Solo teen sailor ponderings...

by Nancy Knudsen, Editor on 5 Aug 2010 When I think about this recent crop of teen solo sailors making the headlines, the parental instinct – to protect at all costs – is always at war with my own love of the sea, and the empathy for anyone who stretches for that most sublime of all life's harmonies, life on an ocean-going sailing boat.

But when the hint of fame-searching and money-making begins to stain the image, I am rocked back into reality and parental mode.

The intended voyage of Laura Dekker, born on a boat, owned her own at six, started solo sailing at 10, does not at all resemble the voyages of Abby Sunderland (dismasted and broke we hear) or Jessica Watson (made it- and a rich celebrity now). Laura is setting off, one small sail at a time, with the joy of never having to come back.

The mainstream press now makes much of her push for a record. They've learned, thanks to Jessica's collision with a cargo ship on her first night at sea, and Abby's dismasting in the south Indian Ocean, that teenagers in danger make news that sells in a very big way. Maybe Laura is now also being swept along in the tide of rising publicity, but I wouldn't mind betting that she would be doing the same thing, the very same thing, were no-one taking any notice.

Aren't we proud of the Australian quad sailor Jamie Dunross this week! He's just circumnavigated Australia solo, with a final voyage of 2000 miles non-stop on the last leg. What a performance! Congratulations Jamie!

The Sydney Boat Show was a spectacular success last weekend, with the participants reporting buoyant sales, and there are several resulting stories. These include Jeni Bone's interview with Plastiki's skipper Jo Royle, and Rob Kothe's interview with Jessica Watson, who made an impressive appearance and was a great draw for this year's show.

Lots of luscious other news this edition. Stories of cruising sailors out there in the blue come in from Indonesia and San Juan in the USA, and from up in the Northwest Passage there's a new crop of adventurous sailors from many different nations tackling the famed Passage.

The Seychelles is hoping to hold out the welcome lines again as they toughen up by convicting and jailing some pirates, and having the right gear on board meant a quick rescue for some sailors hundreds of miles from the so-remote Nuie in the South Pacific.

Good small pieces of practical advice this week too – Fast Fender is my favourite of the week to stop all that fender panic when your shiny hull is threatened, there are Tips to keep your all-important VHF antenna healthy, and, if you don't have one already, Adam Loory lists the arguments for installing an inner forestay.

Browse down the headlines and choose your stories

Sweet sailing!