Massachusetts teen says he is the youngest person to sail solo across the Atlantic – WCVB Boston

A 16-year-old from Duxbury says he is now the youngest person ever to sail solo across the Atlantic from the U.S. to Europe.Despite growing up in a sailing family, Cal Currier himself didn't know how to tie a knot or hoist a sail until a few months ago. "It was Thanksgiving break and I said, 'I don't know what I want to do this summer,'" Currier said. "I'm getting older. I don't just want to veg around anymore."Currier started taking sailing lessons and fixing up an old boat. In June, the teen set sail from Marion, rounded Cape Cod, then headed east across three thousand miles of open ocean.During the trip, Currier fought against sleep deprivation and a nearby storm that kicked up rough seas. He said the biggest challenge was being by himself with only sporadic satellite connections to his family and no phone. Greek philosophy helped pass the time alone at sea."So this was just a great chance for me to read," Currier said. "Get back in touch with reading and get back in touch with just sitting there and pondering the questions of life. I didn't actually answer any, but I read some Plato." During Currier's trip, his parents waited back home in Duxbury."We were looking at the tracker probably 20 times a day," said Cal's father, James Currier. After four weeks with the sun rising over Portugal, Currier pulled into port and reunited with his family. "I don't like being on my own," Currier said. "I'm a people person."Cal's not sure if he'll cross any more oceans. For now, his next adventure will be junior year of high school.

A 16-year-old from Duxbury says he is now the youngest person ever to sail solo across the Atlantic from the U.S. to Europe.

Despite growing up in a sailing family, Cal Currier himself didn't know how to tie a knot or hoist a sail until a few months ago.

"It was Thanksgiving break and I said, 'I don't know what I want to do this summer,'" Currier said. "I'm getting older. I don't just want to veg around anymore."

Currier started taking sailing lessons and fixing up an old boat. In June, the teen set sail from Marion, rounded Cape Cod, then headed east across three thousand miles of open ocean.

During the trip, Currier fought against sleep deprivation and a nearby storm that kicked up rough seas. He said the biggest challenge was being by himself with only sporadic satellite connections to his family and no phone. Greek philosophy helped pass the time alone at sea.

"So this was just a great chance for me to read," Currier said. "Get back in touch with reading and get back in touch with just sitting there and pondering the questions of life. I didn't actually answer any, but I read some Plato."

During Currier's trip, his parents waited back home in Duxbury.

"We were looking at the tracker probably 20 times a day," said Cal's father, James Currier.

After four weeks with the sun rising over Portugal, Currier pulled into port and reunited with his family.

"I don't like being on my own," Currier said. "I'm a people person."

Cal's not sure if he'll cross any more oceans. For now, his next adventure will be junior year of high school.

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Massachusetts teen says he is the youngest person to sail solo across the Atlantic - WCVB Boston