On January 29 in Fort Lauderdale, Harry ANDERSON completed a remarkable solo circumnavigation of the globe on his Allures 40.9! And with this personal feat, he becomes the first person in history to have both flown and sailed solo to all 7 continents.
An airplane pilot
Harry is a true modern-day pioneer! Now aged 74, from Bainbridge Island, Washington USA, this engineer by training is passionate about both aviation and sailing. Between 2011 and 2019, Harry made solo flights to all seven continents aboard a small, single-engine fiberglass aircraft. His adventures took him twice around the world and even over the North Pole. He recounts these experiences in his book Flying 7 Continents Solo, in which he recounts the challenges of his solo air travels.
Alongside these flights, Harry also sailed extensively, notably between Seattle and Alaska with his first sailboat named Raytrace. Then he wanted to go further, and formulated the project of circumnavigating the planet solo again, but this time in a sailboat. And he chose a safe, maneuverable boat: an Allures 40.9, delivered in 2022 and named Phywave.
At least one stop on each of the 7 continents
Harry’s solo voyage, which began in Norfolk in August 2022, spans over 38,000 nautical miles, more than 350 days at sea and stops in 20 countries and territories. From the icy waters of Antarctica to the sunny shores of Australia, his journey has been as varied as the continents themselves.
After his first Atlantic crossing, he stopped off in Portugal, in Lagos, to discover the wines and landscapes of the Algarve. In Africa, he stopped off in Morocco, then South Africa and Namibia on his return journey. Harry sailed along South Africa’s famous Wild Coast, carried by the powerful Agulhas Current. In South America, he made stopovers in Brazil, Argentina and Puerto Williams, Chile, where he was able to refuel and admire the spectacular fjords and mountains of Tierra del Fuego. Harry then crossed the dreaded Drake Passage to Antarctica, a solo feat! In Australia, after opening a new, shorter route through the Great Barrier Reef, he celebrated his Pacific crossing with a long stopover in Darwin to avoid the tropical cyclone season. In Asia, a planned one-week stopover in Lombok, Indonesia, was extended to a month, to allow time for unexpected but essential repairs to the boat’s engine. It was in Fort Lauderdale that he made his triumphant return to North America, after crossing the Atlantic for the third time from South Africa, Namibia and the island of St. Helena.
A blog to recount his encounters
This circumnavigation tested Harry in a completely different way. “Navigation is obviously much slower and physically demanding. But it allows a greater immersion in the environment, a better appreciation of each destination and a connection with the international sailing community.” So, throughout his voyage, Harry has highlighted on his blog the encounters that enrich his adventures. Whether it’s local fishermen, island families or other sailors and aviators, each encounter brings a human dimension to his stories. He also shares his thoughts on life, sailing and flying, stressing the importance of preparation, resilience and openness to the unknown.
What happens next?
For most, such a feat would mark the end of an incredible adventure. But Harry is already planning what’s next. His ambition is to bring Phywave back to Bainbridge Island via the Northwest Passage. “I’ve already tackled the ice in Antarctica. I hope this experience will serve me well for the Arctic challenge.” Another great challenge for Harry!
The ALLURES YACHTING shipyard is impressed by Harry’s achievement and offers him its warmest congratulations.
To follow Harry’s exploits at sea and in the air in greater detail, visit his website: www.phywave.com
