The Home Stretch II
Busy days with Peter K., Darrell, Steffey, Mike Smith, JP, Dad and my 10 year old brother, Toby, all checking off their final lists of work. Actually, Toby discovered Need for Speed on the computer and keeps sneaking off to play!
The engine is in and has been checked off by Yanmar for the warranty inspection. Mike Smith has returned to complete the installation and coordination of all things electrical. Dad is dealing with all the loose ends and Toby is cleaning up after us again. Poor bugger!
Computers are installed and getting their software and driver updates via Mike. MarineNav has sponsored me with their Leviathan computer. It can provide incredible processing power and tons of hard drive storage space for navigation software, charts, music, and video. Plus it is compact and draws very little power. Installed at this point are: Clear Point Weather - weather forecasting softeware which will be received via Sat Phone, Maxsea navigation software, various nautical publications including - Flags of the World, Sailing Directions, Pilot Charts, and Bowditch (glad I don't have to pack that one!).
By the way, for all you kids out there, one of my favorite books as a kid was the story Carry on Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham. It is the story of Nathaniel Bowditch who lived during the time of the American Revolution. He was from a big family that was so poor they were forced to sell him as an indentured servant (ie slave) at the age of 12 to a boat chandlery in town. It is the story of how he works all day and then studies at night. When he finishes his servanthood he goes to sea and discovers that the navigational equations being used are full of errors. While at sea he recalculates the information. He also invents new ways of doing celestial navigation and teaches it to the common sailors on board to keep them out of trouble. There is more to the story but you'll have to read it to find out!
We are right on schedule to move Intrepid to Burton Chace Park for the Marina del Rey Boat Show that begins Thursday the 12th and ends on Sunday the 15th. I will be taking off from there at about 1:00 on Saturday the 14th. Everyone from the Show has been great. I am really looking forward to hearing Mike Harker speak on Friday night. He just completed a year-long solo circumnavigation and will be speaking on his adventure. Good guy to know!
I see that the archives are working on the blog again and the RSS feed will be set up sometime tonight or tomorrow. It looks like I can post photos to the blog as well.
Additions to the web site are in process. There just isn't a lot of time these days for computer work. I'll try to write everyday this week if possible but for sure when I head out on Saturday.
Cheers,
Zac
posted by Zac at
5:23 PM
44 Comments:
Godspeed Zac. I've been thinking a lot about your voyage while re-reading Dove, Robin Lee Graham.
Smooth sailing and fair weather.
Mark
Roswell, GA
Zac, I hardly know you but I hope you have a great and safe adventure. i will keep checking in with you and reading your posts.
I think it's fabulous that you are doing this and wish you great success in your voyage. All of your support is amazing and serves to show what a wonderful person you must be! Best of everything to you!
Wilstric - from Minnesota -
Smooth sailing and calm sea. May everything work well and give you no problems. Just finished a wonderful book by Bob (Robert) Carter that I would recommend if you have time to pick up a copy. Beleive the name to be Sail Far Away. Wish I could be with you as you set out, but maybe when you come home I will come out. Hope to follow you daily.
My hat goes off to you, a true modern-day explorer who the youth of this world could learn a lot from. Hard work, old fashioned elbow grease and following your dream. I look forward to reading about your adventure and discoveries.
May the winds be at your back with clear skies ahead.
A friend in Grapevine, TX
Some sit at home and dream it. Some are at home with themselves and go do it! Hope you know there are many who are along with you for this one.
Keep safe and in touch for those of us who sit at home and dream it, for now.
Doug
Zac,
Fair winds and a following sea. We'll be watching for every update with great anticipation, and a tinge of jealousy. May you have the trip of a lifetime.
--Jerry
WOW Zac!! You'll face the best adventure of your young life. Will be a pleasure to me to keep-in-touch with your blog. All the best. You'll see: ocean is a wonderful place 4. Enjoy it.
Go high and fast!
Lars Stenfeldt Hansen
Denmark
Hey thats pretty cool that your going to travel around the world and be careful out there im the ocean there's dangerous animals in the ocaen well good luck and you don't but im maria!!!!
-maria c.
What a great adventure Zac! My kids (ages 7 and 9, both homeschooled also) and I are going to follow your journey via your blog and use it as a geography lesson. Thank you for sharing!
Good luck, Zac. I'll be keeping track of your progress.
Take along the book called BESERK, starts with 3 guys
in a 26 ft sailboat in the Antarctic, one gets off, two finish the sail and one goes onto South Africa
Good luck to you and God Bless
Mark P
Praying for your adventure Zac. Have a wonderful time.
Kathy
Bend, OR
Zac,
Your adventure is already touching people from around the world! We all wish you the very best and may God provide fair winds and following seas on your trip.
God Bless you!
Terri
Good luck Zac, I hope you have great weather and a fun time!!
--Michelle
Hey good luck zac.
i've been wanting to do the same might not have the strength to do it now that i'm getting older.
by the way, where on earth did you find the 36' islander for $6,500
i'm struggling to find a decent 27' for under 20k
Our whole family is watching your adventure Zac! We are so excited for you, now that your hours away from sailing :)You are a great example for leadership. Bet your parents are so proud. Good luck! We're praying for your safety and success...Go Zac!
Dolly, Cedar City, UT
wow. this adventure sounds like its going to be amazing! i wish you the best of luck and will definitely be following your blog.
good luck!!! i first heard about you on mark and brian. my children will be checking in on your blog.............charlie dupuis
hey Zac, me and a million other cyber people will b joining you on this quest of yours. I envy you and hope to be part of your course even by just being online. hope you find time to blog during your cruise.
goodluck mate!
Just read about you on the BBC's website. Best wishes to you with your tremendous endeavour which reminds us all that we need to live, explore and grow.
Looking forward to watching your progress,
Mort
Carpe Diem.
I challenge you to the following exercise for all of us in RSS feed land... 100-word max summary of every day, that day. Single words, very short sentences, how you feel, total honesty, where your thoughts are, what trips them; skip the details of logistics etc in these posts - each day will bring what it does- try to capture it timely.
Anna Graham
Hey Zac
Your story has reached Britain! Here's the BBC link if you've not already seen it: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7454345.stm
Rooting for you - I think what you're doing is amazing. Ignore all the unhelpful criticism and just listen to the good stuff.
I know you're setting off today (the 14th), all being well. Take care and stay safe.
Bianca S, Oxford, England
Hmm, looks like that link didn't come out too well. In case it didn't:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7454345.
stm
There's another great book where a couple of guys take on a similar challenge, called "Pedalling to Hawaii" by Stevie Smith, where they cross land by bike and sea by pedal boat from the UK to Hawaii.
Safe journey!
Hi Zac, This is Shiju from India. Got to here about you from BBC.
Best of luck and god bless.
Will be checking your blog as often as I can.
Have good fun!!!
Valley Girl Musings is posting updates of your adventures. Good luck to you stay safe.
Zac, all the best for your journey of a lifetime! Don't forget to sit back and enjoy the ride. This is a rare opportunity and i know you will succeed! You'll be in our prayers.
Hey Zac, I am already inspired that you are doing this.
I will watch your posts the whole trip. Have a safe, adventurous jounrey.
David
scotland
Hey, another BBC reader! Good luck with your adventure, I'm uber jealous. Sounds like the experience of a life time!
Ian
London, UK
Good luck Zac - just read about you on BBC News website. I see you have 2 hours and 58 mins and less before departure. How very exciting and I shall look forward to checking in to what you are up to.
However, not sure I could cope with any of my kids doing the same but you've been brought up with boats. Kudos to you.
In a world of conflict one thing is common to all. The recognition of a true and valiant character.
Good luck
Pablo, Sevilla, Espana
Zac, wishing you a marvelous adventure. I'll be following your blog for updates.
You're living my dream. May be some day I'll be the oldest person to sail around the world alone.
And to think I'm worried about sailing around Croatia for a week. Good luck from a fellow 16.5 year old Angeleno!
An Irish Blessing to Zac
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be ever at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
And the rain fall softly on your face.
And until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of his hand.
As a father of a fine sailor, I am very moved by your quest.
The world will be much better if only there were more inspiring young man like you.
Come back home safe and sound.
S.Dagdeviren
Montreal
Godspeed Zac...
Hi Zac,
When the sea sprays on you dont think its just water, but millions of droplets of love and admiration for you from people like us who have never seen you. Godspeed mate
-Hubert
Have a wonderful trip around the world my friend...Just remember to thank your Heavenly Father for your trip daily.
I will keep you in my prayers.
pfoster,south carolina
I would have loved to see your send off, but I will be there to see your return. What an adventure your going to have !!! That's what life is all about. Sending thoughts and prayers for your safe return. Best wishes, a fellow orange county resident.
Wow. You're off and away. I spoke to my dad about your age and how upset I was. He own's a 36 foot sail boat and has a Coast Guard license and he told me we only live once so I had to change my position and adapt to what is. When I was 14 he took me to see The Dove and I fell in love with the story. You know. Since he came back he built a house in the mountains and nobody has heard from him sense. I wonder what the stars will look like from out there. I know you'll be able to se the Space Station/That's really cool. I know you weren't thrilled with me but I'm still developing a Zac Sunderland fan page on Mysapce. Thousands of people design pages in honor of their hero. So I have one for you and so far it looks pretty cool. Nobody knows about it. There's a few friends on it. Im trying to add music that I think would sound really cool as a soundtrack for a film about you. I added a video of Neil Armstrong landing on the moon. If you open the page with it's music and hit play on the Armstrong video, it sounds really cool. As you know the address Ill remind you again. www.myspace.com/zacsunderland
Are we gonna be able to get real time feed from you? Id like to add a link. Im referring everyone to your e mail and web site as well as your parents contact information. Id love to see a live feed of you via satellite. If I can wish anything for you out there and all around, it is health. May you have and hold onto great health. "Health is Wealth" -Winston Churchill. As for me, Im excited because gay marriages were legalised in California today. I feel so much better. Perhaps now there will be greater order. I use to get beat up and called a fag in school when I was your age and it looks like those days have come to an end. Thank God. I look forward to hearing and seeing your travels and throwing my supportive two cents into it all. OH by the way, Ive made sure to NOT put pictures on the page that have the ole circle C on them.
Good Luck Sundland-Good Luck!
Hey Zac,
What an incredible adventure! I'm impressed!! You're doing what I'm dreaming of...
Wish you all the best and good luck (mainly good weather and good winds)! I'm looking forward to keep in touch with your blog. Be careful an enjoy this amazing journey!
Greetings from Austria :-)
Silke
Zac, you're an amazing young man. I wish you the very best and look forward to reading your posts as you sail.
Fair weather and calm seas..
The Bluesman
I learned about your trip through an interview of yours in God's World News. I've been enjoying reading through your blog posts from the beginning.
I had to chuckle reading this particular entry as my 9-year-old daughter is currently 2 chapters away from completing Carry on, Mr. Bowditch for school (we homeschool). I had never heard of the book or Nat. Bowditch before I read the book myself in preparation for this school year. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
I know practically nothing about sailing, but my interest was definitely piqued through reading the book. And now I have the opportunity to follow your endeavor.
Godspeed, Zac!
Joy
Aubrey, TX
hey buddy!!!i feel so gr8 writin to u....i am writin frm India n ever since i knew the thngs around i always wanted to be a sailor...but couldn really afford myself a bon voyage...n guess wat we both share the b'day(Nov 29)....so advance b'day wishes..a lil early though...anyways i am jus waiting fr u to be the youngest sailor...may it be as much adventurous as u wish bt nt dangerous....god bless u!!!n do keep posting ur experiences....
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