Kiwi Spirit June 2014 Update

"A man is never defeated unless he quits." Richard Nixon.

The blogs will start again in September. For now we can all take a break. Know that much work is being done on the boat, and that both she and I will be in great shape come departure day on November 8, 2014. Note that this blog contains an invitation.

Much was learned on the first attempt. It was an adventure. An exciting, challenging adventure to be all alone at sea for an intended 150 days. But this time its “unfinished business." I have taken a break from it these past three months, but starting last week, I was back on the boat to haul and clean its bottom for tomorrow we are sailing some 1,300 miles from Florida to Maine, where it’s back to the builders for some big changes.

"So, what is going to be different this time?" Some have asked this question and I shall briefly answer. First, I am different. Yes, I had 60,000 sea miles under my belt prior to attempting to solo circumnavigate. And, yes, I won two of the three ocean races that I had entered in – so I felt ready. But those fifty days alone, and with the experiences of handling the yacht in all conditions, as well as the managing of things that went wrong that should never have gone wrong – well – I learned a great deal and I am anxious to try again. I will be better prepared and so will the boat.

As to the boat, we are making a number of changes as to how the boat will be sailed. Using poles for downwind sailing, changing the sail inventory, making the boat bullet proof in so many ways will all add to my confidence that the boat and I will not only survive, but that we will do well in all conditions. Details will follow in later blogs. I am even considering publishing an article like report in this blog complete with photos showing all of the changes.

Now, here is where you can help. What would you like me to write about in future blogs both before I depart and once underway? I can try writing for my non-sailing friends as well as the sailing community. Just email me at the following address with the subject line stating “QUESTION” to kkuecker@usa.edu.

PS… you will be able to follow our progress to Maine via Yellowbrick, and while you are doing that give some thought as to why the missing Malaysian airliner did not have a similar and very inexpensive technology.