Sea Gypsies camp out at local boating supply goods shop, Minney’s Yacht Surplus

NEWPORT BEACH — Newport Beach’s Minney’s Yacht Surplus, considered to be royalty within the local boating supply scene, hosted a very special guest leading into the weekend of March 9 – a crewmember from a rag-tag group of modern sailors known as the Sea Gypsies. The Sea Gypsies are a sailing community who navigate the world aboard their vessel, Infinity. Collectively they make up Infinity Expedition and have sailed the seas since 2004. Infinity Expedition, as it turns out, is embarking on one of its most daring expeditions yet: As you read these words, the Sea Gypsies are attempting to sail farther north than any ship in recorded history. A white, snow-capped no-man’s land, the Sea Gypsies will battle Mother Nature’s natural elements as they foray into a mostly unexplored territory through the Northern Pass. Such an endeavor would certainly qualify as a trip even the most experienced sailors and rugged outdoorsmen would not endeavor lightly. However, with Capt. Clemens Oestreich at the helm, the Sea Gypsies are determined to break the sailing record. Oestreich is a European native and an experienced sailor. Ernie Minney, the owner and founder of Minney’s Yacht Supply, told The Log Infinity Expedition purchased “thousands of dollars” worth...