A Goa boat that’s set for smooth sailing

Record-holding Commander Abhilash Tomy to steer Thuriya around the world

Sailing boat Thuriya. Photo: Special Arrangement

Commander Abhilash Tomy, the only Indian to sail around the world non-stop and solo in the Goa-built yacht INSV Mhadei , was set to launch his new sailing boat Thuriya on Monday at Aquarius Shipyard, Naroa, in North Goa.

The 32-foot wooden sailboat is a replica of the iconic Suhaili , which was built in Mumbai and was sailed by the legendary Sir Robin Knox-Johnston in the first solo non-stop circumnavigation of the world in The Sunday Times Golden Globe Race in 1968.

Thuriya has been specially built by the Goa-based Aquarius Shipyard as the sole Indian entry in the solo, round-the-world, non-stop Golden Globe Race 2018 to mark the 50th anniversary of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston’s historic feat.

Abhilash Tomy will sail

Thuriya around the world in this historic race in conditions that were similar to 1968 and without modern navigation aids.

Raw challenge

Ashwin Tombat, Director, Adventure Breaks, Goa said the anniversary edition of the race was “a celebration” of the original event. Competitors will sail simple boats with basic equipment.

The challenge is pure and raw and for “those who dare”, just as it was for Sir Robin Knox Johnston. Navigation is with sextant on paper charts, without GPS or other electronic instruments or autopilots; not even pocket calculators.