In a previous article I reported on David Vanns attempt at a single handed sail around the world in his aluminium catamaran. His motivation appears to be to provide the material for a book about his trip.
David is a good writer and is obviously very determined. It would definitely take determination and perseverance to see this project through to the end. However, as many other commentators have surmised, these qualities are not necessarily enough to design and build a boat that is going to make it around the world in one piece.
Last week David launched the boat and after a short sea trial in San Francisco Bay he set off. Sensibly his plan was to follow the coast line until he was confident the boat was going to hold up. After only 120 miles David turned around and is now back in San Francisco. In a short time in moderate conditions, welds joining some of the hull supports had cracked due to flexing.
As it is already late in the season to be setting off for the southern ocean the project is now on hold while the boat is repaired and the next season rolls around. Apparently a decision on whether to try again will be made at a later date. Those of the opinion that the construction was not adequate have been proved correct. As for those of us who were sceptical about the overall seaworthiness of the boat, we will have to wait and see.
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