The Race to Alaska

If you’re considering participating in next year's R2AK, here’s a good article from SAIL. This article highlights the Corsair 760 and its crew. Zam Bevan, one of the crew members, brought his deep experience with Corsair trimarans to the race. Zam was the Production Manager at Corsair Marine International for many years and has raced these trimarans worldwide. He is currently the Project Manager at Triac Composites. His expert advice was invaluable in this race. Read on!

The Race to Alaska is cold, wet, and slightly crazy. It took a weird mix of Vegemite, skill, luck, and Buddha for one team to make it. Article by SAIL / Norris Comer

Riddle me this, sailor: What do you get when there’s a gale warning out of the west and a 13-year-ebb tide rushing out of the east? If you answered “a bad time” or “a washing machine,” you are correct. Such were the conditions on day 1 of the Race to Alaska (R2AK) that our half-Australian, half-American race team, Vegemite Vigilantes, faced on the start line. The new R2AK tattoos were still bloody on the arms of my fellow crewmates Scott Wallingford, Andrew (Andy) de Bruin, and Trevor (Zam) Bevan. As per R2AK tradition, the fresh ink was from a pop-up tattoo parlor that offers race participants free R2AK tats. My teammates’ ink sent a strong message: We’re getting to Alaska, hell or high water. Around 30% of racers do not make the finish line in a typical year, but we were not going to be among them.

The R2AK is a 750-mile engineless adventure race from Port Townsend, Washington, to Ketchikan, Alaska. Sail- and human-power provide the propulsion, with platforms ranging from ultra-fast racing trimarans to stand up paddleboards. We, seeking a respectable podium finish, were aboard Scott’s new Corsair 760 trimaran, Toast. The Corsair 760 evolved from the popular Corsair Dash 750. With longer, more buoyant, wave-piercing amas, the design incoporates the company’s proprietary folding system to make it trailerable. Accommodations would be modest for our crew of four with limited standing headroom and supplies taking up most of the V-berth.

An entrant in the R2AK plunges through a wild sea state. Conditions in this race range from storms to dead calms with added complexity of intense currents. Photo by Jim Meyers/VertizonPhoto

The Corsair 760 had plenty of speed under sail as well as a custom twin pedal drive that could push her along at about 2.5 knots. Photo by Norris Comer

Vegemite Vigilantes Zam and Andy are all smiles before the start. Photo by Norris Comer

Many of our customers are turning to clean, quiet, efficient technology.

Sailboats are a perfect application for electric propulsion. We’ve recently added electric outboards to Corsair 760s, and three Corsair 880s will be delivered soon with Torqeedo propulsion. Using a combination of electric propulsion and wind power can be a sublime day on the water, and range is getting better all the time. For many, sailing is a calm, tranquil quiet experience, until it’s time to crank up the outboard gas motor. Our customers are leading the way to greener solutions!

Five reasons why Torqeedo electric outboards are by far the best-selling electric boat drives in the world!

1. Overall efficiency of the electric outboard drive optimized in every detail

2. Where does the superior overall efficiency come from with the Torqueedo outboard? Superior drive technology…

3. Performance and safety: Torqeedo advanced lithium battery technology for the electric outboard motor

4. Plug & play: convenient marine equipment packages for your electric outboard motor

5. Electric outboards are cleaner than petrol outboards

Torqeedo Cruise 6.0

If you’re wondering if an electric motor is right for you, contact Richard Allen for more information. info@180marine.com

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180 Marine is an Authorized dealer for Corsair trimarans

180 Marine is an Authorized dealer for Dragonfly trimarans

180 Marine is an Authorized Dealer of Torqeedo electric motors

180 Marine is an Authorized dealer for Smyth, Doyle, and Calvert sails

We recommend Colligo Marine continuous line furling systems

Learn more about 180 Marine >>

Corsair 880 Sport joins the 2023 Race to Alaska! Wooohoo!

Race to Alaska Explained

Stage 1 Race start: June 5, 2023, 5:00 AM, Port Townsend, Washington
Stage 2 Race start: June 8, 2023, High Noon, Victoria, BC
Application deadline: Tax Day baby! April 15th

The inside passage to Alaska has been paddled by native canoes since time immemorial, sailing craft for centuries, and after someone found gold in the Klondike the route was jammed with steamboats full of prospectors elbowing each other out of the way for the promise of fortune.

It’s in the spirit of tradition, exploration, and the lawless self-reliance of the gold rush that Race to Alaska was born. R2AK is the first of its kind and North America’s longest human and wind powered race, and currently the largest cash prize for a race of its kind.

This isn’t for everyone

It’s like the Iditarod, on a boat, with a chance of drowning, being run down by a freighter, or eaten by a grizzly bear. There are squalls, killer whales, tidal currents that run upwards of 20 miles an hour, and some of the most beautiful scenery on earth.

R2AK is based on the hardest kind of simplicity

You, a boat, a starting gun. $10,000 if you finish first, a set of steak knives if you’re second. Cathartic elation if you can simply complete the course. R2AK is a self-supported race with no supply drops and no safety net. Any boat without an engine can enter.

In 2022, 41 teams were accepted and 19 finished.

Learn more about Race to Alaska >>

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Team Tres Equis getting ready to roll in this years Race to Alaska.

Team members: Chad Wilson, Ken Wolfe, Bill Hardesty
Hometown: Dickinson, TX, USA
Race vessel: Corsair 880 Sport
LOA: 29′
Human propulsion: Flywheel

An insurance lawyer, a Rolex Yachtsman of the Year, and someone who is probably a dentist walk into the Race to Alaska… 

Honestly, we don’t know what happens next. We stopped listening to our own joke a while ago. There’s some punchline there somewhere, but given the set up we’re pretty sure that at least one of them is going to be named Chad. 

Stay with us: theoretically, if an insurance lawyer does a 750-mile adventure race from Port Townsend to Ketchikan, should the race host or his insurance company be concerned? 

Again, hypothetical here, if you had the 2011 Rolex Yachtsman of the Year on your boat, would you have them captain the boat, or would you choose the safety first insurance lawyer to be the captain? 

What if—just saying—the insurance lawyer, the Yachtsman of the Year, and some other guy had all served in the merchant marine as deck and engine officers, sailed ships around the world, and put in time in the U.S. Naval Reserve as officers assigned to the logistics fleet?  

And—play along with us here—they bought a brand new boat and packed it full of their trophies, medallions, and “You Qualified for the Olympics!” certificates and maybe did Race to Alaska an adventure race that may or may not be filled with bears?

We’re about to find out.

We sat down with Chad T. Wilson, head legal counsel and captain of Team Tres Equis over a tureen of creamed corn and two oversized spoons to talk about accidental death and dismemberment, “world championships,” and whether or not Bill’s decision to R2AK is more worthy of the “Casio Yachtsman of the Year” than what he’s currently sporting.

What are the necessary components of a good adventure?

Unfamiliar territory, unplugged, heightened level of risk, challenging, coffee.

What’s a lesson you learned the hard way?

Passports don’t come loaded with visas.

What’s your favorite kind of bracket?

Box bracket.

What’s your claim to fame?

3 talented kids who fall in the “good people” category; 3-time Olympic Team Trials qualifier in sailing.

It’s drizzling, freezing cold, and you’ve missed the tide. The cabin is leaky and the stove won’t light. How do you keep the good vibes going?

Uplifting music, bad music, recorded sounds of whales, repetitive counting.

Forget the 10k or the steak knives. What does success look like for you and your team?

3 crew start, 3 crew FINISH and get home safely; no insurance claims [R2AK HQ: Classic lawyer talk].

Blank space, baby. Share some things:

I am looking forward to R2AK with two guys I haven’t sailed with since Kings Point in 1997.  I am proud that Bill said yes to R2AK and Ken’s wife said yes to R2AK for Ken.

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SO what’s happening before the race? SEVENTY48

Just ask yourself, “Self, what could I do to test my mettle the weekend before the R2AK?” If you answered, “A burly, pre-race to R2AK—where the greatest competition for yourself is yourself. A race super accessible to compete in. A race that is tough but still lets me update Instagram,” we’d say, “Hell yeah. You nailed it.”

Check out SEVENTY48 >>

180 Marine Delivers Corsair 880 Sport #3 into Pensacola, Florida

This week we’re excited to sail the new Corsair 880 Sport in Pensacola, Florida. The final destination for this Corsair 880 Sport will be near Austin, Texas. We’re lucky the weather has been perfect for commissioning. Out of the box the 880 is BIG!

Our support team is AWESOME to work with at Advanced Yachtworks, Zern Rigging, Windcraft, Legendary Motors and Pensacola Shipyard. These trimarans don’t come out of the container ready to sail… there are many days of commissioning work to be done and 180 Marine has a great network ensuring smooth outcomes. As a Corsair trimaran expert Richard Allen has over 25 years of experience sailing and optimizing these amazing trimarans. Having state of the art equipment at the boatyard makes the job go smoother ie: a Marine Travel Lift with a 220,000 lb. capacity and a 14-ton mobile crane and a 4000 lb. 21’ long forklift boom make short work of it in capable hands.

180 Marine has many Corsair 880’s arriving throughout the U.S. in 2021 so what a great way to start the new year! Some will arrive via Pensacola, Florida and some will arrive via Los Angeles, California. We work hard to find the right fit for your sailing needs, and customize what's available until it's perfect for you. More Corsair owners have chosen 180 Marine this year than any other source.

We want to share the commissioning experience with you as the Corsair 880s arrive from afar. Enjoy these detailed images of the Pensacola delivery and first sail.

Click on the image for a larger view.

Corsair 880 SPORT #3 First Sail

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Corsair 880 #3 Delivery

The Corsair 880 Sport 45-foot Carbon Mast

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Custom aluminum double-axle trailer from Magic Tilt

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Check out our Corsair 880 FAQ page. Our FAQ’s will be updates monthly. See when and where you can see and sail a Corsair 880 >>

The new Corsair 880 update

Tick tock, tick tock goes the clock

It’s so rhythmic it’s almost soothing. It lulls you into a false sense of security. Tick another coffee. Tock another meeting. Tick another lunch. Tock another quiet night in.

And before you know it, you’re so numb from the comfort of routine that you didn’t feel a thing as that great adventure called life slipped away like sand between your fingers.

But fear not, adventure has other plans. Roll with them! Embrace adventure!

Corsairs 880s are here in the US
and more are arriving!

180 Marine will be hosting demos on the Corsair 880 Sport and Standard. We are in our initial planning stage and will let you know when our plans are firm. In the meantime, we can share what’s happening at the factory as they crank these puppies out!

Corsair 880 Initial Deliveries:

September 2020 - Corsair 880 Sport #1 - has arrived
Seattle, Washington

September 2020 - Corsair 880 Standard #2 - has arrived
Wareham, Massachusetts and will be on tour.
Corsair is lending it to a couple that does one of those youtube channels about their sailing adventures while they wait for a Seawind catamaran to be built. So, we will get to see what living aboard an 880 is like. Their names are Billy and Sierra, and their channel is Tula's Endless Summer (https://www.youtube.com/c/Tulasendlesssummer).

December 2020 - Corsair 880 Sport #3 - on its way
Pensacola, Florida

January - Corsair 880 Standard #5
Wareham, Massachusetts

February 2021 - Corsair 880 Sport #6
Pensacola, Florida

February 2021 - Corsair 880 Sport #7
Pensacola, Florida

February 2021 - Corsair 880 Sport #8
Pensacola, Florida

March 2021 - Corsair 880 Sport #9
Los Angeles, California

April 2021 - Corsair 880 Standard #13
Los Angeles, California

More to come

#1 Corsair 880 Sport exterior

#1 Corsair 880 Sport Interior

Below are a few of the build stages from the factory of the Corsair 880 Standard

Click on the images below to view the entire gallery

#2 880 Completion 9/9/20

#3 880 Beam Up Floats On 9/9/20

#3 880 Progress 9/18/20

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Corsair 880 Pricing >>

Learn more about the Corsair 880 Sport >>

Learn more about the Corsair 880 Standard >>

Contact Trimaran Expert from 180 Marine Richard Allen to learn more >>

180 Marine is the leading dealer in the U.S. for Corsair trimarans

The Big Why

Why do you do what you do?

Are you inspired by risk? Starting something you have no idea how to finish, witnessing people go for something new? Anything that has the potential for failure (but not a total disaster) gets your heart and creativity pumping?

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“I really don’t know why it is that all of us are so committed to the sea, except I think it’s because, in addition to the fact that the sea changes, and the light changes, and ships change, it’s because we all came from the sea. And it is an interesting biological fact that all of us have in our veins the exact same percentage of salt in our blood that exists in the ocean, and, therefore, we have salt in our blood, in our sweat, in our tears. We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea – whether it is to sail or to watch it – we are going back from whence we came. ” John F. Kennedy

Here are a few of our favorite stories of why we do what we do and how it shapes us.

180 Degrees South: Conquerors of the Useless

Chris Malloy's film strikes so deeply into the heart of Patagonia's wilderness we come to feel at home there. 180° South: Conquerors of the Useless follows Jeff Johnson as he retraces the epic 1968 journey of his heroes Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkins to Patagonia. Along the way he gets shipwrecked off Easter Island, surfs the longest wave of his life — and prepares himself for a rare ascent of Cerro Corcovado. Jeff's life turns when he meets up in a rainy hut with Chouinard and Tompkins who, once driven purely by a love of climbing and surfing, now value above all the experience of raw nature — and have come to Patagonia to spend their fortunes to protect it.

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For Earth, Oceans, and Each Other

As COVID-19 affects the entire boating community, many in lockdown mode…we’d like to share a few fun and insightful articles that may influence how to plan for better sailing days ahead. Whether you are a monohull sailor or trimaran sailor you will find these articles informative and entertaining. These are all published by 48 North Magazine, and powered by issue.
READ BOATING NEWS FROM 48 DEGREES NORTH >>

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A Corsair 31 Circled the North Pole

In the summer of 2010 Skipper, Boerge Ousland chose to sail a relatively modest yacht, a Corsair 31 trimaran to explore the North Pole, a feat made possible by global warming and the melting of the Arctic ice cap. The lightness and the maneuverability of this multihull craft enabled the sailors to thread their way between the icebergs, to sail where other heavier and more keeled yachts (Corsair 31 has a draught of only 40 cm) couldn't go, and to draw the boat on to the ground when the need arose.
READ MORE >>

Create your own why.

Learn more about the new Corsair 880 >>

Learn more about the new Corsair 760 pocket cruiser >>

Learn more about the new Corsair 760R ultimate regatta racer >>

Learn more about the new Corsair Cruze 970 >>

Learn more about the Corsair 37 >>

For Earth, Oceans, and Each Other

As COVID-19 affects the entire boating community, all in lock down mode…we’d like to share a few fun and insightful articles that may influence how to plan for better sailing days ahead. Whether you are a monohull sailor or trimaran sailor you will find these articles informative and entertaining. These are all published by 48 North Magazine, and powered by issue.

For earth, oceans, and each other >>
Written by Irene Panke Hopkins (beginning on page 34)

Pristine Glacier Bay / The dynamic, fragile gem of southeast Alaska >>
Written by Andy Cross (beginning on page 38)

Voyaging with pets >>
Written by Jamie and Behan Gifford (beginning on page 30)

One tack and two jibes - 1,300 miles from Alaska to San Francisco >>
Written by Andy Cross (begins on page 44)

Now because Corsair trimarans are so versatile, they’re easy to fold, easy to trailer, fast and safe with a wide platform you might consider sailing one in Glacier Bay or sail from San Francisco Bay to Alaska and back with pets on board! Right?

We’d suggest sailing a Corsair 37 for longer voyages. The Corsair 37 offers all the comforts of a cruising monohull and the flat sailing of a big catamaran. It also has the speed, safety and unsinkability of a Corsair Trimaran. The Corsair 37 has an intelligently designed deck layout with halyards, topping lift, reffing and outhaul controlled at the mast. All other control lines aft to the cockpit for ease of sail handling and control.

The interior of this new and larger corsair brings more of the amenities you’ve come to expect from larger boats:  a functional yet spacious galley, ample cabinet and storage space, comfortable curved settee with seating for six, enclosed head with molded-in-vanity with sink and shower attachment.

Forward, a spacious V-berth easily sleeps two adults in unmatched comfort. Additional sleeping accommodations for two in spacious aft-cabin and the dining area converts into an additional bunk in the main cabin.

Corsair 37

Corsair 37 Custom Interior

Learn more about the Corsair 37 >>

Happy new Corsair 37 owners from Park City Utah!

We can't tell you how excited Kent and Cat were to see their new Corsair 37 for the first time, they are ready for their next big chapter! Both have sailing experience on beach cats and chartering a trimaran here and there. But now it's time for bigger and better sailing adventures! Once they gain enough experience on the Corsair 37 their plan is to sail south to the Florida Keys with many stops along the way in the Spring.

First sail was out of Bullocks Cove in Barrington, Rhode Island and it was a good one, we hit 14.5 knots, no problem!

Corsair Trimaran Expert Richard Allen guided Kent through the ins and outs of this unique boat…from smart tuning tips to safe docking strategies. Did we agree on everything? Sometimes…

Retracting the carbon-fiber bowsprit for easy docking in less space.

Checking and adjusting the tension on Colligo-equipped shrouds with Cat.

Discussing the downhaul rigging...long before raising sails.

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The Corsair 37 offers all the comforts of a cruising monohull and the flat sailing of a big catamaran. Best of all, it offers the speed, safety and unsinkability of a Corsair Trimaran. The Corsair 37 features a shallow draft with retractable daggerboard and rudder for shallow water exploration. 

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The interior of the Corsair 37 brings more of the amenities you’ve come to expect from larger boats:  a functional yet spacious galley, ample cabinet and storage space, comfortable curved settee with seating for six, enclosed head with vanity, sink and shower.  Forward, a spacious V-berth easily sleeps two adults in unmatched comfort.  Additional sleeping accommodations for two in spacious aft-cabin; and the dining area converts into an additional bunk in the main cabin.

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180 Marine serves performance-minded sailors every week, as a Corsair Trimaran dealership. We're most active in the Western United States, Mexico, and Canada. 180 Marine strives to make sailboat ownership more exciting and enjoyable, as we expand our vital community of sailors who love adventure and sailboat racing.

For more information about the Corsair 37 or any other Corsair trimaran model contact Richard Allen, richard@180marine.com / 303.669.6210

Hear What Happy New Pulse 600 Owners are Saying

Windshear's new home at the Milwaukee Community Sailing Center.

This perfect home for the Corsair Pulse 600, the Milwaukee Community Sailing Center is located just north of downtown in the heart of Veterans Park at McKinley Marina.

July 19, 2019
“My Pulse 600 has been with me for 2 weeks now and it was wonderful. Richard came to Milwaukee Harbor to finish fitting her out and gave me some lessons. It was a joy to work with Richard and Leslie to find the right boat for me. It’s hard to describe my satisfaction with the Pulse without describing why I wanted it. To put it succinctly I wanted it because it looked simple to own while being safe and fun to sail.

The boat has exceeded my expectations on all fronts. I’m a lifelong recreational sailor and adventure traveler with a recent ‘race skipper’ certification at my sailing center. I prefer to just go out for a few hours and have a blast. What I realized when boat shopping is that I am in the best earning years of my life while supporting 3 fine young men at college, and I need to keep my foot on that gas pedal. But at the same time, I ain’t getting any younger as they say, and I love to sail.

The Pulse has all the modern engineering to make me and everyone around say ‘WOW’ while also being super simple to hoist off her cradle trailer, where she stays mast up, into the Milwaukee harbor and just thoroughly enjoy some time of pushing sailing to the limits.

My first day out I hit 16 knots and felt completely safe. I’ve been solo a few times and have had my kids and friends along. Everyone loves getting a ride on her and we get constant thumbs up and waves. Being dry-docked at a large sailing center, there are constantly people asking about her. I don’t seek it but I love the attention because it’s all about the boat, not me. And the conversations are great.

I can sum it up for me this way: When I turned 50 I bought a vintage Porsche 911 convertible that I always wanted. My boys said: “Dad, that’s a mid-life crisis car!” I responded, “Boys, everybody has a mid-life crisis. Some of us can do something about it. You remember that when you’re studying for classes.” And they get it. I guess the Pulse 600 is my ‘water Porsche’. She sure acts like one! And I didn’t buy it to take the family on a keelboat cruise. I bought it for fun.

Many thanks to 180 Marine for helping me feel young again, and how much is THAT worth when you’re grinding out family income all week.”

Gary

The 20-ton crane will help get more than 20 large sailboats into the water. The Pulse 600 is the first new trimaran in the area and hopefully, there will be many more to come!

The 20-ton crane will help get more than 20 large sailboats into the water. The Pulse 600 is the first new trimaran in the area and hopefully, there will be many more to come!

A little bit about the 20' Pulse 600...

The Pulse 600 features lightweight carbon-reinforced construction and will get your pulse racing in even the lightest of winds. The Pulse 600 is a sports boat that is about pure fun… Designed for conveniently easy rigging and setup so you can quickly launch, unfold the floats and get out on the water. With modern reverse bows and high volume floats, even the most performance-oriented sailors have plenty to get hooked on with the smallest addition to the Corsair range.

The open cockpit is designed for a crew of up to four but can equally be sailed single or double-handed. Versatility is a key feature of the boat and the forward area provides enough storage and cover for day sailing/weekend adventures or can simply be left empty for go-fast racing. Family, crew mates or friends, it doesn’t matter with whom you sail.

Trimaran expert Richard Allen works with Gary and Teri on the project commissioning, assuring that all systems and components are installed, and tested appropriately.

I christen thee "windshear"
Teri pouring the champagne (an alternative to smashing a bottle of champagne on the boat) for good luck!

A good weekend had by all!

For more information about the Corsair Pulse 600 visit 180 Marine Click here>>

180 Marine offers private instruction designed to provide the essential foundation of sailing skills on the Pulse 600. Offered as half-day, full day, or 2 full days of sailing instruction, this instruction gets the new Pulse 600 owner started out right and builds upon previous experience.

Contact Richard Allen for specific dates and pricing >>

Videos that go beyond sailing...

Start planning your next sailing adventure!

Here we have a few "BEST OF" Corsair Trimaran and Seawind Catamaran sailing videos for you to enjoy, as you dream and plan for your next adventure...maybe it's lake sailing or some coastal hops until your big BVI trip!

The Corsair Trimarans and Seawind Catamarans are built to last, and are capable of sailing everywhere in all sorts of conditions! Enjoy and thank you for sharing your adventures! 

We started out with 3 reefs due to the fact that we were sailing in a busy shipping lane and often had to move over and alter course for the large ships (Ships do not give way to sail) , sea state was 2 to 3 m seas, 32 knots max gusts abating to 20 knots as we neared Singapore and calmer seas once away from the Straits Shipping Channel and NE Monsoon Winds.

For some it was quite gnarly out there for the first few days then turned to clear blue skies and a bit WINDY with big beautiful waves, everyone feelin’ alive! One thing for sure, whether you’re bluewater cruising, or ocean racing, it truly changes you. 

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Sailing trip from Attiki (Nea Peramos) to Corfu, via "Diapontia" islands on NW of Corfu

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Extremely Fast Trimaran - Mighty Merloe - San Diego to Ensenada Race

This is a video about the 2016 San Diego to Ensenada race. I am sculpting the craft of onboard reporting for the 2017 VOR. As tryouts and more cuts are to come I am trying to learn a good formula equipment wise as well as story telling.

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Sailing from South America to Florida

This turned out to be an epic adventure...maybe more than any of us thought it would be. My uncle purchased a '91 F27 trimaran from a guy that had it moored in Santa Marta, Colombia. I agreed to help him and my cousin (both experienced sailors) sail it back to Florida. We encountered 25+ knot winds and 6-7 meter waves for 2 days, virtually zero wind for 3 days, imposing freight traffic on night watch, numerous mechanical and equipment failures, sea-sickness, and food poisoning....but also a lot of bonding, beautiful scenery, laughs, and once-in-a-lifetime moments.

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Sailing alone from Sarasota to Cuba

I sailed alone from Sarasota to Cuba via Key West. Just a few scenes from that trip. This is with my Corsair F-27 trimaran

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Sailing the Corsair 37 Carbon Trimaran Silver Chiller

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2017 Baja Gato Loco Cruise - Intense

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Corsair 37 RS Carbon sailing towards Saint Barth

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2016 Sailing a Corsair F24 in San Francisco Bay

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Sailing a Corsair F31 on a perfect Seattle afternoon

Having some fun on the Corsair F31 Tumbleweed on a perfect Seattle afternoon with Matt and Wayne. Matt demonstrates what new sails and flawless rigging can do to a helpless J 80 out in the Puget Sound.

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Corsair 37 trimaran “Milk and Honey” reaching at 16 in 12 with Just the New Genoa

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South China Sea - Seawind 1160 Lite - Night Sailing

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AN AMAZING STORY… about a journey around the world filled with bravery, inspiration, going after your dreams, and living life to the fullest.

Corsair 31 Circled the North Pole

In the summer of 2010 Skipper, Boerge Ousland chose to sail a relatively modest yacht, a Corsair 31 trimaran to explore the North Pole, a feat made possible by global warming and the melting of the Arctic ice cap. The lightness and the maneuverability of this multihull craft enabled the sailors to thread their way between the icebergs, to sail where other heavier and more keeled yachts (Corsair 31 has a draught of only 40 cm) couldn't go, and to draw the boat on to the ground when the need arose.

The trimaran was delivered to Ousland in August 2009. Since then, the Norwegian explorer made endless tests in the Arctic water close or not so close to his home in preparation for the voyage.

This article was first published on October 15, 2010 by Sail-World Cruising roundup. We wanted to remind people how capable and rugged the Corsair trimarans are. And they just keep getting better. This passage was remarkable!

The 'Northern Passage' left the western Norwegian port of Bergen at the end of June and was expected to arrive back there Thursday after first sailing the northern passage off Russia and then the northwestern passage off Canada.

Before 2010, the trip would have been impossible to complete so quickly due to the polar ice. Following in the wake of the Russian ship 'Peter I,' which sailed a similar route at almost the same time, the Norwegian trimaran is the second vessel to ever complete the mythical voyage in the space of a single Arctic summer.

The crew comprises two permanent Norwegian members, explorer Boerge Ousland and navigator Thorleif Thorleifsson, and a rotation of one other Norwegian, two Frenchmen, one Russian and one from Dubai.

“I am at the entrance to Dease Strait, and last night I tied up to a large piece of ice using rope and an ice axe. I managed to get a good five hours of sleep.”

— Graeme Kendall, September 1, 2010

The following was originally published on November 5, 2010, by SAIL.

Challenges like this were par for the course during Graeme Kendall’s recent transit of the Northwest Passage. On September 9, 2010, the Kiwi sailor became the first person to sail solo and nonstop through the passage, doing it in record time, even compared to crewed boats.

The Northwest Passage is usually only navigable in September, and until recently, few boats even tried completing it. Kendall first attempted the passage in 2005 but had to turn back after encountering thick pack ice. Since then the combination of improved satellite technology and warmer temperatures has made the journey more plausible. Just this summer, a Russian team circumnavigated the North Pole in the 60-foot monohull Peter I, as did two Norwegians on the Corsair 31UC trimaran Northern Passage. Kendall, in his 41-foot steel cutter, Astral Express, remains the only sailor to complete the passage single-handed.

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Q&A

SAIL: How does it feel to be the only sailor to complete the Northwest Passage solo, nonstop and in record timing?

GK: After not being able to complete it in 2005, I feel elated and relieved, especially after returning unscathed.

Read more Q&A