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I've sailed a Moore 24... Skinny, extremely light, lightly ballasted, exposed spade rudder, virtually flush deck (anything that comes over the bow will go into the cockpit), and a light-duty fractional rig. You sit on the deck (or stand in the cockpit). At least the companionway sill is raised to help keep green water out of the cabin, but this sounds like a death-wish to me. I'm glad he's made it as far as he has so far, but it appears he's prioritized amazing people over seeing the world. Poor wife.
Dave Bristle Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired), Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge
I don't know if you're all familiar with Webb Chiles, who is a legend of sailing. He has completed four circumnavigations, set two world records, and was the first American to round Cape Horn single-handed. He was named the 2017 Blue Water Medal Award Recipient.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s he made what was at the time by far the longest open boat voyage of all time, 20,000 miles. CHIDIOCK TICHBORNE was a stock English-built, un-decked Drascombe Lugger. 18’ long, 6’ wide, unballasted, and with a draft of 4’ with the centerboard down, 10” with it up. She weighed less than 900 pounds. Chiles has a long history of making long voyages in a minimalist boat.
This is Chidiock Tichborne.
This is a photo taken of the boat by Chiles after one of the many times she was swamped and before he was able to get her bailed out. IIRC, this was in the Indian Ocean.
Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind" previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22 Past Commodore
How did he take that photo in the Indian Ocean, from slightly above and away from the boat? Judging from the condition of the rig (mizzen mast gone, main mast in questionable shape, sails shredded), I'd say he was rescued before he bailed her out. So much for sailing the wrong boat in the wrong place.
EDIT: Wait... Different boat. Transom rather than double-ender, and probably never had a mizzen mast. My question remains...
Dave Bristle Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired), Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge
If you look carefully at the photos, the boat was not a double ender. Both photos show a transom.
As for the photo, I can only guess that he held the camera as high out of the water as he could. It doesn't look particularly high to me. If you look at the slanted horizon, it's apparent that he wasn't aiming through the viewfinder. He probably just held it up, pointed it in the general direction of the boat and snapped it. You can see a line trailing off the transom. That was probably his safety line, to keep him attached to the boat.
I just found Chiles' comment about the photo. "I took the last photograph myself, while drifting for two weeks and 300 miles after CHIDIOCK hit something and capsized. For more details see “Adrift” in nonfiction. After reaching land in what is now Vanuatu, I was, with generous help from Honnor Marine, CHIDIOCK’s English builders, able to put the boat back together and sailed her for three more years and 15,000 more miles. Perhaps it is unnecessary to say that I had an underwater camera."
There were, however, two identical Chidiock’s. I believe he was arrested by the Saudis, presumably as he sailed through the Red Sea. I don't remember why, but those folks don't seem to need much cause. I read the accounts so long ago that I don't recall all the details, but he probably put in to Saudi Arabia for provisions and, when he told them he was trying to sail around the world in that little cockleshell, they probably thought he was either lying or crazy and arrested him until they could figure it out, but as to these details, I'll defer to anyone with a better memory or who has read Chiles' account more recently.
The first Chidiock remained in Saudi Arabia after his arrest, and the second was shipped out to Egypt the following year so he could continue on. During that cruise, his accounts of the voyage were being published from time-to-time in Sail Magazine, and that was where I learned of him.
Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind" previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22 Past Commodore
Yup—I see the transom now... Beyond that, the only interest I can muster is curiosity over what to my mind are the disorders or lives that lead a person to this kind of bizzare escape from humanity, over the horizon in a dinghy, inviting disaster, proving what? There’s apparently some form of high-functioning intelligence there... Family? Friends? Other loved ones? Community? Contributing? Giving? Giving back? I truly feel sorry for him, except perhaps he’s found some sort of personal peace.
Have a wonderful, meaningful Christmas, Curmudgeon out.
Dave Bristle Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired), Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge
Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ. The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.