For the holidays, most people want electronics or gift cards. But Robert Suhay, of Norfork, VA, wanted a Guiness World Record—and he got it. Earlier this year, Suhay hopped in a 15-foot Laser boat armed only with a Magellan eXplorist 510 GPS, some provisions and his determination and attempted to sail solo across the Chesapeake Bay in early July in order to break the world record for the farthest distance sailed single-handed in a dinghy.
Not only did he sail for 86 hours straight covering a total distance of 326.24 miles, but he also sailed along the edge of a hurricane, lost his communications and had his journey cut short by the US Coast Guard Mid-Atlantic Division. It was certainly an eventful trip, and one that wouldn’t have been possible without using a GPS unit.
“I may have sailed a record distance over 86 hours, but I could no have proved it without my Magellan eXplorist 510,” Suhay said. Suhay said he has been using Magellan products for years, and when it came to his record-setting journey, the choice for which GPS to rely on was obvious for the sailor.
When he arrived safely back to shore after having his sail cut short by the Coast guard, Suhay said was sure that he has fallen short of the previous record of 325.41 miles, held by Tania Elias Calles Wolf of Mexico. However, upon examining the waypoints and evidence from his Magellan eXplorist 510, it was proved that Suhay–who had been forced to zig-zag across the bay in order to outrun the hurricane–had succeeded, and the confirmation from the Gusiness Book of World Records was sent out earlier this month, declaring his victory. Suhay attributes much of his success to the support of his family and friends and to his Magellan eXplorist 510 GPS.
“The eXplorist 510 took navigating to a new level for me. Sailing a Laser solo for more than 300 miles presents some tricky challenges. The eXplorist 510 was a key to my success in setting a distance sailing record,” Suhay said.
To read more about his incredible journey, visit his website.
