Scary and touching story

Stu01 · #1 (**permalink**) 09-09-2008

Below is a link to a forum page where a single-handed sailor returning from Hanalai (SSS-Transpac) had to make a tough descision.
Good News, Bad News - Page 2 - Singlehanded Sailing Society Forum
(about halfway down page 2)

KB7EWA · #2 (**permalink**) 09-09-2008

I had followed the transpac closely this year as a Cal20 (Blackfeathers) was in it. Wildflower will be missed for sure. I'm glad he made it out okay.

retclt · #3 (**permalink**) 09-09-2008

Wow . . . . . . . that woke me up.

Good reading . . . sad story for Wildflower. It's hard to imagine what went through Skips head. When it comes to tough and smart . . . I'm way below that level. He really kept his head.

Glad all is well.

teshannon · #4 (**permalink**) 09-09-2008

Tough story to read, thanks for posting it.

jtull7 · #5 (**permalink**) 09-09-2008

Wow! Unbelievable.

camaraderie · #6 (**permalink**) 09-09-2008

Should be required reading for all those who with ZERO experience want to buy a boat for $2K and sail around the world!
Thanks for the link.

AllThumbs · #7 (**permalink**) 09-09-2008

I had to wipe a tear when I was done reading that....

Stillraining · #8 (**permalink**) 09-10-2008

Left for Dead is one of my favorite sailing stories..One mans harrowing account of the 79 Fastnet. I found it interesting this Skipper was in that same race and has more experiance then I have life left in me to be able to acquire.

Id rather we lost his beloved ship rather then he... The kind of guy I would like aboard my boat to for a good spell to down a few and share a tale or two.... Probably has forgotten more then most likely know I'd wager.

KeelHaulin · #9 (**permalink**) 09-10-2008

That's the sort of WX we were afraid SimonV had set off into in May. It gets REALLY nasty off the coast of CA at times; this sort of weather pattern is not normal for early September but nonetheless it was out there. Glad to hear that Skip was OK and managed to keep the boat upright until stepping off to go aboard Toronto. I think Wildflower earned her final resting place as a scuttled boat; not a wreck or a hulk found in a derilict boneyard. Amazing that a 27' boat held up so well in those conditions; but Skip did the right thing by abandoning her.

Another story is here:

Latitude 38 - The West's Premier Sailing & Marine Magazine

AllThumbs · #10 (**permalink**) 09-10-2008

I wonder what the chances of recovering the vessel would have been had he left the boat afloat rather than sunk her.

Eric