Dr. Stanley Paris & Kiwi Spirit II

Solo non-stop Circumnavigation

Provisioning

A great deal has been removed from the boat to lighten it in order to go faster. Especially from the bow area, so as when I come down a wave rather than plow into the one in front of me, the lighter bow will help me to lift up and over the wave. Yet at the same time, much weight in spare parts, provisions etc. has been added, but that added weight has been located in the rear (aft) portion of the boat. Onboard I have, for the estimated 120 day voyage, some 120 days of frozen

Getting Close

Local media is picking up the pace, as the city plans a big send-off beginning with the lead story in today's local newspaper, The St. Augustine Record. Kiwi Spirit, now at my dock opposite the City Marina, will spend the last week at the marina on public display with flags and bunting. Names of those who have donated to the Foundation for Physical Therapy will go on the boat this week, and those who contribute from now on may be added before departure, or will be carried on

Forty Days to Go

I am currently learning to repair sails at North Sails. Being out there alone, should a sail tear or become shredded, I will have to do the repair myself. Today's materials are not cotton or Dacron, and do not lend themselves to simple stitching. Special tapes and glues are required, and my spare parts kit will have $2,000 worth of sail repair material to take care of my 3Di sails. In life, most of what we learn we hope to use. But now it seems that I am learning and buying m

Maine to St. Augustine

The last solo before the “Big One.” Overall, it was a good trip made in good time. I covered 1,250 miles in just over six days. I did not feel great about my performance due to my impatience to get home to St. Augustine on the weekend and before deteriorating weather. The first two days, I had great sailing with many an hour at over nine knots. Anything over nine and I feel great. Anything under five - well that's what engines are for. So after two days of fine sailing, I ent

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