ADVENTURES > Amazon

TWO HOBIE CATS (and some adventurous sailors - RE DISCOVER THE RICHES OF THE NEW WORLD.

Following a route that would take them a staggering 13000 km's, a record for this type of vessel, the expedition left Miami Yacht Club on 24 February 1994 headed for a beautiful island aptly named Ilhabela, in Southern Brazil.

The route was ambitious:   to cross the Caribbean, to travel 5000km through The Orinoco and Amazon River systems prescribing a huge horseshoe, through northern South America and then, against the natural elements of wind and current to head south down the Brazilian Coast.

The vessels chosen for the journey were two Hobie Cat 21 Sport Cruisers, purchased standard from the Californian factory - a far cry from the caravels of Columbus or Indian dugout canoes and even further from the 'Jangadas' of northern Brazil - but without cabin and limited storage space this was a test of mental and material resistance.

Where Columbus had made his three voyages of discovery between 1492 and 1498, the expedition experienced a contemporary view of the Caribbean. The traces of the once Arawaks had been obliterated forever. The influence of the more fierce Caribs remained only in the name. The melting pot of colonialism had produced an ever-changing flavour to the overnight stops. From the salsas and merengues in the north, to the unmistakable clang of the pan drum in the south, the expedition moved in and out of the windows of history.

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Updated : June 19, 2004