Mike Harker Circumnavigates with Fischer Panda Genset

The following is a Press Release by Fischer Panda -- TheSailingChannel.TV

In daredevil Mike Harker’s early days, he flew powerless craft to his near death. Now, the intrepid adventurer circles the globe through Fischer Panda power.

A native Californian, Harker, 60, always gravitated toward extreme sports on the water and in the air. He was a national water skiing champion at age 16 and 18. As a young adult, he pioneered early ‘70s hang-gliding development. In 1977, a terrifying glider accident thrust Harker into a 400-foot freefall, leaving him unconscious for a year and paralyzed from the knees down. Through multiple surgeries and arduous physical therapy, he persevered until he could walk again.

Despite his injuries, the bold world traveler learned to sail offshore on the California coast five years ago. Long-range sailing was a perfect fit for Harker’s career as an international sports photographer/cinematographer and sports legend. In no time, he began dreaming of circumnavigating the world alone.

In 2003, he sailed single-handedly across the Atlantic in a trial run for his yearlong expedition circling the globe launched in March 2006. In preparation for the 28,000-mile voyage, Harker sought the best equipment available. He purchased his third and largest Hunter sailboat, Wanderlust III, a 49-foot cruiser. Harker had visited the Hunter factory in Florida and knew from his two previous Hunters that the manufacturer utilized only proven equipment, like Fischer Panda generators.

He had heard about the reputation of Fischer Panda Generators as being the smallest, lightest, quietest and most efficient generator in the market. “These sailors would point out other boats and ask, ‘Do you realize there’s a generator going?’ It would be purring like a sewing machine. My previous one sounded like a tractor,” he said.

Harker is dependent on good equipment to go around the world. He said he has confidence in his Panda 12 DP because everything made in Germany is made with precision. “That’s why I chose a Fischer Panda Generator as an orderable option. I’m living off my generator. It has to perform without flaw.”
Left to right, Mike Harker, Jeff Till, Fischer Panda dealer and marine sales representative, and Chad Godwin, Fischer Panda marine sales and marketing manager, aboard Wanderlust III.

Harker doesn’t connect to shore power in foreign ports because his boat is wired for 120V American power and the voltages are not compatible. In order to re-supply his systems, Harker moors in a harbor and runs his Fischer Panda generator. “In three and a half hours and on less than a gallon of gas, I’m able to charge my batteries and fill my water tanks all while I’m watching a movie on my wide-screen TV. It’s vibrationless and noiseless – quite a luxury,” he remarked.

Don’t look for this over-achiever to take it easy for too long in his cabin. Next, Harker plans to solo sail Wanderlust III around the world in the opposite direction.

Chad Godwin, marine sales and marketing manager for Fischer Panda Generators, said his company is proud to be a part of Mike Harker’s journey. “Over the years, the continuously advancing technology of Fischer Panda Generators has increased our reliability and efficiency. Having the team of Mike Harker and Hunter Marine as a valued customer has been beneficial in learning what we can do to offer the best generator and support worldwide.”
Chad Godwin, marine sales and marketing manager for Fischer Panda (right), checks the installation of Mike Harker’s FP 12 DP Generator.

Fischer Panda has played a pioneering role in the design and manufacture of marine and vehicle generators for the past 30 years. In 1978 in Germany, Fischer Generators developed the quietest diesel generator in the world. That trend towards small, quiet and super efficiency was to continue, and in 1988, Fischer Generators added "Panda" to its brand and introduced its proprietary and water-cooled asynchronous electric plant. Fischer Panda U.S., which began operations in 1995, is located at 4345 NE 12 Terrace in Oakland Park, Florida. For more information, please call 954-462-2800 or access the company's web site at www.fischerpanda.com

By TheSailingChannel.TV

North Atlantic: Abacos, Bahamas

Easter Sunday April 23
Abacos Bahamas

I am taking a well deserved rest after sailing around the world in under 11 months. I have decided to spend a month in the Abacos group of islands and Cays in the northern Bahamas.

My first stop was Little Harbor after entering the treacherous 'Little Harbor Cut' from the Atlantic Ocean. With 8-10 foot seas and 20 knots of SW winds the entrance is less than 100 feet across and less than 20 feet deep. Anything more than that is then what the locals call, a 'Rage Sea', and entrance is discouraged.



Once into the Cut and the Sea of Abaco, I tried to enter 'Little Harbor at High Tide. Even with high tide there was not enough depth for my deep keel and I touched ground in the middle of the narrow entrance. I had to anchor out off the beach for the night.




The next morning I continued up the shallow and sometimes narrow passage inside the reefs and Cays towards 'Marsh Harbor'. On the way I passed a grounded fishing boat and dropped my anchor for the night outside of Boat Harbor Marina on the south side of Marsh Harbor.


The next morning I went around the peninsula and entered Marsh Harbor itself, which is beautiful. There are a lot of cruising boats at anchor or tied to the docks of the 4 marinas. This is the "Hub of the Abacos" and most cruising is based here as well as the Moorings and Sunsail Charter Companies.


With only 6 feet of water to anchor at low tide, my 6' 8" deep keel is in the soft silt sand for about 2 hours twice a day. I will look for a spot maybe 1 foot deeper but I spent the Easter weekend anchored off the "Curly Tail Restaurant" named after the local Gecko variety.



This coming weekend three friends are coming for a visit and I have the huka and dive tanks ready. My good buddy Tom-the-Pilot and another friend Kimberely with her girl friend will spend a long 4 day weekend exploring the Man-O-War Cays and Hope Towne with me.

I'll take photos and report after they depart.

Mike Harker
s/v Wanderlust3

Strictly Sail Miami: Mike Harker Seminars

If you plan to attend Strictly Sail in Miami, you won't want to miss Mike Harker's seminar: Sail Around the World!

If you've been following this photo weblog on TheSailingChannel.TV, you know that Mike is a truly courageous adventurer as well as a professional photographer and gifted storyteller. Mike has returned to the Strictly Sail Miami Boat Show, after completing his under-one-year circumnavigation, on the anniversary of his departure.

Join Mike for his inspiring, informative and entertaining (PG-13) slide show. You'll leave ready to plan your own circumnavigation!

WHERE:

• Strictly Sail Miami at Bayside Marketplace - Seminar Tent A
  

WHEN:

• Friday, Feb. 15th at 12 noon
• Saturday, Feb. 16th at 5pm
• Sunday, Feb. 17th at 5pm
  

SPONSORS:

• Hunter
• Interphase
• Yanmar Marine
• Harken
• UK-Halsey Sailmakers
• Selden
• Walker Bay
• Flex-O-Fold Propellers
• Lewmar
• Fischer Panda Generators
• Parasail Parasailor
• Lopolight
• TheSailingChannel.TV
• Raymarine
• DSR Dockside Radio
  

Caribbean: Articles from Latitude 38 Magazine

Mike is safely moored in Miami getting ready for the Miami Boat Show starting later this week. Here's are a couple of articles courtesy Latitude 38 Magazine about Mike as he sailed through the Caribbean to Miami.

February 4, 2008 - Matthew Town, Great Inagua, Bahamas

Right... Mike, legally a paraplegic, unsnarls his chute off St. Barth about a week ago when he still had 1,100 miles to go in order to complete Wanderlust 3's circumnavigation. Photo Latitude / Richard
© 2008 Latitude 38 Publishing Co., Inc.

Mike Harker of Manhattan Beach reports that he completed his circumnavigation with his Hunter Mariner 49 Wanderlust 3 yesterday ( in the Bahamas. (He'd completed his personal circumnavigation earlier in Antigua.)

Harker had hoped to "make it around" in 11 months, but did better than that, taking just 10 months and 23 days. As you'll read in our interview with him in the March issue, it's something he says that anyone with common sense could do.

To put Harker's trip in context, he took just 10 days longer than did Sir Robin Knox-Johnston when he won the first singlehanded, non-stop, around the world race with his Colin Archer Suhaili in 1969.

Not to mix apples and oranges, Knox-Johnston went around Cape Horn and never used his engine for propulsion. Harker, on the other hand, went around via the Panama Canal, and on occasion did use his engine to move the boat. On the other hand, Harker luxuriated in port about half the time, while Knox-Johnston never stopped. In addition, Harker's Wanderlust 3 is the picture of luxury — five electric winches, microwave, two flat screen televisions, full electronics — to Sir Robin's ultra-basic boat.

My, how the world of ocean sailing has changed.

Harker's boat will be on display and available for sailing at the Miami Boat Show, which starts of February 15.

- latitude / rs


January 28, 2008 – St. Barth, French West Indies

Left... Having set his unusual Parasailor2 spinnaker off St. Barth, Harker and his Hunter Mariner 49 make tracks for the Sizzler at San Juan, Puerto Rico. Photo Latitude / Richard © 2008 Latitude 38 Publishing Co., Inc.

Early this morning we took off in our dink to photograph Mike Harker of the Manhattan Beach-based Hunter Mariner 49 Wanderlust 3, as he set his Parasailor2 spinnaker to leave St. Barth for San Juan and, ultimately, 1,100-mile distant Miami. When he reaches Miami, he'll have completed an 11-month circumnavigation with the boat, which still had the paint drying when he took off. Harker completed his personal circumnavigation last week in Antigua, as he'd already done the Antigua to Miami leg with Wanderlust II, his Hunter 466.

Right...Energized by fresh fruits and veggies - and even an extremely rare glass of wine - Mike yucks it up with Lili Wolfson, a true rocket scientist, who is two years into a 12-year circumnavigation with her husband Steve aboard their exquisite Texas-based Hans Christian 48 Liward. Photo Latitude / Richard
© 2008 Latitude 38 Publishing Co., Inc.

Harker will be stopping in San Juan on his way to Miami, because from his previous sailing adventures he knows there's a Sizzler right near the dock, and they've got an all-you-can-eat salad bar. The thing he missed most while sailing was fresh salads and veggies. In fact, we took him to La Gamelle restaurant the other night so he could savor a Rasta Salad, which included lots of delicious fresh mangos, avocados, tomatoes, lettuce and the like. He loved it. In fact, he loved it considerably more than the fresh fish platter at Le Select the day before. He'd mistaken some ultra-hot sauce for ketchup, and darn near died when a sauce splattered piece of fish got caught in his throat. He was in such bad shape we were two seconds from calling for a doctor when he started breathing again. Harker swears it was the worst injury he's suffered on the circumnavigation.

We've got a great new interview with Mike for the March issue of Latitude that we think you'll enjoy. Just for kicks, here are a couple of highlights:

38: How much did the circumnavigation cost you?

Mike: Besides the boat and gear, almost nothing. I'm a cheapo.

38: What were your three favorite stops?

Mike: The Galapagos Islands, the Whitsundays in Australia and St. Barth.

He loved the Galapagos for the wildlife, the Whitsundays for the great people, and St. Barth for, among other things, the beautiful women on the beach.

Left... Harker celebrated his circumnavigation with a sail aboard a 54-ft catamaran to Ile Fourchue, where he had probably his fifth glass of wine in 60 years. He's vowed to returned to the Caribbean for six months next winter.
Photo Latitude / Richard © 2008 Latitude 38 Publishing Co., Inc.

Having completed a rapid circumnavigation, you can imagine that Harker is ready to take a break from sailing. Er, not quite. He'll spend this summer giving presentations every other week at Hunter dealers or yacht clubs from Florida to Maine. Next winter he'll be back sailing around the Caribbean for six months. He'll follow that up with an Atlantic crossing to the Med, where he's looking particularly forward to Croatia, the Black Sea, and Turkey. Then he'll head down the Red Sea and across the Indian Ocean to Thailand. After a few months there, he'll work his way up to Japan, cross to California, and get ready for the '11 Ha-Ha.

If you don't think he'll do it, you don't know Mike — who, by the way, thanks to injuries received in a terrible hang-gliding accident many years ago, is legally classified as a parapalegic.

- latitude / rs

Miami Marina - Fire!

I had just completed sailing around the world from Miami Marina back to Miami Marina in 11 months when the boat next to mine explodes and catches FIRE!

I was sitting in "HOOTERS" restaurant having a burger and watching the sights out the window towards my boat when an explosion, flames and a lot of smoke blocked my view of my boat.

I jumped up (as best I could) and got on my folding 'boat bike' to ride back to my boat.

The Sheriff and 6 fire trucks wouldn't let anyone through.

I explained that it could be MY boat so a sheriff accompanied me to my boat through about 50 firemen in gear.

I could see MY boat was OK but the boat next to mine, with two empty slips between, was being broken apart and doused with water. A man died and another was injured.

Welcome back to Miami!

Mike Harker
s/v Wanderlust3

N. Atlantic: Circumnavigation!

Sunday Feb 3 2008 4 pm (FL) 20* 57' 45" N X 073* 40' 73" W

On March 15, 2007 I left the little 200ft x 200ft harbor of Matthew Town on Great Inagua Bahamas for Jamaica, San Blas and Panama.

This afternoon I arrived back in the same bay I left 11 months ago, or exactly 10 months and 23 days to circumnavigate the world!

The new Hunter 49 "WanderLust 3" and I are officially "CIRCUMNAVIGATORS" having been one lap around our globe.

With the advantage of constant trade winds and a fast boat, I am about one week ahead of schedule into Miami.

The Miami Boat Show starts on Thursday 14 Feb. I will be in the Mia Marina on Feb 7 or 8.

I will leave here tomorrow for the 450 miles into Miami via the "Old Bahama Channel" along the north edge of Cuba

Since San Juan Puerto Rico I have been receiving Sirius Sat Radio and 'MargaritaVille with 'Super Bowl Sunday'.

Mike Harker
'WanderLust 3'
Hunter 49 BOTY

N. Atlantic: Anchor Down - San Juan, PR

I Had an early lunch at "Mamacita's" on the small island of Culebra then left for the north coast of Puerto Rico.

The winds and swell are strong Northerly, so it was a rough ride up to the pass.

But once I got around the top of the NE corner of Puerto Rico, I could head more Westerly and along the swell.

The wind was NE 20 knots and was on the beam most of the way which causes some uncomfortable heeling.

I averaged 7.5 knots and an at anchor right in front of the "Sizzler steak house" which is known for the terrific salad bar. Photos: Mike in Culebra.




Mike Harker
S/V Wanderlust3