Mike Plant

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Mike Plant (November 21, 1950 – 1992) was an American sailor who sailed alone around the world. He competed in the BOC Challenge and the Vendée Globe, two major solo racing events. After five years of single-handed sailing, he logged more than 100,000 miles at sea and set the American record for the fastest solo circumnavigation, finishing in 135 days.

In 1992 he was preparing for his second Vendée Globe and his fourth solo circumnavigation aboard Coyote, an Open 60 sailboat. He disappeared at sea while delivering Coyote from New York to France for the start. The boat was found 32 days later, upside down, missing the heavy ballast needed for the keel.

At the time of his death, Plant was one of only six sailors to complete three solo circumnavigations. He was inducted into The Single-Handed Sailing Hall of Fame in 2002.

Early life: He was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the third of five children. He grew up in Deephaven on Lake Minnetonka and began sailing at age 9. By 14, he had won the Interlake Regatta twice, sailing a boat named Lucky Strike. After adventures in his 20s, he moved to Jamestown, Rhode Island, where he found his passion for single-handed sailing.

Legacy: A feature-length documentary, COYOTE: The Mike Plant Story, was released in 2018. A memorial fund at Wayzata Sailing helps give sailing experiences to kids, with scholarships available. In 2019, Wayzata Sailing opened the Mike Plant Community Boathouse in his honor.