14 year old crossing Atlantic in 28' sailboat

[Graham Carr]

Michael Perham is on his way to setting a new record as the youngest person (age 14) to sail single handed across the Atlantic Ocean. He is doing this in a 28’ sailboat. His father is following him in an identical sailboat.
The journey started from Gibraltar and they are heading for Antigua in the Caribbean (about 3500 miles). They set sail on the 18th and were shooting for a four week crossing. The boats are “Tide 28”, you can see them at the link below. Somebody had posted the info about their planned crossing a few months ago. I have been following their website ever since then. You can read Mike’s logs and see the tack taken to date.

http://www.tide28.com/

http://www.sailmike.com/

Graham

[DLT]

Yup...

http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/viewt ... light=tide

[BK]

Robin Graham of Long Beach, California, sailed the "Dove", a 23 foot Ranger around the world singlehanded with no escort boat starting at 16 years old. There is a book and movie called the "Dove" plus 3 National Geographics. It took him about 5 years to do this if I remember right. It was the doldrums that got him the worst.

[richandlori]

Some people care more about their kids being famous than keeping them safe.

This whole "how young can you do it" thing is ridiculous IMHO, it doesn't address the issue of just because you can do something, should you?

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

The movie "The Dove" which is actually produced by the actor: Gregory Peck is an interesting true story. But I cant imagine parents that would endorse their kid to a risk of this magnitude. Robin Lee Graham was fortunate to finish the trip alive and in his right mind.

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

Some people care more about their kids being famous than keeping them safe.

This whole "how young can you do it" thing is ridiculous IMHO, it doesn't address the issue of just because you can do something, should you?

So true

[Catigale]

I confess I go between, so what ? and "what kind of an idiot are these parents?"

As anyone who has kids knows, there are many more important things than self indulgence to teach them...

[BK]

Louis, there was a second book on Robin and his wife after the trip was over. He was offered a free scholarship to Stanford here in Cailiornia but dropped out to be a logger in the mountains.
I read later he got divorced and he moved to Fiji to run a sailing business.

[baldbaby2000]

I don't think the kid on the Dove actually made it around the world but he got close. I read the book some time ago and remember when he was in the doldroms somewhere for a long time. He started to loose his mind and started his boat on fire. In hindsight in the book he remarked on what it was like to go crazy. He said the strangest thing about being crazy is that everything you do makes perfect sense!

BB

[eric3a]

..

[Night Sailor]

The kid and his father seem well prepared to me. More than many a yachtsman who sets off with his family in a million dollar boat to sail around the world relying on learning as they go.

My experience in every level of Boy Scout and Explorer High Adventure programs has shown me that most American adults don't give their kids enough credit for their potential, much less thier own native intelligence and determination. Training and preparation are the beginning, after that it's only determination to get the job done that matters. That can happen regardless of gender, age, or ethnic origin.

Crossing oceans shouldn't be done lightly, but shouldn't be avoided just because there are risks, either. Overcoming challenges in spirit, mind, and body after meticulous preparation and planning is a wonderful way to prepare any young man or woman for adulthood, regardless of age.

Fair winds to them both.

[eric3a]

..

[Greg]

I don't think the kid on the Dove actually made it around the world but he got close

The kid (Robin) made it but the original boat didn't. He replaced it with a slightly larger Dove before going though the Panama Canal.

The book "Maiden Voyage" by Tania Aebi is another true story about a very young solo around the world cruiser. She gave a friend a ride between islands and was disqualified from receiving the record.

[waternwaves]

2 small boats in a storm.........

can't do crap for each other............even if they can see each other. except maybe recover a body after the ELP goes off.

I think it boils down to respect and knowledge.

Both are insufficient in this case.

too much ego, to drag a 14yr old. Wait till they are of age.

And I speak as a former Mountain rescue youth....... jumping out of helicopters, and fighting fires.....

I know teens that probably are capable of most anything. But the wisdom and judgement are just not there yet.

I wonder.............
just what do these people really value................

[Frank C]

That Tide 28 looks better now than when first seen here ... probably because I now noticed how close a Mac clone it really is. Only difference is a couple feet in length and that 1,000 pound bulbed keel.

It will be interesting to track their progress ...
(probably in the Events forum, for both threads).