OCC Flying Fish 2021-1

THREE GREAT CAPES IN A 40-YEAR-OLD BOAT Saša Fegić (HIR 3, a 10∙1m CAT 34 built in 1979, became something of a legend in Croatia after making a westabout circumnavigation in 1988–90, rounding Cape Horn on 21st January 1989. Then, 31 years and one day later, she rounded it again, this time heading east. During the intervening years she suffered misfortune and neglect, including nearly 300 holes from bullets and shrapnel during the war in Croatia when Dubrovnik was under siege and the marina bombed. She was saved and restored, but later left abandoned. Then in 2014, while walking around a marina in Vrsar, Saša noticed a familiar red boat...

Saša was awarded the 2020 Qualifier’s Mug for skippering this 39,000 mile, 28-month circumnavigation via the Three Great Capes. Turn to page 22 to follow HIR 3’s route.)

When I saw the red boat I remembered how I had learned to sail on her more than two decades earlier. She was hardly recognisable – neglected for over ten years, she was in miserable condition and just barely floating. Feeling sorry for the legendary yacht, I searched out her owner and convinced him to sell the abandoned craft to me for a reasonable sum – but inside I was wondering if it was worth it, or if she was beyond repair. According to everyone who saw her it was an act of utter optimism, but I decided to give it my best shot. I was determined to repair her and take her around the world once again.

Calm near the Aeolian Islands I moved HIR 3 to Pore č in northern Croatia and launched a crowdfunding campaign to help with the initial cost of repairs. We managed to raise about €5000 – a drop in the ocean – but, more valuable than money, the crowdfunding campaign brought attention to HIR 3 and numerous unknown people offered their support and assistance. It took me two years of hard work to make HIR 3 seaworthy and it was late June 2016 before 179