Here we go again!

[SchoonerRat]

14 year old Laura Dekker has set out to become the youngest solo around the world sailor.

At least this may be a little bit less publicity stunt than the last one.

the story

[Lew Barrett]

Don't count on it. We know about it, ergo: publicity!

[Ian McColgin]

Did Slocum fail to capitalize on his trip? Did Voss? This job is so hard that one is (with rare exceptions like Cowhurst) motivated by the desire to do it, first and foremost. Any book or video deal just helps pay after.

So, I don't care if it's got stunt elements or seeking a record that no authority will honor due to all the bad PR of children sailing about. I am all for her and very glad the Dutch child welfare folk got on-board with this.

Good sailing!

[Figment]

38' ketch seems like a lot of boat for a lightweight singlehander to manage, but it's certainly more sensible than an Open 40. I wonder which specific boat she has.

[SchoonerRat]

My feeling about the Abby Sunderland trip -- it seemed to have just a bit of a bad smell from the beginning. I don't feel this from Dekker's attempt.

Her choice of boat (I don't know the specific design either) is better suited to an around the world voyage than an Open 40. (insert multiple smileys showing understatement)

She has no intention of doing non-stop unassisted.

She has not used her brother to generate buzz for her.

Her parents are not wacko religious fundamentalists who home school her. I saw an interview with Abby's dad where he misstated the value of pi. When corrected by the interviewer, he assumed a smug "you're an idiot" pose and insisted he was correct.

An around the world voyage is a major accomplishment for anybody of any age. I have no problem with somebody capitalizing on that feat, but using your daughter to generate publicity to help secure a "reality" tv show about your family---

This voyage does not seem to be starting off with the same "odor" as Abby's.

[TimH]

Here is a glimpse of the boat





http://www.lauradekker.nl/English/Home.html

[Figment]

Better than an Open 40, but still a very big and powerful boat for a not very big or powerful person.

[SchoonerRat]

Thanks for the pics, Tim.

It looks like that boat might actually have a permanent backstay. What a concept for a single handed world cruiser!

[SchoonerRat]

Better than an Open 40, but still a very big and powerful boat for a not very big or powerful person.

There is some merit with what you say, but when things get nasty, a 20 foot boat can get bigger and more powerful for a person of any stature. I think any boat much smaller would actually make the trip more difficult and more dangerous.

[Lew Barrett]

My feeling about the Abby Sunderland trip -- it seemed to have just a bit of a bad smell from the beginning. I don't feel this from Dekker's attempt.

pose and insisted he was correct.

An around the world voyage is a major accomplishment for anybody of any age. I have no problem with somebody capitalizing on that feat, but using your daughter to generate publicity to help secure a "reality" tv show about your family---..............

This voyage does not seem to be starting off with the same "odor" as Abby's.

You'll get no disagreement from me, especially in regard to the smell of the Sunderland adventure.

Wishing her the best of luck, and Abby too for that matter.