Saturday, 04 September 2010
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Written by Ian Palmer   
Friday, 23 May 2008 22:25

Thanks for visiting this website.

It has been built by my son, Joe, in order to let friends and family track my sailing progress around the UK, starting from 1st June (going clockwise). The idea was born from a conversation with a close friend, Jeremy, a couple of years ago when I boldly stated that I would like to take my boat on a more adventurous voyage and could perhaps time this to coincide with a period of long service (25 years) leave. Jeremy's retort was to insist that he also come as it had been an outstanding aim to make such a trip. So, with three months to succeed, we are off!

I am very lucky to have a beautiful boat, an Endurance 35 designed as a blue water cruiser by Peter Ibold, and following more than two years of hard work and not a small amount of cash spent I now have considerable confidence in her sailing ability. She is a ketch, with a newly reconditioned Perkins 4108 diesel engine (thanks to Derek and colleagues at Diperk in Peterborough for a speedy job). I am testing a new drive coupling bought from Centra Transmissions in Bradford following advice from Bob the MD. I use a PC based electronic charting system running on a piece of software called Rose Point Explorer which integrates Vector and Rastor charts along with received AIS data. Although trackable by coastguard stations via my broadcast AIS signal, the free access to this has recently been withdrawn, so I am carrying a 'Spot' PLB (personal locator beacon) which is trackable via googlemaps (see tracker tab). This also doubles as a safety system, though I do also have an onboard EPIRB. Following the tragady of the sinking of the yatch Ouzo two years ago I decided to invest in a SeaMe active radar enhancer which should make Ardent look like a battleship to any ship using X band radar!

I am keen to use this opportunity to raise money for charity so have provided a facility for you to donate if you so wish. So here on this website you can track our progress, browse the gallery of photos that we take enroute, read the accounts of Jeremy as we progress and donate to the charities if you so wish.

You can also write comments, send us messages and check the onboard live(ish) cam for latest actionshots.

Thank you for your support.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 28 January 2009 23:21
 
Comments (26)
26 Friday, 30 July 2010 06:33
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25 Friday, 30 July 2010 06:32
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24 Friday, 30 July 2010 06:29
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23 Friday, 18 June 2010 21:23
allen
Thanks great read
Technical IT site

Stone Cleaning
MP3Search
22 Monday, 18 August 2008 10:26
Barry A
Well you old sea-dog. This must beat sitting in a nice dry air-conditioned building. Good luck and a safe voyage.
21 Thursday, 07 August 2008 22:03
Nick Day
Hi Ian
I lost my phone with your number on it!
I'm so sorry that I can't join you at this time. After being away in Cowes and with the GYC ECC imminent I just can't take more sailing time and stay married!
Will contact you as soon as I get your number
20 Saturday, 28 June 2008 21:59
Nic & Lesley
Hey guys, congrats on being on your way again ... and you have reached Nic's old stomping ground of Poole Harbour. Tip your cap to Studland Bay as you head south round Old Harry :-) Safe sailing xxx
19 Tuesday, 24 June 2008 15:05
Les
Glad to see you've got your vibrating shaft sorted. Hope it's full speed ahead now.
18 Wednesday, 11 June 2008 16:13
grant (shoreham endurance 35).
Hi ian and jeremy. Did you get your curry!
I hope you both get exactly what you need from this journey. Best wishes.
17 Monday, 09 June 2008 18:35
Val (BW)
Sorry we couldn't wait for you in the Scillies. Did you know the Scilly Boys (x4) are rowing across the Pond from The Big Apple to Scillies starting 1 June? Check them out by googling radio Scilly if you get bored!
16 Wednesday, 04 June 2008 09:52
Mickey Dell
Ahoy there Argent. How are you both? Drying out I hope.Ian, I think you should mention your current crew one - one Terry Green of Nelson motor boat fame. Will this be the trip that converts him to sail? Maybe he needs to be in view of the impending tax on red diesel. I wish you both a fair wind from the East.
15 Sunday, 01 June 2008 20:28
Jennie
Good to see you Saturday... wave to Southsea if you can see past the Isle of Wight! (Grandma has been very concerned about your kitkats keeping dry - did you manage to keep them out of the rain?)
14 Sunday, 01 June 2008 12:32
Steven Brooke
The very best of luck to you both on your voyage. Watch out for the pirate ship often seen in Bridlington bay throughout the summer.
13 Sunday, 01 June 2008 09:47
Andy B
I'm so excited for you wish I was doing it as well. We'll be tracking you to make sure you are comming back and haven't got lost. If you do get lost and are passing Oxford pop in for a beer!!
12 Saturday, 31 May 2008 21:08
Lal
I trust Ardent won't encounter either pirates or cannibals once you point the prow towards stranger, more distant shores and hope the wind blows fair for you tomorrow. Thanks so much, Ian, for your help over the last few months. Wishing you both a safe and inspiring journey around our surprising, beautiful island and see you on the south coast.
11 Saturday, 31 May 2008 19:07
Lesley & Nic
sorry we missed the launch party at GYC ... all the very best to you both ... we'll be tracking you :-)
10 Saturday, 31 May 2008 12:57
John O
How very exciting Ian! I'll be checking back to keep an eye on your progress. Have a great time and see you in September.
9 Saturday, 31 May 2008 12:41
Mark Ekiert
I'll have a word with our Radio 4 colleagues and try and make sure that the shipping forecast remains favourable for the whole trip. Very best wishes.
8 Friday, 30 May 2008 13:34
Alan & Lynne
I would like to say it's something we would like to have done but somehow the British seafaring legacy never caught up with us and as for our last short ferry trip......well 'nough said! Looking forward to the live pics especially in a force 10. Seriously, we hope you have a great time.
7 Thursday, 29 May 2008 22:15
Les, Sandra and Lisa Blain
Bon voyage. Can't wait for the pics from your onboard cam - will there be any birds on the boat? Hope to see you off the Northumberland coast in August.
6 Thursday, 29 May 2008 18:50
Gonk (Adam Carrott GYC)
I will be following your progress with interest, sounds like great fun. Post plenty of pics and have a safe voyage. Don't forget when the river gets really fat turn right then keep turning right.
5 Thursday, 29 May 2008 17:11
olive
Ian am so proud of you, best of luck and will be keeping up with your progress. Its a long way from TSCD! X
4 Thursday, 29 May 2008 11:38
Ross Thompson
Best of luck!! The tracking all sounds very interesting so will keep an eye out for you on Google maps. Ian - would you like me to post your next rota here?
3 Thursday, 29 May 2008 08:48
Helen Martins
As Sir Francis Drake said, so memorably: "Don’t forget the WD40". Have a wonderful circumnavigation.
2 Thursday, 29 May 2008 08:16
steve and sally wilson
Have an amazing voyage. Stay safe and we'll be following your progress over the next 3 months.
1 Thursday, 29 May 2008 03:47
Anon
Good luck!

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