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Whitall Stokes nonstop around alone

The non-stop around the world journey for Whitall just began. Sparrow cleared the Golden Gate at 5:45 pm today. Go Sparrow!
 
Whitall is closing in on the Horn. The weather looks challenging to say the least. Hoping for the best....the rudder bearing issue doesn't sound good
 
WBChristie said:
the rudder bearing issue doesn't sound good
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Dave Morris left a message this morning, suggesting that some kind of lubrication might slow the Teflon from eating itself up. Does anyone have the direct e-mail to Whitall aboard Sparrow? If so, please pass along Dave's suggestion.

Edit: Whitall's update today: "No news yet on the rudder bearing problem. I'm thinking the hull is flexing around the bearing and rudder shaft. Maybe end up lubricating, sailing conservatively, less runner tension and limping around a bit when seas are up. As the are continuously down here."
 
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sleddog said:
Congrats to Whitall and SPARROW, who rounded Cape Horn about 7 a.m. PST this morning, Dec. 26.!
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Indeed! Well done Whitall. Something probably every single handed sailor dreams of doing. He made it happen. Self funded and self navigated. Respect! Long way to go to complete the trip, but a significant milestone.
 
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Whitall is putting into Ushuaia, Argentina, to begin an extensive list of repairs. "No decisions have been made" as to future plans. But suspect he may ultimately proceed westward back into the South Pacific and towards home, as the primary and secondary goals of non-stop, unassisted, record setting circumnavigation no longer available.
 
sleddog said:
Whitall is putting into Ushuaia, Argentina, to begin an extensive list of repairs. "No decisions have been made" as to future plans. But suspect he may ultimately proceed westward back into the South Pacific and towards home, as the primary and secondary goals of non-stop, unassisted, record setting circumnavigation no longer available.
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I wonder who has direct communications with Whitall and if he has considered Puerto Williams, Chile? There are pros/cons of Ushuaia vs. Puerto Williams.
The website noonsite.com has good info for both locations. Chile appears to be less (COVID-19) restrictive than Argentina.

“COVID19: EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE”
“All ports in Chile are accepting transiting vessels that require emergency assistance or support. The procedure is as simple as declaring the emergency and the support will be provided. For obvious reasons special measures and restrictions might apply.”
 
Dazzler said:
I wonder who has direct communications with Whitall and if he has considered Puerto Williams, Chile? There are pros/cons of Ushuaia vs. Puerto Williams.
The website noonsite.com has good info for both locations. Chile appears to be less (COVID-19) restrictive than Argentina.

[FONT=&]“COVID19: EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE”[/FONT]
[FONT=&]“All ports in Chile are accepting transiting vessels that require emergency assistance or support. The procedure is as simple as declaring the emergency and the support will be provided. For obvious reasons special measures and restrictions might apply.”[/FONT]
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Looks like Whitall read the same info, and has temporarily anchored in the lee of Gusano Peninsula, outside Puerto Williams, Chile, likely to catch some shut eye and figure out which country to clear into. Unknown if he will attempt to get SPARROW into Puerto Williams small boat harbor, which may be draft limited at 3.5 meters depth, same as SPARROW. My guess is, after resting, he'll press on for Ushuaia, which likely has more facilities for repair and reprovisioning needs.
 
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I've been to Ushuaia, though only for day, but there's a small boat harbor and big dock for commercial repairs. Also, there are multiple flights in and out of the airport daily, that connect to international routes. So if he has to get something shipped in, Ushuaia beats Puerto Williams on that account. On the other hand, if I had to pick the country with the less beaurocracy and the smaller likliehood of having to grease palms to get things done, Chile wins, hands down.

Sucks that he has to stop, but that's the smart thing.
 
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Holy Guacamole! What a story Whitall has on his website. I won't spoil it. But there's some amazing stuff going on at Puerto Williams, Chile. I am related to a Chilean, and to state her countrymen are welcoming is an understatement. https://svsparrow.com/
 
sleddog said:
Holy Guacamole! What a story Whitall has on his website. I won't spoil it. But there's some amazing stuff going on at Puerto Williams, Chile. I am related to a Chilean, and to state her countrymen are welcoming is an understatement. https://svsparrow.com/
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Totally agree! I look forward to the next installment. He is such a terrific writer, too, with that wry sense of humor and low key descriptions of TERRIFYING events. He also seems to know his way around more than just duct tape.
 
The adventure definitely isn't over! Cruising that area...just as desirable as a circumnavigation in my book. Hope to see it one day too.
 
After an extended and welcoming stay for repairs at Puerto Williams, Chile, Whitall Stokes on SPARROW has cleared port, headed northbound in the Atlantic, likely destination: East Coast of U.S.
 
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