True Grit!

[Sanatee]

I know this is mostly an Albin power boat forum, but check out this site for real Albin insanity: http://www.solotheamericas.org/?page_id=2

Matt Rutherford is on the finishing leg of a single-handed cruise around the Americas from Annapolis, thru the Northwest Passage, around Cape Horn, and back to Annapolis in a 27Ft Albin Vega. Now this takes real guts or no brains or both! Go Matt!

[Nancy]

Thanks for posting this! Great reading.

[whwells]

Santee: Nice posting. This report has come up previously on the other Albin Cruiser's group. I have followed it there. Hard to believe he could do an around the world cruise alone. This fellow is a a pro.
whwells "Howrd"
Anacortes, Wa.

[loubennett]

Went out to escort Matt on his last leg. It was short. He had come up the Bay from Norfolk yesterday and anchored in Lake Ogleton about 10:30 last night. I left my dock shortly after 10 am and when I got into Lake Ogleton he was getting underway. His engine died on earlier in the voyage so a RHIB assisted in getting him out of the narrow channel. It's only a couple of miles into Annapolis harbor and there were 20 to 30 boats to escort him. While in the crowd of boats a small boat was headed toward me going faster than others in the fleet. My first thought was "what is this idiot up to?" The boat approached and hailed "hey Lou". It was Andy Hoyt, my mechanic. He explained that he had Matt's family on board and wanted to cut across my bow to get them up by Matt. I responded "no problem", laughed to myself, and throttled back to let them pass.

A while later Matt arrived in Annapolis harbor and then City Dock escorted by the Coast Guard, the Marine Police, the Annapolis Fireboat, Seatow, and 20 to 30 private boats and press boats. Horns honked, cannons fired, and bagpipes played. Pretty neat. At City Dock there was a crowd to greet him including Gary Jobson, Governor O'Malley, and Mayor Cohen.

Matt has accomplished a remarkable feat. And he did it in an Albin. This forum is mostly about Albin power boats, but we should remember the brand also produced some sailboats. Being a former sailor, I have a special appreciation for Matt's accomplishment. He is the first to complete a solo circumnavigation of both American continents, ten months and 27,000+ miles. He did this to raise funds for the Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (CRAB) organization. They are dedicated to providing opportunities for handicapped people to enjoy sailing and the Bay. Matt and CRAB are short of their fund raising goal. If you support the mission of CRAB, or appreciate Matt's accomplishment, or both - please make a contribution. Go to the CRAB WEBSITE to contribute. Any amount will be appreciated.

[loubennett]

The CRAB website is www.crabsailing.org

[Veebyes2]

Something else to keep in mind is that the boat is over 30 years old. Hardly a custombuilt for the job vessel. I was wondering about all of the above waterline growth? He must have loaded that boat some kinda heavy with supplies upon leaving port for growth that high.

[jcollins]

Donation made in the name of Albin Owners Group.

[loubennett]

That's great John. CRAB deserves our support. I encourage individual AOG members to make a contribution on their own. A little or a lot. It all helps a worthy cause.

Veebees, I was up close and what you refer to as growth appeared to me to be wear. Basically places where the gel coat was worn away. I didn't see the boat before it left last June, so I don't know if that was a result of the voyage or not.

[Chuck Waygood]

The story of this Albin's journey (and the sailor's courage, of course) should go to every Albin owner out there. And I hope the new manufacturers use it prominently in their marketing materials. Hooray for Matt, for CRAB and for Albin!