I first heard about Chris Bray from friends in Tasmania. Chris grew up circumnavigating the earth on a small sailboat with his mom and dad.
Personally, I can’t imagine a better gift that a parent can give to a child. The kids I’ve met who’ve cruised on a small boat stand out to me — much more grounded, mature and capable than most other youngsters I’ve ever met. And I’ve seen many of them grow up to lead extraordinary lives.
Chris Bray is no exception.
Over the past few years, while starting a Chris Bray Photography — a photo-safari-workshop business — with then-girlfriend Jess, the couple also took summers off to attempt to sail the Northwest Passage in the junk-rigged wooden boat, TELEPORT.
As a mentor of mine in the movie business once told me: “This ain’t all sunglasses and autographs, Steve. In fact, very little of it is”. Epic voyages are no different.
We’ll be presenting the complete video series of Chris and Jess’s (now newlyweds) entire voyage on OffCenterHarbor.com, and here are the first three episodes filled with the excitement and heartache that are bedmates at the outset of achieving the near-impossible.
While I’ve been inspired by Chris, perhaps the most impressive thing about this epic voyage is that Jess began as an absolute novice sailor. Wow!
Sailing the Northwest Passage in a Junk-Rigged Wooden Boat
Part 1 – Fixing the “New” Boat
Sailing the Northwest Passage in a Junk-Rigged Wooden Boat
Part 2 – Tour of the Fixed Boat
Sailing the Northwest Passage in a Junk-Rigged Wooden Boat
Part 3 – Sea Trials Before the Voyage
Stay tuned for the next videos in the series, and if you’d like to fast-forward on your own, you can visit Chris and Jess’ website for their voyage aboard TELEPORT.
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Check out the the category of Young Adventurers & Cruisers.
Thomas Buzzi says:
Ahhh, youth. “Eating an elephant” with all the enthusiasm they has really says it all.
Fair winds and looking forward to your future exploits.
Tom Roderick says:
An absolutely stunning course on how to eat an elephant with eager enthusiasm. A delightful couple to whom we wish all the best as we look forward to many episodes to follow. Fair winds and following seas…
Mason Dyer says:
Wishing them all the best.
Jerry Rose says:
Great videos Steve by Chris and Jess. They are so honest about themselves and their feelings.Very refreshing! Can’t wait to see them all.
Bob Shipman says:
Adjectives can’t really express what a story you have shared. Feel as if I was along all the way…
Chris, the thing most precious is Jess. You take care!
Richard Galbraith says:
Wonderful!! I’m more inspired to finish my restoration and get out there too. Wishing you many years of happy voyaging.
Robert De Leo says:
Amazing videos of a courageous couple. It seems that they were learning as they went along… Scary. At 71 I’m a little more preemptive… But then again, they did it and I didn’t! Hats off to both of them! RDL
Jon Arcuni says:
Wonder series with a cute couple. I can’t wait to see the rest. The video came in sharp and clear with no hesitations.