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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Solo Circumnavigation

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/22/2012 : 09:01:21

[url="http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/21/world/americas/st--maarten-teen-solo-voyage/index.html"]Laura Decker Completes Solo Circumnavigation[/url]....... sorta.

She went through Panama and some say she didn't actually cover the mileage required. But, nonetheless this is a helluva feat for anyone and especially for a kid.

The debate will rage over whether or not her parents acted responsibly. I think she should not have been allowed to do it but, she did it and finished safely in spite of the risks. I'm glad the sanctioning bodies no longer recognize "the youngest around".

John Russell
1999 C250 SR/WK #410
Bay Village, Ohio
Sailing Lake Erie
Don't Postpone Joy!

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 01/22/2012 : 12:54:37

Her parents "wouldn't stop her"... That's for sure--they (presumably) bought and equipped a 38' boat for her somewhere around age 13. Maybe she had been mouthing off...

I'm confident the news media and Guinness will keep track of "youngest around" and "youngest (whatever)" records, so parents will keep pushing.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 01/22/2012 12:57:27

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 01/22/2012 : 13:05:04

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by John Russell
 ...some say she didn't actually cover the mileage required. But, nonetheless this is a helluva feat for anyone and especially for a kid...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I think the article is saying Australian Jessica Watson didn't cover the distance. Laura supposely did 27,000 miles--far more than the requirement.

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redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 01/23/2012 : 08:23:47

Yeah, OK - Can't avoid this one - the track beam is drawing me in Luke.

This was the sensible route. She made it. Abby Sunderland did the stupid route and was therefore access denied... Silly family. But this kid seems to have a good head on her shoulders. I'll be very happy to sail with her anywhere in a couple of years. Wait, what is Dutch law? Just kidding of course, but this girl rocks the house. She made it, and I will tell you that her ovaries are freaking huge. Congratulations to her and to her supportive parents.

sten

PS - My friend floating about actually got to watch her come in while hanging on the hook.. Small world...

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 01/23/2012 : 11:51:28

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Stinkpotter
 Her parents "wouldn't stop her"...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"> the government considered it though . . .

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pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 01/23/2012 : 12:14:41

Guiness has made a statement that they will no longer include an age as part of a sailing feat.

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bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1776 Posts

Response Posted - 01/23/2012 : 22:02:22

These accomplishments always reminds me that their are some talented, driven, competent "youngsters" who, if their heart is in it and they are blessed with the resources and support can -- and do -- amazing things. Robin Lee Graham a generation ago comes to mind as another such example. The problem too often becomes the parents who try to live out their wish/fantasy through children they over program and who may or may not have the ability and certainly do not have their heart in it. From the limited amount I have heard, Laura Decker seems to have wanted to do this vs being forced by peer or family pressure.

I believe last year (or the year before) at the Norwalk Boat Show their was a booth where you could "meet Abby Sunderland". I glanced over and was struck at how young she looked and how, at least when I was walking by, their was not only no line but no one at her booth. I felt sorry for her: she was not out sailing but hawking some sponsor's wares. Kids her age should be out sailing dingy's or whatever and actually have fun sailing!

Edited by - bigelowp on 01/23/2012 22:03:47

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 01/24/2012 : 08:47:30

It's hard to find sailors at the Norwalk show... (When I step aboard one of the few sailboats, the salesman gets all excited!) The $+!nkp*++ers never heard of Abby.

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NautiC25
Admiral

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USA
957 Posts

Response Posted - 01/24/2012 : 09:52:27

Don't forget that we're in a different time and culture where a 20yo is not allowed to drink or gamble, but can go die for us. Not long ago, in the U.S., 10yo's were working in fields with heavy machinery just so the family could survive. It's still being done in other countries. How can we be so quick to judge others when we just learned ourselves a few years ago?
I'm not saying these things are right, but our views are very different than other's across the world. Our "wrong" is still their "right".

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redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2012 : 07:18:56

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by NautiC25
 Don't forget that we're in a different time and culture where a 20yo is not allowed to drink or gamble, but can go die for us. Not long ago, in the U.S., 10yo's were working in fields with heavy machinery just so the family could survive. It's still being done in other countries. How can we be so quick to judge others when we just learned ourselves a few years ago?
I'm not saying these things are right, but our views are very different than other's across the world. Our "wrong" is still their "right".
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Ha! What did you move? I thought you wuz in Orygun... Anyway, well put. 'Tis all good, live and let live - for the most part... I think she is a good sailor and quite frankly handled the press et al very well...

sten

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2012 : 09:17:03

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by redviking
 ...I think she is a good sailor and quite frankly handled the press et al very well...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Good sailor? Abby? Not good enough to pick a boat. An Open 40? ...for somebody who had never sailed off-shore? Around the world? It's a very bad joke. Have you seen an Open 40? It's a sled designed for all-out ocean racing by crazy people. (There's one here in my town, with some crazy people to go with it.)

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JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2012 : 11:55:37

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">
Ha! What did you move? I thought you wuz in Orygun... Anyway, well put. 'Tis all good, live and let live - for the most part... I think she is a good sailor and quite frankly handled the press et al very well...

sten
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Our Association Forum is so vast in resources and influence that we have 2...(count 'em)...two "Naughty Sailors"!

Randy is "Nautiduck" in Eugene, OR and Jonathan is "NautiC25" in San Antonio, TX. It's a simple error

, and we forgive you!

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redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2012 : 07:47:19

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Stinkpotter
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by redviking
 ...I think she is a good sailor and quite frankly handled the press et al very well...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Good sailor? Abby? Not good enough to pick a boat. An Open 40? ...for somebody who had never sailed off-shore? Around the world? It's a very bad joke. Have you seen an Open 40? It's a sled designed for all-out ocean racing by crazy people. (There's one here in my town, with some crazy people to go with it.)
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Laura - not Abby.... Laura's boat was a much better idea... 38 foot named Guppy...

sten

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2012 : 08:07:50

Agreed. I thought you were referring to the last person referenced. Laura's Guppy had the right stuff.

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