Stanley Paris returns for second record attempt

American Stanley Paris had several goals in mind when he began his solo non-stop around the world attempt on December 2, 2013 from St. Augustine, Florida…

– Set a reference for time from St Augustine, FL
– Set a reference for time from Bermuda
– Set a reference for age (was then 76 years)
– Set a reference for energy (green mode, using no hydrocarbons)

However, on January 11, approx. 1,700 miles west of Cape Town, he reported that his boat had failed, and his attempt had ended. Paris was sailing his custom-built 63- foot Kiwi Spirit, which was designed by Farr Yacht Design and constructed by Lyman-Morse Boatbuilding.

But now he’s back. At age 77 years (08/13/37), Paris departed November 9, 2014 from St. Augustine on his second and final attempt at a solo circumnavigation. His boat, Kiwi Spirit, is ready this time.

“The boat had developed too many breakages – some of my responsibility but the most major being a under spec’ing of the pins that attached the rigging to the deck,” explained Paris. “All has been repaired and corrected. Additional winches installed, latest chart plotter, more safety hand grips and a better sense of the challenge leave me feeling more confident that we (the boat and I) are ready.”

Part of Paris’ plan is to retrace the route taken by Dodge Morgan, who in 1986 became the first American to sail solo around the globe with no stops. Morgan, who began and finished his circumnavigation in Bermuda, sailed his Ted Hood designed 60-foot American Promise, then lowering the record to 150 days, 1 hour and 6 minutes, beating British sailor Chay Blyth, who took 292 days to accomplish the same feat in 1971.

“Last year the record for a solo was 150 days and age 58 and both have now been broken,” said Paris. “The new standards set by two different sailors are 137 days and 70 years of age. I will try to beat both those records as well as to be the first to do it green.”

After six and a half days, Paris covered the 900+ miles to Bermuda and at 1:46 pm EST (Nov. 15) he crossed the start line. So far, his biggest challenge has been has been masses of sargassum clogging his two hydro generators. “No sooner would I lower one after cleaning and it would often clog again,” Paris noted. “I just could not generate the power I needed. The batteries steadily declined from 100% when leaving St. Augustine to 20% rounding Bermuda. This meant no hot water, no refrigeration, freezer sealed shut but still the battery power dropped. Rounding Bermuda that all began to change, less sargassum and power has started to build again.”

Paris is being monitored by the World Sailing Speed Record Council which has a transmitter on board. He also has a yellowbrick tracker to show his progress online. Details: http://stanleyparis.com