Abby Sunderland - SoloRound

[SvenG]

Thanks Tao,

So he's like a Dvorak of sports if I understand you correctly.

I guess I can be forgiven for not getting it since I've read the LAT sporadically for decades but never the sports section



-Sven

[Stillraining]

Ya...I can tell which one is the dem and which one is the Rep....

[SvenG]

Originally Posted by berzina123

I'm inclined to agree. And, my harsh judgment is mostly based on the parents' continuing efforts to raise money for this young lady without admitting that there is no way that she is going to set off next month in a boat that she doesn't have yet.

I'm not sure who you agree with but she has a boat. She sailed it down the East Coast and then up the Pacific Coast with her father. Will she set off in December ? ... don't see how that would ever be possible.


-Sven

[Hud3]

Berzina123 was a spammer. All his/her posts have been deleted.

[slomotion]

Hmmm. I’m not familiar with the infamous Berzina123. But, the original post attributed to him above is an exact quote from my 10/23/09 response to TaoJones, who correctly observed that I was a bit harsh in the judgment I expressed in a 10/21/09 post. I don’t think anyone has ever before found something I wrote to be worthy of plagiarism!

Originally Posted by TaoJones

There is little chance that Abby will ever set out, IMO.

Originally Posted by slomotion

I'm inclined to agree. And, my harsh judgment is mostly based on the parents' continuing efforts to raise money for this young lady without admitting that there is no way that she is going to set off next month in a boat that she doesn't have yet.

Zak's accomplishment was truly noteworthy, in part, because of the boat he used. And, yes - it's probably beat to hell. But, its preparation was completely different from the get-a-boat-and-go nonsense that these parents are peddling for Abby.

OTOH, I know from experience that no parent can survive the "well, you helped my brother do it" argument. Probably, every kid in this family will make a record attempt - or at least get a web page threatening to do so.

[TaoJones]

Originally Posted by slomotion

Hmmm. I’m not familiar with the infamous Berzina123. But, the original post attributed to him above is an exact quote from my 10/23/09 response to TaoJones, who correctly observed that I was a bit harsh in the judgment I expressed in a 10/21/09 post. I don’t think anyone has ever before found something I wrote to be worthy of plagiarism!

Heh . . . not only was berzina123 a spammer, but he/she was a lazy spammer to boot! Just copying and pasting a previous post to avoid the hassle of writing your own just so that you have something to attach your signature spam to is really lame. But look at it this way, slomo: berzina123 may have been a loser, but he/she had the good sense to pick a post that was credible.

TaoJones

[paradix]

There seems to be a lot of discussion on Abby's blog comments encouraging her to install a mechanical windvane self-steerer in case the electronics fail on her other autopilots.

My understanding has always been that mechanical windvane steering was next to useless on a sled like the Open 40 which will be surfing down waves at a great rate of knots, convincing the windvane helm that the apparent wind is all over the place... Am I missing something? Has windvane steering moved along since the old days?

http://soloround.blogspot.com/2010/01/day-at-home.html

[Voice of Reason]

Actually she didn't sail it! Her father and brother did! Read her blog. That really concerned me, also the lack of interest she seems to be showing in the refitting of the boat, She should be there watching everything and how it works. Zac was the one to dive into the sea and untangle the kelp around the boat on the trip too. She will need to be able to do eveything for herself soon!

[SvenG]

Originally Posted by Voice of Reason

Zac was the one to dive into the sea and untangle the kelp around the boat on the trip too.

I don't remember that. I do remember when Mike had to dive down while sailing backwards (?) to get the heavy line-from-nowhere out of one of the rudders. The line got seriously jammed between the hull and the rudder.



-Sven

[SvenG]

Originally Posted by Voice of Reason

Actually she didn't sail it! Her father and brother did! Read her blog.

I did and didn't see that. Can you point out where she says she didn't do any sailing on the trip down the East Coast ?

That really concerned me, also the lack of interest she seems to be showing in the refitting of the boat, She should be there watching everything and how it works.

Are you referring to the day when she stayed home to help pack the supplies ?



-Sven

[Voice of Reason]

Hi Sven. Have a look at Abby's blog; entry 5.12.09 "Update from San Diego", written by her Mom. I quote "Peter & Zac will continue onboard "Lady K, Laurence & Abby will continue on Wild Eyes & all should be back sometime early Sunday" My concern is that the perfect opportunity to have a 'solo shakedown sail', but with help nearby, was not taken. (Abby has yet to report a solo trip on Wild Eyes). At no stage in the delivery of Wild Eyes was Abby in sole charge. (One of the Photos shows Zac at the wheel, presumably they took turns!!) It 'nice' to read how protective & supportive her Father & brother are but so far, having read all her Blogs, I am not convinced that Abby has the sheer determination and 'bolshyness' necessary to safely accomplish her dream just yet!
Re the matter of Abby's close involvement in the readying of her craft. I suggest there is a world of difference between watching and being there whilst work is being done, and actually getting ones hands dirty and doing the work yourself with an expert in attendance! Has she stripped and worked on her engine? Has she done any of the fibreglassing herself? Does she understand the workings of her electronics and electrical equipment? Has she attended any courses to train her in these matters? If she has I have yet to see it reported.
Re the episode with the kelp, I have gone right through Abby's blogs and can't find it reported, but know I read it, so can only assume it was reported in one of the many articles about Abby that I have read.
Good on you for supporting Abby! I too am watching from the sidelines and enjoying the cut and thrust of discussions concerning these youngsters. (Jessica too) However, I do wish (hope) that Abby & her supporters don't discount the many positive suggestions and advice experienced sailors are posting on her blog!!! There is nothing I want more than to see both of these young women safely accomplish their trips and return to their families.

[SvenG]

Originally Posted by Voice of Reason

Hi Sven. Have a look at Abby's blog; entry 5.12.09 "Update from San Diego", written by her Mom. I quote "Peter & Zac will continue onboard "Lady K, Laurence & Abby will continue on Wild Eyes & all should be back sometime early Sunday" My concern is that the perfect opportunity to have a 'solo shakedown sail', but with help nearby, was not taken. (Abby has yet to report a solo trip on Wild Eyes). At no stage in the delivery of Wild Eyes was Abby in sole charge. (One of the Photos shows Zac at the wheel, presumably they took turns!!) It 'nice' to read how protective & supportive her Father & brother are but so far, having read all her Blogs, I am not convinced that Abby has the sheer determination and 'bolshyness' necessary to safely accomplish her dream just yet!
Re the matter of Abby's close involvement in the readying of her craft. I suggest there is a world of difference between watching and being there whilst work is being done, and actually getting ones hands dirty and doing the work yourself with an expert in attendance! Has she stripped and worked on her engine? Has she done any of the fibreglassing herself? Does she understand the workings of her electronics and electrical equipment? Has she attended any courses to train her in these matters? If she has I have yet to see it reported.
Re the episode with the kelp, I have gone right through Abby's blogs and can't find it reported, but know I read it, so can only assume it was reported in one of the many articles about Abby that I have read.
Good on you for supporting Abby! I too am watching from the sidelines and enjoying the cut and thrust of discussions concerning these youngsters. (Jessica too) However, I do wish (hope) that Abby & her supporters don't discount the many positive suggestions and advice experienced sailors are posting on her blog!!! There is nothing I want more than to see both of these young women safely accomplish their trips and return to their families.

It is quite telling that it took you such a long paragraph to avoid substantiating your earlier insinuations and jabs at Abby.

Were you again speaking on behalf of the Watson family ?


-Sven

[paradix]

Hey Sven,

The Watson family, and Jessica in particular, are among Abby's strongest supporters. Both Jess and her mother have been in regular contact with Abby and her family and the relationship seems to be one of friendship, support and assistance.

I'm sure the media would love to beat up some animosity between them for the heat of the contest, but then the media seldom let the truth get in the way of a good story...

[Voice of Reason]

Originally Posted by SvenG

It is quite telling that it took you such a long paragraph to avoid substantiating your earlier insinuations and jabs at Abby.

Were you again speaking on behalf of the Watson family ?


-Sven

Whoow!! Back off Sven! I am speaking for MYSELF. I have NOT made 'insinuations' just exercised my free right to voice my own considered opinion. I took pains to answer your several questions in an honest and thorough way. I have NEVER undertaken to speak on behalf of the Watson family. I do not have that authority although I am acquanted with them. As I understand it, the Watson and Sunderland familys are very supportive of each other as is Mike Perham's family and also Jessie Martin. Mrs Julie Watson has been advising Abby's mother with the planning of the food Abby will be taking. The two girls have emailed greetings to each other. See Abby's blog. I believe that there is a brotherhood of the sea if one is lucky enough to meet the right people. Read all the blogs and newspaper articles about these people and don't insinuate disharmony where none exists.

Why have you brought the Watson family into this discussion? If you are referring to my comments in the now locked off thread re Jessica Watson Fail then I think you are a little out of line! I discovered that thread by accident and after watching with increasing amazement I came in because of some disgraceful comments that were being posted by a very few people, some of them incredibly nasty and inaccurate. I felt as a fair minded person that I needed to point out my dismay which I would have felt regardless of who the person was. I understand
the moderator also felt the same way because the thread was closed. I do not consider it appropriate to re visit all that here but need to make it very clear that I have no animosity whatsoever towards Abby just a little concern. As I suggested previously, I am not the only person to feel this way, other more experienced sailors than me have voiced constructive concern on Abby's blog. For my part this discussion is now closed!!

[slomotion]

Per Abby’s January 10th blog, the refit is basically done and she is conducting sea trials. If all goes well, she plans to leave Saturday Jan. 16th.

They’ve had a small army of specialists working on this boat. And the combined effort has accomplished more in a month than most cruisers could manage in six even with unlimited funds. I think the media, with no small help from the Sunderland’s web site (it still says she’s leaving in December despite being redesigned in January), created a false impression that this was a buy-a-boat-and-go rush to disaster. In reality this is a very professional project, evidently backed by very extensive resources.