Monday, June 8, 2009

Hola Mexico!

Position at 1518Z 14 15.852N 95 57.768W

I am 40 miles off of Huatulco Mexico tonight and I'll be pulling in in the early hours of the morning to check into Mexico. It is better to be checked in to a country if I'm going to be sailing close to shore in case I do get boarded by the Navy. After Daveh's description I don't want any confusion about what I am doing.

I should be getting in around 6am. I'll check in and out and pick up some fresh provisions. I should be back out to sea early afternoon. Enrique at the Chahue Marina has offered to assist me which has been great.

Looks like another sleepless night out here. I've got to study up on the charts and keep a close eye out for all the typical coastal hazards. I still have to get all my paperwork in order as well. I just dumped my gun and all of my bullets over the side as Mexico has a zero tolerance policy on fire arms. If customs finds it they could seize my boat and throw me in jail which is not really worth the risk.

Got to go read up on the entrance and anchorage at Huatulco. I'll be in early and the northern way point that I have for the marina is on land!?!?

Cheers,
Zac


From Mom:
We received a prayer request today for two young men who may be lost at sea. They bought a small, older sail boat in Marina del Rey on a whim and planned to sail it up the coast to Santa Cruz. They have no experience with boating. The boat had one sail and a sketchy motor not thought to have been able to do much good. They planned to 'beach' the boat at night, stopping every night. They were last seen at Catalina Island on Thursday and have not been heard from since.

When I told Zac about it he could hardly believe that someone would attempt that coast line like that. He has seen a lot of his bad storms on that stretch of ocean. So if you are reading Zac's blog and feeling inspired, please know that a good day at sea is a breeze. Anyone can steer a boat. It is when there are troubles and contrary conditions that no amount of daring can replace experience and preparedness. And please pray for our Coast Guard - that they would find the guys before it is too late.

69 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Congratulations on getting rid of the gun. It did not make you safer, but more likely to get killed.

You cannot out gun several armed pirates, if you shoot one, the rest will shoot you.

Sorry, but there probably never were pirates, just fishermen.

June 8, 2009 at 9:20 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

LOL @ anon.

That's not how guns work :-)

"You show me yours I show you mine"

Game Over

or

"I show you mine"

Game Over


That is when it comes to "pirates" and anyone or anything else, creeping into your personal space.

;-)

June 8, 2009 at 9:38 PM  
Blogger Croaker of FrogPond said...

Zac:

Hope you have a good and beneficial 'bop' in and out of Mexico.

Am following your progress and would never presume to offer advice to you. I think that it's instinctive for non-seafaring folk to feel safer closer to land. I've also read the wisdom behind the admonitions to get out to sea. The US Navy must concur and when hurricanes approach, they frequently deploy ships to sea for safety.

You're the man, dude. Your own experience, your father, and your weather advisors will steer you straight! I am feeling the adrenaline as you face the potential for bad weather. Do what you think is right and I'll beat the drum for you. Your judgement has been exemplary for the past year. I'd sail with you anywhere under any conditions you felt were manageable.

Hurry on to MDR and get that book out here! We Zac-Packers may not read anything startlingly new after having been looking over your shoulder every day for the past year, but it'll be great to have it all in chronological order with the details that time didn't allow in the blogs on a daily basis.

Do Hard Things !!!
The Coaker

June 8, 2009 at 9:52 PM  
Blogger  said...

accidentally c ur blog when i search abt someone's blog!
amazing adventure u have had in such a young age!

June 8, 2009 at 9:53 PM  
Blogger Sail on MIke said...

How ironic Zac has to ditch his gun entering what is probably the least lawful place he will encounter on his round the world trip. Weekend headline "Four hour, 3,000 round shootout in Acapulco leaves 18 people dead."

June 8, 2009 at 10:01 PM  
Blogger Douglas Pistone said...

Good luck in Mexico. Check in get everything you need and head back home to MDR. We are all waiting for you Zac!!!

So you gave the gun to the sea God. I'm sure since your in Mexico that's a very good idea. You go not want to get boarded and have them find a gun. Good job on the toss. It served it's purpose and now it's part of the ocean floor so crabs and lobsters and look and pick on it.

We'll send a prayer for the two young men. I hope the coast guard finds them.

Sail On,
Douglas Pistone
MDR, California

June 8, 2009 at 10:12 PM  
Anonymous Laura said...

Hola Zac!!Just finished reading the awesome article in ESPN..very cool to see familiar pictures too..and just when i thought i knew all there is to know about you, i read something about your fist and the microwave? Ouch..
So a quick drive-thru for a few tacos & a cold fruity drink I'm thinking.. then back on the water for the big homecoming!
enjoy your pit stop.. & don't drink the water lol
Stay safe
Laura
Bermuda Dunes

June 8, 2009 at 10:30 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Forgive a lurker for weighing in with a possible navigational issue, but, Zac, in his blog, said that a marina waypoint was on land. However, his stated position, 15.852N 95 57.768W
Is over a mile and a half inland, with no rivers or lakes about.

I'm unfamiliar with the navigational gear being used (I'm a pilot, not a sailor)but I have seen navigational errors that manifest themselves in odd ways, so just thought I'd bring this up on the odd chance something is amiss (my guess is it was just a typo, but best to mention it, just in case.)

Good winds and fair seas, for the home stretch of an awesome journey of accomplishment.

June 8, 2009 at 10:34 PM  
Anonymous Laura said...

Defiantly praying for the 2 boys safe return!
Laura

June 8, 2009 at 10:53 PM  
Blogger BritDee said...

Take care in Mexico, Zac.
Is it difficult to concentrate on reading charts and such when you are so sleep-deprived?
My hat is off to you for all the "hard things" that you do.
Cheers!

June 8, 2009 at 11:04 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Zac,

I am glad you
had a gun onboard.
Sorry you had to admit
that online.
Don't throw
your 12ga.
flare gun overboard!

Mike.

June 9, 2009 at 12:01 AM  
Blogger John Gezelius said...

Dropping into a Mexican port is probably a smart idea. You'll have some documentation to show the Mexican navy or the US Coast Guard should they come calling. Top off water tanks and get some gas and a burrito or two and be on your way.

June 9, 2009 at 12:32 AM  
Anonymous Rory Gogan Singapore said...

Gallo Pinto Black beans and rice with a nice fried egg and some mole sauce...All good.

For the hands on fans:
http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-make-gallo-pinto-2

June 9, 2009 at 12:45 AM  
Anonymous Tim Harding said...

Hi everyone!

@ Anon. Re guns and pirates. Thanks for your comment. I'm with you 100% on that!

Tim Harding

June 9, 2009 at 12:59 AM  
Blogger Anita said...

Hi Zac!
Sounds like you are plugging along. I love how things fall into place for you.....hummmm wonder how that happens.....<>< :)

Be safe, have fun....fair winds and following seas.

@Marianne: prayers on the way! Blessings to you and yours as Zac nears his home and his Momma!!

Anita
Waterloo, NY
Captain SV "Wombat"

June 9, 2009 at 2:30 AM  
Blogger Ehvee said...

It was an exciting moment when I opened Google Earth this morning with your latest location loaded and saw both your current planned stop, and marina del ray where you started in the same frame!

So close now, Zac! Continue to sail wisely...

June 9, 2009 at 3:29 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sounds like things are going good for you Zack. Good luck in Mexico. Not really a safe place to be I feel. Funny they have zero tolerance with guns coming into their country yet I read how many thousands are killed every day from gun fights with the drug men.

In regards to the two inexperienced sailors. It never fails to amaze me hot stupid some people are when it comes to sailing. I'm sorry to say that all the prayers in the world will not help someone when they put themselves into dangers way on purpose. Just owning a sail boat does not make a sailor.

I'm wondering where the two boy’s families were when they were getting that boat. Didn't anyone mention or realize they had NO experience in sailing.

June 9, 2009 at 4:45 AM  
Blogger Uncle Hectic said...

Too bad you had to dump the gun, but I doubt there will be much need for it on your last leg of the trip. You must be getting pretty excited; only a couple more weeks until your home!

Just a reminder...in Mexico, don't drink the water! haha. Seriously, I would think twice before topping off your water tanks.

June 9, 2009 at 6:06 AM  
Blogger Daveh said...

Zac, your mom eMailed me... I have asked my friends where this happened, although one of them is out of pocket on the crossing from Mexico to Hawaii...

I'll let her know as soon as I hear...

Stay safe........

Daveh & Skipper
dave@davehickson.com

June 9, 2009 at 6:10 AM  
Blogger Glen said...

Heyyyyyy,
ZZZZAAACCCCCccccccc
ahora si no te va a quedar otra posibilidad que hablar en ESPAÑOL!!! Anita ask you about your Spanish, but at the moment you don’t answer her questions. Jaja
Come ON, Its very simple…
Talking about the Mr. Smith and Mr.Wesson, everything is relative, ALL are in hand of the LORD
Tu destino ya está escrito, tenga o no, uses o no al Sr. Smith
Bee good and Stay safe
Glen Ingouville
Bs.As. Argentina

PS:
1º hey Bill Man, Where Are You? Me imagino que has de estar afilando las Tijeras no?
@Anita: I send you a very BIG KISS; you are an EXELENT PERSON!!!

June 9, 2009 at 6:13 AM  
Blogger Daveh said...

@ Anonymous - "Pirates" is a subject that has been covered many times over the course of this last year, and there are two distinct views and different types of pirates (Somali (e.g. very organized) vs. two guys in a boat, or even dingy)...

I have encountered pirates and have encountered water vagabonds wanting to discuss tradable items, e.g. a live chicken for my whisky or rum, or their lobster for my case of beer... and sometimes they are hard to tell apart, even after some dialog...

If I had not been displaying a weapon, in one case, I clearly would have been boarded... Not even a pirate wants to get shot, so even they can turn down, if your firepower and numbers are close to theirs (strategic deterrence if you will), which in Somali, is quite difficult to deal with, hence why the Suez Canal volume is in rapid decline...

Regards,
Daveh & Skipper
dave@davehickson.com

June 9, 2009 at 6:17 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

According to the news the 2 would be sailors were found okay, on Monday at 4:30 pm

http://www.ksby.com/Global/story.asp?S=10495611

June 9, 2009 at 6:19 AM  
Blogger STEVE B said...

Zac,

Hope you enjoy your short stay in Mexico!

Sad to hear about the small craft that is missing out of MDR. Sometimes reading the blog about Zac makes what he is doing seem so easy. We read in our air conditioned comfort about ocean crossings and storms then pour another cup of coffee and wish we were adventurous enough to just do it. Behind the scenes is such incredible preparation, sailing knowledge, ongoing support and lots of prayer.
Do hard things...but plan, prepare and pray.

SteveB
Birmingham,AL

June 9, 2009 at 6:19 AM  
Anonymous Your Oklahoma Well-Wisher said...

Wow, Zac! Mexico already! It's hard to believe your return is so close at hand... You & your home team are consistently making the right choices, and look where it's gotten you so far. Looking forward to your next blog!

Marianne - so sorry to hear about what's going on with the two young men. They & the search team are in my prayers.

Peace, Your Oklahoma Well-Wisher

June 9, 2009 at 6:24 AM  
Anonymous Brenda Fontaine said...

Hola back, Zac, Hope good morning sounds the same when there's been no sleep. Maybe you found one of the cozy bays to pull into Huatulco. A marina, a town, real food?! (Praying the boys your Mom told about found a bay, too, that they're safe) Remember, on your sail past/thru Mexican waters, the MN could want to board you...maybe just because it's you, because you've made it back to home waters. Your Mom's right. There's no price to put on preparedness. You've done great. Last night after "dinner over Zac", we watched Transformers, with Shia L. Conclusion? "50 years from now when you (Zac) are looking back at your life, you won't have to wonder if you had the guts to get into the car. You already know you did...@ 17!!! Safe sailing...Mimi & Desi signing off. Later.

June 9, 2009 at 6:32 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey Zac,
Just wanted to let you know I think its pretty cool what you are doing. My friends and I had a somewhat(yet not near as cool as yours), adventure ourselves. We took a two month long journey to Alaska from Texas to put it shortly. It is one of my finest memories in life and I truly wish I had documented it in the detail like you have to help me remember. Enjoy your time at sea.
Trey Bosworth

June 9, 2009 at 6:59 AM  
Anonymous Jannette & Jesse, Sherman Oaks said...

I, too, feel better that you dumped the gun. Hopefully you'll have clear sailing all the way back to MDR to the open arms of your friends and family. Be safe out there. And congratulations on a wonderful journey so far.

June 9, 2009 at 7:24 AM  
Anonymous Jannette & Jesse - Sherman Oaks said...

Our hearts go out to the guys on that sailboat, but sailing the ocean is no place to be if you don't know what you're doing.

We are so excited you're in the home stretch - probably was a good idea to dump the gun and not take any chances at this point.

We wish you a safe voyage home, Zac. You're almost there!

June 9, 2009 at 7:28 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What will you do if you need a gun in the future?

June 9, 2009 at 7:35 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Hi Marianne and all... The two missing sailors have been found safe four miles off of Pismo Beach. Here is an article:

www.mercurynews.com/california/ci_12550319

June 9, 2009 at 7:40 AM  
Anonymous CovingtonKat said...

Yo, Cap'n Zac!

I hope you had a great lil stopover at the Chahue Marina - I'll bet some fresh fruit tasted excellent... Buena suerte re those coastal storms and winds - keep being smart cuz you've shown us all that you know how to make good decisions - with a little help from your friends. :-)

Speaking of friends - just for kicks & giggles - I went looking back at some of the earliest blog posts and connected to the link on April 18, 2008 to an article in The Mariner about your then upcoming trip. Imagine my delight and surprise to see an interview in the current June 2009 issue with your amazing mom! (Nice job, Marianne!)
http://www.marinermagazine.com/current_issue.php?PHPSESSID=f096aaf1e4e30e17f769c1c6b29a39b8

I sure wish I could make it down there for your homecoming - I WILL be there in spirit and I just know that we will all get to hear about it on the blog!

Welcome to all the new ESPN-article-inspired Zac Pac'ers...and hullo to all the rest of you!

Keep on keepin on, Zac - we are so proud of you!

P.S. @Mona - thanks for the lovely compliment last week!

June 9, 2009 at 7:55 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The Coast Guard found the two boys safe near Pismo Beach last night. Please follow this link for more information.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/06/boaters-missing-off-catalina-found-near-pismo-beach-.html

June 9, 2009 at 8:04 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Jun 8, 2009 7:21 pm US/Pacific
Missing Boaters Found Safe Off Pismo Beach
Coast Guard Aircraft Locates Boaters 4 Miles Off Pismo Beach
AVALON, Calif. (AP) ―



An HC-130 aircraft Monday afternoon spotted two boaters, who were reported missing after leaving Catalina Island on a sailboat Friday, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.



The Coast Guard says a pair of missing boaters have been found safe off Pismo Beach.

Petty Officer Cory Mendenhall says the boaters were spotted about 4 p.m. Monday by an HC-130 Hercules aircraft about four miles off the coast.

Mendenhall says both men were found aboard their 27-foot Coronado Sailing vessel in good condition.

Zebulon Tryon, 21, and Chris Reuter, 18, set sail on Friday from Avalon Harbor on Santa Catalina Island bound for Santa Cruz Harbor.

Tryon's family told authorities Sunday they had lost contact with the men.

Mendenhall says the vessel is in good working condition. The boat is being escorted into Port San Luis where the Coast Guard will try to determine what caused the communication failure.

June 9, 2009 at 8:12 AM  
Blogger Craig said...

I disagree with Anonymous' comment: While you may not be able to "out gun several armed pirates," if the pirates knew there was a likelihood that someone was armed, they'd think twice about attacking because there would be a greater risk to them.

As it is, Mexican law all but guarantees boats are defenseless. And since the Mexican Navy can't be everywhere...

I wish Zac a confrontation-free final few weeks.

June 9, 2009 at 8:18 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Just started reading this from the link on therebelution. Congrats Zac! The ESPN article was amazing and what you're doing is terrific! I'll be folowing every post from now on. ~ Kara

June 9, 2009 at 8:21 AM  
Blogger Mouse on a Motorcycle said...

Isn't it ironic that the Mexican government won't allow you to defend yourself while their corrupt government allows (and funds) nearly 50% if the drug and illegal immigrant smuggling into California along that sea corridor. Thank you, gun control laws, for protecting all of the criminals of the world.

And those two dimwitted youth were found at Pismo Beach. They beached, and apparently were too tired to call home.

Still praying Numbers 6:24-26
Mouse in Whittier
www.myspace.com/mouseonamotorcycle

Buy "Death and Coffee" here!

June 9, 2009 at 8:32 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Beautiful looking marina Chahue Marina:


http://www.tomzap.com/chahue.html

Quick googling reveals nothing but accolades bestowed on Enrique by everyone who's been there. Thanks Enrique for assisting Zac!!

June 9, 2009 at 9:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Greetings From Missouri!

I read your story in ESPN Magazine at home last night, sitting on my front porch about as far inland as you can get in the U.S. You are in the midst of something marvelous and I envy you,(in good way.) Our prayers are with you. Stay safe.

Cheers.

June 9, 2009 at 9:01 AM  
Anonymous John Conti said...

Messing around with Mexican authorities is not a good thing. Plus drug runners have really big guns.

My prayers for the two lost guys. I spent many years on Catalina and the shore up to Ventura. That water is almost always easy (other than the constant beating up the coast). But when it does get bad, it can be rough and foggy at the same time. Our prayers are for them.

As always. Good Luck Zach!

June 9, 2009 at 9:24 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Honestly, your story is awesome. I read about it in ESPN the magazine and it makes me want to go out and see the world with my own two eyes. Congratulations Zac.

June 9, 2009 at 9:25 AM  
Blogger Tricia said...

I've been following your journey for most of the year, but I must have missed the part where you had a phone conversation with the Space Station! Very cool. And after reading the ESPN article, I have a suggestion for your book title: "Built for Adventure" :^)

June 9, 2009 at 9:28 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

hehehe I hope you logged the coordinates where you dropped the gun over board. Pretty funny that, there are muskets and flintlocks riddled all over the ocean's floor from 300 + years ago. Now we got a 2008 357 joining them. Archive the coordinates on the internet. In 100 or 200 years, your off-spring can look it up and go diving for it :-) Grand-Grand-Grand-Grand-Grand-Grand-Grand-Grand-Grand-Grand-Grand-Grand-Grand-Grand-Grand-Grand-Grand-Grand Pappy Pirate Zac !

Of course put the coordinates in some kind of code that uses say family names or family information, so that anyone "watching" out there today, doesn't go and scoop it up tomorrow.

A treasure map for your family tree. That no one can see :-)))

June 9, 2009 at 9:35 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

16/17 is too young to have a gun. The wrong decisions can be made, and I believe they were in the situation he described.

There have been many people killed protecting themselves from an imagined enemy.

The world view that someone is constantly after you isn't a healthy one. It has caused a lot of misunderstandings.

Showing a gun can get you killed when the other person thinks you are threatening them.

Game over, Life over.

June 9, 2009 at 10:17 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

How many hrs. have you powered since Panama??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

June 9, 2009 at 10:26 AM  
Blogger Anita said...

@ Glen:
¡Hola! ¡Thank usted para las palabras de la clase y el beso! ¿Cómo está usted? Espero que todo esté bien en el rancho y con las abejas.
Es muy emocionante ver Zac así que cercano a su hogar. Deseo que podría viajar allí para verlo llegar. Tendré que colocar para el libro que conjeturo. Tomé mi " del barco; Wombat" hacia fuera para la primera vela de la estación esta mañana. Era maravillosa estar hacia fuera allí otra vez. ¡Amo verano! ¿Cuál es nuevo con usted? Tome el cuidado y un abrazo del beso y grande para usted mi amigo.

June 9, 2009 at 10:40 AM  
Blogger johnnyBgood said...

first: if what i heard on the news this morning is correct, the two novice sailors have been located at pismo beach. i don't know if they intend to continue on to their planned destination of santa cruz or not. if they are smart, they'll stop where they are and hitchhike home.
zac ---- we are so happy that you are making progress home--have a safe, brief stop over in mexico and then head for home.
we are so very proud of you and all that you have done.
john baker/w hollywood/ca/USofA
jbaker1226@aol.com

June 9, 2009 at 11:06 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

@ anon

"16/17 is too young to have a gun. The wrong decisions can be made"

Surely you jest? :-)

That's precisely what everyone said about sailing solo around the world.

Besides you can join the US Armed Forces at 17 years old. And I don't think they give you water pistols :-)

June 9, 2009 at 11:43 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

To the person who falsely thinks there "never were pirates, just fishermen...."

That would be akin to saying there never was a mafia, only deli workers.

lol. ahhh ha ha ha ha.

June 9, 2009 at 11:45 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

June 9, 2009 at 12:32 PM  
Blogger Capt. Coronado said...

Zac,
We stood on the rocks along the MDR channel and watched you leave on your fantastic voyage a year ago. We are looking forward to watching your triumphant return from the same spot in a couple of weeks. In today's local news there is a story of a 25 ft. gray whale who has been hanging around inside the MDR breakwater for the last couple of days. I assume it is mearly delaying it's annual migration to Alaska so that it will also be on hand for the celebration when you return to your home port. Good Luck!

June 9, 2009 at 12:38 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

June 9, 2009 at 1:56 PM  
Blogger Deja said...

Glad you dumped the gun too. Had that been mentioned before in the blog? To bad you couldn't just fed ex it home from Panama or somewhere I don't know the legalities of that. Did you ever have a moment where you felt like you were going to need it ?

June 9, 2009 at 1:58 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

@ Lowell

Making good time?

It's a minimum of 1200 Nm from Zac's latest position to Gulf of Panama. That was 15 days ago:

1200 Nm / 15 day = 80 Nm per day

Which averages to: 3.3 knots

You can walk faster than that. The engine can do 6-8 knots if I am not mistaken.

June 9, 2009 at 1:59 PM  
Blogger J.R. said...

Hopefully the gun wasn't worth more than a couple hundred dollars! If I were forced to go to port in that hellhole, I'd wish I had a floating sealed box to dump it overboard, engraved with my phone number, name, city/state/country. Just in case an honest person came across it and could return it.

June 9, 2009 at 2:55 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Zac,

Mike of Totallymoney.com
is losing the "Interesting Blog Race" (my opinion)
60plus comments today from ZacPacs!

We have a blog race
AND a boat race!

You have some interesting
people commenting here.

I am really enjoying it.
A lot of people have your back.
A little bit of "Gun"
and "God" does not seem to
have hurt the bloggery.
We all need prayers
and gunpowder, sometimes.
That's reality, mahn!

6100 marina slips at MDR???

Mike.

June 9, 2009 at 4:19 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sure, you CAN walk faster than 3.3 knots...

but not for 24 hrs a day for 15 days. Speed is most definitely relative in a sailboat. If you want to get somewhere on schedule, folks who are into boats know you don't use a sailboat to get there.



As always my best wishes to Zac...


Steve in CA

PS. Anyone want to speculate when Mike makes it official that he is also transiting the canal. I sure can't see him doin' the Horn at this date...he still faces the Caribbean in June / July. Not great choices. Well, that's assuming he doesn't have to wait for yet another rubber bearing to be shipped to Panama.

June 9, 2009 at 5:03 PM  
Anonymous Grant Fjermedal said...

@Steve in CA is on the money when he says Mike is heading for the Panama Canal.

The Southern Ocean literally blew him up there. After he left New Zealand, he headed north to avoid a storm system, and the storm systems have never relented.

But that's the Southern Ocean this time of year. I posted another note (for all that's worth) suggesting he just keep heading north for Panama. Others on the site have done the same. Yet some are calling for Cape Horn.

At this point he'd be broad reaching across one storm system after another to get there. And then - unless he had an absolute Fairy God Mother shifting the weather patterns around for him -- he'd get blasted on the rounding and beyond.

Those calling for him to round the Cape in winter just don't know what sailing is about.

So, looks like Jesse Martin will retain the crown for youngest to circumnavigate via the Three Great Capes.

By the Way: Mike's writing continues to be great, as are his adventures. Anyone enjoying the story of Zac, would also get a kick out of that English kid Mike.

For example -- Last night he woke up to find his boat knocked over -- to the spreaders -- meaning he was so far over his mast was just feet above the waves. And because of the odd water-ballast system he has in his high-tech hotrod, the boat stayed on its side until he managed to free up the sails.

Give him a read at www.totallymoney.com/sailmike.

He seems like a very nice guy, has a great spirit to him, and is a great writer.

-- Grant Fjermedal, Seattle

June 9, 2009 at 6:13 PM  
Anonymous Axel said...

@ Steve.
I watch Mike to. I think he is doing the ditch in Panama. But since everything is moderated by his father we will probably not now till he shows up at the lock. Mike likes to sail - but in my oppinon -his dad made him to like it.
With Zac I go anywhere with Mike I stay at the helm myself.
Greetings
Axel
heye@madisoncounty.net

June 9, 2009 at 6:38 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What's the action in Huatulco to night? Place looks beautiful, sleepy happening new tourist area. VH1's 'I love money' is filmed there.

We need a picture of Zac and Enrique standing in front of Intrepid as a momento. :-)

Bet that frosty corona went down nice ;-)

June 9, 2009 at 6:44 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Those boats are designed to be self-righting as governed by IMOCA rules.

Here's an Open 60 performing the 180 degree test. Open 50 is the same deal. Just make sure the "door" is closed :-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIplsOf_DBQ

June 9, 2009 at 7:10 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Prayers are here in Ventura!

June 9, 2009 at 7:23 PM  
Anonymous Brenda Fontaine said...

Hey Zac...I'm guessing that's the last stop before home? Pretty quick here, you're going to cross those blue imaginary lines...from Mexico into US water, across the Tropic of Cancer. Those lines, only a sailor can read on charts, or stars. Then Baja! You could just drop your board in the water & surf home! Or maybe ride on the turtles backs, you're soooooo close. Who did that? I received an email today with this inspire...it fits you. "The highest reward for a person's toil is not what they get for it, but what they become by it." With this, we bid you a calm night...maybe some dreams on your way into history. From Atlanta, Mimi & Desi

June 9, 2009 at 7:28 PM  
Blogger Steve said...

Zac, it is hard to imagine you read all of these blog posts in anything approaching real time. But, in case you do I am praying that you are able to stay focused as you come into the final weeks of your adventure/mission. It is so easy to get distracted at this last minute. Judging by your Monday post that will not happen. Blessings as you sail on home. Steve

June 9, 2009 at 7:50 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Zac, My Son & I have been following you since we read the ESPN article. So amazing what you are doing, there are no words to descirbe. Best of luck to you and your safe return to MDR; please post details and photos for those of us that cannot be there to see you sail into home. Cheers to you!

June 9, 2009 at 8:17 PM  
Blogger Douglas Pistone said...

@ Anonymous Mike,

Marina Del Rey is the largest small boat man made marina in the world. "Small Boat" meaning anything that's not a cargo freighter. MDR has many 100' plus slips as well as 25 foot slips also. They go from the very small boats to large Yachts that sell for over 10 million dollars.

Lot's of history in Marina Del Rey. I'm a little bias since I live in MDR.

Hope all is going well Zac. Enjoy the short docking.

Sail On,
Douglas Pistone
MDR, California

June 9, 2009 at 8:20 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have kids that have traveled around the world. We know to alert the credit card companies that there will be activity outside of the country. You can actually tell them what country charges will come from - didn't that happen? This would have avoided any interruption.

Also, please stop the Mike Perham bashing on this site. Give the kid a break. I think we have moved away from a race and into a personal voyage. Zac's words have never focused on breaking a record. We have been through this before. Please stop it.

June 9, 2009 at 8:55 PM  
Blogger shan said...

Oh...Thank goodness..Santa Cruz paper this morning says that the two young men were found...and are O.K. They need to take some lessons from Zak!!

June 10, 2009 at 6:50 AM  
Anonymous Kodiak Mike said...

TRAVELLING TO MDR TO GREET ZAC?
The Sunderland family is compiling a list of those blog followers who plan to be in Marina Del rey when Zac completes his solo circumnavigation. For those who are
planning a trip and need to deal with flights and hotels etc, local planners are predicting Zac's arrival on the 25th or 26th of June.
Please RSVP to welcomehomezac@yahoo.com to leave contact info.
Sail on,Zac!
Kodiak Mike

June 10, 2009 at 7:57 AM  
Anonymous Bill Jamison said...

You're getting so close now! It's hard to believe it's been almost a year at sea already. So much adventure, so many challenges, each one met and overcame!

I was wondering about having a gun on the boat since I'm familiar with Mexico's zero tolerence law. It was probably a wise decision to sacrifice it to Neptune!

I hope you have continued fair winds and calm seas to carry you back home.

June 10, 2009 at 6:23 PM  

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