In 2011, Matt Rutherford set out to become the first person to ever sail around the Americas. He had a 40-year old, 27-foot long sailboat - the St. Brendan. As this was a solo voyage, he was alone. And as this was nonstop, he could not put into port, drop anchor, connect himself to another vessel, or beach the boat. In part 1, we look at Rutherford's trouble youth, the preparations for his voyage, and take him through the most difficult part of his voyage - the Northwest Passage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices