavigated Australia in one.

You would be in some pretty good company with an S&S- good luck

[atoll]

I hear Robin knox Johnson is looking for a buddy to go sailing with,smokers only need apply...............

[Time2Go]

I'd pitch Red Bull
Completely out of their realm
But if you don't kill yourself the PR for them would be priceless
I can see the commercial in my head
Older Marine,Vetran, pulls into the harbor
Fire boats spraying, Helicopter pulling the flag
Crowds on welcome boats
Instead of popping open Champagne
The crusty old salt With a big smile
Pops open a Red Bull
Who says 20 something base jumpers have all the fun
Semper fi

[jtsailjt]

Nothing wrong with folks of any age pursuing a dream, but you don't mention your sailing experience or what expertise you have that lends itself to achieving your goal? If you don't have the money, I suppose that sponsorship is something you'll have to attempt to line up eventually, but at this point I can't think of a reason why anyone would want to spend their money on you pursuing your dream? If you're an experienced sailor and just neglected to mention that, then maybe you are headed in an appropriate direction with this. But if you aren't, then your first priority, WAY more valuable than anything a sponsor can offer you, is to gain the knowledge and experience that will give you a reasonable chance of being successful. Once you have gained that, THEN will be the time to begin serious planning and preparation for your circumnavigation. Good luck achieving your dream, but first things first. Even Chesty Puller didn't go directly from high school kid to American hero without learning, training, and paying a whole lot of dues along the way.