allspars congratulates Geoff Holt

After exactly a month at sea Geoff Holt and Impossible Dream are due to arrive in Tortola today at 5pm GMT, which will make Geoff the first quadriplegic sailor to complete an unaided transatlantic crossing. It has not been a month without incident. Difficult weather and problems with the engines, and nearly running out of diesel, essential for powering the hydraulic systems, made the trip a test of endurance for Geoff and his carer, Susanna.

60’ sailing catamaran Impossible Dream, designed by Nic Bailey and built by Multimarine Composites Ltd, is the flagship of Sporting Activities for the Disabled. Launched in 2003 she has proved a benchmark in disabled sailing, with all sails and navigation equipment controlled by hydraulic systems that mean she can be sailed solo from a wheelchair, as Geoff has ably demonstrated.

Before departure allspars carried out a full survey to the carbon fibre mast and standing rigging and several upgrades were carried out, including the supply & fit of two new hydraulic Furlex systems for the headsails, all new rod rigging on the diamonds, a complete new set of kevlar stays and the replacement of all running rigging.

We are delighted to congratulate Geoff and his team on their achievement, and are very proud that Impossible Dream has fulfilled his ambitions of returning as a yachtsman to the place where he lost his mobility 25 years ago, and of demonstrating to the world that disability is no barrier to adventure.