Over the past weeks we have been repeatedly asked why we would ever consider sailing the Red Sea right now. A better question would be why do we feel compelled to sail around the world?
It’s complicated.
Weighing us down constantly are the obvious and immediate decisions to be made regarding the next stage of our voyage. The reports of fellow sailors being executed, being taken captive, and being shot at are not unknown to us. Despite previous “pop star nipples” type comments, I assure you that we recognize that things have changed. These events cause more sleepless nights and dominate more of our conversations than you could imagine. It is after all, our own lives we are talking about. We may be idiotic but we’re not idiots.
Here’s what has been scrawled on our cocktail napkins over the past weeks:
- Sail around the Cape of Good Hope
- Sell the farm, ship our boat and meet it in Turkey
- OPERATION: RUN AND GUN
- Stay here or travel India or South East Asia
- Sail to Australia and sell the boat, use the proceeds to do something else fun
Africa represents an additional 5000 nautical miles of sailing. It doesn’t look like much in a sentence, but using 100NM’s/day for planning purposes that’s 50 additional days of open ocean sailing. Fifty days! What were you doing this time last month? Imagine if the answer was, ‘exactly what I was doing today, sitting on a boat in the middle of the ocean.’ Not in itself a show stopper, but significant enough to land on our con’s list.
There’s the weather factor. This area used to be called the Cape of Storms. The name change to Cape of Good Hope gave it an optimistic slant that read a little better. ‘Cape of good luck sucker!’ may have been a close second. The Mozambique/Agulhas is a powerful current that runs Northwest down along the eastern coast of Africa. Cold fronts generated below push in from the opposite direction. This combination of wind against water has been known to create some of the biggest waves on the planet. That said we could handle the weather. It comes down to being at the right place at the right time, something we’ve been practicing at for almost 4 years now. The 4 fronts we experienced on our way to and from New Zealand aren’t much different and on that trip we sailed further south than the Cape of Good Hope. Crossing that Agulhas current is the tricky bit but, by watching the weather and timing your passage to the East coast accordingly, it is more than doable as demonstrated by the small boats that do it every season.
Then there’s the third consideration, and it’s the same reason we’re even discussing the Cape option at all; piracy. Yes, it’s there too. Not as popular with the media at the moment and less concentrated, but it’s there. Remember that British couple (Paul and Rachel Chandler) in the news that were taken from their boat and held for over a year before eventually being released? They were taken off their 38 foot yacht near the Seychelles. If you don’t have an atlas handy, the Seychelles are pretty well exactly between where we are sitting right now and South Africa.
Lastly, you will need to hang out for months somewhere like Madagascar or Mozambique watching your bat rot while waiting for the right season to round the Cape (Dec/Jan). We would love to see these places, but not while stressing out about our boat. Being trapped for months in one of the poorest countries in the world could either be the best experience ever, or a nightmare. We loved Sri Lanka, but coming back to the boat in Gale harbor was always demoralizing. Oily crud crawled 18 inches up above the waterline and sooty black pollution had settled into every nook and cranny and turned our white topsides black.
So, you’ve successfully avoided the area of piracy currently being reported on and have decided instead to change your plans to one that your heart’s not in, expose yourself to an additional 50 days of open ocean sailing, infamous weather and seas, another ITCZ crossing, and still have the potential of being hijacked?
So the real question is not could we, it’s do we want to. Frankly, no we don’t .We wouldn’t sail to New Zealand again either. It was gnarly, uncomfortable and cold. It’s a significant point, we could take this on but if our hearts aren’t in it?
Conclusion: It’s on the list, it’s a real option, and we’ll do it if we have to (like eating your vegetables).
Now let’s talk shipping.
We could ship the boat and stay on schedule. If you manage to find a shipping company that has room, that you can afford, that is leaving from a place you can get your boat to, and is going somewhere that you want your boat to be then you are among a tiny fraction of small boat sailors and can consider yourself lucky.
We have found one. The agent we found working on behalf of the shipping company is a good one and we`ve been in daily contact with him for nearly two weeks. The cost is significant, the timing is significant and the meaning is significant.
First the cost; by the time all ancillary expenditures (like flights and hotels) are factored in this option sits in a haughty 30 thousand dollar neighbourhood. Like the additional ocean miles stated above, not the end of the world but certainly carries enough significance to factor in at the top of our decision making process. The boat leaves from the Maldives and drops in Turkey. We would need to have the boat in the Maldives ready for loading which is not a problem. The boat would be shipped to Turkey where we are required to meet and unload.
There is a definite ‘neat’ factor involved in this option. I remember watching them load one of these ships up on a discovery program once and thought that it was pretty cool. Divers attaching straps underneath the hulls then watching Slapdash dangle beneath one of those giant deck cranes from the side of a freighter before it`s slotted into place on deck like a piece of a jigsaw puzzle would be totally gut wrenching. It would also be a very unique, completely unexpected, and a somewhat colourful addition to our circumnavigation. But the price of admission for this ride might blow it out of the water.
Speaking of blowing things out of the water; the next option (which we`ve dubbed SLAPDASH: OPERATION RUN AND GUN) has some merit. We`ve been looking into two options. The first is acquiring arms equal to what the pirates are using and making it a fair fight. Who hasn’t wanted to have their very own AK? Even Jaime is warming to the idea, although I did lie and tell her that hers would be pink. We’re thinking a little NWA to run along with the video montage. The downside to this plan is that acquiring automatic weapons on the black market in a country that has just emerged from a three decade long civil war is as difficult as you might think. That and getting into a firefight with a bunch of drugged up Somali’s.
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That’s where Private security forces come in…
Mercenaries, soldiers of fortune, dudes that come with their own guns. Their industry claims that no boat with a private security force has ever been hijacked. As with the above there are logistics and cost to consider. Three soldiers of fortune with the tools of their trade on Slapdash? We only have one head. Trained killers riding shotgun on your vessel doesn’t come cheap, it can cost as much (or more) than shipping your boat. We have found a way to mitigate the cost but it’s a really long story.
On the other hand our guests are bound to have some great stories, and to kill some time there’s always the chance of some high seas weapons training. We really like this plan and are pursuing it aggressively.
We could also stay here, ‘here’ being somewhere in South East Asia. We would spend the same amount of money bumming around that we would have on shipping or mercenaries, and we wouldn’t be any closer to home. A high probability of fun travel and buying time but no guarantee that anything will change. Given the international response to the pirate problem so far, all we are likely to encounter next year would be more, better armed, wealthier pirates. It was fun talking about all of the places and ways that we could kill off a year here but in the end this one just doesn’t make sense for us.
The last option that received some air time around the Slapdash settee was to sail her back to Australia, turn the boat into cash, and set off on some new adventure. The season would be right for the passage and the market there is good for a sale. It was fun talking about it and we came up with a bunch of crazy ideas but in the process realized how much we both hate backtracking and what finishing what we started really means to us. In the end this was nothing more than some fun conversation over big Lion Lagers.
We’re left with the following scenarios listed in order of most likely to least:
1. Operation run and gun
2. Sell the farm, ship the boat
3. Cape of good luck!
The options I’ve described are the same for anyone living on a boat in this part of the world trying to get home. None good, all with major downsides. Some horrifying things are being said of those few sailors who are captured and/or killed trying. The media has been quick to criticize Quest and ING without seeing the other side of this story. Why? Nine out of ten die trying to summit Everest. Far worse odds than a boat faces sailing through the Gulf of Aden. Yet climbers are welcomed back like conquering heroes. They go on the speaking circuit, make money, speak to school children and inspire them. Light a candle for the dead climbers, but curse the Johannes’s for trying? We are totally confused by the media’s portrayal, its idiotic discrepancy.
Here’s some stuff we’ve learned about the Somali pirates while wading through all of this crap:
Pirates are foot soldiers of adventurous capitalists, frontline operatives of a criminal organization interested in making money. From that perspective their model is excellent; high returns and low investment. Recruits? An endless supply of hopelessly poor Khat chewing kids with nothing to lose. Risk of capture and prosecution for Jin al Bar (Demons of the seas, as the guys in boats like to call themselves) might as well be nil. Get yourself a sat phone and 100K of start-up capital and you too could become the celebrity director of your own fleet of Somali pirates. Benefitting from all of this are the insurance companies (charging huge premiums to shipping companies), the mercenaries providing escort detail, and the land based pirate bosses. Everyone else is a victim of circumstance.
Every year 23,000 ships with billions in cargo pass through the Gulf; financially speaking the crumbs the Jin al Bar pick off barely justify the show of international Keystone Cop style prevention we see now. Apparently more than 28 warships are operating in the Gulf of Aden and Somali Basin today.
The majority of the warships operating in the Gulf of Aden (GoA) and the Somali Basin are under the control of MSCHOA (www.mschoa.org). MSCHOA; the Maritime Security Centre – Horn of Africa. There’s also MARLO (Maritime Liaison Office) which is the American version of all the above. Not enough acronyms yet? How about EUNAVFOR, the EU Naval Force for Somalia.
No offence at all intended towards the military forces that we are so happy to see out there, far from it. They are doing everything they can within their means to protect this corridor and have the lopsided task of dealing with a ruthless enemy in ways that will read well in the headlines sure to follow. These insane directives end up lending rationale to the enterprising Somali’s business plan. Imagine what the combined money, people, effort, and equipment associated with a fleet of this size could do towards the problem if well directed? It’s like the collars for dollars fiasco; wrong targets! Leave the hopped up dime bag teens alone and take out the Ray Ban wearing asshole with the sat phone whose comments and opinions are so happily publicized worldwide through Reuters!
I digress.
Should all be decided in the next week but we have pushed this sailing season to its limits. If the ‘run and gun’ plan doesn’t work out we will either sail around the Cape of Africa, ship the boat, or sell Slapdash and partner with Pirate Inc. Anyone in the market for 75,000 pairs of Nike’s?
“An endless supply of hopelessly poor Khat chewing kids with nothing to lose.”
You’d better be ready to kill a 12 year old, because like you say, they have nothing to lose… your life has even less value to them than their own.
I’m not sure how expensive you’ll feel shipping is if you are unfortunate enough to have to take somebody else’s life.
Posted by Adam | 09. May, 2011, 8:39 amNot to get heavy or anything, since we are well past pirateville now, but yeah I’d certainly be ready to off a 12 year old if I got to keep my life or Seth’s. Seems like an obvious choice. Not a feel-good moment but being alive would be a good trade-off if you ask me.
Posted by Jaime | 09. May, 2011, 5:20 pmCongratulations on a safe trip for you 2 and slappy. That boat appears nearly indestructible.
Posted by Norman H | 04. May, 2011, 11:22 pmThanks! Yeah quite the ship hey? Complete with a bunch of razor wire and giant muscle-y russian guards with tattoos.
Posted by Jaime | 09. May, 2011, 5:23 pmLoose Lips Sink Ships:
http://forums.sailinganarchy.com/index.php?showtopic=121182&st=0&p=3239664&hl
Posted by John K | 02. May, 2011, 10:20 pmGood thing we’re always late in posting our logs. We totally did that on purpose to throw the pirates off our trail. We are so smrt.
Posted by Jaime | 09. May, 2011, 5:32 pmJust donated to the cause and unfortunately according to recent FB postings I assume it won’t be used for a couple of libations at exotic places, but instead replacing some electrical equipment which will keep you alive and safe. So sorry to hear about the troubles but if it was easy it wouldn’t be nearly as fun. Not sure if the SHIP IT option was the official big winner, but my vote would be to ship or go around the cape. If RUN & GUN is going to happen I vote for Chuck Norris and if he’s not available I’m pretty sure Van Damme and Seagal have plenty of time on their hands and would probably be cheap. Stay safe and looking forward to the updates.
Posted by Kenny | 02. May, 2011, 9:29 amAww thanks Kenny. We would’ve appreciated the support as beer money but it’s HUGELY appreciated as lightning money. Would you believe that we got zapped on the same day the transport ship dropped us off in Turkey? I wish I was making this sh*t up. It almost makes you wanna laugh out loud. Almost. Too soon. Will update with more detail soon but the main thing is we are happy to be in Turkey and happy to be back with our Slappy. Thanks again Kenny. It means alot to know you’re with us, bruises and all.
Posted by Jaime | 03. May, 2011, 10:51 pmYou two are always welcome to stay with us in Cayman for the season. There is money to be made, beer to drink, and some really great diving.
Jut a thought.
CJ
Posted by CJ | 28. Apr, 2011, 1:11 pmHi folks we hope to start our sailing trip from Florida in November & may end up in the caymans at some point, I am a diving instructor & will be obviously be diving & would love to spend a season there in the Caymans :-)
Posted by andy & Sonja | 02. May, 2011, 7:02 amCome on down. It’s beautiful here and lots of great diving.
Posted by CJ | 03. May, 2011, 2:57 pmBeer, diving, and long lost friends? Dude that sounds perfect. We’ve missed our Cayman opportunity yet again though; we just got our boat unloaded here in Turkey like 4 days ago. One of these days CJ. We’re comin’ for ya.
Posted by Jaime | 03. May, 2011, 10:53 pmGreat to hear you are clear of thoes pesky pirates! Very sad to hear about the lightning. That was always one of my big fears on our boat.
Heres to a speedy recovery. When you get Slappy all pached up again maybe you can sail down here for a well deserved break.
Good luck, safe travels and much much Love and a whole lotta Junkie
Posted by CJ | 04. May, 2011, 12:38 pmGlad to hear you are shipping the boat to Turkey. You will love the Med. Wish we were there.
Ethel has already maxed her vacations for 2011 but if you need an extra crew member, give me a ring ding ding.
Hope you have been practicing your stern to docking. He He.
Posted by Steve | 28. Apr, 2011, 8:46 amHow did you know we needed a crew member Steve? You are psychic! Guess you’d better get out here. Consider this your ring ding ding. We need someone to fill the position of lead beer drinker since Seth is busy wiring fried instruments. You up to the task?
Posted by Jaime | 09. May, 2011, 5:28 pmHey guys , Love following you through the great adventure you are taking. Maybe sailing around would be the best solution if you can not hang for a few months. I have no experience to be giving sailing advice but i do know that if i went as far as you two have i would do what ever it takes to complete the circumnavigation .Including working for a while if needed. Never give up ..Good luck
Posted by jim | 27. Apr, 2011, 4:38 amThanks Jim. Don’t worry, we’re not giving up easily. We just got struck by lightning and we’re both like “sighhhh, ok so I guess I’ll go get working on replacing the electronics”. What doesn’t electrocute you makes you stronger?
Posted by Jaime | 03. May, 2011, 10:56 pmHey Guys
The one thing I don,t think you have mentioned is .Why dont you hire some one else to sail your boat to the Med….There are tons of Yacht delivery services out there and it certainly would be a hell of a lot cheaper than shipping .Let them take the risk..just my 2cents worth
Posted by jim | 25. Apr, 2011, 6:48 amOoo I like that idea. Next time though (Oh GAD I hope not)since we are sitting in Turkey now. Glad to be on this side of the pirates, whew!
Posted by Jaime | 03. May, 2011, 11:05 pmConvoy option. Sail. You’ll be fine. This part is very important. NO GUNS. If push comes to shove the likely hood that you or Jaime will double tap the naughty pirate without flinching is poor. Guns are for killing. The question is are you ready to do that?
How about some nice “passive” counter measures? Wasp Spray (Yep insecticide) has great range and can be a tremendous irritant when anyone gets too close. Big fishing nets to foul props of any unwanted baddies following you. Flare Gun and a gasoline slick? Speaking of gasoline, it makes a wonderfully flammable sticky paste when mixed with dry laundry soap. (C’mon baby, light my fire.)All of these things are legal and as extremely distasteful as using a gun.
The biggest idea is this; pirates are jackals. They want an easy target. Get with a group. Stay with a group and you won’t be an easy target. Stay safe.
I will be happy to run the gulf through to Israel with you. (yeah right?!?.)
Stay safe, Dano
Posted by Dano Gruen | 21. Apr, 2011, 8:57 pmWe missed the convoys. No more until next year. If they go next year. We don’t intend to have a shoot out with a pirate but we want to be able to fire warning shots to send them off for easier targets. The ideas you listed are interesting ones and hats off for creativity though. Thanks for the well wishes Dano.
Posted by theslapdash | 23. Apr, 2011, 8:33 pmThis is a great way to think & thats is what we would do, we would also have spear guns & flare guns ready for action, We have heard of this being done / used & it worked ok & the pirates left them alone after a few shots from the flare gun as they carry so much fuel
Posted by andy & Sonja | 02. May, 2011, 8:09 amHey guys , Why not just chill out for the season in the Maldives and surrounding areas and wait for next seasons first convoys across. Whats the hurry ? you have the rest of your life to go back to work in Siberia ( i mean Canada ).. .
Posted by jim | 20. Apr, 2011, 9:18 amHardy har. Yeah the sound of Siberia doesn’t appeal but we’ll run out of cash if we stay out for an additional year. Good idea though. And we may do it and go work somewhere for a bit. That’d be cool.
Posted by theslapdash | 23. Apr, 2011, 8:22 pmFaced with the same choice in 1995, we gathered with friends in Salalah Oman and sailed together to Aden and then on up the Red Sea in our Alberg 37. I imagine you have made your choice by now. Whatever it is, cus you only make one, it will be the right one. Sail softly, wind at your back
PS We now have a Gemini
Posted by Francine and John | 18. Apr, 2011, 11:38 amWe missed the boats headed up there this year but maybe next year? All under serious consideration. Hey great news on the boat guys! Enjoy it!!
Posted by theslapdash | 23. Apr, 2011, 8:20 pmIt would be great if you could please elaborate, perhaps with a full posting, of why retracing your route somewhat is beyond undesirable. Perhaps this touches on why you are on your trek in the first place, which would be very interesting.
For example, one person’s need to be out on the water is not another person’s need to always see new things. The former is more likely to require a boat, whereas the latter does not. The former allows for retracing one’s steps, whereas the latter may or may not, depending on what is perceived to be “new”. There must be a million different ways to look at it.
I can’t help but wonder if your dilemma might be a good opportunity to learn something about the “soul”in yourself within your adventure. Maybe if it isn’t too intrusive, you’d be nice enough to share your thoughts with those of us that are likely never to learn the same things as directly? I’ve always enjoyed your posts and hope your decision on what to do isn’t too stressful.
Posted by Cindy | 18. Apr, 2011, 1:09 amI think what you’re asking is whether we are sailor’s or travelers. We are definitely travelers. We’re not crazy about retracing though. Money is an issue if we take too long out here. Another factor is setting a big goal and wanting to accomplish it. Definitely not at the sake of our lives of course but it would be great to finish a circumnavigation. We shall see…
Posted by theslapdash | 23. Apr, 2011, 8:17 pmI get nervous just thinking about your situation….one option you haven’t mentioned is putting the boat up on the hard until the next convoy goes through…it might be a long way off but it’d give you some time to travel, albeit land based…if you find yourselves in Brisbane Australia I’d be happy to put you up…hell I reckon I could find you guys free accommodation scattered across a good portion of eastern Aus
Posted by Mark | 15. Apr, 2011, 6:19 pmThat’s awesome! Thanks for the offer Mark! We may just head that direction, who knows. We know of 2 guys who headed that way themselves. A great option!
Posted by theslapdash | 23. Apr, 2011, 8:07 pmI guess you’ve considered the idea of transitting the Red Sea in a flotilla of other yachts trying to do exactly what you are considering?? I read and article in Cruising World by Cap’n Fatty Goodlander who recently did exactly the same thing.
Love all your tales! You go guys!!
Posted by Lance | 13. Apr, 2011, 3:37 pmWhat’re the odds exactly (of piratization)? Looking around a touch (not exhaustively)and it seems like maybe 1 in 100 to 1 in 75. The chances of a lot of bad stuff happening are probably similar, especially on a small boat offshore.
Just thought I’d throw that in there. Personally I’d Good Hope it. Madagascar, Reunion, Mauritius and then short hops round the corner.
Posted by Carl J | 13. Apr, 2011, 6:56 pmYeah this used to be our argument for going through pirate alley but lately it seems that there may be a different program. Good Hope is pirate free after the Seychelles apparently but it’s a sketchy area weather-wise. The hops are good except for a few big stretches were we’d be exposed. But…a good possibility we’ll be sending you a report on the Cape firsthand.
Posted by theslapdash | 23. Apr, 2011, 8:00 pmYeah we were too late to catch them. Our friends were in a flotilla when Quest and ING were nabbed. Actually heard their calls on the radio. Some of the people who went across this year say that, given the choice again, they wouldn’t do it. And now the boats left out here are opting to ship or go south. Argh. There may be a few going through next year though in which case we would totally be in.
Posted by theslapdash | 23. Apr, 2011, 8:04 pmHi Guys, nice to hear from you, even in the circumstances of impossible decisions!! Strange things happen all the time, the probability of this and the probability that! My help to you is this – Pick six numbers between 1-49 and I will put them on the English lottery for you! Let’s see if probability can work in your favour!! Failing that good luck to you whatever your decision! Jaime, looking good in the pick lol. Rob
Posted by Rob Pennington | 12. Apr, 2011, 11:06 pm27!
Posted by theslapdash | 23. Apr, 2011, 7:56 pmI vote for shipping the boat. Good luck guys!
Posted by Holly | 12. Apr, 2011, 1:37 pmThanks Holly!
Posted by theslapdash | 23. Apr, 2011, 7:52 pmGuys,
I’ve followed you from the beginning, but I still have faith in your judgement :-) I’m confident of your success whichever choice you make. One alternative perhaps would be to combine the cape of good luck and the run and gun? Hire a couple of experienced crew (sans guns)to make the run to South Africa with you. Extra hands on a long passage, especially when it hits the fan, could make the difference. Good luck, God bless and have fun!
Posted by Greg | 12. Apr, 2011, 5:22 amIf you doing “OPERATION: RUN AND GUN”, forget about GUN part. Sorry but it’s absolutely childish. Just hope for the best, be prepared for the worst (morally). If you get caught just do what they say you to do and you will be fine. As you mentioned it’s just business, nothing personal.
Good luck!
Serguei.
Posted by serguei | 12. Apr, 2011, 9:11 amI wish this was childish. Fact is, this is a very realistic option. For some sailors this could be the only option. You don’t need to convince 2 canucks that guns are bad news. We’re hardwired to steer clear of guns. What you do need to convince us of is going through this area without looking the part of armed security. Warning shots in the air from professional security forces have been almost guaranteed effective in deterring attacks. We’re not going to go into a gun fight with a pirate, kidnapping beats death every time, but we sure want to look like we can. We really appreciate your concern and support and hope that we can get back to pirate-free logs soon. We’re better at that stuff.
Posted by Jaime | 23. Apr, 2011, 7:45 pmNot a bad idea at all. If we end up going that route then maybe we can convince our South African sailor friends to join us. Mark are you listening? Wanna show us around Cape Town?
Posted by theslapdash | 23. Apr, 2011, 7:55 pmI was answering Carla’s challenge and realized that I forgot to vote, I’m for shipping the girl(Slappy) to Turkey and keeping guns out of the hands of the other girl (you know who)
The challenge is on, come on family, lets get our donations in!
Posted by Mom | 12. Apr, 2011, 3:56 amNot to worry, I only like the plastic shot gun for shooting Seth with little plastic bb’s.
Posted by Jaime | 23. Apr, 2011, 7:17 pmGreat post, which really gives some insight as to why a cruiser would choose to “take their chances”. No solution is an easy one (or inexpensive) and we wish you the best with whatever decision you make, as we know whatever you decide is based on a lot of thought. So sorry (and sad) that you are faced with this dilemma!
Posted by Mid-Life Cruising! | 11. Apr, 2011, 11:45 pmThanks for that. We truly appreciate your comments. It definitely is the biggest obstacle we’ve encountered so far and is a good reminder that circumnav’s aren’t meant to be a cake-walk. It’s a good thing that this is the best adventure of our lives or we’d be putting the brakes on, maybe even long before we got this far.
Posted by Jaime | 23. Apr, 2011, 6:57 pmRun & Gun is the way to go…and you want a M-203…
Posted by Mike | 11. Apr, 2011, 9:12 pmUmmm I think that thing is bigger than Seth. How do boys even find out about these things? Do they learn that in boy school? Does an M-lmnop 123 come in a smaller size?
Posted by Jaime | 23. Apr, 2011, 6:52 pmThanks for the update guys. Seriously sucky choices you have to make and I hope it does not ruin the Maldives. That seems like an awesome place to visit. I’ll keep my choice for you to myself since it clearly doesn’t matter and wish you the safe passage you will get whatever the chosen path. Fair winds and following seas.
Posted by Mike R | 11. Apr, 2011, 9:34 amNot much can ruin the Maldives eh? It’s stunning, wow. And the prefect setting for sorting out our shit. Thanks for the well wishes Mike. ‘Preciate it.
Posted by Jaime | 11. Apr, 2011, 3:24 pmStand behind your opinions! I challenge The Slapdash’s readers to click on the “donate” button. After your $75 donation, feel free to express your opinion on whether The Slapdash should (1) Sail around the Cape of Good Hope (2) Sell the farm, ship the boat and meet it in Turkey or (3) Implement operation Run and Gun. Let’s see how many donations and opinions we can contribute within the next four days!
Posted by Carla | 11. Apr, 2011, 4:30 amOkay, that was painless – super easy guys, and $75 US is only $73.71 CAD through Paypal today. IMHO (democratically backed up by a donation) I vote for #2, ship the ship!
Posted by Carla | 11. Apr, 2011, 4:45 amHey Carla, that’s a great challenge and I believe beyond a doubt, these guys are worthy of some help from their friends. I would like to see them get through to the Med on schedule because there might be a chance for me to actually meet them in person if I can convince them to slip through Sicily sometime in the first two weeks of August. But for now, all I can swing is buying some beer. I will answer your challange by buying them a little more expensive beer than they have been used to. Don’t they say, every little bit helps?
Posted by Ken Page | 11. Apr, 2011, 6:57 amBy my rough calculations they’ve been at it for over 1,322 days – a donation of $75 is less than 6 cents per day – just saying that’s pretty cheap entertainment – and a great way to show appreciation for having the chance to live vicariously through Slapdash adventures. If you can’t swing it, well, you can’t swing it, no harm done. But it would be fun to see how much response could be generated over the next four days … tell your friends :)
Posted by Carla | 11. Apr, 2011, 9:08 amThanks Carla!! I will start the tally. 1 vote for transport. I guess that means I’m one step further from my pink AK.
Posted by Jaime | 11. Apr, 2011, 3:27 pmThanks for another great idea, Carla.
Boob and I are in for the $75.00 and are challenging all family and friends of family and wannabe family to donate to the far-away family.
Come on guys, lets keep guns out of Jaime’s hands, you know why!!!
Posted by Mom | 12. Apr, 2011, 3:53 amWhat an unappetizing set of options. Just keep in mind that you can always make some money, but you can never get back your life or time lost in prison somewhere. Ship Slapdash to Turkey and keep truckin’ — a lot of money but better than a lost life or years spent rotting in a Somali jail.
Posted by J. Schieffelin | 11. Apr, 2011, 3:55 amYeah even a cubicle doesn’t look so bad when compared to that.
Posted by Jaime | 11. Apr, 2011, 3:29 pmHave you considered joining up in a convoy that many cruisers have organized?
That allows you to continue on the original plan.
Any convoys I am aware of have not been attacked, although some have suspected pirate skiffs in their vicinity.
Posted by ABobserver | 11. Apr, 2011, 2:48 amThe convoys had all gone through when Quest and ING were taken, just as we landed in Sri Lanka. Now we seem to be the only boat left that wants to go this route and at this point, even if there was another convoy, it wouldn’t sit well with us unless we had Rambo onboard.
Posted by Jaime | 11. Apr, 2011, 3:38 pmOr maybe Chuck Norris.
Posted by Jaime | 11. Apr, 2011, 3:39 pmI honestly have to say that I feel bad for you guys. Up until this point I have been very jealous. Decisions like these that you describe should not be a part of a world passage. You’ve been slapped up the side of your twin hulls by these little pricks that found a niche in terrorizing even the little people (world cruisers). Let me buy you a cheap beer.
Posted by Ken Page | 11. Apr, 2011, 1:39 amYou said it Ken. And we thought all we had to worry about was the weather. And breaking things. And falling overboard. And being sunk by whales. And run over by freighters. And…D’oh. Tricksy circumnavigation.
Posted by Jaime | 11. Apr, 2011, 3:43 pmTime to make some money!!! get you a fast boat and put some machine guns etc..
charge $10000 per boat a least of 10 boat! and go for.
:-))
Posted by Rambo | 12. Apr, 2011, 11:02 am