14.05.2007
Sail-World's Cruising World newsletter
On a percentage basis not many people sail into Galapagos - as they say, nothing goes to windward like a 747. We're discovering Galapagos slowly. It must be one of the most charismatic places on earth, but its utter charm may also be its downfall. More on that in the next few weeks.
Lots of news about the adventurers - Tony Bullimore is in the news (of course) and on the way to New Zealand for repairs, but his round the world project is on hold until next year. Ken Gourlay, intrepid Australian sailor, has just set a new Australian record, and everyone's favourite ancient mariner, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, at the age of 68 has put up a fine performance in his latest circumnavigation. Meanwhile Japanese sailor Ikuo Kashima's abandoned yacht has been found and recovered. Kashimo had left Japan nine months ago in an attempt to become the oldest sailor to sail solo non-stop around the world, but after a Mayday was rescued last week.
Las Perlas is featured as an alluring destination, and we talk about kids and the laws relating to life vests. One US state is grappling with the issue now, but it's a universal one, so we publish their arguments for and against.
In 'Green' news, the Swiss solar powered vessel Sun21 has just arrived in New York after a successful Atlantic crossing using no traditional fuel, and the American Boating Congress has put the environment at the top of their agenda.
On a practical note, we introduce you to the World's Cheapest Watermaker - it's DIY and simple.
Finally there's Blackwattle's first impressions of Galapagos - the Galapagos you never hear about ...
Read on, enjoy, and...
Sail Safe
Japanese yacht found off Tasmania
A week ago a rescue helicopter winched a 77-year-old Japanese sailor from the ocean off south-west Tasmania leaving his yacht Korasaa77 to the elements. Now its been recovered....
http://www.sail-world.com/newstext/pda.cfm?Nid=33623&ntid=30
Bullimore stops record attempt
Bullimore said earlier today, 'If the pin had pulled out completely, the rig would have fallen down and I would have been left adrift. When I found it during a daylight check of the rig a few days ago, my heart almost stopped. With the rig under so much tension, there is no way of banging the pin back in place. In fact, it is the tension that has stopped it from falling.'...
http://www.sail-world.com/newstext/pda.cfm?Nid=33616&ntid=30
Sail-World's Blackwattle - the Other Galapagos
So we have sailed to Galapagos - instant thoughts of Charles Darwin...unique iguana...sea-lions...giant tortoises.. remoteness... evolution... and these images are so strong that other aspects of Galapagos are rarely spoken of. So, aside from the grand uniqueness of the animal world and its meaning for the history of science, what are the islands of the Galapagos really like?...
http://www.sail-world.com/newstext/pda.cfm?Nid=33610&ntid=30
Ken Gourlay completes his solo non-stop quest
Ken Gourlay has become the first Tasmanian to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around the world and when his time is ratified by the Australian Yachting Federation the father of three and grandfather of two will also officially become the fastest Australian solo circumnavigator and, at 51, the oldest....
http://www.sail-world.com/newstext/pda.cfm?Nid=33580&ntid=30
Should Law Require Kids to Wear Life Jackets?
What's the law where you are about kids and life jackets? In Wisconsin, USA, there's a debate raging right now. On the one hand, authorities are concerned at the number of drowning deaths by children without life jackets, on the other, it is seen as yet another intrusion into the domain of parents. Read on for the way this one US State is thinking....
http://www.sail-world.com/newstext/pda.cfm?Nid=33561&ntid=30
Destination: Of Shahs Pearls and Death in Paradise
It's told that when the fabulously wealthy Shah of Persia was exiled from his home country in the 1970's he searched the world for the most idyllic place in the world to spend the rest of his life, and ended up here - whether that urban legend is true or not, you can certainly see his grand home today, high on a hill overlooking a charming beach on this island - Contadora, Las Perlas Islands, in the Gulf of Panama, Central America....
http://www.sail-world.com/newstext/pda.cfm?Nid=33570&ntid=30
NZ Supports Reduction in Bottom Trawl Fishing
Key outcomes agreed at a recent meeting of the South Pacific Regional Management Organisation (RFMO) will mean that fishing vessels will not be allowed to bottom fish in areas that are identified or likely to have vulnerable marine ecosystems such as cold water corals and sponge fields, without prior assessment and measures. Conservation and management measures will need to be put in place before fishing can occur....
http://www.sail-world.com/newstext/pda.cfm?Nid=33538&ntid=30
DIY - The World's Cheapest Watermaker.
.. the conversation came around to watermakers. 'How much does yours produce?' I asked. ''About 100 litres' 'Wow', I replied, 'We couldn't afford any such luxury - ours produces only 13 litres, but we get along okay.' I remember Bob's laugh. 'Well, I made it my myself, and it cost very little ......
http://www.sail-world.com/newstext/pda.cfm?Nid=33568&ntid=30
American Boating Congress Goes Green
With the environment starting to be the buzz word on everyone's lips, it's heartening to know that the span of the green movement is widening. IBI News reports that The NMMA's annual American Boating Congress (ABC) began Monday with speakers that included the head Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency...
http://www.sail-world.com/newstext/pda.cfm?Nid=33505&ntid=30
Ancient Mariner Home Free - Knox-Johnston
What is it about ancient mariners? They just seem to keep sailing....Two of the world's best known solo sailors are attempting new solo round world trips at an age when most of the world is relaxing on the front verandah, and the most famous of all has just completed....
http://www.sail-world.com/newstext/pda.cfm?Nid=33506&ntid=30
Families give up the Ghost
The last theory seems tragically the most likely. Perhaps Kaz II had run around on a tidal sandbar and the three sailors got off to push? Did a gust of wind power her away, leaving them to drown as the five metre tidal surge swept them south?...
http://www.sail-world.com/newstext/pda.cfm?Nid=33457&ntid=30
Swiss and Solar, Sun21 Arrives New York
7,000 miles travelled, not a drop of oil used...well it could be a sailing boat, but Sun21 has no sails. It is the solar powered catamaran developed and sponsored by the Swiss Transatlantic21 Association, and it made its historic arrival across the Atlantic into New York's North Cove Marina this week....
http://www.sail-world.com/newstext/pda.cfm?Nid=33605&ntid=30
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