David Tyler wrote:
Graham Cox wrote:
Kris Larsen was not rescued or disoriented when he arrived in Maui. The entire story is media hyperbole.
That was the impression I immediately got from the article - or rather, that the Star Advertiser reporter really didn't have much of a clue about the reality of ocean sailing. I would guess that Kris had found it impossible to break through to the south side of the ITCZ without an engine (I know how frustrating it can be to try to sail through) and had decided to retreat to Hawai'i. I also know how heavy-handed and regulation-bound the USCG can be.
I think your assessment is right, David. If Kris ended up north of the Galapagos, getting to the Marquesas from there would be almost impossible, especially in late spring/early summer. I had another friend in an engineless boat who found himself in a similar position. He painfully beat back to the Galapagos after several weeks, reprovisioned and tried again, eventually getting to Hiva Oa, but that was in the southern winter. In October/November it would have been impossible. Kris simply did what he had to do - he is a survivor and a remarkable seaman.