History

In the beginning

Gerhard Meschter (from Riepe in Ostfriesland / Germany), keen sailor, had a dream. To sail across the Atlantic on the trade wind route participating competitively in the ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers).

Rüdiger (Rudi) Teichmann (from Ballinspittle in Ireland), now retired and once Captain of the Sail Training Ship “Fair Winds”, had done already 14 Atlantic crossings under sail in both directions. As the two were friends for many years, Gerhard discussed his dream with Rudi. Gerhard had the boat, the dream and the ambition – Rudi the experience. Of course Rudi agreed to join in. So the planning stage began.

The boat

The boat in which this voyage would be made is an old lady. It was built in 1970 in glassfibre re-enforced plastic (GRP) by Klepper in Germany and is an Octon by the name of “MUMPES”.

Length o.a. 6,45 m, Breadth 2,42 m, Draft 1,20 m, Displacement 1,20 t, Ballast 0,55 t, Sail Area 24,7m²

Though being a small boat, the Octon is quite seaworthy. The design and construction play a bigger role to determine the seaworthiness than the length. The german magazine Yacht wrote in their test in 1970: “She is the smallest cruiser below the quarter – ton mark to whom we can can unreservedly attribute full seaworthiness.” The stability too is very good – when heeled 90 degrees the uprighting force measured at the masttop was 110 kg. Nevertheless, the voyage could not be made in the boat as it was. There were many things to improve or to strengthen and a long list of things to be done was drawn up. Also the equipment for such a voyage had to be gathered and installed. The crossing of the Atlantic also had to fit in with the plans of the families and the jobs. The December of 2010 was the time when the crossing was envisaged. This would also coincide with Gerhard’s and Rudi’s birthdays (50 respectively 60 years). It would thus also be a very special birthday present for both.

Sailing for Charity

While driving on his motorcycle through Scotland in 2008, Rudi met two Bikers from Canada. They were on a tour around the globe for a charity, which was supporting the “street children”. This triggered his idea to sail for the disadvantaged children of the world. Rudi and Gerhard decided to sail in support for the charity “Plan”.

Plan is active in many countries and provides the possibility to sponsor a child in need. Plan works with the communities, where the children live and so tries to improve things not only for the children but for all of the communities they work with. This seemed a very worthwhile cause and the two decided to dedicate their adventure to it. They set themselves the target to raise as many sponsors for children in need as possible. This would have really some impact for many children and their communities.

TO SPONSOR A CHILD AND ONE MILE ACROSS THE ATLANTIC CLICK HERE