My apologies for writing so little but the boat building has turned into a full time job - (read obsession). The boat is coming along really nicely and everybody that has seen it, is very pleased with it so far. Just for the benefit of the readers, old and new, I just want to re-explain what this is all about.
I was fascinated by the original AiT (around in ten) yacht challenge of 2008, and I believe that something like that is possible. Somebody somewhere is going to do it. That ultimately drove me to sit and design my version of a ten foot pocket yacht, which I would like the call a little ship. She is a fat and heavy vessel designed to carry supplies for one person for eight months. When Sven Yrvind started his "ten" (which he stopped) I got the bug and decided to go for it. So this is the result so far. My partner and I came up with the idea of organizing a "race" from Cape Town, around the world in the Southern Ocean, and back to Cape Town. This is how we coined the phrase SaToSa, which is South Africa To South Africa. We also started another FB page called Ten Yacht Racing which is aimed at shorter races and general discussion about these type of tiny boats.
We looked at the Jester Challenge and felt that we would like to follow a similar concept. Firstly no rules to discourage folks, obviously this is for 10 foot boats (3M) - and you are on your own.
But
Safety first. A ten foot pocket yacht in the open ocean MUST BE UNSINKABLE this also means in my case that it is fully insulated, because the hull is a double skin hull with foam in between the outer hull and the inner hull. In my case this is important because the boat is designed for the Southern Ocean which is very cold and wet, and it rains just about every 2 to 3 days.
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There are many problems with such as small vessel and I think we have addressed most of them, but still it is a daunting task. My plan is to get the boat in the water in Houtbay Cape Town, February next year and then actually live on the boat and practice on a daily basis so I get used to her. Also, to do short trips for a week or two into the Southern Ocean and get down to latitudes further south. Hopefully, if all goes well, set off on the SaToSa challenge September next year. The plan is also to hire the boat out to anybody that would like to do any trips. There is no point of having the boat in a warehouse or museum or whatever. The boat is built well and can and must be used.
I know that this is a massive undertaking, but it is better to try and fail, than to fail to try. AND don't let the fear of what could happen, make nothing happen. My boat is well equipped, and as the build is getting towards the end, folks will be able to see this. The equipment is very expensive, anywhere in the world, but I feel that this is what such a vessel and challenge needs, to get out there in reasonable safety. I will be 63 in February and I enjoy life, so the folks that are worried that I am loosing my marbles, don't. I am ok. I am going to have fun and enjoy this, if it goes beyond that, I will stop. One point that I need to stress is that the folks in the first world countries are used to the support structures that they have in place. With that I mean - 911 - Coast Guard - Emergency services and rescue - medical care. In Africa forget about that stuff - it is simply practically non-existent. You are on your own from the minute you set foot out your front door. The only "inspectors" that will harass you are locals looking for a bribe. We have grown up with this nonsense so we are used to it, but it is a massive mental challenge for folks from the "outside" to adjust to. Forget what the glossy holiday brochures tell you, one hour out to sea and you might as well be out one month.
I have been reading Duckworks for many years now and I know that there are many many many folks that love small cruising vessels. The all time favourites are Matt Lydens Paradox and lately PD racers with a cabin for sleeping, all simply beautiful. And lets not forget the John Wellsford master pieces, Scamp and all the others, loads and loads of beautiful pocket yachts. One day I hope to do a "Texas" raid and have a beer on "Chevy Duck". I just love that kind of stuff, my kind of people! When I read about these adventures in Duckworks my heart always skips beat and I have definitely got them in my bucket list.
https://maniehjbotha.wordpress.com
https://www.facebook.com/Satosamicroyachts?ref=hl
https://www.facebook.com/Ten-Yacht-Racing-527489434066848/?ref=hl
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