Over the last two years we’ve heard some pretty salty tales about a vessel named “Stay Gold”. This Lawson 30 has seen hurricanes, lost steering, and even washed ashore. She is however one hell of a tough boat, and absolutely refuses to die.
Our first encounter with this salty legend was in the anchorage in La Cruz, México where she broke from her anchor and proceeded to drift through 50 or so boats, somehow avoiding collision until she was caught by a fleet of dinghies and reanchored.
We recently met the uber-talented filmmaker and boat-hiker, Guillaume Beaudoin, who, it transpired, made, “Across the Salty Peaks”, a documentary about crossing the Pacific Ocean on Stay Gold. Not only is this some of the most beautiful sailboat cinematography that we’ve seen, but it’s also a fantastic tale about the rigours of crossing an ocean on a small boat. Having, recently crossed the Pacific ourselves and watched many boats struggle with major gear failures, I think this is a realistic peak into the experience of ocean crossing.
As we speak, Stay Gold (since renamed) is crossing the Pacific again with a new owner. It just goes to show how tough little glass sailboats can be.
Also, be sure to check out Guillaume Beaudoin’s current project, Across Salty Roads, where he films community driven ocean conservation as he boat-hikes across the Pacific. Our boat, Monarch, will appear in episode 3.
https://player.vimeo.com/video/155761531
Fiona McGlynn is an award-winning boating writer who created Waterborne as a place to learn about living aboard and traveling the world by sailboat. She has written for boating magazines including BoatUS, SAIL, Cruising World, and Good Old Boat. She’s also a contributing editor at Good Old Boat and BoatUS Magazine. In 2017, Fiona and her husband completed a 3-year, 13,000-mile voyage from Vancouver to Mexico to Australia on their 35-foot sailboat.
Jim Shell
Monday 12th of June 2017
Is this tendency a result of a "Young and Salty" generational attitude or the ease of communication and larger number of boats out there? There was a time when a cruising boat was all by itself and there was no help available.
Jason
Friday 2nd of June 2017
Really GREAT doc., loved the cinematography and the story... but I got to ask, what do the "Young and Salty" generation think of self reliance when crossing oceans. Two distress calls on one crossing due to two poorly maintained pieces of equipment. Don't get me wrong, it can happen to anyone, but it does bring up an interesting topic. With all the technology now available, I wonder if there is an over reliance on the ease of asking for help. (not just in this situation but in others young sailors I have seen)
Robin
Friday 2nd of June 2017
The issue of over-reliance on pushing a button and somebody saving you is a really interesting topic. I'd love to get some data from the USCG on emergency calls over the last 10-15 years to mark any trends. From our experience this isn't something that only affects younger people, it seems to be across the board. On our recent Pacific Crossing we ended up responding to a distress call and escorting an older couple for 10 days. And too, there is no shame in flipping the switch on the EPIRB, if the situation warrants it. Sometimes no amount of preparation is enough. Interesting topic.