Teenager becomes youngest round the world sailor
- Friday, August 28, 2009, 17:24
- 27 comments
Mike Perham has broken the record for the youngest person to sail solo around the world. Mike’s 50ft yacht, TotallyMoney.com, crossed the finish line off the Cornish coast marking the end of his epic 30,000 mile, 9 month voyage at 09:47:30am. Mike, at 17, is two months younger than American Zac Sutherland who holds the current record.
Mike said: “I’ve made it, I’ve made my dream come true and it feels amazing. A BIG BIG thanks to my Dad, Mum, all the sponsors and everyone who has helped me along the way.”
You can find out more at Mike Perham’s Blog
About the Author
Iva is a personal finance journalist who specialises in money-saving hints and tips for cash-strapped consumers.
27 Comments on “Teenager becomes youngest round the world sailor”
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Hi. Just to say a huge thanks for your support to Mike and your belief in him. A tremendous achievment.
Congratulations Mike! Your an inspiration to all of us DADS who love sailing and are passing the tradition down to our children. I have four children and they were literally in tears when we found out you finished your Journey.
Many, Many KUDOS to you…please let us know if we can celebrate with you if you ever make it to the US in Washington, DC…we would be happy to host you and your family anytime. We live right off the Potomac River just a stones throw away from Mt. Vernon, VA…..We are all excited to see what you will take on next! GOD SPEED Mike Perham! Best Wishes, mark.s@cox.net
Congrats Mike. Thats a great achievement and gives great hope to people around the globe who are low on confidence, you proved the world that everything is possible with a strong determination. Keep going Mike and would love to see you doing more such adventures.
— Phani (India)
Mike, you are an inspiration to all! Excellent work!
I am 3 times your age sailor. If my wife and I ever met you in San Francisco, I would say, ” It’s a pleasure to me you Mister Perham. We are proud of you”
I was a little older than you when I drove a 1979 Honda 750 motorcycle from Maine to California. I was scared and exhilarated. It took me 4 days. And though my trip was short lived – unlike yours – the loneliness kicked in as soon as my bum, legs and shoulders got used to living at eighty miles an hour.
You are my Horatio Hornblower. I have helped sail a 20 foot Islander here in the San Francisco Bay. We would go out to the Golden Gate Bridge and back. It’s alot of work. And it’s just a day trip. I admire you. Your family must be busting with pride.
Amazing achievement!
Cheers!
Wow!
an unbelievable accomplishment!
you have given myself and others the inspiration to sail on voyages that have only lived in our minds.
Be proud and stand tall.
Well done Mike, I sailed my own boat transatlantic when I was 23 so I know what its like out there. Fantastic trip!
Congratulations Mike your a true champion with self belief and a strong will of determination. This is the best news story for months. Makes me feel proud to be British again. Well done to totallymoney.com for having the belief in him and supporting him in his vision and epic journey around the globe.
Cheers!
Mike, I just came across your story after seeing it on CNN and later searching for your site online. At 31, I’m a little older than you, but I can’t help but be incredibly inspired to do whatever it is that I want to do with/in my life at this point that I have just been putting off until now. I want to thank you tremendously for that inspiration, which I have found through reading your blog and watching your video blogs. So again, thank you, and a huge congratulations on accomplishing this amazing feat!
Congratulations, Mike, on your wonderful achievement. I’m sure only greater things are in store for you as you grow older. You’ve accomplished more in 17 years than post people would dream of in a lifetime. A super thing you did.
increible asaña maestro te mando saludos desde argentina!
GET A LIFE OR LEARN FOR ONE. C’MON 4 GODS’ SAKE! YOU SHOULD BE IN BLOODY SCHOOL LEARNING. YOU’VE GOT THE REST OF YOUR LIFE TO DO THIS CRAP
You are an inspiration to us all. You make your country very proud!
Fair winds..
Chaiyz Brown
Well Done mate! What are you going for next?
Hello Mike, you are very brave. What`s next? I am writing from Guayaquil, Ecuador, hope to know more about you in the near future, you are an inspiration source for joung and older people around the world, congratulations for your parents too that support you. Felicidades desde Guayaquil, Ecuador, esperamos saber mas noticias tuyas en un futuro, ejemplo para la juventud y vejentud del mundo entero. Felicidades a tus padres que te apoyan.
Awesome! Congrats! Life is nothing but what you make it yourself! I’m hoping Laura Dekker will outdo you though eventually!
Congratulations. I still doing my school work when i’m at the same age, but you have done the great job.
China Doors.
well what can you say. well done young man, everyone is so proud of you
Congratulations Mike! Ignore the neggies who haven’t got the balls to do what you have done.
You are an amazing young man, an inspiration to young and old alike. You have a great family who see your potential and help you reach it.
God speed in your next endevour.
cheers
Wendi
Thanks to you (TotallyMoney.com) and your team for having the cojones to support Mike and his team in this adventure,,especially for the website efforts.
It shows a sense of risk evaluation and responsible risk taking which has sadly been missing in the UK financial scene over the last year or two – something I have pointed out to friends and acquaintances asking for financial advice from me. Long may you prosper !
Peter d’Ecosse
Congratulations Mike and team and ALL the folks at Totallymoney.com . Thanks for believing that one person’s dream can benefit so many others around the world.
Mike, you ARE a Legend.
Congratulations Mike! You are an inspiration for all and for the Dutch girl Laura Dekker. Here you are on Dutch TV
When i saw that you were British I had no doubt that you could do it. When i sailed across the Atlantic with the ARC Rally in 2004, my captain, 24 years old, was a Brit and the youngest professional captain in the Rally. You guys are the best sailors. Dont tell the French…Cheers!
congratulation Mike!
now you can do something better than this. go ahead all the best
Mike u are a legend my friend what an absolutely awesome feat
for anyone to achieve…add in your 16 years on this planet…and
it just puts the whole achievement into another stratosphere alltogether.
I have never met u but I am so proud of you and your fantastic feat.
You need to have a bit of chill out time and I’m right in d middle of
your channel 4 documentary.
I have sailed d atlantic but with a crew of 4 others …
MIKE YOU ARE THE MAN!!
Dave in Kildare Ireland
I have just watched your film on tv with my 15 year old son. we were both so blown away by what you have achieved.absolutely incredible and awe inspiring,you can only go on in life to be all you want to be.