Sailing Teenagers |
Don't let your age or the size of your boat limit the size of your dreams. |
The year was 1965. The teenager was 16 year old Robin Lee Graham. The boat was named Dove. She was a used 24 foot fiberglass sloop. Over the next 5 years National Geographic would feature Robin Lee Graham on the cover of 3 issues. That's more covers and feature stories then they have given one person in the history of National Geographic Magazine. I read each issue, probably 500 times, and spent hours dreaming over the dozens of color photographs. The words and the pictures of Robin taking a reading with his sextant, feeding a sea lion, climbing the mast, sailing across the Cape of Good Hope, swimming off the beaches of Fiji, holding a fresh caught Dorado off the stern... All of it, entrenched in my mind as if a road map for future things to come. It was nourishment for the wanderlust in my veins. It fueled a fire in my soul, a yearning for a life on the sea; that to this day remains, echoing in the chambers of my heart. |
Before Robin would complete his circumnavigation . . . Over the past 50 years (since Robin started his voyage) I have met at least a hundred other sailors whose inspiration also came from Robin Lee Graham. Now, having raised three kids of my own (all sailors), I have a very deep understanding how Robin, Tania, Jessee, Zac, Jessica, and yes, especially Abby; will influence an entire generation of new sailors. Their story, the news, the publicity of their adventures will inspire and influence thousands of others to redefine their own goals, and to pursue them. Many, will even take up sailing, some will eventually end up sailing around the world, or anchoring in some Paradise Island cove. And I believe it is a good thing. Undoubtedly, over the next 45 years, there will be sailors on the sea that were inspired by one or more of these teenagers making headlines, having their stories appearing in magazines, followed by books, television interviews, and even a movie. My guess is that more then one movie producer will have reached Abby Sunderland before she can even get home from her ordeal. If only she had left a boyfriend at home, her's could have been an epic adventure at sea to rival the movie Titanic. Of course, the negative responses over these teens (especially the girls) are abundant. Ironically, the most bolstered negative statements have been from parents, and the harshest comments directed at Abby Sunderland's Mom has been from other Mothers. It seems these parents that can't understand how other parents could permit their "child" to do such a "dangerous" thing - are the very parents that really have no idea what their "child" is doing. And if you are one that thinks you do... then you have forgotten your own teenage years. Those parents, the one's voicing such strong negative opinions about Abby's parents, are the very ones that never accepted the full responsibility of raising kids, and they will never accept the blame for the things their own kids do - or never accomplish. Beginning with toddlers, we give them coloring books and crayons and from that day forward, they are taught, praised, and rewarded for "staying between the lines". But did you know that for the exception of one. . . none of the worlds great painters ever saw the inside of a coloring book. When confronted with one for an opinion; Picasso responded with "for our shame this is, that it will steal our children's creative dreams and imagination". Teenagers today need their "own" dreams. Not the dreams or goals that we as parents hold up in a mirror for them to see... They need their heroes and sheroes. They need to feel the passion and desire for achievement and accomplishment of their very own goals. |
Jesse Martin, a 17 year old Australian teenager was the youngest solo yachtsman to sail non-stop around the globe. He did it in a 34' sloop and held the record for the youngest "non-stop" solo circumnavigation prior to Zac Sunderland. |
For Tania, it wasn't about breaking records, or becoming the first, or even famous. She did it for herself. Her goal, her dream was not a lifetime thing. Instead, it was an out of the blue thought that just stuck in her head until she made up her mind; that's what she had to do. She made a deal with her father. A boat instead of a college education. She had no sailing experience other then a few lessons and few months of practice as she bought and provisioned her inexpensive 26' sloop. Her goal of course was simply to prove to herself and her father - that she could complete something. Her story is of an amazing voyage of teenage angst, solitude, self discovery and adventure. Aebi's story is unusual because she was poorly prepared for her voyage, but prevailed through common sense, faith and fortitude. She had almost no sailing experience when she departed on her journey in 1985 - she (as with Robin Graham before her) did not have the advantage of GPS, or laptops with GPS integrated mapping and autopilots. She had to use a sextant for celestial navigation. She also did not "sea trial" her boat before purchasing it. Nor did she have it certified by a professional Marine Surveyor, and thus she was plagued by factory defects that could easily have been prevented before departure. Tania Aebi has written two books. (1989) Maiden Voyage. Ballantine Books. (2005) I've Been Around. Sheridan House. Both were million copy best sellers. |
Sailing around the world is a dream many of us have. Most of us imagine taking our time, setting off from the mainland headed to some Paradise Island with pristine sandy beaches and gin clear turquoise and azure waters. We are the romantics, we picture doing it with someone we love, and all our thoughts are of enjoying every moment, discovering the world one very slow mile after mile. For us, it is the journey. We vision going non-stop, or going fast, as counter productive - something like rushing through your vacation so you can get home to look at the pictures. There are many small vessels currently circumnavigating. At last report, over 900 private recreational sailing vessels have made passage through the Panama Canal so far this year, and twice that number last year. Of those, the vast majority belong to the "no hurries and no worries" Capt. John's style school of sailing. These are the ones that know completing the voyage only means ending the fun; and there's certainly no rush to do that - and if they never finish, so be it. (This is by far, the very safest as well as the most enjoyable way to do it.) Those sailors that belong to the "non-stop, few-stops, we've got to keep going" school of sailing - blow past anchorages, meet very few people (if any) aside from a Port Captain and Marina employee, and see nothing of the sites. They miss all the free wonders of the world, and they make no friends along the way. These are the ones that usually end up with ripped sails, masts blown away, or busted keels, rudders, or wind vanes. They sail on a strict schedule with an uncompromising agenda that really never seems to align itself with the real world in any way. In addition having a lot less fun and adventure; this is the most dangerous way to sail around the world. So for all the teenagers of all ages with a sudden passion and desire to sail around the world, I say: read Robin Lee Graham's book Dove and Tania Aebi's book Maiden Voyage. Learning to sail is both fun and easy. Learning to do it in the safest most possible way and in the most comfortable manner requires hard study, practice, and knowing every square inch of your boat. Read all you can find from sailors who have actually done it and learn from their mistakes. Learn with and take a friend, enjoy the ride, stop in many places and talk to many people, see the sites, and make your voyage a wonderful safe adventure. |
Photograph compliments of National Geographic Magazine. |
Robin Lee Graham (16) did it in a 24' sloop. Brian Caldwell (19) did it in a 26' sloop. David Dicks (18) did it in a 34' sloop. Jesse Martin (17) did it in a 34' sloop. Zac Sunderland (17) did it in a 36' sloop. Jessica Watson (16) did it in a 34' sloop. Abby Sunderland (16) gave it her best shot in a 40' sloop. Laura Decker (15) has a Sept. 2010 start date. |
Teenagers sailing "solo" around the world, Oh My! |
Just how popular is Abby? Well, if you really want a good idea of just how popular she really is. . . If you Google "Abby Sunderland" you will get about 6,250,000 hits. (that's what I got on 6/14/10) Now, if you need something to compare that to then Google the most popular celebrity in America "Winfrey Oprah" and you get only 202,000 hits. |
Zac Sunderland had somewhat fleeting fame. While he broke Jesse Martin's record of being the youngest solo sailor around the world, Zac's record of very short lived. He only held the record for six weeks before it was broken by Michael Perham. And while setting the record put his name in the history pages sailing. . . He is already simply being referred to and remembered as "Abby's brother". I kinda feel a little bad for Zac, as his accomplishment was a great one. He had his goal, he pursued it, and he accomplished it. In addition, he has a good head on his shoulders. Zac, by the way, said he was inspired by Robin Lee Graham's book "Dove". |
Mike Perham, seen here receiving a plaque from Guiness World Records. At 17 years and164 days old, this teenager was escorted across his finish line by the Royal Navy's HMS Mersey, and the 771 helicopter Squadron of the Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose. He was also greeted by a flotilla of press boats that had been on standby overnight to record his finish. Mike's record held for only nine months, and was broken by Jessica Watson. |
Jessica Watson, at 16 years of age completed her voyage just 3 days before her 17th birthday making her the very youngest solo circumnavigator in world history. The reason for her journey: "I wanted to challenge myself and achieve my life long dream. I knew it would always be something I could be proud of." Jessica's book "True Spirit" scheduled to hit the book stores in August, already has enough advance orders, it will come out as a million copy best seller. |
Laura Dekker, was born on a boat, September 20, 1995 during a seven-year around the world voyage by her parents. She spent the first four years of her life at sea. At six, she had her first boat - a small sailing dinghy which her father says, she climbed in and sailed away without any instructions. Her next boat came at the age of ten. She named it Guppy, in it, she spent weekends and summers solo sailing the Wadden Sea, and North Sea. In May 2009, in her third boat, she made a solo-crossing of the Atlantic and back to England - where authorities demanded her father come and accompany her on her return voyage to the Netherlands. She was only 13 years old at the time. Laura's initial plan of sailing around the world solo was stopped by the Dutch Child Welfare Office. They had her return home from the Caribbean threatening to put her Dad in jail if she did not. She returned when the Dutch government said if she continued with her plans to sail around the world, they would arrest her Dad, come get her, and confiscate her boat. The Dutch Child Welfare Office meantime, was successful in their bid for a court order that stopped Laura's planned departure. The court order expired in July 2010, and Laura's departure soon followed. Now, while I agree there has to be an age that is simply too young, and 15 may very well be it, but Laura was not the girl that should have been stopped. She not only had more sailing experience then any of the above teenagers... She had much more "long distance solo" sailing experience. This young 14 year old had already spent weeks and months alone at sea. She feeds on it. And it is solitude - more so then sailing skills (in my opinion) that is the solo sailor's most perilous aspect of a circumnavigation. Laura successfully completed her solo circumnavigation in January 2012. |
LOOK WHO came after JESSICA WATSON 14 year old Laura Dekker |
Tania Aebi, In May 1985, when Tania Aebi was 18, she cast off from lower Manhattan, alone, on her 26-foot sloop, Varuna. For the next two and a half years, with only a cat for company, she sailed 27,000 miles around the world, returning to New York the youngest woman to ever circumnavigate the world solo. |
Robin Lee Graham and wife Patti |
In 1965, at the age of 16, Robin Lee Graham set out to sail around the world - alone. He wasn't trying to set any world speed records, and in fact never even thought that he might be the youngest. No, it wasn't for any of that. For Robin, it was simply all about the adventure. And what an adventure it was. . . |
His voyage included numerous stops: Hawaii, Samoa, Cook Islands, Solomon Islands, and Fiji (where he met Patti in 1966). Robin's adventure lasted almost 5 years. During which time, he married Patti in South Africa, but continued his voyage alone. Robin and Patti still live in Montana (documented in his second book, "Home is the Sailor") and are grandparents of two grand sons of Quimby and her husband. Their son Benjamin is recently married. The Grahams continue to serve as a positive influence in the lives of young people through their missionary work and writings. They are a remarkable couple with a remarkable story of love, courage, perseverance, hope and charity. Robin Lee Graham, in addition to being featured on the cover of 3 National Geographics, wrote two books: Dove, the book was published in 1972. Dove, the movie was released in 1974. Home Is The Sailor, the book was published in 1983. |
How young is too young? & How safe is safe enough? |
So. . . Where do we draw the line? |
He did it my way. . . |
Not one teenager has been lost at sea. |
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The Frugal Voyager |
Yes! Sailing around the world has been accomplished by teenagers. In addition, it has been done, and is being done by young people in their late teens and twenties daily. That's right - someone under 30 years of age is sailing across the ocean to exotic places around the globe - and many are doing it solo. |
- Capt. John - the Frugal Voyager - Capt. John - the Frugal Voyager - Capt. John - the Frugal Voyager - Capt. John - the Frugal Voyager - Capt. John |
- Capt. John - the Frugal Voyager - Capt. John - the Frugal Voyager - Capt. John - the Frugal Voyager - Capt. John - the Frugal Voyager - Capt. John |
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© 1993 - 2016 captainjohn.org |
Abby Sunderland |
Jesse Martin |
Zac Sunderland |
Mike Perham |
Jessica Watson |
Tania Aebi |
Today . . . Sailing around the world is no longer "rocket science" of the 18th & early 19th Centuries. Today we have GPS navigation and charts that tell us our exact location, and point the way to our next destination. Getting lost is virtually impossible, and communication is available 24/7. What does it take? The right tool for the job! If the job is crossing the ocean, you simply need a safe, seaworthy boat that is small enough to handle safely and live on comfortably. |