Mini-transat circumnavigation

Discussion in 'All Things Boats & Boating' started by GTO, Jan 13, 2010.

  1. GTO
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    GTO Senior Member

    Has anyone else been following the solo, non-stop circumnavigation attempt in the mini-transat?

    http://yachtpals.com/sailing-7056

    Since Alessandro Di Benedetto seems to want to start a small boat competition, I wonder just how small a boat could be and still make the trip.

    Anyone have any thoughts about it?
     
  2. Tim B
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    Tim B Senior Member

    Rather him than me.

    If he went north of Aus, then trans-Pacific that would be easier, but it would still require a bit of bravery!

    The southern ocean is going to be SERIOUSLY nasty when he hits it. Around that part of the world size really does matter.

    Tim B.
     
  3. GTO
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    GTO Senior Member

    Here's a link to a map of his progress.

    http://www.alessandrodibenedetto.net/web/log.html

    Around Africa and heading east!

    I wonder if he might actually start something if he is successful.
    Seems like I read that Guiness considers a difference in size of between 1 to 2 inches as a smaller boat.
    Have to wait and see how it goes for him I guess.
     
  4. Manie B
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    Manie B Senior Member

    GTO thanks for a good link

    The guy is experienced and his boat is well prepared
    perfectly do-able
    it ALL looks good and feasable
    i wish more experienced guys could do this - and not just the "suicide brigades"

    my only concern is his time frame - January is good for Cape Horn

    http://www.sail-world.com/Cruising/...-now...Jessica-Watson-rounded-the-Horn!/65416

    Jessica had a good run

    small - well prepared boats are perfecly good in capable hands
    big is not always better

    :D
     
  5. Manie B
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    Manie B Senior Member

    Had a look today and he seems to be doing very well

    anybody here that can read the language?

    i would love to know his average speed and distance travelled
    and what is the current estimated time to complete the journey

     
  6. GTO
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    GTO Senior Member

    Manie,

    I used Google Earth on his last two points, 1/16 - 1/17, and it came up with ~124 nm.
    That was for a 22 hour period.

    So 5.6 knots or so average for the last day. Seems to be moving nicely, passing south of a nice size body of land.
     
  7. Manie B
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    Manie B Senior Member

    GTO i am glad to see that there is TWO of us following his progress :D
    (on this forum)

    Anyway what the old farts at my hangouts cannot and will not accept, is that this is going to be the one to watch, forget about all the young little kids/girls in pink. They are doing very well in their own right and their attempts are widely published and all that is good.

    BUT a "mini" around, under an experienced hand - THATS NEWS - really good news :D

    and just for the record i believe that to be a "true" around, you must do the same distance (as they did up north) like they did with the golden globe, just to hop back and forth across the equator is taking a short cut ;)

    obviously you can make your own start and stop point along this route - but do the route!
     

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  8. capt vimes
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    capt vimes Senior Member

    oh.. i can read that language.... no problems there...
    just do not ask me what it says... :p ;)
     
  9. RHP
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    RHP Senior Member

    I admire 'driven people' however I couldnt think of a more uncomfortable boat to undertake such a voyage, I wonder how wet it is down below etc..? The good thing about Bombay Sapphire being in a blue bottle is even if the label comes off you still know what it is.
     
  10. GTO
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    GTO Senior Member

    Is the Horn done?

    In spite of much web surfing, I've found little to no mention of Alessandro's attempt.
    So, this leads me to ask, "Is the Horn done?".

    Has the lurking evil of the southern ocean and the fabled Horn been slain?
    Will the heroes of yester-year slowly slip into legend, then myth, as teenagers zip around the Horn in their high tech sailing machines for fun and profit? Is the Horn now just "another thang to do" for the way cool sailing kids of today/tomorrow?

    This also leads me to ask, "Has the ocean finally been tamed?". Oh sure, every now and then some unlucky soul will get hit by an unpredicted weather bomb and follow the ship down to Davy's locker, or something will break at the worst possible time and another EPIRB will be activated, but big picture-wise, has technology finally caught up with the big blue?

    Just curious. And bored at work too! :D
     
  11. Manie B
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    Manie B Senior Member

    The Horn as well as the Cape of Storms Agulhas, is just an accident waiting to happen
    I follow all three adventures daily

    http://www.alessandrodibenedetto.net/web/log.html

    http://www.jessicawatson.com.au/the-voyage

    http://www.abbysunderland.com/location-route.php

    greed and profit will eventually lead to tragedy one day
    Abby's father has got his eyes on a reality show on TV, he obviously watches Osborns - Cardashians - Teutles - Trump - Hefner and the miriad of others (dont forget Oprah)
    way to little time was spent on preparation

    there is a very active discussion here

    http://forums.sailinganarchy.com/index.php?showtopic=102689&st=325

    and i quote

    somewhere someone's gonna get hurt
     
  12. capt vimes
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    capt vimes Senior Member

    after 12 days...??? holy ****...
    i thought you were kidding, or some system/batteries has broken and needs to be replaced which can happen... but only 12 friggin days out and the ships electrical systems needs overhauling/adapting???? :confused:
    thats scary that is!
     
  13. Manie B
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    Manie B Senior Member

    Excellent

    Alessandro Di Benedetto is going well

    i just wish they would answer english mail or post english updates
     
  14. Crag Cay
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    Crag Cay Senior Member

    He's south of Australia and going well:

    "His average speed since at the beginning has been good, everything is all right, he is in good spirits , physically everything is fine and the boat is orderly."
     

  15. capt vimes
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    capt vimes Senior Member

    well the last sms update on his page is from the 20th of december... old news...
    in the pdf a short statement is qoted...
    he is 45° south and 300 miles WNW from Prince Edwards island. yesterday he experinced some 'burrasca' (no clue what that means) but he is OK and has strong winds today...
    that info is from the 04th of january...
     
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