Robert Farrar

Robert Farrar, of Atlanta, Georgia joined the Maggie B in Rangiroa, Tuamotus on October 3rd for the leg to Puerto Montt, Chile. Robert has a lifetime of experience on small to mid-size power boats and, other than Hobie Cats, has sailed with others at the helm since 1978. In 1992, he received his Bare Boat to Advanced Coastal Cruising certifications at Olympic Circle Sailing, Berkeley, California.

Since 1992, Robert has also been a partner in a Cal 39' sloop, which is berthed at the California Yacht Club in Marina del Rey, California, where Robert and his wife Jodi lived for the better part of 13 years before returning to Atlanta in June 2003. While in California Robert & Jodi were also sole owners of an Alaskan 49' trawler for 3 years. This boat was used extensively for diving & kayak excursions, with family and friends, to a number of Southern California's Channel Islands. Robert has been at the helm sailing the southern coast of California and the coastal area between San Francisco and Santa Cruz, California. His principal experience as captain of his own boat has been sailing between Santa Catalina and the more Northern islands of Anacapa, Santa Cruz and San Miguel, all of which are part of the magnificent Channel Islands National Park. Robert & Jodi also had their trawler in Baja, CA for 6 months in 1998. While an enthusiast for anything physical in the outdoors, Robert has been island hopping and scuba diving throughout the Caribbean (Bahamas to the Lesser Antilles) since the early 1970's. Rangiroa to Puerto Montt will be his first Blue Water crossing and his first time without access to the resources available when close to shore. This voyage represents the realization of a 30-year-long dream.

Robert is married to Jodi Farrar. They have a married son and three beautiful grandchildren. Professionally, Robert is a real estate broker/consultant who for 22 years has managed real estate assignments throughout North America, Western Europe and Latin America. He now works exclusively for the Coca-Cola System, a client of 21 years. He is on the board of directors of the C-5 Youth Foundation, which is a leader in the field of youth development for at risk, under resourced youth.

Robert is 54, beginning to lose his hair, but in great shape from bicycling, a sport that he won't get much experience with on the Maggie B. He got a berth because he met Frank at a lunch in Chicago in 2006, and, after some glasses of wine, Frank extended an invitation to Robert to take a leg, never expecting it to be actually taken up. Over the last year, Robert has followed the boat carefully, including a visit with Jodi when we were in Barbados. He has sent suitable bribes, including massages for the crew in Fremantle, books and tapes, and a birthday basket for Lieve in Cape Town. Besides a great sense of humor and a bottomless resource of good stories, Robert reported for duty with some great new movies, books and music to share.

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