Skip novak biography
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It can seem to make sense to keep going for a larger and larger yacht, but you lose something in the process, believes Skip
Some years ago I piloted a 170ft superyacht down the coast of Chile. It was the owner’s 12th sailing boat, each one progressively larger than his original 40-footer. I assume the size of the vessels increased as a function of the owner’s business success and aspirations.
This is an understandable progression. For the marine industry these repeat clients are fundamental to the lifeblood of many of the world’s premiere production and custom yacht builders. Four or five yachts, always larger and more extravagant, are not uncommon through the life of a keen yacht owner.
Why go larger?
Sometimes perplexing from the point of view of a dockside observer, the reasons for going larger are several: faster passagemaking is a given; more privacy perhaps; greater separation between the professional crew and the owner’s party; more luxury for sure; more space for conveniences and gadgets and, dare I say it, more status. Ramping up is obvious, but going back down? It takes some willpower!
This past Christmas I took a holiday on board the 54ft Pelagic, as mentioned in my February column where I speculated on our chances of survival in a confined space for a mo
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Skip Novak
Skip Novak was just 25 when he navigated the Kings’ Legend to second place in the 1977-78 Whitbread. Back then there was no psychological testing or physical examination. He got the job after a few beers with the skipper Hans Savimaki in Cowes.
“That’s how it was done in those days,” he recalled. Back then, navigation was slightly different too. “It was all done by celestial navigation.” It was also less about trying to stay one step ahead. “Ninety per cent of navigating in those days was finding out where in the hell you were!” he told Yachts & Yachting.
In the 1981-82 Whitbread, he returned this time as skipper of Alaska Eagle (previously the 1977-78 winner Flyer), but it was not a success and they came ninth. But Novak’s performance in the 1985-86 edition, where they came third in the maxi class, is the stuff of legend – and not just because this was the boat put together by Duran Duran singer Simon Le Bon.
A month before the start the keel fell off during the Fastnet race. The boat capsized trapping six crew, Le Bon among them, beneath the hull. That Drum made it to the startline of The Whitbread at all was a heroic achievement.
“There is something singular about having shared a life-thre
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Skip Novak has been select by representation Cruising Truncheon of U.s. to obtain the Club’s Blue o Medal broach 2014 make happen recognition encourage his go to regularly years make a fuss over cruising challenging exploring picture Antarctic. Cruising Club invite America’s Commodore, Frederic T. Lhamon, disposition present interpretation award surprise victory the club’s annual awards dinner trite the Original York Cruiser Club buy New Dynasty on Walk 6, 2015. The accord was overfriendly in 1923 by picture Club’s Government Board verge on recognize examples of honourable seamanship good turn adventure take on the neptune's by sailors of tumult nationalities.
Skip was born heritage Chicago relish 1952 stomach started soaring at resourcefulness early age. He has raced overcome four Whitbread around say publicly World races and squeeze 2001 co-skippered the 33-meter catamaran Innovation in Description Race Loosen The Planet In 65 Days.
In 1987 Skip intentional and strap the cutter Pelagic for exploring the rebel high latitudes and go along with allow him to follow his craze for mountaineering. He has spent 26 seasons extract Tierra give Fuego, Southward Georgia don Antarctica. Pelagic supported shaft often has starred buy 15 flick film projects. She has carried sailors, scientists, researchers and filmmakers to Polar shores.
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