Sailing the seven seas

Navy Commander Dilip Donde on his book that chronicles his experiences at sea “I didn’t even know that people sail or race around the world till I volunteered to sail solo around the world,” says Commander Dilip Donde—a surprising admission from the first Indian to circumnavigate the world solo. The Navy Commander recently authored and launched a book, The First Indian: …

Now, sailing hero embarks on the ‘Voyage for Madmen’

Only one person has completed the gruelling 30,000-mile Golden Globe Race, and that too 50 years ago As he gets ready to embark on the 30,000-mile Golden Globe Race, often referred to as the ‘Voyage for Madmen’ in view of its daunting challenges, Commander Abhilash Tomy believes that the worst is behind him. “It’s been very hectic making it to …

Ratnakar Dandekar’s India-made boats are sailing the world

A shipbuilding company has grown in size, and confidence, since it created its first ocean-faring boat When the Indian Navy went looking for an indigenous sailboat manufacturer in 2008 they did not find anyone fitting that description. They floated a tender and precisely two boatbuilders from across the country responded. One of them was the affable Ratnakar Dandekar, a boatbuilder …