WHAT'S NEW
PRODUCTS
TRAVEL
TO CNC
SITE MAP
DO IT YOURSELF
SAILBOATS
POWERBOATS
ETCHELLS
SOLINGS
CONTACT US
OUR ASSOCIATION WITH
OCEAN PLANET'S
2004/2005
VENDEE GLOBE
CAMPAIGN
OCEAN PLANET'S FINISH UPDATE
FROM LES SABLES D'OLONNE FRANCE
In the summer of 2004, Cloth'n Canvas signed on to be part of the stateside support team for America's Solo sailor, Bruce Schwab and his Open 60 sailboat, Ocean Planet. Since the completion of the 2002-2003 Around Alone Race in which Bruce finished 5th in class, OP has been berthed in Portland Maine undergoing major recommisioning....the goal...to be on the starting line and complete the 2004-2005 Vendee Globe Race. The Vendee is a solo, around the world, non-stop, unassisted event which began on November 7, 2004 from Les Sables d'Olonne France. Finish will also be in Les Sables approximately 90-120 days later. Upon hearing of the opportunity to become part of this energetic and dynamic program, we quickly jumped aboard to provide Bruce with needed fabrications and leads to possible additional support. We brought our expertise in the area's of interior fabric partitions, exterior canvas and stainless steel metal fabrication to the team.
The energy of Bruce Schwab is indescribable. Without the assistance of a major sponsor ( no American company has signed on) and solely running on the support of small donors, product sponsors and an unwavering vibrant support team, Bruce has made it to the starting line. The challenge in front of him.....complete the race and be the first American to successfully do so! After being so much a part of this effort, we are confident that he will succeed.
The continuation of our involvement was being part of the 5 person delivery crew which sailed OP from Portland Maine over to Les Sables, France in October of 2004. My wife Bette and I along with Mario Espin of Key West, Florida, John Eide of Portland, Maine and of course Bruce departed Portland on September 23, 2004 after a week long delay due to hurricanes in the North Atlantic. With very favorable sailing conditions and expert weather decisions from our skipper, we completed our trans-Atlantic trip in 11 days. With top speeds of 28.4 and prime downwind surfing conditions, this sailing thoroughbred gave us the adventure of a lifetime.
Cloth 'n Canvas was able to provide products and energy to this effort. In return, we have grown in our ability to design goods that will stand the tests which open ocean sailing can offer up. Personally, I have been exposed to one of the most tenacious and energetic individuals that I have ever met in Bruce. If any part of this personality has rubbed off, I feel all the stronger.
Enjoy the attached images of our adventure. If you feel so inclined...send your financial support along to Bruce! His need will be in place long after the race has concluded.
Fair Sailing....
Ernie Reuter
President-Cloth'n Canvas
Links to Related sites: