The Singlehanders
by Marcia Peck

Since time immemorial, men have gone down to the sea in ships. However, some men go down to the sea in ships, alone! What is the fascination? Why do they pit themselves against a mighty ocean? Men, and women, too, find something very special in this challenge. They are the singlehanders. The Corinthian Yacht Club has three such sailors: WenLin, Stan Glaros, and Peter Hogg.

Wen Lin

Wen Lin was born in the seaport of Tai Pei, Taiwan. His father served in WWII under Japan, and for years, Wen's family did not know if he was dead or alive. His father did return, only to find no work and that Chinese troops, under Chiang Kai Check, had taken over his country. Wen's father was forced into hiding, and the family moved to Japan.

At age 17, Wen traveled alone to the United States, to attend the University of New Hampshire to study mathematics. It would be 20 long years before he would see his family again. After getting his masters degree in math, Wen moved to Vancouver, Canada, where his sailing career began on a Cal-20. While Wen was setting up computerized train schedules to Alaska and starting his own computer-software company, he was learning to sail. When he came to the bay area, he bought an Aries 32 and realized his bay sailing efforts were simply survival tactics. He got a bigger boat. He refitted his Swan 47, joined the Singlehanded Society, and practiced!

Wen describes his first singlehanded voyage as a personal challenge. As he put it, "I wanted to see what I could do by myself. I wanted to see if I would enjoy it. I did. I found peace in the power of the ocean." Wen's solo voyage took him from San Francisco to Victoria, B.C. Wen said when he began his journey, he was very worried and anxious. As the weather worsened, and the wind really started howling, he did the truly singlehander thilng, He said, "I pulled up my hood, told my boat, 'this is your department, take care of yourself, "and went below." He said, "all during the storm, all I could think about was food, and then when I finally got to port, I was seasick, because I couldn't walk on land." Wen has no regrets about his trip. He met many wonderful people in his ports of call, and enjoyed the beauty of the rugged west coast. His most memorable experience was his first view of the Cape of St. George. All alone, he expressed his joy at the sight of "something so desolate, so powerful, so beautiful." He was hooked.

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