Cape Horn: Ahead or Behind Forever on My Mind, Solo Around the Horn

"Having raced twice around the world myself, I can appreciate the stresses and trials that Jeff has endured traversing the Southern Ocean, and rounding Cape Horn. His writing conveys a great Corinthian spirit of adventure,and is a tribute to all the sailors that have dared this passage. In humane history, it wasn't so long ago that rounding Cape Horn was akin to going to the moon, and many never returned. Jeff brings that spirit of adventure to the pages of this book." -Bruce Schwab, Around Alone Racer

Sailing around Cape Horn alone is not everyone’s “Milk shake.” I had decided to do it because after 60,000 miles of sailing ocean passages they were becoming too familiar.

My wife Debbie and I had sailed clear of Ecuador and down to Peru. It was on that passage that I realized just how close to the Horn I was and realized I just needed to give it a “Shot”. Debbie felt no need to try it so became my shore side support.

Now most people don’t realize the problems of going West to East around the “Horn” and I was one of them. With nearly 45-years of sailing experience under my keels and Sailors Run a 40ft. Baba Ketch, I felt confident that the 5,000 NM passage was do able.

What I did not know is that the worst storms occur in the summer- season. I also learned that the Humboldt Current runs up the coast of Chili at nearly two-knots. The wind also comes up from the south. So you must set sail from Peru heading SW and eventually you are 1,000 NM off of Chili before you start your run into the “Horn” at 45° South. You experience a severe low just about every three days with storm force winds. Anyone that thinks going West to East is easy best try it before they make that claim.

You will not only experience what it takes to sail in the Southern Ocean but you will get an in-depth look into the life of a sailor that had to overcome insurmountable” road blocks” to live out his dream of a free life upon the sea.