RichC | July 22, 2010
Who doesn’t appreciated the magnificent and mostly gentle giants of the oceans we think of as whales. The appreciation has created an entire industry around whale watching and has been enjoyed by hundreds of thousands around the world. One such “watcher” relayed their story from South Africa after a close call capture in photos … […]
RichC | June 17, 2010
Reid Stowe arrives in NYC today after his “odyssey at sea.” (previous posts) The homecoming is broadcasting live by UStream below at about 11AM EST on Thursday June 17, 2010 with an expected flotilla arrival between 1-3PM at Pier 81. EDIT: Might be 1152 days … although I thought my count was accurate? This past […]
RichC | June 12, 2010
In following up on the teen sailor Abby Sunderland, I’m including a post from her blog — a note from her parents confirming her rescue onto a French fishing vessel. They thanked all those involved in their daughter’s rescue and in coming to her aid so quickly. Although I flip-flop on expecting someone to risk […]
RichC | June 11, 2010
According to the Search and Rescue crews and the AFESA taskforce leader Will Blackshaw, “Abby is in very good spirits.” From Abby Sunderland’s blog: Search and rescue crew members have described how stricken 16-year-old yachtswoman Abby Sunderland remained “in good spirits” after being spotted from the air yesterday. A crew of 11 SES and FESA […]
RichC | June 11, 2010
I’ve scanned the heavily reported news stories (over 3000 on Google) on Abby Sunderland this Friday morning after hearing she was safe inside her damage boat Wild Eyes and have concluded that the media does a pretty good job of reporting the sensational side of blue water sailing – and with a 16 year old […]
RichC | June 10, 2010
I’ve posted a couple of times on circumnavigators and in particular a couple solo sailors that are female. I followed and shared emails with Donna Lange a few years ago as she rounded the globe and have recently posted on Jessica Watson (Australian teen) who completed her circumnavigation and 16 year old Abby Sunderland of the […]
RichC | June 4, 2010
Roz Savage finished her row across the Pacific Ocean and is welcomed into Madang, Papua New Guinea by a crowd of 5000 welcomers. Her rowing, endurance and spirit is amazing. Here’s a snippet from her blog, rozsavage.com. The first local people to congratulate me were a few fishermen, out early in their outrigger canoes, who […]
RichC | June 3, 2010
Reid Returns – June 17, 2010 10 am to 1 pm Flotilla to welcome Stowe from south of the Verrazano Bridge to Pier 81 All vessels must register. — Flotilla Plan Noon (approximately) Best viewing of the Welcome Flotilla is at Robert F Wagner Park along the Battery Parkcity Esplanade; Bring signs saying “WELCOME HOME, […]
RichC | May 27, 2010
From previous posts, some of you know that I enjoy sailing and the surf … and although I’ve practiced combining the two with windsurfing, I can’t imagine doing it like this.
RichC | May 22, 2010
Posting a ‘catch up’ post after taking the weekend off. Here’s a youtube video Australian’s welcoming the youngster circumnavigator home a week or so ago.
RichC | May 15, 2010
Sailing solo around the world in a small sailboat is an impressive feat for anyone and inspirational to those who love ocean adventure to say the least. It’s a combination of endurance, skill and luck for all who accomplish such an endeavor, but doing it when you are a 16 year old girl is indeed […]
RichC | May 6, 2010
Sixteen year old solo sailor Abby Sunderland has sailed safely into Cape Town South Africa in her circumnavigation adventure. She was met by her father and brother who took the same trip last year. Although I’m an advocate for those who cruise and sail oceans (Jessica Watson and previous post), the record seeking trend to […]
RichC | April 28, 2010
In sticking with the sailing theme, the youngest non-stop solo circumnavigating sailor is nearing her starting point of Sydney, Australia. Jessica Watson, age sixteen (17 on May 18th), is in her country’s home waters and nearing Tasmania, but is experiencing rough conditions and large seas. Her spirits are good as seen on a Skype call […]
RichC | April 28, 2010
Since I spend part of my day on the road, my mind wanders from the tiring chatter of political radio talk that never ends (and focusing on driving) to daydreaming about sailing and escapism. I suspect most everyone has dreams or plans for retirement, but some are probably a bit more realistic than mine? I’ve […]
RichC | April 16, 2010
Checking my list for the weekend and it looks as if there is a bit of work in the yard … yes the grass is growing, as are the weeds. But higher on the priority list is installing our new “cash for appliances” energy efficient dishwasher. Unfortunately the delivery was not without an issue … […]
RichC | April 13, 2010
As I continue following Reid Stowe (previous) and his sailing “Mars Ocean Odyssey,” I wanted to post a short video of him and Soanya shortly after setting sail 3 years ago (below). They began their “odyssey” as a couple in April of 2007, but Reid has continued on alone after Soanya left the schooner as […]
RichC | March 3, 2010
A large rogue wave, actually three “abnormal” waves, hit a Greek cruise ship with 1350 passengers and 580 crew in the Mediterranean north of Barcelona, Spain killing two passengers and injuring fourteen. The Louis Cruise Line ship, Louis Majesty, has 14 decks and is over two football fields long. It hit the three 26 foot […]
RichC | February 15, 2010
The original 1851 America Finally after too many years and several strong attempts to win her back, the America’s Cup is back in a U.S. yacht club for the first time since 1992. Team BMW Oracle defeated the Swiss Defender’s Alinghi outright to bring the the cup to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Yacht Club in […]
RichC | January 26, 2010
Wayne Meretsky shares the “Loss of Moonduster“ We arrived in Savusavu, Fiji, on Monday, November 23, after a fairly uneventful 3-day passage from Tonga. Our goal was to spend a month cruising the western Yasawa Islands before leaving from Lautoka around Christmas to arrive in New Zealand early in the New Year. After a week […]
RichC | January 15, 2010
While monitoring what my friend Pete Bethune has been up to since he and his biodiesel powered boat Earthrace circumnavigated the world in 2008, it was with distress to see the unique boat destroyed (see previous posts). In 2009 the futuristic boat joined up with an anti-poaching marine wildlife conservation organization Sea Shepherd which utilized […]
RichC | January 12, 2010
For many years I’ve contemplated buying a fairly expensive reference style book — one that I really don’t currently need, but have wanted. Since I had a few Christmas dollars to spend (thanks Mom H.) I figured now was the perfect time add the $60.00 628 page book to my library. After spending a few […]
RichC | January 8, 2010
Posterous.com test post with video, but also a harrowing story from a sailor who was miraculously rescued from his boat of the coast of North Carolina. Posted via web from richc’s posterous
RichC | December 31, 2009
I’ve mentioned my favorite sailing magazine (Cruising World) before on my blog, but a fraction of a second appearance of a December 2003 issue in one of my favorite CBS television programs, NCIS, made my night. We’ve been working our way through the television series when during the ‘Untouchable’ episode in Season 3 of […]
RichC | December 20, 2009
For need of inspiration, I’m following a British sailor on his boat Impossible Dream with a few more physical challenges to sailing than most of us. Geoff Holt has refused to let being a quadriplegic prevent him from attempting a sail across the Atlantic, although is finding it challenging. I’ve been following his upbeat attitude […]
RichC | December 14, 2009
With the republishing of a Christmas article on Facebook from sailing author Gary “Fatty” Goodlander, I’ve been re-thinking my vow to avoid this social networking site. Facebook being my kids preferred peer-to-peer (no geek humor intended) communications medium, I’ve avoided it not wanted to look like a ‘helicopter parent. So far, its not been all […]
RichC | November 30, 2009
I’m archiving — and sharing — a good sailing advice blog and video series by shipwright and rigger Jerr Dunlap (@myboatworks) out in Marina del Rey, California — thanks Jerr. He has several great video “how-to” clips … here are two on how to fit a Norseman Fitting.
RichC | November 14, 2009
The high performance wind powered Hydroptere (blogged about back in 2007) has shattered sailing records the world over by averaging 51 knots over 500m (.5 kilometers) in 28 knots of breeze. It’s hard to imagine traveling that fast on the open water, let alone one a boat without an engine.
RichC | October 19, 2009
Of all the boats we looked at … this was the only one in my price range! I don’t have an excuse for not posting to my blog last week except for being on vacation. I had the best of intentions to post a few times while I was dreaming of new sailboats in Annapolis […]
RichC | September 17, 2009
Since my mind in on planning our trip to Annapolis and sailing, it seem fitting to tie today’s post to Tuesday’s when I mentioned my favorite periodical Cruising World. My collection of that magazine is similar to may who have a collection of back issues of National Geographic magazine. Anyway, it’s a good time to […]
RichC | September 15, 2009
I realize that the post title could be a bit misleading as I’m not “preparing as a presenter” at the 40th Annual Annapolis Sailboat Show, but “visiting” the show. Traditionally my wife and I would take a yearly trip to Annapolis toward end sailing season and enjoy the ambiance of the old city. We’ve detoured […]
RichC | September 8, 2009
This update slipped through the cracks this busy weekend, but Roz Savage made landfall in Tarawa an island in the Pacific Ocean completing her second leg of rowing from California to Australia. The arrival at this tiny island marked 104 at sea since leaving Hawaii (see previous post). From Roz Savage’s blog: I stepped ashore, […]
RichC | August 19, 2009
August must be the month for reminiscing, as I recently posted on what I remember 40 years ago (Woodstock festival) and I also just clicked a ‘Years ago on this date’ link from 2006. I had a good smile remembering what it was like to be at 13,796 feet on Mt. Mauna Kea in Hawaii; […]
RichC | August 10, 2009
Although I’m not going to refer to myself as a “Rozling” (followers of Roz Savage’s adventure), I do check on her progress and follow the blog of the ocean rowing British adventurer Roz Savage. She is currently 78 days into the second of three legs of a Pacific Ocean crossing after completing the first leg […]
RichC | May 8, 2009
In my second sailing entry for the day, the razor sharp photo to the left is of Thomas Johanson (click photo for larger) the helmsman for Team Ericsson 3 in the Volvo Ocean Race. This Oskar Kihlborg was one of the featured photos in an excellent Boston.com The Big Picture page. The Volvo Ocean Race […]
RichC | May 8, 2009
I regularly read the updates from Reid Stowe and his 1000 Days at Sea Mars Ocean Odyssey and wanted to archive an AP story from earlier in the week. The AP article written by Verena Dobnik was published a couple days ago and portrayed Soanya and Reid’s story as “quirky” — at least the beginning. […]
RichC | March 28, 2009
Sort of a short sailing/vehicle post today as I noticed that Richard Jenkins from the UK brought the land speed record for a wind-powered vehicle this month. He reached 126.1 mph in his Greenbird “car” … if you can call it that. It reminds me of an ice boat, but is and extremely efficient and […]
RichC | February 9, 2009
There aren’t all that many following the sailing and blogging of Reid Stowe on 1000days.net (perhaps as many as 1000 or so according to his blog stats), but I am one who regularly track his progress and am noting just how long he has been at sea. Reid has been sailing on his old schooner […]
RichC | March 15, 2008
When I heard about the passing of renown conservative William F. Buckley, Jr. on February 27th 2008, I started to reminisce about the impact he had on my life. I am able to put a finger on a few people who have played a significant role in developing my personality, my interests, my views and […]
RichC | May 16, 2007
Solo circumnavigating sailor Donna Lange and “Inspired Insanity” are safely on a mooring in Bristol, Rhode Island. She and her boat are home after spending 300 days at sea and sailing her 28 foot Southern Cross boat 31,400 nautical miles. It was a treat to be ‘tuning’ in by email each day; I’m going to […]
RichC | April 27, 2007
For those of you keeping up with Donna Lange and her solo circumnavigation here and elsewhere, she is visiting the Rhode Island Statehouse today in preparation for a welcome home celebration on Saturday in Bristol, RI. Officials in the state have declared April 28th “Donna Lange Day” — how cool is that? Following her visit […]
RichC | April 7, 2007
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RichC | March 10, 2007
Donna Lange, circumnavigating solo sailor, has hit two milestones this week. First she crossed her outbound track, which legitimately means she has rounded the world in her 28 foot sailboat, and second, in today’s news … she crossed the equator again … going north this time. She posts to her log daily and the updates […]
RichC | January 30, 2007
I have a few extra minutes over lunch today so I’ll add a second post. Several of you have emailed me asking how Donna Lange is doing after setting sail again and I thought I would update that she is cold, but otherwise fine. Yesterday she had several equipment repairs to make perhaps by a […]
RichC | January 6, 2007
I’m following up yesterday’s (1/5/2007) post about the California sailor Ken Barnes partially because the news media has picked up the story and and partially because of my sailing passion. In my opinion, this notoriety due to the family going public has been helpful in his rescue and the attention being paid to getting him […]
RichC | January 5, 2007
UPDATE: Just before 6AM EST the fishing trawler Polar Pesca 1 rescued Ken Barnes. (FoxNews Alert Quicktime link) — Ken Barnes is a 47 years old from Southern California single handed sailor who was heading for Round Cape Horn in his 44 foot ketch Privateer. A wicked storm has battered his yacht, de-masting both masts, […]