David Young is the oldest “rookie” we’ve ever had aboard avalanche.  He will turn 70 the day he comes aboard to help us get the boat ready for sea.  David was born in Tasmania and grew up in Australia, where his passport was issued.  His home, however, is apparently wherever he drops anchor!  He has been sailing forever, having taken his 24’ boat to Europe on to the Caribbean and further to the Americas.  He estimates that he has crossed the Atlantic in his boat and others 20-30 times.  He has canoed a 16’ Coleman canoe from Bremerhaven Germany on the North Sea to Sete France on the Mediterranean.  He has also piloted a 20’ boat throughout the canals of Europe.  Along the way he has learned to speak French, German, Dutch, Spanish and Portuguese.  He also managed to learn to fly a plane.

When I asked David to provide information for this biography he replied that if he had done nothing in 70 years he could easily answer, but that he has done so much that it would take another 70 years to tell it all.  He did have a further comment, which I quote here:

“We have 10 days or more of sailing.  If anybody wants to listen to boring stories, I will elaborate.  BUT, I do have great jokes, am a good cook, don’t get miserable, can keep my temper (when all around, others are losing their’s) and I’m extremely humble…”

So you can see, we think we have a fine addition to our crew.  Not only can the man sail a boat and fix stuff, he can call for help in 6 languages and keep us laughing!

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