222 replies to this topic

[stanlutz]

Hi Everyone, Don't forget one of the reasons he did this trip was for..

Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (CRAB) is a 501 ©(3) non-profit organization dedicated to making the thrill of sailing a reality for physically and/or developmentally-challenged individuals and for those individuals whose financial circumstances preclude their participation in recreation on the waters of Chesapeake Bay.

http://crabsailing.org/

It was great out there being able to escort him in. real grassroots stuff. the crowd knew what was going on. A perfect day.

[IrieMon]

Agreed - I went home and did another donation once we got in from the Parade. Hopefully a lot of the shore-side crowd did the same ! Trip looks like it raised ~70k USD which will be put to use fitting out the CRAB fleet to accept the larger, electric-driven wheelchairs.

stan - great pics... if you have additionals posted online, please post the link (or PM me). Matt was great just gybing around and seemingly in no hurry to end the trip (having a 12 knot breeze pushing him home was certainly Providence). Thanks !

[stanlutz]

Agreed - I went home and did another donation once we got in from the Parade. Hopefully a lot of the shore-side crowd did the same ! Trip looks like it raised ~70k USD which will be put to use fitting out the CRAB fleet to accept the larger, electric-driven wheelchairs.

stan - great pics... if you have additionals posted online, please post the link (or PM me). Matt was great just gybing around and seemingly in no hurry to end the trip (having a 12 knot breeze pushing him home was certainly Providence). Thanks !

Small world, I'm guessing you were the dark blue hulled "Irie" I was the Cal 25 with the flags going. will pm

[cap10ed]

Your spot on Kent. Now if he had sent out a Mayday on a Sat Phone all hell would break loose on SA.

No carbon fiber.
No rock stars.
No tits.
No SA interest

[Soñadora]

WOW! That is FANTASTIC!

Thanks for the pics Stan.

I'm with Ajax. I could go for a 309 day trip alone.

or at least a 09 day trip alone.

I would think something like that would totally fuck you up though. Or actually, it would set you straight and make everything else seem fucked up.

[PNW Matt B]

WOW! That is FANTASTIC!

Thanks for the pics Stan.

I'm with Ajax. I could go for a 309 day trip alone.

or at least a 09 day trip alone.

I would think something like that would totally fuck you up though. Or actually, it would set you straight and make everything else seem fucked up.

And then you'll realize there's absolutely no difference between those two statements.

My Dad and I used to take a week every spring in the Boundary Waters. Long routes planned to keep us off the beaten path; we'd usually go four-five days, sometimes more, without seeing another person. I was a kid and didn't realize just how profoundly it changed my outlook on the world until the first time I spent a week backpacking as an adult. Sailing does the same thing; after a few days, you just sort of get all the useless crap out of your head and start focusing on the important things.

Sadly, for me at least, it doesn't last long. I remember the feeling, and I hold on to it as long as I can, but the useless stuff always creeps back in.

[stanlutz]

FYI everyone, just got the facts from Matt's resupply guru...Matt did this trip on a donated boat, donated sails, donated food, spent $8000 TOTAL including Two resupply efforts and sailed around N & S america. The $20,000 resupply figure is wrong. Money is still rolling into crab. Every dollar over $8000 is going directly to CRAB. Don't forget the $21,000 matching donation until May 30th!

http://crabsailing.org/

Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (CRAB) is a 501 ©(3) non-profit organization dedicated to making the thrill of sailing a reality for physically and/or developmentally-challenged individuals and for those individuals whose financial circumstances preclude their participation in recreation on the waters of Chesapeake Bay

I have been lucky enough to go offshore for a couple of days and I agree, it changes your whole outlook. You plan it out, do your thing and enjoy the ride. Hard to describe but I liken it to the Mr. Pink quote in "Reservoir Dogs". something like "We work with professionals, none of this panic shit. If you going to panic you panic on the inside and then do your job". That's kinda a tough as nails approach but I was inspired seeing him come in on Saturday. Good on ya', Matt!

[Joe Mama]

Page 1 of this thread, 3rd enrty down from "triciarob":

...I mean seriously, who gives a fuck ?

R

P.s. Nothing personal Matt

Well triciarob, how does it feel to be a complete asshole?

p.s. Nothing personal...

[Soñadora]

Page 1 of this thread, 3rd enrty down from "triciarob":

...I mean seriously, who gives a fuck ?

R

P.s. Nothing personal Matt

Well triciarob, how does it feel to be a complete asshole?

p.s. Nothing personal...

well, I for one am not too proud to say my initial reply was off. In light of dude's return home, I take it back.

[kent_island_sailor]

Wow - it actually DID get on the Front Page.

[Kaptainkriz]

WoW, that finally puts that question to rest.

FYI everyone, just got the facts from Matt's resupply guru...Matt did this trip on a donated boat, donated sails, donated food, spent $8000 TOTAL including Two resupply efforts and sailed around N & S america. The $20,000 resupply figure is wrong. Money is still rolling into crab. Every dollar over $8000 is going directly to CRAB. Don't forget the $21,000 matching donation until May 30th!

http://crabsailing.org/

[cap10ed]

How about a nice donation to set off that apology Sons. I just tossed some coin at that achievement. Beats the wasted coin I through towards SA failed AC challenge.

well, I for one am not too proud to say my initial reply was off. In light of dude's return home, I take it back.

[Hike, Bitches!]

I love it when Ed doesn't bother to proofread his own publications. At least he pointed to the 'proper' thread.

Well done again, Matt!

(Had you sailed up the Chesapeake, I would have drop-shipped a case of Guinness at the mouth of the Patuxent, but with your time constraints for the ceremony in Naptown it was a little difficult to coordinate. )

I will still buy you a beer in any bar where I ever see you.

[stanlutz]

Yes, I agree it is a shame that the reason why he did this trip was not put on the front page, just a "Slow Go" title. 4knot shitbox bias. The next day above it is a glowing 10 paragraph story about helping disabled vets. So what would be the difference between Hope for the Warriors and BAADS (Bay Area Association of Disabled Sailors) and Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating? Same thing, helping people with challenges get on the water. It's a private website (SA), they can do what they want. Matt just helped in a different way. How many sails is he going to do with CRAB this summer hands on? Well, it's a win win for everyone. A little birdy told me that someone is going to a certain white colored house to receive a citation from a, ahem, THE top ranking official in a certain country. Does this disparage what Ronnie Simpson did? Absolutely not. Maybe what Matt did may be far reaching in the PR department and Ronnie a more immediate impact, but Matt is still rolling getting his charities name out there and has more time to give. Maybe when that happens we can get one more bump on the front page with a plug for CRAB. A 4knot shitbox USA sailor invited to visit the White house? How often does that happen?

[Geff]

This is a great feat and my heartiest congratulations! Only wish I could have done something like it. Now...hmmm...let's see, the first multihull to sail nonstop this route?

[IrieMon]

A 4knot shitbox USA sailor invited to visit the White house? How often does that happen?

I hope he's barefoot and wearing the Popeye T-shirt !

[Geff]

A 4knot shitbox USA sailor invited to visit the White house? How often does that happen?

I hope he's barefoot and wearing the Popeye T-shirt !

Right on!

[SailAR]

Stan - if you feel strongly about this, I would suggest that you write the story and include pics, etc. and submit it to SA.

SA is no different that any other media outlet. They're overwhelmed by people yelling "write about my thingy!" and don't generally want to spend the time or effort to do the research and put together the story. I wouldn't be at all surprised if Hope/BAADS story was submitted in nearly full form to them with pics and all SA did was post with minor editing. They put the work in and get the benefit. If you want to support CRAB, you might consider doing the same, IMHO.

Yes, I agree it is a shame that the reason why he did this trip was not put on the front page, just a "Slow Go" title. 4knot shitbox bias. The next day above it is a glowing 10 paragraph story about helping disabled vets. So what would be the difference between Hope for the Warriors and BAADS (Bay Area Association of Disabled Sailors) and Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating? Same thing, helping people with challenges get on the water. It's a private website (SA), they can do what they want. Matt just helped in a different way. How many sails is he going to do with CRAB this summer hands on? Well, it's a win win for everyone. A little birdy told me that someone is going to a certain white colored house to receive a citation from a, ahem, THE top ranking official in a certain country. Does this disparage what Ronnie Simpson did? Absolutely not. Maybe what Matt did may be far reaching in the PR department and Ronnie a more immediate impact, but Matt is still rolling getting his charities name out there and has more time to give. Maybe when that happens we can get one more bump on the front page with a plug for CRAB. A 4knot shitbox USA sailor invited to visit the White house? How often does that happen?

[Great Red Shark]

The difference between BAADS and CRAB is that Ronnie is a long-time contributor to these pages - he's been sending stories our way for years now. As cool as the around-the-Americas story is, it was never given to SA as unique material - we discussed it, the blog, his progress and are in complete awe of the guy - what could be more Anarchy than THAT trip, - I ask you ?? but he has his own media machine, whereas Ronnie was one of us when he started submitting stories like the series after they ejected the keel...

Lastly, it's not a competition. Many kudos to both, I say.

[blackjenner]

We just returned from the Spring Boating Symposium in Port Townsend. Besides getting to talk to Beth Leonard, Carol Hasse and Brion Toss, Matt was there. He spoke on a couple presentations and the final panel. All in all, he seems a pretty decent fellow. I sat there watching him as he spoke, as Beth asked for his input during her Heavy Weather presentations. It's guy sales around the Americas in that little boat. I was quietly impressed with his accomplishment.

[Estar]

^^

I presume Mat mentioned he has a new girlfriend, new (to him) steel boat and is prepping for another set of voyages (dragging nets across the Atlantic and pacific for NOAA research). He's a good guy. . . Does what's needed and the right thing, with no whining. John Wayne material.

So how were Beth's presentations ? Learn anything?

[blackjenner]

^^

I presume Mat mentioned he has a new girlfriend, new (to him) steel boat and is prepping for another set of voyages (dragging nets across the Atlantic and pacific for NOAA research). He's a good guy. . . Does what's needed and the right thing, with no whining. John Wayne material.

So how were Beth's presentations ? Learn anything?

Yes, he mentioned his next adventure is a voyage into the North Atlantic on a scientific expedition. He joked about wanting a girlfriend, especially one that will go to sea with him. He didn't say he found one.

Matt was very matter of fact. He's full of information (I sat through one of his sessions and so did Kerry) and he puts forth a lot of effort to get it across. He also is not afraid to say, "I don't know," which impresses me greatly. I think he is in a unique situation in that he was surrounded by people who were much older than he, many with much more life experience, but that didn't seem to dampen his enthusiasm or his enjoyment of speaking. It can be intimidating to some but, his accomplishments stand on their own and he did a great job.

Beth was wonderful. First off, her speaking skills were top notch. After her first talk, I went up and told her so. She was, to put it directly, inspiring. In the looks can be deceiving department, she takes the cake. She has all the look of a fifth grade teacher, but when she speaks, you get, in the most direct sense, that she has been on two boats that crossed oceans. She knows her stuff and communicates well to the audience.

Did we learn anything? Yes. Yes we did. We picked up a lot of good information about weather, how rare true storms are, how to avoid them when they are brewing, but how you can deal with them when they cannot be avoided. She shared good stories about overcoming fear and mistakes; how to keep going.

One of the best stories was her opener in the sessions on heavy weather sailing. She talked about all the mistakes you and her made on your first voyage, how they informed your continuing education and adventures and why they are important examples today. But she did share one thing among all the mistakes. She said that one of the best things that came out of your first adventure was that you never stopped trying *something* to solve the problem. That is great advice. If it's not working, try something else and, she praised you in this; "don't give up. Evans never gave up."

I think that's a good lesson. Sure you can have all the book reading in the world but, even experience, and a ship full of tools and drogues and parachutes but, when things aren't going your way in a storm, if you just give up, you are lost. Don't give up. Keep trying something new. Don't quit.

That's a great lesson.

[Estar]

^^

Thanks. I will pass that on to her. She always likes to hear what the audience found helpful/useful.

Tenacity has to be one of the most important traits for 'world cruising'. Matt clearly has tons of tenacity.