Monday, June 2, 2008

Breathing Room

First off just wanted to clarify the situation with my engine. The engine has been a topic of debate since the beginning and was not a sudden problem. In the end, the kindly but unorganized mechanic who thought he had a box of spare parts - didn't.
I have been getting a few concerned people saying that if my boat wasn’t even seaworthy enough to get out of the harbor how am I going to make it around the world. I would have kept my old engine if I had had the spare parts. The new engine will be important in waters with coral reefs and narrow passages.
The extra time is good - gives us more breathing room to finish up some loose ends and sea trial the boat some more. My grandmother from England will be out for my depature. This is so cool because she is super supportive and a great person. My new departure date will coincide with the Marina del Rey Boat Show. Should be a good time on the 14th.
Last Sunday we took a day off the boat for the first time in about a month but still spent time studying charts and courses and answering about 200 emails and sponsorship stuff. Today we're trying to secure an engine and possibly sponsorship for it as the cost of a new engine is running the budget dry.

In my last update I forgot to mention the help of Darrell Steffey. He has been on board daily for the past few weeks and has been a core contributor to the cause here as well as inviting local political figures to come out and see me off. I think he even sent a letter to President Bush. I guess it doesn't hurt to think big! Pete from Lady K has also been down most days and been a great help.

Any way got to finish packing.

Cheers,
Zac

20 Comments:

Blogger Bill said...

Hi Zac. Saw your story on BBC world news the other night, and I am looking forward to following your journey! You are an inspiration!

June 2, 2008 at 1:52 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Riverside Christian Schools will be praying for your awesome journey and your safe return.
Keep GOD first in all you do.
RZ

June 2, 2008 at 9:08 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi, we are from Lake Harriet Community School, in Minneapolis. We just read your story from the local newspaper. We hope you get through safely and break the world record. Shari, Tyler and Hans

PS- Do not go through the Bermuda Triangle!

June 3, 2008 at 9:05 AM  
Blogger KG said...

What time will you be departing on the 14th. We would like to see you off while at the boat show.

KG

June 3, 2008 at 9:30 AM  
Blogger April said...

Hi Zac. You made a good choice to be fully prepared before leaving. We are praying for financial support for the new engine!

The Currier Family

June 3, 2008 at 9:40 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Interested in your journey Zac, I wish you well. I don't think you need an engine, you have all the sailing knowhow to do without and it would make for a much more interesting adventure if you did it under sail power alone. Many have done circumnavigations engineless, just need patience and skill.

June 3, 2008 at 10:41 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The very best to you on your journey. My daughter and I have done some sailing on Minnesota lakes, Lake Superior, and in the Chesapeake Bay area. But, nothing like your adventure!

I look forward to following the adventure on your blog.

Stay safe, have a great trip, and keep in touch!

Best regards,
Ray T.
(Saint Paul, Minnesota)

June 3, 2008 at 12:39 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Hi Zac - I sailed an Islander 36 in the 1975 Miami to Montego Bay Race. We hit a reef south of Cat Island in the Bahamas going 6.5 kts one nite - broke the bottom off the keel, part of the rudder, shredded the side of the boat, but after 3 hours we pounded off the reef and sailed away. She is a tough boat and should do you well. We'll pray for your during your journey. Joe and Lorre Howell

June 3, 2008 at 7:04 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Zac,
We have every confidence that you will make history.
God is on your side.
Many Blessings.
xoxo
the Ziegler Family

June 3, 2008 at 8:07 PM  
Blogger Jesus & jane said...

Zach, You're doing something in your teens others much older just dream of or are too scared to try. Good for you! And may God, the creator of the sea and everything in it, be your constant and faithful companion throughout your journey.

June 4, 2008 at 3:15 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You are awesome!
C Ya Sunday. ;-)
RZ

June 4, 2008 at 9:22 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dear Zach'
Have been following your event through our son Mike Crawford and wish you the very best. Persistance will see you through!!

Bud Crawford
Kenai, Alaska

June 15, 2008 at 11:38 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Zac, I know you'll be fine and finish without a serious problem. I am so envious and happy for your historic journey. Remember. The world is with you

June 16, 2008 at 1:11 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Good luck Zac! The world will be watching your adventure unfold!

Billy
Vail, Colorado

June 16, 2008 at 1:50 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow! It will be tough at times, being alone when you've got the blessing of such a big family at home. :) But you'll make it. Good job!

June 16, 2008 at 5:01 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Duuuude, sounds like fun!
-Eric
Matthews, NC

June 16, 2008 at 5:36 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Best of luck on your adventures. I am glad to see people following their dreams and lagrange academy will be rooting for you.
- Michelle Gordon,
Lagrange, Georgia

June 16, 2008 at 7:01 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Zac. I recently heard about your Adventure and I think it's awesome that you're doing something like this at 16.

I'm 16 and there's no way I could ever do anything like that. First off I don't know enough about Boats XD Second my mom would never let me be independent enough to do something like that.

Anyway, I'm really into food, culinary arts, etc. and as soon as I heard about this I thought I wonder what he's going to do about food.

Are you going to be cooking for yourself alot?

Are you going to have to use foods from places all around the world?

I'm really interested in hearing what you're going to do about food, and It'd be really cool if you wrote about what you cook/eat on your quest every once in a while.

may you have a safe journey,
Peter G

June 16, 2008 at 10:11 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Zac,
I'm a a mom in land locked Oklahoma that heard about your story through NPR. I will be holding a vision of you clothed in strength and safety as I follow your journey. Godspeed.
Toni

June 17, 2008 at 7:14 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey Zac I am in high school now and my whole class is doing a research project on your trip!!! We love reading about it thanks for being out there!
Laura

September 5, 2009 at 12:39 PM  

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