Slocum's voyage. possible today?

KasbeKZ · #1 (**permalink**) 10-09-2008

i'm nearing the end of Slocum's "sailing alone around the world", and i have to say that throughout the whole story, i can't count how many times i've said "i want to do that". but i'm constantly reminded of the time difference. it is more than 100 years later now, and surely regulations on waters and borders are a little more strict. so i wonder how comparable a circumnavigation today would be? are there still many islands on which it is acceptable to just drop by? is it legal to carry weapons into foreign waters?

i'm sure there are people on here that have gone around the world recently. i'm curious what it's like now. perhaps i need to find a book on a modern circumnavigation? recommendations? i've seen zac's blog poted recently, so i'm reading a bit of that.

maybe i'm just thinking out loud, but i'd like to hear some stories on the matter if possible.

JohnRPollard · #2 (**permalink**) 10-09-2008

One big difference is that since Slocum's voyage we've discovered that the world is actually flat.

But seriously, that is a good read, isn't it? If you haven't already read it, I also recommend his Voyage of the Liberdade. In many respect, that adventure was even more impressive. Although I've heard it said that more humans have been to space than have sailed alone around the world.

Global voyaging is still very achievable today. But, yes, there are far more regulations and formalities (guns, clearing in and out, etc) today than there were then.

And it's much more expensive than you might think at first. Slocum was able to "make it pay", mostly because of the novelty of what he was doing, and even then only barely. It didn't hurt that he was a consummate seaman and a gifted raconteur, either.

CalebD · #3 (**permalink**) 10-09-2008

I second John's suggestion of the Slocum story "Voyage of the Liberdade". I really enjoyed reading anything by Joshua Slocum and I read it all (he did not really write that much unlike Patrick O'Brian who was pretty prolific). Slocum's understated Quaker style of writing is unparalleled.
If you really want to follow in Slocum's wake, er, footsteps you should also read Bernard Moitissier's book "The Long Way" which is much more recent then Slocum's account. Moitissier kind of lost "it" which is a real possibility for most people and he describes it very well.
The people that do single hand circumnavigations seem to have some real problems, IMHO. Join them if you must, but it is much easier to just read about all the lee shores they faced then going there yourself.
One author I particularly like is Tristan Jones who has written many nautical yarns that are quite entertaining but are apparently of questionable non-fiction status. If you liked Slocum you will like Tristan Jones.
If you run out of books by TJ and Slocum there is a 'sticky' in the General Discussion thread that mentions just about every nautical book you can find that members have recommended. It is quite lengthy.
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/genera...d-reading.html
Enjoy the dream but understand that history is really a 'fiction' in our times.
Read on.

KasbeKZ · #4 (**permalink**) 10-09-2008

well i'm not planning to jump on a boat and get started right out of college. i'm really not planning at all. i'd like to do it, but i would probably end up breaking it up into several less lengthy trips were i to even attempt. it really is only a dream. it is true, i will have to consider myself lucky if i am able to find the means by which to fund such a trip, though i am unclear so far where any very substantial debts would be encountered. surely, buying and out-fitting the boat, but i'm curious as to what may exceed that.

thanks for the recommendation of his other book. i believe my grandfather has that one in his collection, and i'll have to trade him his "around the world" for his "liberdade".

so in summary though, restrictions are greater, costs are greater, but places are still there to visit? that seems to be what the replies have said no?

txmatt · #5 (**permalink**) 10-09-2008

I agree with Caleb; The Long Way is an excellent book, definitely worth reading.

A very interesting account of two more recent circumnavigations can be found here: Atom Voyages | Voyaging Around the World on the Sailboat Atom with James and Mei - Across the Atlantic on Triton Pajaro A very good read.

KasbeKZ · #6 (**permalink**) 10-10-2008

thanks a lot for the link. i'll be checking those out as soon as i'm caught up on Zac's blog.

tdw · #7 (**permalink**) 10-10-2008

There is a link available that puts Slocum's circumnavigation onto Google Earth. Fascinating stuff. YouTube - The Voyage of Joshua Slocum in Google Earth

Fellow goes by the name of Osprey Lightning. Lovely chap. Tell him the Wombat TDW sent you. I'm not serious, but he is a lovely chap.

I don't think there is anything specific about Slocum's voyage that could not be replicated other than making it pay for itself and doing it without an engine. Maybe have to do a bit of backtracking clearing in and out of a few places but that's about all.

A few years back someone built a Spray replica and followed in Slocum's footsteps. Wrote a book about it . Not sure if it's still available.

tdw · #8 (**permalink**) 10-10-2008

Couple of other links for you.

Joshua Slocum Society International Awards

http://www.slocumspraysociety.asn.au/

Spray Plans - Ken's Life - Ken's Life

sailortjk1 · #9 (**permalink**) 10-10-2008

I don't think that putting tacks on the decks to ward off unwanted visitors in the middle of the night would work in today's enviornments.

KasbeKZ · #10 (**permalink**) 10-10-2008

haha probably not. and one probably would have trouble finding a crowd to be impressed by the "fire stick" i believe it was.

well it's good to hear that it's still thought to be possible. thanks a lot for the links.