Has anyone followed the Zac Sunderland story, the LA teen solo circumnavigator? (Thousand Oaks: scooters)

[John23]

Pretty amazing story, he went around the world in a sailboat alone, at 17. From Thousand Oaks.

He has a real interesting blog of his adventure. Some of the places he visited are amazing and so remote, like st helena island in the south atlantic, Cocos Keeling Islands in the indian ocean, papua new guinea, etc.

Any sailors here? Any opinions on how difficult that kind of journey is?

[timelesschild]

It's outrageously difficult. I'm very impressed at his skill. I understand that his sailboat is quite nice - very expensive.

[impala666]

Originally Posted by timelesschild

It's outrageously difficult. I'm very impressed at his skill. I understand that his sailboat is quite nice - very expensive.

On the contrary an Islander 36 from the early 70`s I'm surprised it got to Honolulu.
Young kids sometimes do some great things and he is an example to his generation.
Good luck Zac for all your future exploits.

[JTGJR]

I'm impressed by the kid's fortitude and attitude. As for the boat, he purchased it for $6,000 9 months before he left. But his dad and sponsors put some $100,000 into it to prepare for the voyage.

[John23]

I dont know anything about sailing. How many hours or years of experience would it take to do that kind of trip?

In the stories I read, it said he practically grew up on boats. Is that the only way to accomplish this kind of thing, where you have so much experience being born into it and being familiar with the sailing world?

[timelesschild]

You would need to have LOTS of experience and confidence. Since he is only 17, yes, he would need to have started when he was tiny.

[Ketabcha]

I have a question. I have never been around sailing.

If you are the only person on the sailboat when do you sleep? How do you keep the boat going the correct direction if you are asleep?

[Green Irish Eyes]

Originally Posted by Ketabcha

I have a question. I have never been around sailing.

If you are the only person on the sailboat when do you sleep? How do you keep the boat going the correct direction if you are asleep?

That's kind of a specialized question, and you might get a better answer on the Watercraft (etc.) Forum.

[John23]

Here's a good video, it shows the interior of his boat and the equipment he had.


YouTube - Teen to Sail Around the World Alone

[impala666]

Originally Posted by Ketabcha

I have a question. I have never been around sailing.

If you are the only person on the sailboat when do you sleep? How do you keep the boat going the correct direction if you are asleep?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-steering_gear