Posted on 04/07/2011 9:52:03 AM PDT by a real Sheila
PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten -- An 85-year-old British sailor who dreamed of crossing the Atlantic on a raft as a young boy completed the journey with three friends Wednesday.
The crossing to this Caribbean island, led by Anthony Smith of London, took about two months and was generally smooth except for damage to two rudders on the large, sail-powered raft.
"Some people say it was mad," he told The Associated Press when he
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Smith is wearing the hat.
Doesn’t look like it could handle too much stormy weather.
How do you sink a floating log?
Quadmaran
The Vikings were traveling around in some pretty small stuff. At least this dude had the advantage of modern tech for navigation, weather forecasts and an SOS when the s@#t hit the fan.
It probably wouldn’t sink, but looks like it could be flipped pretty easily by a large wave.
I enjoyed this quote.
No inflatable life rafts back then either.
April 28, 1947: Kon-Tiki Sets Sail From Peru to Polynesia
The logs wouldn’t sink but the raft might break apart in heavy seas.
You get it Water Logged.
That “raft” is bigger than my first house. Heck, the hut on that “raft” is almost as big as my first house.
I thought the same thing. I would not be too scared crossing the pond on that, depending on the time of year. Wouldn’t want to hit heavy storms with it. I see some of the scrap that some adventure freaks use in the ocean and see those “boats” as floating crypts.
Actually they used nylon rathceting tie down straps and unlike Thor Hyerdahls ropes they held rather well for the entire journey. Technology is a good thing but I take your point. But at 85 I think the adventure factor outweighed the safety factor for at least one of the rafters. :-}
Ratcheting.
His raft has a big yard.
I’d ride the thing as long as it was the right time of year. Probably wouldn’t plan the trip with 3 other guys though. Sounds like it was Mr Howell, the Skipper and the professor.
Ginger or Mary Ann might make it a better trip.
THANKS!!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.