Captain Fantastic
Yachting World|August 2017

Having Faced Ferocious Gales And Hurricane Force Winds, It Was A Flat Calm Off New Zealand That Nearly Did For Paul Rodgers And Spirit Of Pentax.

Captain Fantastic

Despite the title of the book from which this extract is lifted, Paul Rodgers is not a natural single-hander. Loner describes, in prose worthy of the best, an honest try at circumnavigating twice without assistance in the early 1980s. It was not to be, yet his trip – free of electronics and engine – turns into a resounding success. His boat is an unlikely 56ft stay sail schooner with a beam of a mere 9ft 6in. Her official name is Spirit of Pentax, but as he wrestles round the Southern Ocean towards New Zealand and his respect for her balloons, he privately renames her Captain Fantastic. In this passage, Rodgers and The Captain are stranded on Stewart Island south of New Zealand after drifting ashore in a fog with no wind to drive the yacht. The humanity of the man is spelled out in a final sentence which we all would do well to consider.

Paul Rodgers’ new book, Sailing to Purgatory, is now available. If it’s anything like as good as Loner, it’ll be a read to remember.

It was a very dark night and Captain Fantastic was a few hundred yards from a reef and closing quickly. She should have struck, but some guiding hand seemed to push her to one side and she whispered past. The sea was still, so there were no tell-tale breakers. Nothing to be seen, blackness and the mist. I might as well turn in. Beneath the keel, where a few hours ago lay massive depths, was now scarcely 20ft. But I still was aware of nothing, except a growing unease.

The first of a new air stream, north-easterly winds, was catspawing itself down the coast towards us. They breathed gently on the large area of canvas I had set and joined the tide in sealing our fate. I turned in my sleeping bag, excited by the prospect of seeing old friends again, of being with my family.

Denne historien er fra August 2017-utgaven av Yachting World.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra August 2017-utgaven av Yachting World.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA YACHTING WORLDSe alt
5 EXPERT TIPS BOB BEGGS ON SAILING IN COLD WEATHER
Yachting World

5 EXPERT TIPS BOB BEGGS ON SAILING IN COLD WEATHER

As temperatures drop, Andy Rice gets tips on how to handle the cold from self-confessed Arctic weather fan and winning Clipper Round the World Race skipper Bob Beggs

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2024
SPECIAL REPORT EXTENDED CRUISING IN THE BALTIC
Yachting World

SPECIAL REPORT EXTENDED CRUISING IN THE BALTIC

Sweden offers cruisers a warm welcome for winter - Janneke Kuysters has advice on how to boost your sailing time in the region

time-read
6 mins  |
December 2024
NIKKI HENDERSON
Yachting World

NIKKI HENDERSON

SEARCHING FOR MORE SPEED? BEFORE TINKERING WITH TINY ADJUSTMENTS, MAKE SURE YOU'VE GOT THE BASICS RIGHT THE POWER DRIVING THE BOAT

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2024
MATTHEW SHEAHAN
Yachting World

MATTHEW SHEAHAN

WHAT WILL THE BOATS OF THE 38TH AMERICA'S CUP LOOK LIKE? THAT'S THE $20 MILLION QUESTION IF BRITAIN OR NEW ZEALAND DECIDE TO DEPART FROM THE AC75

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2024
60-knot squalls hit Middle Sea Race
Yachting World

60-knot squalls hit Middle Sea Race

The 45th running of the Mediterranean offshore, the Rolex Middle Sea Race, saw a spectacularly random mix of conditions - even for a race which is famed for its variable weather patterns.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024
Italy win first Women's Cup
Yachting World

Italy win first Women's Cup

The first ever Women's America's Cup was won by Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli after a single, twoboat shoot-out final on 12 October.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024
'Three-peat' for ETNZ
Yachting World

'Three-peat' for ETNZ

As Defender, Emirates Team New Zealand came into this year's 37th America's Cup as clear favourites. But the Kiwi camp has far more than just the structural advantage of being the ones that wrote the Protocol for the competition, and the originators of the AC75 concept.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2024
ROOM WITH A VIEW
Yachting World

ROOM WITH A VIEW

SWEDISH DESIGNER GABRIEL HEYMAN POURED A LIFETIME OF IDEAS INTO THIS PILOT SALOON CRUISER, WHICH INCLUDES ARGUABLY THE LARGEST COCKPIT AVAILABLE AT THIS SIZE

time-read
10 mins  |
December 2024
LIVING HISTORY
Yachting World

LIVING HISTORY

THE ICONIC SEASON-CLOSING REGATTA LES VOILES DE SAINT TROPEZ WAS AN IMMERSIVE HISTORY LESSON FOR CROSBIE LORIMER

time-read
8 mins  |
December 2024
CHANGE OF PLAN
Yachting World

CHANGE OF PLAN

LEAVING AUSTRALIA, MARIANNE URTH NEVER PLANNED TO MAKE LANDFALL IN THE ISLANDS OF VANUATU, BUT THE EXPERIENCE WAS MAGICAL

time-read
9 mins  |
December 2024