I understand a 16 year old wanting to do something like this and how hard it is for a parent to deal with making the appropriate choice to support or deny. I did something similar to my parents, but a smaller scale.

At 16 I really wanted to do a bicycle trip. My plan was to start in Northern California in Mt Shasta City. We used to live there for a few years but moved when I was 13, and I wanted to go back and see it and start my trip from there and ride to Los Angeles (actually.....Van Nuys). My good friend Darin wanted to go too. He had just turned 17. We had saved money, had the bikes, equipment, pretty good shape and had the plan and route we would go. The route was nearly 750 miles long and we figured about 3 weeks to do it. Pack the bikes and take the Greyhound to Mt. Shasta City!

Parents said NO. It took a few weeks but we eventually convinced them that we had what was needed including the drive (implying that we would probably go without their blessing).

It was an awesome trip and very very challenging in many ways including physically & mentally. We learned a lot, met great people, broke parts and made it home safe.

Well said Rich.

She made it half way around the earth. Bravo to her.

And what kind of support vessel did you think she should have. A small aircraft carrier. Give me a break.

I hope she tries again, if she so chooses.

We are becoming a nanny state. What a shame.

What's really crazy to me is why would a 16 year old want to do this..........how boring! (at least until the weather ****s out)

Hmmm.....I'm looking through college admission apps or looking to hire a new employee....I've got a young woman that was president of her glee club, and one that attempted to sail around the world. What can the glee club president tell me about learning from her failures? What will the sailor tell me about planning, preparing, attempting, failing, and surviving?

Whether nature or nurture, some kids are responsible and some aren't. Some develop mental aptitude earlier than others. Some develop certain skills moreso than others. Just because your kid hasn't figured out how to do something, OR you don't have the motivation to support them in their dreams, DOES NOT mean you can force that shortcoming on other people.

WOW...how friggin' cool....a 16yr old took a 40ft sailboat half way around the world. By herself. She broke some sh!t, called for help, and all is well. I can only dream that my kids will develop the desire and skills to tackle something monumental like that.

This is not any ordinary 16 year old. Who here knows all the facts of what they went through with regards to experience, training, preparation before she started out on this trip.

The only reason you people are complaining is you don't have the balls to do something like this yourself and your kids are probably the ones that play sports where they don't keep score.

just my .02

I heard Outerlimints designed the boat...that is why it rolled..damn ameaturs....

Here we go..............

I JUST peeked at that thread finally... stopped at top of pg 2.....

Suprised you guys aren't still talking about this with all the new twists in the story.

She was picked up by a fishing boat that said basically, "yea, we'll pick her up but we're not bringing het back til we're done fishing". So now she's put in the middle of the ocean with a bunch fishermen. Nice.

Then daddy sutherland (deuche bag) exclaims he's absoutley broke and is hoping to cash in on th reality show he signed to tell their family story. Pimp your daughter out much?

And since he's broke he's pleading with quantis air, who sent a plane out to spot the girl, to cover the cost since he's got no money.

Yea, this trip was well planned..everythings fine. Just a girl following her dreams...whatever!

I haven't heard anything but been busy. Is that the deal?