Latitude 38 Interview - Mike Harker: Part 2

March 2008

Part 2 of 5

Courtesy Latitude 38 Magazine

38: But be honest, is an 11-month circumnavigation a realisticgoal for most sailors?

Harker: Yes, it is, and even for singlehanders. With crew, it would have been an easy jaunt. The biggest factor is how much time people want to spend in places. It might sound as though I rushed around the world, and I certainly did move much faster than most cruisers, but it’s not like I didn’t stop at places. For instance, I spent nine weeks inAustralia - even though I'd only planned on spending three. Of course, that meant Ihad to race across the Indian Ocean. It turned out there wasnothing wrong with that, as I didn't find anywhere desirable to stop in the Indian Ocean on the way to South Africa. I spenttwo days at Christmas Island, two days at Cocos Island, andthree days on Mauritius - which was about one day too long. There's nothing in the Indian Ocean on the way to South Africaexcept a few islands with water and sand, and there's much more beautiful water and sand in the Bahamas. Right: Mike in Sydney Harbor

I also spent quite a bit of time in South Africa, which I loved. Here's why: I just happened to arrive in Durban at thesame time as the Clipper Around-The-World fleet. And it just so happened there were 14 front row slips, but just 13 Clipper entries. So an ambitious Hunter dealer arranged for my boat to be put in the 14th slip at the same time as the Clipper group. This apparently confused some of the thousands of people who showed up for the celebrations, because I was treated like a superstar! People thought that I was famous. (Laughter.) They had bands, big crowds, and it was a really big deal. Right: Welcome to South Africa with the 'Clippers' in Durban

Since my boat was in the front row, I was visited by many people, among them two families, each of which had 15-year-old sons. One was named Marx, and he was the South African Laser champion. The other was Pieter, and he’s about to do the Santa Cruz to Panama leg of the Clipper race with his mother. Anyway, about an hour after leaving my boat, both youngsters returned and sheepishly asked if they might sail with me. I told them I would take them if they could get approval from each of their mothers. When the mothers assented, the boys jumped up and down like crazy. Right: Pieter and Marx in Durban South Africa

The two youngsters sailed all the way to Cape Town, a distance of about 800 miles, with me. We were together for five weeks, as we had to stop all the time to avoid the famous storms that blow along the southeast coast of Africa. Most Latitude readers are probably aware that, in that part of the Indian Ocean, you get a storm lasting three days, then two days of lull. It happens like clockwork. You have two days of calm, then three days of gale-force winds - and I mean a real 50 knots of wind, not just 30 knots. Plus, the strong current flows in the opposite direction to the wind, so the seas become big, square, and horrendous. I don’t know what it’s like to be caught in those conditions because we managed to avoid them, but it would not be fun.

But having to stop all the time meant getting to visit all these great places like Knysna, or Port Elizabeth. My favorite was False Bay, the last one before rounding the Cape of Good Hope. I did a presentation at the local yacht club, then let the two boys sail my boat around the Cape. They were great kids.

38: Did their parents pay for them to sail with you?

Harker: No. My rule with crew is that they pay the expenses necessary to get to my boat and to return home but once on the boat, I pay for all the food and other expenses. I would never pay anyone to crew for me.

"I don't think I ever sailed

upwind - except for three

days off Cape Town."

38: How much of your circumnavigation was upwind?

Harker: (Long pause.) I'm thinking about it really hard, butI don't think I ever sailed upwind - other than three days nearCape Town. It would also have been upwind from Vanuatu to

Sydney but, when I got to Brisbane, I waited three days for thewind to change direction, then continued on with a fair wind. I don't sail with the wind on the nose because I don't like it. As I think back, the wind was always on my stem quarter,except for the Windward Passage between Cuba and Hispanola,when it was on my port beam. It usually blew on my port quarter, except in the South Atlantic, when it blew on thestarboard quarter. My boat was heeling to starboard for eight months, then to port for two months. (Laughter.) Right: Leaving Sydney with the new Parasailor

38: What was your worst weather?

Harker: I never had any really bad weather. The only roughstuff that I didn't wait out was 36 to 40 knots of wind between Samoa and Vanuatu, but it was coming from my stem quarter, so it wasn’t bad. The seas were big, however, maybe 18 to 20 feet. They’d been generated by 70-knot winds in the Southern Ocean. Some boats further south got dismasted, and some mariners were drowned down there. But Wanderlust 3 handled the conditions well with three reefs in the main and a staysail. We were doing about 9 knots, and the boat was loving it. Wanderlust 3 doesn’t heel as much as my 466 did, so it was quite comfortable. She’s also a dry boat because she has a bit of a hollow or concave in the bow that causes the water to shoot out to the side instead of up and over the deck. I had some waves crash onto the dodger of my 466, but that never happened with my Hunter 49.

38: What other differences have you noticed between thetwo boats?

Harker: The H-49 tracks better downwind and doesn'tyaw as much. She behaves like she has a long keel, yet sheturns on a dime. She also feels like a much bigger boat.

38: Was her larger size a problem?

Harker: Not at all. My 466 was actually only 44’6”, while my 49 is 49’11”. Plus, the new boat has a plumb bow and carries the waterline almost all the way aft, so she’s truly a much bigger and faster boat.

38: What did you consider to be a good day's run?

Harker: Wanderlust 3 had no problem sailing at 8.5 knotsfor hours on end, so I had many 24-hour runs in excess of200 miles. My best week was from Christmas Island to Cocos Island, during which time I covered 1,396 miles in seven days, or an average of just a hair under 200 miles per day. For a luxurious and relatively heavy boat being singlehanded by a guy who wasn’t racing, I thought that was pretty good. Right: Christmas Island

38: How did you get your weather info?

Harker: I got GRIB files via SailMail when atsea and, while on land, I used the U.S. Navyforecasts from fnmoc.navy.mil and Passageweather.com. The SailMail files come in black and white and are based on the color charts from the U.S. Navy. But the Navy has the best ocean weather info around. They are really good. Plus, they can provide you with a lot more information than just the surface winds and sea conditions.

38: Did you see many other single-handers?

Harker: It seemed that no matter where I went, I was introduced to “that other singlehander.” There was never more than one, but there was always one, and they were usually French. Three of them were women. One of them,Jeanne Socrates, had done the last Singlehanded TransPac in her 37-ft Najad Nereida. She was going around the world on a ‘fast’ circumnavigation too and having a great time. Interestingly, I’ve never met another singlehander on a boat larger than 40 feet. Most of them have older style boats, with long keels and lots of overhang. I don’t know, maybe it just means they couldn’t afford newer and more expensive boats, but they were having just as much fun and adventure as I was. Right: Cocos Keeling

38: Did you have any problems with any port officials?

Harker: No. But I always make an effort to present myself well, and I’m very courteous. I smile, I’m patient, and I’m never demanding. But above all, I put myself beneath the officials, letting them know that they are in charge. They love that! (Laughter.)

WATCH FOR PART III

Relaunch of Wanderlust 3 after minor repairs at
St. Augustine Marina Center in Florida.

TheSailingChannel.TV Father's Day Special

Indian Ocean: Durban. South Africa

11/22/07
I am being treated like a celebrity here in Durban. The ROYAL Natal Yacht Club has given me the best spot on their docks, font row center, and last night I gave my presentation in their Media Tent.

The Media Tent only had about 60 seats but over 100 people showed up for Standing Room Only at the back of the tent. There was a tremendous response and the evening went for 2 hours with questions and my answers. More than 2 dozen people came aboard my boat today, some interested in buying a new model, maybe even a Hunter now that they see how well they sail in Blue Water.

At the same time last evening, the mayor was giving his welcome speech to the Clipper-Round-the-World fleet in another Yacht Club, so the Clipper organizers have asked that I give another Encore presentation for their participants tonight. Of course I will.

The weather is atrocious at the moment with lightning and strong rains with SW winds over 30 knots. That is the direction I need to sail to get around the "Cape odf Good Hope" with Port Elizabeth my next stop at 300 miles.

I hope the weather changes by Saturday, then I'm off towards Cape Town.

11/23/07
Currently the most famous sailor is Sir Robin Knox-Johnston. He was the very first single-handed non-stop circumnavigator. This year, at age 68, he competed in the Single-Hand Around the World Race Vendee-Globe and placed in a respectable position.

Sir Robin heard about my venture and asked to come aboard WanderLust for a Look-See as he called it. Sir Robin's comment was, "Now this is the way to sail around the world".
Photo: Amateur-Novice Mike with Famous Sailor Sir Robin


11/27/07
The Famous East London Yacht Club shack in the lower left. I am rafted to 3 other sailboats heading around to Cape Town next week.

I am leaving today.

Mike Harker

Indian Ocean: Safe Arrival in Durban, S.A.

ALL,

I finally made it into Durban South Africa by way of Richard's Bay. The wind and waves were very strong from the direction I was heading so I had to pull into Richard's Bay early. It is 8o miles north of Durban.

After waiting 2 days for the weather to change for the better, I sailed the 8o miles in 8 hours, sailing at 8.5 knots with a 3,5 knot positive current, I was 12 -12.5 knots over-the-ground for 8 hours.

The famous "Clipper Race" boats are here this week. I will show my slide presentation tomorrow night.. I will report on how that went in 2 days.

Mike Harker
s/v Wanderlust 3

Indian Ocean: Safe Arrival in Richards Bay, S.A.

16 November 2007
7:11AM EST

TheSailingChannel has just leaned that Mike Harker made safe land fall in Richards Bay about 80 NM north of Durban. Here is the message from Dave in Durban:

I have just received a Sat Phone call from him. He is safe in Richards Bay, 80nm North of Durban. He has been battling against strong SW and ran very low on fuel, hence going into Richards Bay. He intends departing on Sunday, for Durban.

Regards
Dave

Indian Ocean: Port Louis to Durban, S.A.

November 8, 2007

As of 5 pm today, my second full day at sea (48 hours), I am 380 miles SW of Port Louis.

I am able to average 6.5 knots with light winds. I motor-sail when the speed gets under 4.5 knots. The grib file shows 10-14 knots of wind from the north for the next 2 days, good for my direction.

I am 380 miles from my waypoint at the SW corner of Madagascar - halfway - which is 150 M off the S coast. That position is 27* 00' S X 47* 00' E.

My position is 23* 29' X 53* 00'.

The weather looks good on the grib until then.

********

November 10, 2007

I have made the turn from SW to W under Madagascar and am now headed directly for Durban.
It is less than 900 miles, so in less than a week I will be in, if the weather holds.

The winds are strong (20 - 25 knots N) and I am reefed down to third reef in the main, 3/4 staysail and 1/4 genoa for balance.

I am sailing at 7.5 knots. The seas are 8-12 feet and rising from the North.

I expect the weather to be similar but I'm not sure after 2 more days. It may change for the worse, but I have to take what comes.

I have been asked, and accepted, Dave Claxton's request to do my 1 hour photo presentation at their famous Yacht Club. He heard about the success of the Sydney Boat Show presentations from other South Africans in Sydney and asked me. I will do the presentation in 1 week from tonight, just after I arrive in Durban.

********

November 13, 2007

I will arrive in Durban South Africa in 3 days.

Sunday evening the 'Royal Natal Yacht Club' has invited me to give my photo presentation. This is "Clipper Week" in Natal, the harbor of Durban, and will be crowed with sailors from all over.

My original schedule had me leaving Cape Town early December. I will be able to make that departure.

I will then be in the Atlantic Ocean with St. Helena and the Caribbean between me and Miami.

I will sail the South Atlantic alone. It is 6500 miles and I average 1000 miles or more a week. With 8 weeks, that gives me reserves.

I would like to have someone sail with me from Puerto Rico to Miami along the north side of Cuba along the 'Old Bahama Channel'. That leg has a lot of traffic and complicated routes. I won't be able to sleep if I am alone and as such could be dangerous.

Mike Harker
s/v Wanderlust 3

Indian Ocean: Bound for South Africa

Sunday October 28, 2007 - 12 noon

17* 23' S
73* 25' E

Exactly 1 week ago I left Cocos Keeling Atoll bound for South Africa. My only stop would be a planned 2 day lay-over on Mauritius Island 2350 miles from Cocos.

I now have 950 miles to go with 1380 behind me in one week. That is almost 200 miles a day for a week!

Left: Cocos-Keeling Atoll.

The winds and ocean have been good for sailing. 12 - 18 knots of wind usually out of the SE, off my stern quarter. I have been flying the new Parasailor spinnaker for 3 days and nights in a row, she pulls the boat along wonderfully. Right: Para-Sailor.

However, only when downwind. The last 2 days the wind has been 16 - 18 on the port beam, two much from the side for the spinnaker.

I am now sailing with a double reefed main a full stay sail and half the genoa rolled out. With 15 knots of true wind I can maintain 7.5 knots average.

I should pass just north of Rodriguez Island in about 4 days and reach Mauritius within the week. There I can rest and send some photos over the internet.

Look on my web sites for the new photos (http://www.h-tv.com/ or http://www.thesailingchannel.tv/)

Mike

s/v Wanderlust 3

Right: Mike on Cocos Keeling Atoll.

Indian Ocean: South of Indonesia & Bali

I am in the Indian Ocean just south of Indonesia and BALI. Remember the movie "Road to BALI" with Bing and Bob Hope?

It is still 6000 miles to Durban South Africa and, for the last 4 days, there is no wind for sailing. I am motoring with sails up but I only have enough diesel for another day or so. By then I hope the wind picks up. On my weather charts it shows that I will get 12 - 15 knots in 2 days so I am getting out my big spinnaker and preparing. Right: sunrise - dead calm on the Indian Ocean.

I will make 3 stops at islands along the way, the first I didn't plan for but I need more fuel. That is Christmas Island. I don't know anything about it but you can look it up under 'google' and read about 'Christmas' and why they named it so.

The next is 600 miles further and is a recommended stop on this route because it is one of the most beautiful 'atolls'. It is called 'Cocos Keeling' probably named after some guy called Keeling. I will take photos there but I don't expect Internet connection until I get to the third island on my route called Mauritius. It is big and famous and I may rest a few days there before crossing the dangerous 'Arguls Current' along South Africa.

My big rest stop and good Internet will then be in Durban, S.A. I am now more than half way around the world, The rest is all downhill!

Mike Harker

s/v Wanderlust 3