1,000 Day Long Sail A Really Bold Idea
Published by Alex April 23rd, 2007 in Milestones, Survival, Travel, events. Share This
One might think that at 55 years old, Reid Stowe might have a better clue about what works and what doesn’t in a relationship. His plans to set sail for just under three years straight with his girlfriend, without a single stop in any port of call, may sound romantic and brave on paper, but if they manage to accomplish this without hitting an emotional sandbar inside of the first month I’ll be amazed.
Contributing to this prediction of doom is largely the fact that said girlfriend, Soanya Ahmad, is the tender, naive age of 23 years old, and she has never sailed outside of the Hudson river. Stowe, on the other hand, has lived aboard a boat for decades already.
They plan to be completely self-sufficient for the duration, including trapping rain water and desalinating sea water for potability. The 70′ double masted schooner, built by Stowe and his family, is crammed full of provisions, and both parties have undergone training in basic first aid. The Anne, as the schooner is named, is also outfitted with solar panels for their electrical needs. “The Mars Ocean Odyssey,” as they’ve called it, has been funded by individual contributions and corporate donations.
Reid Stowe is a lifelong adventurer, and given his experience and discipline I’m confident that he’s got the wherewithal to undertake such an expedition. But his companion is barely into her 20’s and I’m with the skeptics who fear that she’ll bug out and need to jump ship in less than the thousand day stretch.
N.Y. duo sets sail on 1,000-day cruise [ap.org]
1000 Days at Sea [1000days.net]
I am with you on this prediction. THE Ap story did not really tell the entire story, such as Reid’s earlier divorce, and what exactly his relationship is with Sonya. Is she the crew, the lover, the GF, or future wife, or what? And his blog, 1000daysatsea.blogspot.com, makes it look like it is all about HIM, she is just a sidebar. even the subtitle of the blog says his name only, does not even mention her name…..what kind of girlfriend relation is that? Your prediciton is right on. The AGe difference is not importna,t love and love, and that is cool, but it seems that the entire voyrage is a publicyt gimmick, for a bpook and movie later. the AP reporter did not ask probing questions, preferring to send the couple off with a cute puff fluff piece. But you, sir, asked some GOOD questions. stay tuned. and don’t fall overboard. and let’s wish them well and a safe jounrnmey, whatever happens in future…..
alex,
go read Reid’s blog. and look at subtitle of blog; it says “the stories of REid Stowe as he travels around world….etc” and does not even mention SOnya’s name there. of course, that is NOT his fault, that blog was made by his team on land and his team is updating it. so those are not even his words. This entire thing smacks of publicity gimmic. But for what end, to what end? Money? Fame? Pr? what?
i sense a boo or a movie coming out of this, with rights to the story maybe already sold to Hollywood? ouch! we the publci have onmce again been duped?
i am not a naysayer. i am worried about Miss Ahmand, that’;s all. what about you Alex? care to comment now?>
alex
the land crew FIXED the blog of Reid and Soanya now, after hearing our plea, and it now reads, er, reids, “the stories of Reid Stowe AND Soanya Ahmad…..etc etc”
VICTORY. they are listening to the blogosphere!
now, safe voyage for all concerned. go go go