Repairs, Racing and Rest
We've been busy working here with not much time to do a lot of sight seeing yet. The repairs have been going well. We've got a couple guys working on the boat oiling the wood and getting the outside of the boat looking good. The best part is they work for the equivalent of $12 a day and they do a great job. Other than cleaning up Intrepid we've replaced the water pump, fixed a bilge pump, run a new halyard, fixed the life lines, patched up the main and a bunch of other stuff that I can't think of right now.
Jen and I went racing on Wednesday with Erik Bjerring at the Royal Cape Yacht Club Wednesday night races. It was pretty full with the wind blowing in the 30s and with that pushing kites! We ended up broaching and breaking the pole and a stanchion but we had a good race over all.
Last night I met up with my old friend Jed whom I had met while he was cruising with his father at Cocos Keeling. Dad and I went out to dinner with Jed and his mom and then chilled on my boat while our parents stayed at the restaurant and talked about us! It was great to see him again. We are going to a concert on Sunday so it should be good times.
This is Dad's last week here so hopefully we will get out to see some of the sights. Mike Perham is due to arrive tomorrow morning for a short repair stop. We should hook up somehow.
I've got to go finish sorting out the lazy jacks but I'll update you soon.
Cheers,
Zac
Jen and I went racing on Wednesday with Erik Bjerring at the Royal Cape Yacht Club Wednesday night races. It was pretty full with the wind blowing in the 30s and with that pushing kites! We ended up broaching and breaking the pole and a stanchion but we had a good race over all.
Last night I met up with my old friend Jed whom I had met while he was cruising with his father at Cocos Keeling. Dad and I went out to dinner with Jed and his mom and then chilled on my boat while our parents stayed at the restaurant and talked about us! It was great to see him again. We are going to a concert on Sunday so it should be good times.
This is Dad's last week here so hopefully we will get out to see some of the sights. Mike Perham is due to arrive tomorrow morning for a short repair stop. We should hook up somehow.
I've got to go finish sorting out the lazy jacks but I'll update you soon.
Cheers,
Zac
posted by Zac at
8:10 AM
40 Comments:
Great job Zac...I am a mother in Thousand Oaks and I am just amazed at your courage and great attitude through this challenging journey. I hope you encourage other kids to follow their dreams, which takes hard work but worth it. I wish you a safe trip back home to T.O. and my prayers are with you.
Shelly O'Shea
You are truly an inspiration. I'm so happy for you and amazed at what you have accomplished so far!
Hey Zac,
I'm beside myself with excitement at the prospect of you and Mike getting together to share stories and experiences. I'm pretty sure he is there by now, and probably really tired and ready for a good rest and a some good hot, fresh meals. Only you sailors know what it is like navigating into port with all the shipping and wild waves.
Thanks so much for the update. I know there is much to do to get Intrepid ready for the Atlantic crossing. It's nice to know you found some helpers to get her shining on the outside for so few U.S. dollars! That leaves much more time for fine tuning the rest of Intrepid and enjoying some of Cape Town.
I hope you are finding good 'eats' in Cape Town to carry you to St. Helena; and not canned macaroni and cheese! What kind of fresh or dried fruits do they have in Cape Town?
Nagaa
So all is good at the V&A Waterfront....that's spot on and wonderful to hear.
You sound in great spirits Zac and that's great to hear too.
Glad that the repairs are going well and that you have found some good guys to help you.
Enjoy this last week with your dad and do some great things together.
UK friend
Sir Captain Zac; "YOU" are THE MAN
could it get any better...
"around the Cape of GOOD HOPE", sweet sweet words to hear and to speak...
this leg from Durban to CT, stretching at the very least, but the taste of reward and rest so so sweet...
what a perfect place to meet up with Mike, you two ambassadors of "HOPE" in a sea of economic turmoil across our planet...
you can't even imagine the "inspiration" the two of you bring to so many struggling in their lives at this time,
dogged determination, perserverence,faith,hope,victorious over fatigue,fear, and at times frustrations...
and the example's of good will, and kindness showered on you both,
in your "dreams quest" and "fullfillment"... examples for all of us to follow.
"Rafiki" to reach down a helping hand to lift others up...
as the two of you sit and watch the "Superbowl" together, and your Dad's in admiration, share stories,
this will be a "Everest Moment"
in your lives...
share some of the Cocos Keeling winnings and buy the first round,
you by 106 days being the elder statesman and 230 days the veteran of the journey...
Hug, Mike as you would "Toby", for he too forever a younger brother, but even more than that a David and Jonathan relationship...
If I know you Zac the next time you'll see Mike will be his crossing the line...
" iron sharpens iron
so one man sharpens another"
proverbs 27:17
sign everything you all can get your hands on together...don't forget the words Capetown,Africa and the date
like "Maris and Mantle" or the "Babe and DiMaggio"
"Sunderland and Perham",
joined at the hip...
two incredibly remarkable
"real life HERO'S"
mark n adino,Vicksburg,Mississippi
both of you always
in our "hearts and prayers"
@ mark n adino,
What a great post, YOU SAID IT ALL!
Zac,
Can't wait to hear about you and Mike meeting up.
Enjoy everything the Cape has to offer.
Mona,
Tucson, AZ
Hey Zac!
What concert are you going too, what is your favorite band???
Well have fun!!! Hope that your repairs go good and you have a safe trip home!!!
Morgan
Montana
Zac,
Yeah, who's in concert? Mike Perham stopping... isn't he attempting a non-stop circumnavigation? Good to hear that you are having so much fun! Bet it will be hard leaving beautiful S.A. What happened to the Giftclix link? Should I stop buying from there?
Phil
Kailua-Kona, HI
Zac:
Sounds like things are going great in Cape Town -- good progress on preparing Intrepid for the crossing, meeting up with old and new friends, eating, and going to a concert! Savor every moment of it! You are experiencing something that is more than a once in a lifetime event.
I can add nothing to what has been said on today's comments above ... it's all there, but I could not resist tossing in my 2 cents worth at such a significant moment on this adventure.
Greetings to Laurence, Mike P. and his dad.
The Croaker
How cool is that. From Mike's latest entry. Get the gang at the ramp for his arrival Zac. Maybe even Eric can zoom you and his dad all out and pilot him in :-)
..."I currently predict my ETA as 12:00 local time, 10:00 GMT. It's currently 22:00 local time and there's 120 miles to go. With these light winds I should make somewhere between eight and nine knots. If the wind picks up, then I could knock one or two hours off.
I'm really looking forward to arriving - and hopefully hooking up with Zac. I’d love to take a look around his boat, share a few drinks, swap stories and have a few laughs!...
In the SA spirit of Bertie Reed of course :-)
No rugby or cricket tomorrow Erik. Fire up the HP's and throw it forward :-)
asseblief ou baas Willie vir die kleintjies
"Bertie Reed was the first South African, and one of only a few yachtsmen in the world, to complete three singlehanded circumnavigations of the globe. His toughness in adverse conditions at sea earned him the nickname 'Biltong'.
But he will be especially remembered for his heroic rescue of fellow-South African John Martin, whose yacht Allied Bank sank after hitting a submerged iceberg in the Southern Ocean, during the 1990/91 BOC Challenge. Martin was leading the race when this incident occurred: 'He is a great loss to his family, his friends and the country. He has done so many things, he leaves so many memories,' said Martin.
Reed was awarded South Africa's highest civilian award at the time for bravery, the Wolraad Woltemade Decoration, for the outstanding seamanship he displayed during Martin's rescue in extreme conditions. He also received a presidential citation, and was listed in the Civic Honours Book of the City of Cape Town.
Reed joined the South African Navy in 1961, and it was there that he began his sailing career, which led to him achieving world fame in the inaugural BOC Challenge singlehanded race around the world in 1982/83, when he finished second across the line and first on handicap in the 14-year-old sloop Voortrekker - which at the time was considered old and obsolete.
He sailed some 170,000 nautical miles competitively - over 100 000 singlehanded, which earned Reed a special place among the elite of blue-water sailors around the world. In April this year, Reed was back on the waves with shipmate Martin, showing that his seamanship was still in fine fettle as he sailed the SA Navy's racing yacht MTU Fascination of Power around the course in Table Bay in the invitational Seniors' race.
Dodging through the fleet of nearly 50 yachts, Reed said: 'It is really great to be out in this bay again,' and his terse advice on sail trimming showed he had lost none of his competitive edge. Reed and Martin sailed together in a number of races, including the two-handed Round Britain Race in 1982 on Voortrekker II, winning it in record time.
Reed was always a modest man and a strong family man. He became an example and an inspiration to thousands of young people in SA and abroad. He readily imparted his knowledge of seamanship. He always had his wristwatch set on GMT, wherever he was in the world, and this confused landlubbers no end as they were in awe of the man who could convert GMT to local time!
More recently Reed and his wife Pat flew to Newport, Rhode Island, in the United States, for his induction into the International Singlehanded Sailors Hall of Fame, at Newport's Museum of Sailing - a fitting final tribute to a man the sailing world loved and respected."
Hi Zac,
Hope you are enjoying your stay in Cape Town thus far. I am tickled that you will be able to befriend Mike Perham and his Dad during your stay. The stars have aligned perfectly for this to occur. All of the delays and stops that each of you have experienced, as well as all of the windows of good weather to move you forward have made this possible. Amazing that both of you with your Fathers will be in the same place as the same time. Incredible timing - a gift from God.
Maureen
Boise
Great update, glad to hear the repairs are going well, as you have a pretty big crossing coming up and everyth8ng needs to be in ship shape. Keep up the good work.
Oh, and tell young Mr Perham, that some of us here in the States are not very happy with his last minute attempt at the record. But don't let it bother you, just relax and enjoy your around the world adventures.
@ Hectic. Not sure why anyone would be upset at Mike's noble adventure, which he's been planning for some years.
Hi Zac!
Greetings from the frozen north! It's actually been a great winter so far! I've been able to get out and snowshoe every weekend since Christmas!
Great to hear that you and Mike will meet up! Have a great time.
Sounds like you and your dad have things under control, will continue to pray things stay that way!
Enjoy your time in CT!
Hugs
Anita
Waterloo, NY
Captain SV "Wombat"
It looks like Zac and Mike are berthed in two different locations in Cape Town harbor. Zac is berthed at the Victoria and Albert Marina, and Mike is at the Royal Cape Yacht Club. Unfortunate that they are not in the same place.
Congrats Zac on making it around a very tricky, and luckily not too eventful, southern most point. It's good you and your dad can be together again for a while.
Mike had this comment on his January 31st entry heading into Cape Town:
I'm really looking forward to arriving - and hopefully hooking up with Zac. I’d love to take a look around his boat, share a few drinks, swap stories and have a few laughs!
Hope all goes well on this rest and repair stop, and readies you for your last crossing.
Rock On!
Scot
California
Sounds like all is going as it should -- repairs, food, rest, good times with friends old and new. Enjoy Cape Town! Looking forward to your next post -- I know we're all very curious about the pending meeting with Mike P. -- How amazing is that -- two young men attempting two different routes/journeys but the same feat, happening upon the same port at the same time? It's an interesting world indeed... And all the more so with Zac in it! Peace, Your Oklahoma Well-Wisher
I heard last night at a party about this site,Zac you are doing a great thing this around the world trip!!! I also know Erikfrom here in CA. great racer,and a good guy to hang out with, and if i know Erik he was trying tofix the Spin poleon a wen, night race, he NEVER gives up. I will be checking in on you trip every day now.Give my best to Erik and will meet you when you get back to CA,
Steve Alter
What is the matter with you people? Why do you insist on criticizing Mike Perham. Read the websites. His attempt began as a non-stop-unassisted solo circumnavigation around the southern oceans. Due to mechanical difficulties it has now changed to be more similar to Zac's attempt, except it is not the same at all because it is still an entirely different route. Mike will finish far sooner than Zac because his route around the southern oceans is shorter. But Mike's attempt is and never has been a threat to Zac's attempt at a record. The person who will beat Zac's record will simply be the next youngest person to sail around the world using a route similar to Zac's, if they do it non-stop and unassisted thats even better, but I think the route determines the record. Isn't there anyone out there that knows about circumnavigation record setting that can set this straight once and for all?
from a great admirer of both sailors
Seattle,Wa
World circumnavigation route and rules
Sailing rules:
A yacht shall sail by using only the wind and water to increase, maintain or decrease her speed.
To sail around the World:
To sail around the World, a vessel must start from and return to the same point, must cross all meridians of longitude and must cross the Equator. It may cross some but not all meridians more than once (i.e. two rounding of Antarctica do not count). The shortest orthodromic track of the vessel must be at least 21,600 nautical miles in length calculated based on a ‘perfect sphere’. In calculating this distance, it is to be assumed that the vessel will sail around Antarctica in latitude 63 degrees south.
A vessel starting from any point where the direct orthodromic distance is too short shall pass one single island or other fixed point on a required side so as to lengthen his orthodromic track to the minimum distance.
No starting point will be permitted more south than 45C south.
1 degree of longitude at 63 degrees south will be taken as 27.24 nm
With or without assistance:
1. ‘Without assistance’ means that a vessel may not receive any kind of outside assistance whatever nor take on board any
supplies (beyond the harvest of the sea), materials or equipment during an attempt. A craft may be anchored or beached
during the attempt, but any repairs must be made entirely by the crew without outside resources or materials. It is never
permitted to take on board stores or equipment or get any other kind of help from another vessel whilst under way.
2. ‘With assistance’ means a vessel may enter harbour for repairs, alterations or stores as required. Crew, excepting the skipper,
may be changed.
During any stops, the timing of the voyage continues.
Single-handed:
‘Singlehanded’ means there is only one person aboard. If a Singlehanded skipper accepts any kind of outside assistance then
the voyage falls into another category or may be invalid.
And your point is??
Those few of you that have it in for poor Mike should take time to read his blog at
http://www.totallymoney.com/sailmike
He's a very articulate young man who's amazingly passionate about his sailing and his voyage. Anyone who reads his words cannot fail but be impressed and embrace him as a hero, just like Zac.
I suspect the two of them will get on admirably and will privately have a chortle at the few saddos who post negative comments on their blogs.
Understandably both Mike and Zac are in Cape Town for repairs. It's great pity if neither can get some time to do some sight seeing. Bare minimum at least, they both should take the cable car up Table Mountain and take some pics of them selves as momentos. e.g.
top-o-tm
I think everyone is on edge 'cause they are hungry for news and pictures, is all.
For all of you hungry for more info...I have been in touch with Mike's mom, which has been such a thrill, and with Laurence who was again on a very weak internet connection. I hope not to steal Mike's thunder about his arrival but he did arrive on schedule in Cape Town. He was met at sea by his dad and film crew while Zac, Jed, Jen and Zac were at church on Sunday morning. They all went down to the Royal Cape Yacht Club to meet them. I believe that they had lunch together. Laurence thoroughly enjoyed himself. Mike is a very poised and humble guy. Laurence especially liked exchanging stories, of course, with Mike's Dad, Peter.
Zac, Jed and Jen were off to an afternoon concert (local musicians) and will organize photos and blogs tomorrow.
I encourage you to be patient with the posts. 90% of both stays in Cape Town are work related. That, coupled with poor internet connections, equals intermittant communications. I speak from experience!
As to negative comments about Mike on the blog, I have only seen one person who suggested that Zac tell Mike that he was not pleased that Mike set out at the same time as Zac. Obviously, Zac would never do that. I believe it was posted in jest. Look at the other 25 comments. Of the 5-6 that mention Mike they are all extremely positive. Referring to the blog commenters as 'you people' as though many are negative comments towards Mike, was uncalled for.
This is Zac's site and there are bound to be people who feel loyal to Zac. Lets all relax and enjoy the stories as they unfold. There have been some amazing comments posted that add a large measure of depth and background to the stories.
Cheers,
Marianne Sunderland
Thank you Marianne. I hadn't seen anything negative about Mike on here either.
I'll be looking forward to hearing more about the visits.
Scot
California
@Marianne,
My thoughts exactly!
@Zac,Hope your concert was a blast..you def have the rock star hair (that was for Bill Mann hahaha)
Have fun and be safe!!
Laura
Bermuda Dunes Ca
I apologize for beginning my post with "you people" you are very correct Marianne that it was inappropriate. I feel that both sailors should be praised for their endeavors. My post was a result of frustration about negative posts about Mike from quite awhile back as well as today's one. Please forgive me for causing any unnecessary strife for anyone. The comments on this site are in good spirit and should remain that way.
http://www.yachtingmonthly.com/auto/newsdesk/20090102100359ymnews.html
Marianne -- as always, you are the voice of reason. What a thrill for both Zac and Mike and their families for this amazing meeting! So many of us will be very interested to read of it. And of the adventures to come... Pretty incredible! Peace, Your Oklahoma Well-Wisher
There are some nice folks on this blog site.
I'm also following the posts of young Mike Perham on his site. He, too, is an articulate and eloquent writer. What is is about these "young Men and the Sea."?
Perhaps after the books are out on their respective voyages, Zac and Mike can team up and co-author the great Anglo-American novel.
Hello Zac,
Thanks for the great update. It seems like it's mostly work and very little play. Sounds like real life, all work and so little time for play.
Enjoy spending time with Dad and friends. Get those repairs done and off sailing again. I really hope you'll meet with Mike.
Rest & Repair,
Douglas Pistone
MDR, California
I agree - both boys write very well, better than many adults. They could each produce a very readable book.
Ellen MacArthur also writes well - I'd recommend her autobiography, which was written without help. Must be the sea air!
I'm looking forward to hear what Zac and Mike have to say about their time together. Maybe they're too busy drinking and chatting to blog!
I can assure you that the only rub between Zac and Mike, and the Sunderland’s and the Perham’s exist ONLY IN THE MINDS of some on this blog…
Mike didn’t jump in at the last minute, nor is Zac taking “the easy way around” because there ISN’T one………….
Mike was originally planning to do a solo-non-stop, unassisted, but that has changed, and frankly, I for one am glad. The Southern Ocean his harsh enough on MEN (and women) with 3X years of experience as Mike (no disrespect to Mike, he’s VERY accomplished, but he can’t change the fact that he’s just 17 with 10 year of experience vs. 37 with 30 years of sea & crisis experience, it’s just a fact)…
@ Anonymous from Seattle stating that he/she wishes an attempt by a 17yo will do it unassisted, meaning he/she will most likely start at 16. While I find your point quite intriguing, I wish not for such an attempt, not with the current state of equipment, because “state of the art” right now is a FAR cry from “reliable and durable”………… Freedom of speech is exactly that, but I would not state that Mike will finish far ahead of Zac, there are many things at sea and on land that one shouldn’t say in a “betting” tone, I would say that is one of them… I winced at your comment there…
Let’s get both Mike and Zac around safely and take pleasure in our real time shared expereicne provided by their parents and the internet vs. reading in a book. Their eventual books will mean much more to us due to this real time experience… I feel bad for those that are just now joining in, and HOPE that they can afford the time to start the blog post and replies from Day One to get the feel.
Good luck and brisk weather for all…
Daveh & Skipper
dave@davehickson.com
PS – If you’re not following the Vendee Global Challenge, you should check it out at http://www.vendeeglobe.org/en
Mike and Zac are sure having a great time together as they are both living their dream and their can share it and share their enthusiasm for sailing.
I believe that record stuff is only a minor point on their minds - the records is something for accountants and history books but unimportant for both of their dream voyages. Mike is not dreadfully over not-getting the non-stop unassisted record, nor has Zac ever written anything that he does the trip for the record. It not the thought about the records that keep both boys going through rough weather, sleepless nights and all the hardship. [Why I am writing this? Isn't that obvious? Maybe not to everybody, wasn't quite to me either.]
These two great young sailors are having a good time together and will be both mentioned always when it comes to solo circum-navigators.
Mike and Zac,
I wish you both all the best going east and west.
RK
'Twas nice to see both young men enjoying the sites & taking a breather. Thx A. Nony Mouse for the link to the article. Miss Jen may not be home for a few more days & while I (among many of us I'm quite sure) wait in anticipation of more photos, getting a chance to see the two of them together is a nice refresher. Thx again A. Nony Mouse.
Am also hoping Lord Laurence will get a decent connection one evening before he leaves to provide an update on the repairs & reprovisioning. Capt Zac's next two legs have me quite nervous, tho' not in the way of his port hopping around The Cape of Good Hope, more in the length of time it'll take. Similar to his crossing the Pacific one might say.
God speed Capt. & thx again to Team Sunderland for keeping us in the know (as well as my fellow ZacPac'ers).
Warm Fuzzy Hugs!
Tomi/ATL
I agree so wholeheartedly with the comments made by Dave H.
I hope that both boys (becoming young men so quickly) continue to pursue their journey with the vigor they had when they first had an inkling to pursue such an ominous goal as solo-circumnavigating the world! And they have a lot more to do than go to their computers (with poor connections), after an interesting time together and send us a comment on their blogs (even though that's what we are longing for).
Perhaps they even made a pact that they would each not comment on their own blog until a certain time, so those reading both didn't see the comment on one before the other commented on his blog?
Let's cut them some slack and just let them experience the wonders of different cultures, wonders of nature, the ease of sharing experiences with the only other person of a similar age who is trying to reach a nearly impossible but similar goal, and some good high energy concerts, loud music and all the things these two guys have in common.
Let them take all the time they need to respond to us, the blog enthusiasts!
Marilyn in Woodland Hills
Amen Marilyn! (applause in agreement!!)
Well done Zac You are doing an amazing,,, i think you have a very good courage rate!!! What happened at the royal racing thing??? I really do hope u can encourage other under 16 year olds to sail around the world!!! Have you been to loads and loads of diffrent countrys in your time so far???? When your boat needs a repair... How long does it take to repair? Im just checking out your blog because the school i go to in milton keynes are learning about you and about how you survived!!!!
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