Man who traveled across Atlantic in tiny boat to give talk Man who traveled across Atlantic in tiny boat to give talk (September 10, 2004)

Sailor made trip in 105 days

By Huong C. Pham

The massive Queen Mary 2 made history when it crossed the Atlantic Ocean earlier this year. So did Hugo Vihlen. But the trips could not have been more different.

Vihlen, now 72, completed his 105-day voyage in 1993 on a 5-foot-4-inch boat named Father's Day. With the trip, he set a new record for smallest boat to have crossed the Atlantic.

Vihlen will speak about his journey at the Microsoft Conference Center on La Avenida Street, where he will also promote his book "The Stormy Voyage of Father's Day."

The Florida native first broke a world record for crossing the Atlantic in his 5-foot, 11-inch boat, April Fool, in 1968. Months after his title was taken in 1993 by Englishman Tom McNally, Vihlen, a former military pilot, made a fifth and final attempt to cross the Atlantic, entitling him record holder again.

The major danger in trying such a trip, Vihlen said, was if something were to happen, "there is no such thing as a backup plan. The water is so cold, you have about 20 minutes to live, even with a life jacket."

Vihlen said there were days when he had to roll with waves 12- and 16-feet-tall and once encountered a 30-foot-tall wave. But the more important concerns Vihlen faced were whales and ships. Whales could ram his little boat and ships with enormous propellers could shred it, he said.

Without any specific calculations of days at sea, Vihlen had enough food for 85 days. He stretched his rations -- 65 MREs (meals ready to eat), two gallons of M&Ms, a gallon of dry fruit, 100 cans of Hawaiian Punch and 34 gallons of water -- to last the entire trip. To pass the time, he read a few books including the dictionary, a world almanac and a sailing book.

With all his supplies, there was only enough room for Vihlen to sleep in a fetal position, waking up every hour to the sound of his alarm clock to make sure he was not straying off course.

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is sponsoring Vihlen's talk to promote boat safety and increase public awareness about opportunities with the Auxiliary. With 36,000 volunteers that make up the Auxiliary, "We do everything the Coast Guard does except law enforcement and military action," said Flotilla Cmdr. John Gordon.

Gordon first saw Vihlen's boats a few years ago in Key Largo, Fla.

"I didn't believe it, it was almost impossible. I looked at this boat and decided to track him down," Gorden said. "I met with him and got to climb in the boat. It's such a confined space and to go so far ... He's an amazing man."

Vihlen said his voyage wasn't just about sailing but about the mental challenge. Although setting another world record seems appealing to him, his wife told him it's time to call it quits.

E-mail Huong C. Pham at hpham@mv-voice.com

Information

What: Hugo Vihlen, Atlantic sailing record holder to speak.

When: Thursday, Sept. 23 at 7:30 p.m.

Where: Microsoft Conference Center, 1065 La Avenida St.

Cost: For security purposes, pre-registration is preferred in order to expedite the lines. Tickets are $10 per person if pre-registered. Deadline for pre-registration is Sept. 21. Tickets are $15 at the door. For information and registration, visit www.devans.com/smallboatrecord.html or call 941-5466.

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