70 year old rowing across the Atlantic

thataway

Stein Hoff, is a Norwegian descent 70 years old athlete, who is about 8 days out on his attempt to row West to East across the Atlantic. This is the 120th anniversary of the first row across the Atlantic by two Norwegiana in 1896.

He has a good boat, an AIS receiver, and appears to be in excellent condition. His biggest issue will be the weather!---as well as the mental challenge...

Due to the marvels of satellites and Facebook, you can follow this voyage! Great read--and I hope he makes it!

Facebook page

Tracking

Ripleys Believe it or not web site

The last several days he has gone in a circle because of weather, and the boat was rolled and he went overboard.

Weather may be more of challenge than he thinks. We had hurricane force winds at lower attitudes than he is at, during an Atlantic Crossing...

potter water · Posted: Mon May 23, 2016 3:48 pm Post subject:

Well, there is crazy and then there is lunatic, but people keep climbing Everest and walking past dozens of dead bodies left in the ice and snow from over the years back to 1930's. But they keep climbing and many die. On the other hand, most do make it to the top and have a lifetime of stories to tell. But, this guy, without regard to his age, is a step past the Everest climbers in blind confidence in his abilities. At age 70, what has he got to lose? Nothing really. If he makes it, he is in the history books. If not, he is in the news. It takes more than courage to do this kind of thing. It takes something missing in the drive for survival in the brain chemistry. But, I'll watch and hope and pray for him and be real jealous of the adventure if he makes it. If he doesn't I'll still say, "good for you, you tried something stupid, but different than most of us with our keep safe mentalities would ever even conjure up."

Larry Patrick · Posted: Mon May 30, 2016 2:26 pm Post subject:

Hope he can make it,takes courage at that age to attempt a crossing. Hope he will get help fast if he needs it.

thataway · Posted: Tue May 31, 2016 1:09 am Post subject:

My feeling is that getting help in the middle of the Atlantic, is going to be slim. AMVER, will divert ships in the area--if a ship is nearby. The route he is taking, does not often have many ships. This time of the year, recreational vessels go to Bermuda and then the Azores--It appears that he is going to try going North of that route. If he hits heavy weather, and is upwind of small vessel help. Not much chance. Planes can fly over, but he will be out of helicopter range, if he needs rescue. A merchant or fishing vessel would be his best chance of rescue.

On our Atlantic crossing, there were 3 sail boats all about the same size--so our speed was close, and we remained in VHF contact and often visual contact. We were about 100 miles ahead of 3 other vessels which sent out "MayDays" --on SSB / activated EPRIB. Although we wanted to help,, in hurricane force winds and 40+ foot breaking seas a small boat (62 feet) cannot make significant headway into those conditions.

A somewhat comparable trip was made a 26foot Grover, powered by twin 65 hp outboards, with a 9hp kicker which was also heading to Norway--and ended up in Portugal.

Across Atlantic in 26 foot outboard boat

Wandering Sagebrush · Posted: Tue May 31, 2016 3:37 pm Post subject:

One more solo crossing, this one by kayak. He's done it twice before.

http://www.canoekayak.com/adventure-2/134095/#Z6xVZopypJcurJ5X.97