We sat down with Ryan Finn to hear about his journey: from his first encounter with competitive sailing to his remarkable voyage from New York to San Francisco around Cape Horn and his recent triumph in the Everglades Challenge, where finished in 1st place for class 5 trimaran and 4th place overall.
A Passion Ignited: The Beginning
A lifelong sailor, Ryan’s journey on the water began with family cruises along the Gulf Coast, but it was an interest for keel boat racing in high school that truly ignited his love for sailing. His passion for the sport was solidified in 1994, when he watched Isabelle Autissier compete in the BOC solo around-the-world race, setting the course for his sailing future. “I became fascinated by the technology and adventure of solo sailing. Seeing her glide across the finish 5 days ahead of the next boat in the first leg, and then her subsequent rescue in the southern ocean really ignited my imagination. I was hooked.“
Over the years, Ryan has sailed a variety of boats, each with its own adventures. “Which one?” he answered with a touch of humor when asked about his boat. One of his notable vessels is the trimaran used in the Everglades Challenge, a craft that reflects both his ingenuity and passion for the sport. The trimaran, based on an Adventure 24 main hull, includes lightened and lowered Nacra 5.2 hulls for amas, custom carbon beams, and a Hobie 18 mast/boom. Weighing at 394 lbs, this craft is “quite light for her length,” he shares.
The Everglades Challenge
Grueling and extreme, this race tests even the most seasoned sailors. For Ryan, the challenge wasn’t just in the sailing but also in navigating the course’s checkpoints. “If the EC was simply a sailing race, it wouldn’t be such a difficult challenge,” he explains. “However, getting in and out of the checkpoints, in my case with a compromised shallow water steering system, was very difficult.” At every checkpoint, his trampoline was covered with something: mud, sand, sea shells, or sweat and tears. Yet, he views the experience as invaluable, a necessary initiation that has prepared him for future challenges.
Racing with MAPTATTOO
We are proud to have MAPTATTOO as a part of Ryan’s racing toolkit.
“Waterproof with a 50-hour battery life, it was the system I used for 90% of my race and was the least finicky and most reliable source of info I had onboard. The black and white screen uses a similar technology to an e-reader and is easily seen in daylight. In fact I preferred using a headlamp to view it at night to the screen lighting feature, it was so clear. It’s the perfect device for races like the Race to Alaska and Everglades Challenge or just camping and cruising on small boats. It was easy to load and view my tracks onto a laptop for post race analysis. For ocean passages, I will keep it in my ditch bag, since it is so waterproof and holds its charge for so long. I’m excited to see how this technology develops as it is long overdue.”
A Voyage to Remember
Among the many races and passages Ryan has completed, one stands out as particularly memorable. “Easily, it’s the passage from Cape Horn to the latitude of Santiago, Chile, where I had escaped the Southern Ocean and its storms,” he shares. “It’s the only time on the whole trip that I was overcome with joy and laughed out loud for no apparent reason. The Chilean coast is quite intimidating when you’re trying to get away from it.”
This passage is a part of a daring solo voyage Ryan undertook, starting in New York and ending in San Francisco, with the route wrapping around both North and South American continents. “Route d’Or,” as this 13,225-mile course is called, is made significant by fabled Gold Rush-era clipper ships of 19th century. Ryan’s voyage carries a significance beyond its bygone days: he is the first in the world to solo sail Route d’Or in a proa.
Staying Sharp on The Waters
Maintaining focus and resilience on the water, whether it’s amidst the turbulence of elements or long stretches of inactivity, is no easy feat. “It’s the hardest thing really. For the EC, I simply used the opportunities to get rest,” he says. His crossing from New York to San Francisco aboard the proa Jzerro was particularly challenging, with a grueling five days spent in the Pacific doldrums. “Any miles made good through the doldrums represent an enormous amount of energy compared to flying along in heavy conditions,” he notes. During such times, music and breathing exercises became his companions, helping him stay mentally sharp and focused.
Parting Words for Aspiring Racers
For those considering the Everglades Challenge or similar endeavors, Ryan’s advice is both practical and hard-earned. “For the Everglades Challenge, don’t overthink it if you haven’t done it,” he advises. “You will be wasting valuable time because there’s too much that you simply have to learn by experiencing the navigation in person. I’d say, make sure your boat is steerable in 6 inches of water and has an auxiliary propulsion system that allows easy maneuvering. Also, get as much rest as you can when you can. Any minute you can close your eyes without losing too much ground, take it.”