Enda O’Coineen is getting his bid to be the first Irishman to single-handedly sail around the world back on track.
Nearly two months into the Vendee Globe endurance solo round-the-world race, the 60-year-old sailor took control of his yacht after a self-steering system glitch.
He had hoped to sail his 18.3m racing yacht Kilcullen Voyager around the world in 100 days.
The damaged yacht was towed to Dunedin by fishing trawler Lady Dorothy, skippered by Steve Little, on January 5.
Mr O’Coineen said he had enjoyed his stay in Dunedin, after 60 days alone at sea.
"I really don’t want to be here, but I don’t want to leave at the same time," he said laughing.
After the story of his rescue was published in the Otago Daily Times, Dunedin plumber Blair McNab gave the stranded sailor a 9m mast. Mr NcNab said he gave the mast because it had been "sitting around" since he replaced the mast on his yacht five years ago.
"I’m glad to see it get some use and get this guy up to Auckland."
Mr O’Coineen said even though the mast was much smaller than his original one it should allow him to sail to Auckland.
The original mast on his yacht was the same size as the mast of fellow Vendee Globe yacht Le Souffle du Nord.
The French yacht was also moored in Steamer Basin after being damaged when it hit an object, possibly a shipping container, in open water south of New Zealand.
If the smaller mast got Kilcullen Voyager to Auckland, someone in the city would have the skills to repair the yacht, including fitting a bigger replacement mast, so it could finish its journey as planned.
"I’d like to sail her home — that would be my goal; that’s the plan."
The short-term plan was to have a few farewell drinks with his new friends in Dunedin this weekend and set sail from Steamer Basin at 11am on Sunday, Mr O’Coineen said.
He was out of the race but he still aimed to make the record books.
"I’m the first Irishman to sail single-handedly halfway around the world — I’ve just got to do the other half."
He vowed to keep his New Year resolution and take fewer risks but some habits were hard to break.
"If you’re not living on the edge, you’re taking up too much space."
