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Lonegull Across the Atlantic
Lonegull at sea video
Kevin
11/03/2012

a short video of Lonegull at sea.
http://youtu.be/z7D3ZvnyPcY


Lonegull and Sea Monsters
http://youtu.be/1xYgVYByCEg


Lonegull Beginings
http://youtu.be/b_19_bFrhOw

Lonegull deck and kell repairs
http://youtu.be/e71u_y2sFc8


Highlight the Youtube address, right click and select " go to " the link will open the Youtube video

Comming home
Kevin
07/13/2012, Clarion, PA.

well, we left NYC yesterday afternoon around 2:00pm after saying our good byes to the wonderful crew at Great Kills Marina and headed West on route I80. I spent a couple of years in Clarion PA during my junior high school years and have fond memories so I decided to spend the night there and take a quick look in he morning before getting back on the road.

I've been thinking about the meaning of success and failure and how I feel about not having achieved my goal of an Atlantic crossing. I have no feeling of failure in his adventure. I applied all my energy and resources to the project holding back nothing. That I was optimistic about the length of time it would take to outfitt Lonegull and the distance I would make good once I was sailing is what it took to get as far as I did whit he adventure. What I mean is that if I lacked the magical thinking of compressing time to fit my needs then I would never have worked as hard or achieved what I did. More on this later.

Not many people dive head first into the deep end of the pool he way I did. I dove in, had a great swim, learned an incredible amount about Lonegull, the ocean and myself and made it back to the edge of the pool with out any major incidents . It helps to know there were many people saying prayers for me , I'm sure I needed them and was protected by them.

07/13/2012 | Alexis Wittman, Northport and Portland
Welcome back, Kevin! You've accomplished a lot, and all you've learned from this adventure will stay with you. The ultimate crossing will be all the more a success for it too.

(When my kids first attempted Mt. Hood, the weather changed 1/2 way up, and they turned back. I respected them all the MORE for that wisdom. It's those that are damn determined to complete a voyage despite the danger, that are damned.) No doubt the learning curve was huge out on the ocean. Congrats!!
07/13/2012 | Mike Loviska
Kevin,
Followed the big adventure since day 1 and one a great one it's been. Lonegull looks great. Rebecca did a super job of keeping us up-to-date. See you soon, neighbor.
07/13/2012 | mark
Kevin , your voyage as far as you did make it was a COMPLETE accomplishment ! So what if you did not make it to spain , you made it as far as you needed to ,to see what a voyage like this will take next year ! I am very proud of your skills and accomplishments ! I think that you will make it to your goal of spain , next time ! I am looking forward to following the " blog " on that trip as well !
07/14/2012 | Tom Wetherbee
Europe was just a destination. It had no significance other than giving you a reason to sail. Otherwise you could have bought a plane ticket and been there in eight hours.

Goals give us a reason to try things, but often the goal itself is unimportant.
07/14/2012 | Jessica
Kevin - You inspire me! Setting off with your sights on the other side of the ocean takes courage. It really is the journey and not the end that matters most. Now you know you can do it. Whether you choose to is up to you. I cannot wait to hear the unabridged version of your adventure. Hugs!
07/14/2012 | Cara Lee Paige
I'd say success is having the courage, confidence, and preparation to give it a go, and sense enough to respect Mother Nature.
Taking Lonegull Out
Sarah
07/12/2012, Statten Island

Just added an album of photos from Dad and Rebecca. They're all of taking the boat out of the water. Sounds like they'll be on the road this afternoon.

Last 24 hrs
Kevin, aka Lonegull
07/12/2012, Ramada Inn, Staten Island NYC

Need to change the name of this blog to Lonegull on The Atlantic instead Across The Atlantic. I had a vacation style sailing day down the length of Long Island passing mile after mile of unbroken sand beach under perfect blue skies, with following winds of 12kts, sailing wing on wing with the 180% jenny poled out to starboard and the full main to port making 6.5 kts of boat speed directly toward New York City and Great Kills Marina. Needed to keep awake the entire night because of the vast amount of shipping and fishing vessels I was sharing the approach to NYC with so at midnight I brewed a pot of great Intelligentsia coffee complements of David Somski and settled in for the 5hr wait until day break and the turning of the tide to make my way across New York Harbor's Lower Bay.

Crossing the Ambrose Channel took perfect timing as I had to pass in front of an inbound container ship, close behind a tug towing a barge, just in front a military tug all the while trying to film a 120' sloop making its way up the channel and worrying if the wind would and if the tide would set me into the sand waves on Romer shoal and Flynns Knoll.


The folks at Nichol's Great Kills Marina were wonderful and pulled Lonegull out of the water with the travel Lift and set her on the trailer. Now she is all packed up and strapped down for the tow home.

Keep reading over the next few days as I process my adventure and post excerpts from my log and video of the trip.

Thank you all for your involment in my blog and my trip.

07/12/2012 | Denise Branch
Congrats Kevin on a safe arrival back to New York. Can't wait to hear the details of your grand adventure!
10 am spot
Rebecca
07/10/2012

Looks like he has arrived! Just got this spot ...

07/10/2012 | Tom Kelly
Yea! Welcome back to the USA.
07/10/2012 | Mike Cann
Very happy to you are back safe and sound - can't wait to hear your stories and pictures. Drive carefully
07/10/2012 | Jacqui
Kevin, I am very glad you are safe and sound..... what an adventure! XOXO
07/11/2012 | Cara Lee Paige
It has really been interesting to hear what it's like out there, Kevin.
07/11/2012 | Kristin Leindecker
Well, brother even though you did not totally accomplish your original adventure of sailing across the Atlantic to Spain. I truly believe that you have accomplish so much more then any of us will ever know. You have shown courage and strength and an ability to over come many obstacles that were blown your way and still come out safe and strong. When you left I pulled out my copy of Scrupper's the Sailor Dog and reread it. And there is a line in that book that says " ...when he grew up he wanted to go to the sea. So Scrupper's went to sea. And ever though Scuppers had difficulties he perservered and continued on with his journey and so will you my brother. And you will always be my "sailor dog." Love , Kristin
07/11/2012 | Tom Wetherbee
And now for the real adventure: pulling the boat back through New York.
8:30 am cell call
Rebecca
07/10/2012

So 4 1/2 miles to go. Or an hour to the marina. No sleep last night. Changing sails but still moving. Lots of boat activity, especially more around 7am.
The other boats are lined up 25 miles out.

Kevin called the marina and was warmly welcomed back!
Waiting for a call when he is tied up.

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