[quote=Edchris177]A few highlights from a quick perusal of the site.
If I understand it correctly, the original intent was not to be a solo trip. His partner decided to leave the project, along with some of the financial support.
This entailed more fund raising, & more importantly modification of the boat.
"The nature of the challenge remains unchanged, it will continue round the world without GPS, without assistance, and without receiving weather board, helped only a sextant."
To continue solo, he stopped in the Canary Is to install an autopilot, & a "mast tilting"(shroud extender?) system to allow him to recover from a capsize.
19 days between the Canary Islands and Le Marin in Martinique .
He capsized at night, the spin jammed & he couldn't douse it,(sounded like pitchpole with spin out, he describes it as "ass over head"), took 2 hr to get the sails down & another 2 to work the system, difficult to right as wind died. Took 4 tries, using a righting pole.
Lost some clothing, winch handle, 1 VHF... & if I read this correctly, the autopilot caught fire,(due to water in the electrics, I think it was water in the port hull), he threw it overboard. I think he has one electric system for each hull, he lost the port one.
Cracked the mast 1.5 meter from the top.
The composite company strengthened the rudders, he added a 3rd reef to the sail, a 3rd wing to help with higher wind sailing & some sort of ballast system, I think it was to help with "hobby horsing" or pitchpoling.
Sounds like some money problems, must have been solved, he left for Panama on 4th Feb, quite a bit behind schedule. After the Canal transit he will head for the Galapagos.
"These few days Martinique allowed me to recharge the batteries, regain strength. Physically and mentally, I 'm pumped . The boat is like new. I am ready to write a new chapter in my ledger around the world!"
He is enjoying the warm waters of the Carib, & making 20 kts with favourable winds.
Closing in on the Canal, 2 days ago, he is experiencing several skin afflictions.[/quote]