WIND!
Current Position (as of 5:44pm):
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=28.8695,-124.4869&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1
Today was an ordinary day. I was woken by a ship alarm at 4:00am and stayed up to watch her pass. I did more rigging work and cleaning. Who is making all this mess? The wind picked up today as expected. I had nearly 20 knots all afternoon. It began lightening in the afternoon. I have made decent progress although I have these annoying sharp swells hitting my aft quarter that are making steering awkward. I have made my second waypoint and am on course to waypoint 3 at 24N, 132W some 550 miles away.
Question:
How did you make your dream come true and how do you endure even under criticism?
When I first came to my parents with the idea of sailing around the world we just discussed if it was even possible. They thought it was and we set about trying to find a boat. No body was going to sponsor a boat for me as a young unknown so I went to YachtWorld.com and began to search for a boat. The type of boat I needed was way out of my price range. My dad was asking around the marina about boats for sale and heard of my current boat which was then called Nantucket Sleigh Ride. I was able to buy the boat with money I had saved repairing and selling sailing dinghies in the summers. I sent out about 100 Sponsorship Proposals to marine companies and received a pretty poor repsonse. I just kept sending letters and calling people and working with my dad. Pretty soon I had a lot of equipment sponsors and people from all over the marina were getting involved with the project. I guess the point is to have a dream, pursue it and don't give up. It helps to have your parents behind you like I do. If you really believe in what you are doing, you just accept that people will criticise you. Answer your critics but then keep going.
Cheers,
Zac
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=28.8695,-124.4869&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1
Today was an ordinary day. I was woken by a ship alarm at 4:00am and stayed up to watch her pass. I did more rigging work and cleaning. Who is making all this mess? The wind picked up today as expected. I had nearly 20 knots all afternoon. It began lightening in the afternoon. I have made decent progress although I have these annoying sharp swells hitting my aft quarter that are making steering awkward. I have made my second waypoint and am on course to waypoint 3 at 24N, 132W some 550 miles away.
Question:
How did you make your dream come true and how do you endure even under criticism?
When I first came to my parents with the idea of sailing around the world we just discussed if it was even possible. They thought it was and we set about trying to find a boat. No body was going to sponsor a boat for me as a young unknown so I went to YachtWorld.com and began to search for a boat. The type of boat I needed was way out of my price range. My dad was asking around the marina about boats for sale and heard of my current boat which was then called Nantucket Sleigh Ride. I was able to buy the boat with money I had saved repairing and selling sailing dinghies in the summers. I sent out about 100 Sponsorship Proposals to marine companies and received a pretty poor repsonse. I just kept sending letters and calling people and working with my dad. Pretty soon I had a lot of equipment sponsors and people from all over the marina were getting involved with the project. I guess the point is to have a dream, pursue it and don't give up. It helps to have your parents behind you like I do. If you really believe in what you are doing, you just accept that people will criticise you. Answer your critics but then keep going.
Cheers,
Zac
posted by Zac at
10:44 PM
25 Comments:
Ahoy Mate!
Just followed your inspiration today. When I was given a tough job by my boss, I hesitated but agreed when I thought of your courage & determination. Hope to succeed as you do.
Warm Wishes,
Hubert.
Zac,
If Columbus had listened to the critics, America would still be waiting to be discovered. If Bill Gates had listened to critics, he would have stayed in school and I would not be able to type this. Progress is made by those able to rise above the critics. Go for it.
Bill Mann South Pasadena, CA bill@barstools4u.com
following your journey in michigan. i came across your voyage via gma website. press on! don't get discouraged out there. you have many people rooting for you. you can do it!
"You cannot live sheltered for ever without ever being exposed, and at the same time be a spiritual adventurer. Be audacious. Be crazy in you own way, with that madness in the eyes of man that is wisdom is the eyes of God. Take risks, search and search again, search everywhere, in every way, do not let a single opportunity or chance that life offers pass you by, and do not be petty and mean, trying to drive a hard bargain."
Zac,
Heard about your story in Michigan on the news. You're an inspirational young guy. I hope that you have smooth sailing and then wind keeps blowing for you.
Good luck! We're here for you!!
-Thera
Once you become the youngest person to sail around the world, we'll see what the critics have to say. =P Though the number of newspapers that have picked up on your story already shows you've already got some great support.
Safe journey,
~Kate~
Live your Dream, Zac. Don't listen to the critics!!!
They'll wonder what happened to their dream 60 years from now, you won't. ;-)
Zac,
Sounds like the swell is pounding you around. How big is the swell? This is so cool. Not only is this a trip around the world but a way to grow a father - son relationship that you will cherish as you get older.
Have you seen any wild life? whales - dolphine ect.. fish ??
DBAY
Hey There Zac..
A quick note to say, You are Not Alone, at least not in spirit! Even though I'm here in my office, I look at the sailboat in a painting on my wall and instantly my thoughts are with you and your quest. And, I'm sure it is the same with so many others that are following your travels. Keep those wonderful blog entrys coming. Hopefully some photos will be showing up too. Hey, you are doing great and we are all very proud of you!
God Bless,
Bob
Zac,
If people have difficulties following your progress on Google, why not just type your position in degrees, and minutes (you can skip seconds) from GPS at the beginning of each blog? We'll find you on the map.
Zoran
May his be a reminder and comfort for you Zac. Though you may take pounding waves, its He who can calm them. When the winds blow its Him that directs them. When the forces of life takes you, draw near to Him and He'll draw near to you. There's no better comfort than that. Never get discouraged brother. Proverbs 16:9 A mans heart plans his ways, but the Lord directs his steps.
There's probably no doubt that you aren't qualified for this job for the fact that you yourself have believe you could take this on and everything that was needed to make this happened was provided for you. And with that you have all the encouragement from everyone you've inspired by doing this. Keep it up man. Jeremy
Zac, I'll be following your voyage with interest. I've been a sailing fan since I was introduced to it in the early 90's. Although I'm a landlubber now, I have a great passion and respect for the sea.
You can do it. You have what it takes - the vision, the passion, and the determination.
One thing to remember later on - you are never alone. We are all right there with you.
Namaste',
Rita Ballard, C.Ht.
Awareness Hypnosis
HI Zac, I can't imagine who is "making all this mess". Especially now that the carpenters, electricians and mechanics are gone.
Missing the days of sorting, picking up and cleaning.
Love reading your daily blog.
Keep up the courage. The wind will come.
Hugs,
Rowanda
Hi Zac
It sounds like you're getting into the swing of things. Well done!
You've set yourself a massive first leg - any reason for missing Hawaii?
I'm checking your progress here in the UK with excitement and admiration. I wish you fair winds.
Tim
Nantucket Sleigh Ride
Goodbye, little Robin-Marie
Don't try following me
Don't cry, little Robin-Marie
'Cause you know I'm coming home soon
My ships' leaving on a three-year tour
The next tide will take us from shore
Windlaced, gather in sail and spray
On a search for the mighty sperm whale
Fly your willow branches
Wrap your body round my soul
Lay down your reeds and drums on my soft sheets
There are years behind us reaching
To the place where hearts are beating
And I know you're the last true love I'll ever meet
And I know you're the last true love I'll ever meet
Starbuck's sharpening his harpoon
The black man is playing his tune
An old salt's sleeping his watch away
He'll be drunk again before noon
Three years sailing on bended knee
We found no whales in the sea
Don't cry, little Robin-Marie
'Cause we'll be in sight of land soon
Fly your willow branches
Wrap your body round my soul
Lay down your reeds and drums on my soft sheets
There are years behind us reaching
To the place where hearts are beating
And I know you're the last true love I'll ever meet
And I know you're the last true love I'll ever meet
When I have tough days or I am trying to achieve a goal, I simply think of you Zac. You continue to inspire so many people. Keep on trucking no matter how hard it gets out there.
Chris, Alhambra Ca.
Zac,
There are always going to be critics no matter where you go or what you do. Even when you FINISH this adventure, there will be critics hassling you. It's a part of the human animal--a not very nice part either!
They can say what they want. Forget them! Keep moving forward. Your supporters have your back.
Scott
When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.
Isaiah 43:2 NLT
50 bucks in your paypal account.
Go Kid !
You are totaly ready!
Celebrity awaits !
Think "Americas Cup"
I wish, I was you!
Thanks for the Google EARTH hint -- that works! I wonder about the punctuation that's coming through of 28.8695,-124.4869 -- with the comma AND the dash. ANYWAY. Glad you're having good conditions for getting to know your boat and how it all works together before you run into something rougher... LOVE the updates! You'll be all set to write your book!
Zac,
I've been watching your story with great interest and admiration for your courage, knowledge, and perseverance. I share your passion for sailing and own a 24' keel boat on a mountain lake in Colorado. I have a question for you (or any of your readers) regarding your windwane. Why do long distance sailors prefer a mechanical windwane to an electronic autopilot? Do electronic autopilots draw too much power to be sustainable over a long period of time or is it a reliability issue?
Zac-
Just signed onto your Blog to track your adventure. I admire your courage. Looking forward to checking in on you each night. Safe journey.
BgDawgh@aol.com
San Juan Capistrano, Ca.
Great hearing that it's all going well. Hope that wind you're getting keeps up, and gets you to Waypoint 3 in good time. Keep on truckin it, and you'll be back before you know it.
You are on an excellent journey of a lifetime. I 1'st heard of you when you were talking to Mark & Brian. I live in Kingman, Arizona, my name is Tyler,my wife is Karen and we borrow time on her Mom's 'puter 'cause we still have dial-up, which is-you may know-reeeaaly slow(sorta like the post office-where I've worked for 26 years) no,no,no, I shoulden't say that, they have treated me very well-anyway-sorry for rambling-I just want to wish you the best-you really seem to have your head on straight-I would truly like to help you financialy-but we just had our boat towing vehicle crack a head and it is setting us back a bit, to say the least. Good Luck Zac and may the wind be at yer' back and yer' forcast clean!
that was inspiring.... truly..
haha but no thats really cool. i dont know barely anyone whos going through with their dream. or even dreaming at all.
think big and you'll do big things.
you are a testament to that man.
keep up the good work man!
your story is gonna inspire generations to come. im sure of it.
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