Another Briton Plans Lone World Voyage

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31775, 4 September 1968, Page 19

Another Briton Plans Lone World Voyage

(X Z. Press Assn—Copyright) ' LONDON. . Another Briton is planning to sail to Australia, but this time in an open boat only 18ft long. “I’ve no fears. I know it’s ■ risky, but I'll make it,” said the bearded David fSle. announcing his plan. Pyle, aged 25, has also decided to take along some “insurance” with him—a 9j h.p. outboard motor. His 3-Bin thick plywoodmade boat is similar to thou-: sands seen used on fine days in Britain’s sheltered harbours. It weighs less than 3001 b. Just back from the singlehanded Atlantic race, in which he had to withdraw near the Azores after his sails were shredded. Pyle lives in the small country village of Emsworth, in Hampshire, south of London. Not Non-stop The trip, which the former sailing and rock climbing instructor hopes to start next| April or May, will not be non- j stop.

' “The boat just isn't big enough for me to carry ; enough provisions,” he said. 1 “I’ll be reasonably close to the coast all the way, except on some of the later stretches.” Pyle said he will not follow the trade winds as did Sir Francis Chichester and Sir Alec Rose. He will sail from Britain to the Mediterranean and, if it ■is open, go through the Suez Canal then on through the Red Sea, eventually going up the reef-studded Torres Strait between Australia and New Guinea and sailing down the Queensland coast to the Barrier Reef and Brisbane —his destination. If the Suez is closed the boat will be taken overland to the Red Sea. Two Knots Throughout the trip, which Pyle estimates will last a year, the boat is expected to average less than two knots. “About 40 miles a day will ■ suit me fine,” he said. He hopes he will not have ito use his outboard during the trip and will try to sail Ithe whole distance. So far he has no sponsors for the trip, but is “hoping some will turn up.”