Kristofer J. “Harley” Harlson stands inside Sea Biscuit, an eight-foot long boat docked in Tofino Harbour. Harlson plans on sailing Sea Biscuit around the world. (Keven Drews Photo)

By Keven Drews

A slow leak has thwarted a Washington state man’s drive to break two world records.
Sunday in Tofino, Kristofer J. “Harley” Harlson called off an adventure that would have taken him around the globe in an eight-foot long sailboat called Sea Biscuit.
“I’m a little disappointed but I’m not surprised,” said Harlson, a 53-year-old resident of Lynnwood, Wash. “I knew the boat would have to undergo thorough testing.”
At the heart of Harlson’s quest were two world records, records for sailing the smallest boat around the world and sailing the smallest boat around the world non-stop by way of the five capes.

Harlson hoped to begin his quest by sailing – or bobbing at three and one-half knots – down the coast of North and South America and around Cape Horn, into the South Atlantic. Once in the South Atlantic, Harlson planned to remain in the Southern Hemisphere until he hit New Zealand, before heading north again.
Unfortunately, Sea Biscuit – constructed out of fiberglass, plywood and Kevlar – was damaged on its way to Tofino a little more than one week ago.
Harlson said wooden supports on the boat trailer gave way on a bumpy stretch of highway, damaging the fiberglass at the base of Sea Biscuit’s keel.
Because of the accident, more than one litre of water seeps into the boat daily.
Harlson said Sea Biscuit was equipped with a short-wave radio and satellite signaller and stocked with survival tablets and cakes, rice, beef jerky, reverse-osmosis desalinators and peanut butter.
Efforts to dry out the boat and fix the fiberglass failed, said Harlson who noted he’s now missed an important weather window. Harlson said he hoped to avoid winter seas while sailing in both hemispheres.
He’ll now head back to Washington state, where he’ll fix the keel and make several improvements.
“I was just trying to push it as fast as I can.”
While disappointed, Harlson said he’s not disillusioned and will return to Tofino next May or June to attempt a second time.
“It’s something I’ve always dreamed of doing.
“I’ll have to admit you have to be a little crazy to do this. I’m a little bit of an adrenaline junkie.”