Question 1

Who are the crew?

Accepted Answer

For approximately 35 days the crew and boat will battle storms, seasickness, cramped quarters, dehydrated food rations, and isolation from home comforts. The expedition will be the ultimate test of endurance for body and mind.

The Skipper - John-Kenneth D Habbershaw Jnr - 39

'JK' is a Marine Surveyor, Marine Electrician, and the director of WillMyBoatFloat Ltd. based in Essex. Since 2014 John-Kenneth has worked with Teams and Solo Ocean Rowers to get them safely across the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean, many of them have set new world or race records in the process.

He grew up at the seaside and has always been around boats and water, he has been sailing independently for 13 years.

JK is a health-retired 'blue light' emergency service volunteer where teamwork, safety, and discipline was essential.

The First Mate - Farris Collins - 25

Farris is no stranger to pushing himself to the limit. He represented Great Britain in Powerlifting for several years from 2015-2019 gaining four gold medals in the commonwealth Powerlifting championships, and one bronze medal in the world championships in 2016. He has completed several climbing expeditions including Mt Toubkal in Morocco and Mt Kilimanjaro.

Farris currently works as a Senior Process Analyst in Knight Frank where he consults in difficult problems relating to business operations and software systems development.

Farris says"I’ve never been good at taking a well trodden path. I never attended university and instead delivered beer kegs 2/3 days a week and studied business in my own in Bournemouth library."

Question 2

Which charities are you supporting?

Accepted Answer

The four mains charities which we are raising funds in aid of are:

Macmillan Cancer Support
Mind - For Better Mental Health
MS-UK - (Multiple Sclerosis UK)
St Helena Hospice - Colchester, Essex, UK

You can donate at: www.sofatosailboat.co.uk/donate

Question 3

How can I support your charities/you?

Accepted Answer

You can donate to our charities, or sponsor us at: www.sofatosailboat.co.uk/donate

We also have our online 'swag' shop: www.sofatosailboat.co.uk/shop

Businesses can find further information at: www.sofatosailboat.co.uk/sponsor-information

Question 4

How long will the Atlantic crossing take?

Accepted Answer

Hopefully 40 to 50 days, weather depending. We're hoping to make this a bit shorter with with help from our solar rechargeable electric motor.

Question 5

You have said the boat is 'tiny', how tiny?"

Accepted Answer

'Poppet' the Leisure 17 is 17ft (5.2m) long. That is smaller than an average Ford Transit van, and weighs nearly half of a large average family size car!

Question 6

Why aren't you using a bigger boat?

Accepted Answer

While a bigger boat with the luxuries of increased storage, bigger bunks, a full sized galley and a flushing sea-toilet would be nice... it would not be as much of a challenge!

Question 7

Will supporters be able to view/track/contact the boat?

Accepted Answer

A tracker will be installed on the boat with a live location map/app shown on the SofaToSailboat website.
 
Crew will be in regular contact via sat phone and email with a land-based 'shore crew' and family who will assist with social media, weather reporting, and any emergencies.

Question 8

How do you resupply your food? / What will you eat?

Accepted Answer

SofaToSailboat will be making the Atlantic crossing unassisted, that means everything needed will have to be onboard before casting off!
 
Using a small camping stove on a gimbal to boil water, meals will be prepared from mostly lightweight dehydrated food. In addition, various snack bags and moral boosting treats will be packed in advance which can be consumed throughout the day/night.

Question 9

What will you drink?

Accepted Answer

The boat will have a desalination unit onboard which, using energy from solar panels and wind generator to produce enough water for day-to-day requirements. Rationed emergency water will be carried onboard and a manually operated emergency water maker.

Question 10

How will you wash?

Accepted Answer

A ocean and eco-friendly special saltwater hair and body wash followed by a quick freshwater rinse from a small solar shower bag.

Question 11

Where will you go to the toilet?

Accepted Answer

This seems to be a popular question!

The boat is small and does not have a flushing 'sea-toilet' or room to fit a holding tank for 35+ days of waste. There will be no services mid-Atlantic to moor up and use the facilities.
 
SofaToSailor will be using the 'Bucket and Chuck-it' method once the boat is more than three miles offshore inline with MARPOL guidelines for leisure vessels.

Question 12

Where will you sleep?

Accepted Answer

In the cabin below the cockpit. There will be room enough to sleep/take shelter during poor weather. 
 
Typically most time will be spent at the tiller steering the boat and keeping an eye out for any hazards. Electronic aids and ship detection will help during 'nap time'.

Question 13

What will you do if you get into trouble?

Accepted Answer

Although unsupported there will be different ways to send out a distress call if help is needed.
This includes:

VHF radio with DSC
PLB's (Personal Locating Beacons)
EPIRB's (Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon)
Satellite Phone
Personal wearable AIS

These devices can be used to initiate a chain of events which will result in the nearest ship being asked to divert to provide aid.

Question 14

What is a nautical mile?

Accepted Answer

1 nm = 1.150 mile or 1.852 kilometer

Question 15

What stops the boat from capsizing?

Accepted Answer

The boat can’t be completely stopped from capsizing, but if it does it is designed to start self-righting again.
 
All heavy items will be stored in the bilge to lower the centre of gravity.
The two 'bilge keels' keep the weight down low.
An externally operated bilge pump will be mounted with a straining box sited to empty the cabin ceiling in case of flooding whilst inverted.
Additional flotation can be hauled to the top of the mast to aid self-righting when conditions demand.