Yacht World Magazine - Mike's Final Articles: March and April 2009

Read Mike's last two articles covering his circumnavigation aboard Wanderlust 3 in Yacht World Magazine ...

March 2009

April 2009

Read the all of Mike Harker's Yacht World Magazine stories about his Hunter 49 Circumnavigation.


Sailing documentaries just $12.99 or less
Lin & Larry Pardey's Off-Shore Sailing Series
now available as Video Downloads.

Miami Marina - Fire!

I had just completed sailing around the world from Miami Marina back to Miami Marina in 11 months when the boat next to mine explodes and catches FIRE!

I was sitting in "HOOTERS" restaurant having a burger and watching the sights out the window towards my boat when an explosion, flames and a lot of smoke blocked my view of my boat.

I jumped up (as best I could) and got on my folding 'boat bike' to ride back to my boat.

The Sheriff and 6 fire trucks wouldn't let anyone through.

I explained that it could be MY boat so a sheriff accompanied me to my boat through about 50 firemen in gear.

I could see MY boat was OK but the boat next to mine, with two empty slips between, was being broken apart and doused with water. A man died and another was injured.

Welcome back to Miami!

Mike Harker
s/v Wanderlust3

North Atlantic: Antigua to St. Barts

Just at sunset I left English Harbor and sailed along the east coast of Antigua towards St. Barts. I should arrive mid morning.

I will meet with Richard Spindler (Publisher Latitude 38 Magazine) and stay one night in Gustava.

I got my impeller pump replaced but could NOT fix the F-P generator nor do I have a reserve alternator. Hunter sent a reserve alternator on Thursday 'overnight' but it will not arrive until Sat and they don't deliver until Monday.

I left without a replacement alternator and hope my provisional repair and re-wire holds until I get into Miami. I have only the Balmar alternator on the Yanmar engine to charge batteries, but I am confident in my own repair and trust it will hold.

I will keep a running log each day.

Mike
S/V Wanderlust 3
BOTY

Atlantic Ocean: WL3 Departs Cape Town, S.A.

On December 11th, Mike departed Cape Town, South Africa aboard Wanderlust3 bound for Antigua with his final destination, the Miami Boat Show in Mid Februrary. We'll keep you informed of his progress.

Look for Mike's article on navigation, "Paper or Plastic?" in the February 2008 issue of SAIL magazine and check out sailmag.com...