Father/Son Team to Circumnavigate Vancouver Island with Garmin
A father and son team is attempting to circumnavigate Vancouver Island non-stop, un-refueled in a production boat, starting today.
This adventure is in response to a challenge issued by Pacific Yachting magazine to owners of production powerboats of 40 feet or less to circumnavigate Vancouver Island in the least amount of time using only the fuel that can be carried on board.
“This is the exact thing I love to do,” said Aspen Power Catamaran founder and president, Larry Graf, who will be taking on the voyage with his son, Nick. “I am certain that given the right weather window we can set a world’s first record for the fastest, most efficient, un-refueled trip around Vancouver Island.”
“We’re proud and delighted to issue this challenge,” said Miller. “This is a way for Pacific Yachting to help contribute to the creation of more fuel efficient vessels, which is a win-win for both boat owners and the environment.”
On-board, Larry and Nick will be utilizing Garmin electronics to aide on their journey. Their boat is equipped with a GPSMAP 4210, GMR 18 HD radar, GHC 10, autopilot and AIS 600.
The pair plan to depart Anacortes Thursday, June 19 at 2pm for Victoria, and weather allowing, they will start the challenge from Victoria Harbour the following morning, June 20, at 10am.
The trip will start with a 270 mile run up the inside passage to the northern tip of Vancouver Island, which is where the real fun begins. This area has an extreme reputation for heavy seas and large storms, combined with massive currents as the inside passage meets the Pacific Ocean. The pair will then turn south in the open Pacific Ocean and down the west coast of Vancouver Island. If the typical weather pattern holds, this will be a downwind sleigh ride in five to eight foot swells with a tail wind.
The trip is expected to take 40 hours covering just less than 700 miles. The only modification to the stock production boat is one expedition fuel tank carrying 240 gallons.
Inspiration for the PY Pacific Challenge comes from the Bermuda Challenge issued by Boating Magazine back in 1994. Over the past 20 years nearly a dozen crews have taken up the challenge to cross the 700 miles from New York to St. George, Bermuda. It remains as one of the East Coast’s most prestigious offshore powerboating events, and Pacific Yachting hopes to emulate that success and excitement on the West Coast.
Graf is no stranger to open water challenges having been the first to complete the Bermuda Challenge in 1994. In addition, he made a 1,328-mile trip from Hawaii to Midway Island, boated across the Bering Sea from Alaska to Russia, and made a 8,400- mile jaunt from Seattle, Wash., to Portland Maine—all on powerboats shorter than 40 feet.
Track their progress by going to www.GatewayYachts.com and taping the AIS tab and gateway II (their boat). Best of luck, Larry and Nick!
The post Father/Son Team to Circumnavigate Vancouver Island with Garmin appeared first on Garmin Blog.
Sample Block Quote
Praesent vestibulum congue tellus at fringilla. Curabitur vitae semper sem, eu convallis est. Cras felis nunc commodo loremous convallis vitae interdum non nisl. Maecenas ac est sit amet augue pharetra convallis nec danos.
Sample Paragraph Text
Praesent vestibulum congue tellus at fringilla. Curabitur vitae semper sem, eu convallis est. Cras felis nunc commodo eu convallis vitae interdum non nisl. Maecenas ac est sit amet augue pharetra convallis nec danos dui.
Cras suscipit quam et turpis eleifend vitae malesuada magna congue. Damus id ullamcorper neque. Sed vitae mi a mi pretium aliquet ac sed elitos. Pellentesque nulla eros accumsan quis justo at tincidunt lobortis denimes loremous. Suspendisse vestibulum lectus in lectus volutpat, ut dapibus purus pulvinar. Vestibulum sit amet auctor ipsum.
