Reid Stowe returns after 1000 days

Cynicism is no where in sight as the wanderer returns.  It is a wondrous thing that he did though the why will forever remain a mystery.  Reid Stowe has returned after 1000 days at sea. Congratulations, Captain.  Tugster was there

1000days.net

1000 days at sea: Reid Stowe set to return in triumph to New York

Reid Stowe is set to return to New York Thursday June 17 after three years at sea without making landfall.  The past two years he has been single-handed after his pregnant crew Soanya left near Perth.  His first day on terra firma will also be his first look at the son born to him and Soanya.


Reid's record, like others. is an inexplicable quest - though his ramblings posted on the internet have been a mighty effort to say why.  The New Yorker also took a stab at it HERE.


That he is an awesome seaman there is no doubt.  That he built the ship that carried him also impressive.


His story of the voyage of the schooner Anne is HERE.

1000 Days - day 658 knockdown - audio

Reid Stowe really is an original.  Behind his airy ruminations is one hell of a sailor and worker.  One could hope that after rounding Cape Horn - in a nightmarish gale - easy street would be right around the corner.  Hope yes. But little ease so far.

Here's the audio discussing his day 658 South Atlantic Knockdown

The picture shows he survived another close call.Here's the homepage for his current ruminations.

1000 days at sea??

I have been a Reid Stowe skeptic.  

When I heard his pitch at a New York maritime event "If we don't think humans can spend 1000 days non stop at sea, how can we expect astronauts to spend 1000 days in a tiny capsule in space?", and saw the girl at his elbow, and saw his unromantic steel schooner Anne at the 23rd St. RR barge - I thought the real objective was to set the Guinness record for man alone at sea with a woman half his age.  And when he set off with novice crew I was sure, but Soanya proved herself game, if not up to the whole voyage, departing off Perth after 300 some days.  

Reid has continued on his own sailing idly across oceans, contemplating the meaning of it all.  Now at New Years 2009, day 618 he was approaching Cape Horn, with tales of gales and repairs, and still dreaming his dreams. 

He may not be much of a philosopher but he's proven he's a hell of a sailor. You can follow his voyage and his musings at 1000days.net