The Western Australian Museum acknowledges and respects the Traditional Owners of their ancestral lands, waters and skies.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are advised that this digital guide may include images, sounds, and names of now deceased persons.

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At the far end of the Museum near the water is a large yacht tilted at an extreme angle, a mannequin clinging to the mast.

Parry Endeavour

Jon Sanders

Between May 1986 and March 1988, Jon Sanders completed a single-handed triple circumnavigation of the globe in the yacht Parry Endeavour.

This display captures a defining moment in Jon's record breaking voyage. It is 3.00am on 20 November 1987. Parry Endeavour is approaching Cape Horn for the third and last time.

A storm is building and Jon Sanders must go on deck to slow the yacht down. He hoists his smallest sail, the storm jib, and put out a sea brake* to control the speed of the yacht. While on the foredeck he looks aft and sees a wall of water towering behind Parry Endeavour. He clings to the mast as the freezing water smashes over him.

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Deep Dives

From the Swan River gallery walkway, viewing the Australia II yacht with the ocean through the large windows beyond is a highlight of the Museum.

Museum walking tour

Take the VSO tour

Tour

A grinning Jon Sanders holds up white sacks of mail on the deck of the yacht.

Playing the Long Game - Jon Sanders

Between the devil and the deep blue sea - Jon Sanders' moment of greatest peril

Article

At the far end of the Museum near the water is a large yacht tilted at an extreme angle, a mannequin clinging to the mast.

Playing the Long Game - Jon Sanders

Ouch! Parry Endeavour's bump on the nose

Article

A photo taken from the front of the yacht shows the choppy sea beyond the metal railing.

Playing the Long Game - Jon Sanders

Parry Endeavour – the story of a record breaker

Article

A friendly Museum staff member next to the dramatically leaning yacht in the gallery.

International Museum Day - WA Maritime Museum

The Parry Endeavour

Video

Jon Sanders waving from the back of a yacht in harbour, in front of an Australian flag.

Jon Sanders

Photogallery

Gallery

At the far end of the Museum near the water is a large yacht tilted at an extreme angle, a mannequin clinging to the mast.

Jon Sanders' yacht, Parry Endeavour.
Credit: WA Museum