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Category Archives: Opinion
Drake in Oregon? The Mystery Continues……
Hardly a year goes by without a reconstruction of a historic sailing ship visiting the Columbia River. The Lady Washington is a frequent visitor, but I can also recall going on board Captain Cook’s Endeavour, and even meeting Captain Bligh … Continue reading
Harbo & Samuelson “Hitch-Rowed” the Atlantic
First Atlantic Row: Harbo and Samuelson in 1896 The bizarre and risky activity of “ocean drifting by rowboat” has its origin in 1896 when two Norwegian fishermen departed Manhattan in an attempt to row the North Atlantic. Their boat was … Continue reading
Is the Clipper Race a “Sporting Cult?”
The Clipper Race changes lives–but at what cost? Joining the Clipper Race is a serious step that leads a novice or wanna-be sailor on a long, very expensive path away from family and friends into an isolated world full of … Continue reading
Posted in Ocean Racing & Records, Opinion, Sailors & Yachts
Tagged clipper race critic, clipper race skeptic
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The Flettner Rotor Makes a Comeback!
The new hybrid ship designs were pioneered in Scandinavia where ecological hydro-power has long been the standard for utilities. The public demand for more clean power use has led to the introduction of hybrid propulsion in several new ferries and … Continue reading
Posted in Commercial craft, Opinion, Sailing Ships, Shipyards
Tagged Flettner rotor, rotor ship
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2016: 25 Years Since Gerard d’Aboville’s Trans-Pacific Row
How Astoria Made the National News–in France! It was 25 years ago at the end of November 1991 that a French adventurer arrived off the Columbia River after an incredible voyage from Japan. He was 46-year old Gerard d’Aboville and … Continue reading
Posted in Ocean Racing & Records, Opinion, Worth Reading
Tagged Gerard d'Aboville, ocean rowing
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2008: No Tea on the “Tea Route” Record Breaker!
Published in Scuttlebutt Euope, 28 Sept. 2008 About this latest so-called “Tea Route” Record: like many sailing fans, I have followed the progress of Lionel Lemonchois and the crew of the 110′ catamaran Gitana 13 on their stop-and-go voyage around … Continue reading
Posted in Multihulls, Ocean Racing & Records, Opinion
Tagged china london sea route, gitana, Tea route record
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Is Ocean Rowing an Exercise in Futility?
There is no doubt in my mind that crossing an ocean alone in a small boat with only oars for propulsion (without sails) is one of the hardest voluntary sporting task anyone can undertake. (I assume that is why this … Continue reading
2014 – Mini Yachts Promise Maxi Speed…..and Risk!
Huge Beam, Giant Rigs, Maxi Sprits Early in October, 2013 I took the train from London to Portsmouth, ferry to St Malo, and cycled across Brittany via back roads and canal towpaths to see the solo Mini Transat race start in Douarnenez, … Continue reading
Posted in Ocean Racing & Records, Opinion, Sailors & Yachts
Tagged 6.5m Mini critic, mini, mini transat
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2007 – Film “Deep Water” Reveals Tragedy of Donald Crowhurst
Documentary of Crowhurst’s “Voyage to Oblivion” – copyright Peter J. Marsh Boating has certainly changed since the 1960s; this was brought home to me when I watched “Deep Water,” an award-winning documentary that arrived in the northwest at the end … Continue reading
Posted in Multihulls, Ocean Racing & Records, Opinion
Tagged Donald Crowhurst, film Deep Water, Golden Globe
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