Friday,
July 5th
Friday,
July 5thMike Jefferson's Log: 0700 PDT. The fleet had a routine night; no horrible broaches, no sea monsters or aliens from outer space reported. BERSERKER tore a fitting off the boom which held the vang, and Mark is a bit worried about the resulting hole in the bottom of the boom. There was a prolonged discussion on the check-in SSB net as to ways to reinforce the boom. Presently, there is no immediate danger of it breaking, but Mark was concerned about the long term strength. ED on ORANGE BLOSSOM was speaking with Dr Schwabie, consulting rigologist on RUMBLESEAT, about possibilities of tightening the rod rigging on ORANGE BLOSSOM. A trip up the mast was ruled out, but no final decision was made.
This brings up a point that is often not appreciated by sailors who do not make long ocean passages: the ocean is a VERY ROUGH PLACE! Even relatively benign conditions such as the fleet has had (after the very difficult first three days) place severe strains and wear and tear on a boat. A single 3 week passage may put more hard sailing hours on the boat, rig, and sails than many sailors will experience in an entire season. It is more than just the hours; it is also the repeated hammering of the sea on various parts of the boat which are left fixed for days at a time in the same orientation. Sails are often not trimmed much for extended periods, and even a tiny bit of chafe will eat right through them. Lines aloft rub on the rig and each other. It is common for a halyard to be chafed almost through in several days if a poor halyard sheave arrangement does not allow for articulation as the head of the sail moves around (esp. critical for spinnaker halyards).
Mechanical things such as autopilots and self steering devices are absolutely critical for the safe operation of the boat on a passage, and they live a short and brutal existence. Ken Roper on HARRIER has a golf bag FULL of tiller pilots (7, I believe), and is constantly fixing them and replacing them. Listening to the autopilot grinding away with the large peak loads to which it is subjected to unceasingly at sea really gives one pause for thought. Having an autopilot or windvane fail at sea is a catastrophe, both mentally and in a practical sense. Without a way to get off the helm and go below to rest, navigate, eat, and recuperate, the stress and effort expended will rapidly tire a fit crew to dangerous levels. I have had autopilots and windvanes both fail at sea in gales, and it was a devastating thought that suddenly I was without a method of relieving myself from the EXHAUSTING task of steering INDEFINITELY! Fixing things under these conditions is enormously hard, both because the conditions are frequently miserable to work in, and because you cannot leave the helm to do it. Learning to heave to in any conditions could save your butt!
I would like to mention the Monitor Wind Vane produced by Scanmar in Richmond. Before the start of the race, several Scanmar personnel came to the fleet assembly location (the lovely Oakland Yacht Club) and AT NO CHARGE inspected, serviced, and in my case, actually repaired a critical part that had secretly been plotting my demise and was about to fail. The Monitor is a first rate wind vane, and most of the fleet is carrying them. Personally, I would not go offshore without one.
The subject of boat reliability and fixibility is a bit of a hot button for me, so before I start ranting and raving about it, let me conclude by saying that most people and many boats are capable of making extended passages in the ocean safely. It is dangerous to extrapolate your experiences in coastal, short term sailing to blue water sailing. The requirements and demands are somewhat different. Even though your skill level may be entirely adequate for dealing with any 5 minute part of the passage, the wear and tear on both the boat and crew accumulates. This is obviously something that can be dealt with, but one needs to be hard eyed and practical. There is nothing romantic about cold seawater whizzing down your neck as you hang over the transom fixing something in bad weather. The SingleHanded Sailing Society offers a year long seminar series starting about a year before the biennial TransPac. This is a highly useful practical exposition of the issues and known and tried solutions for offshore sailing and passage making. Cruisers are welcome, there is no charge, and I highly reccommend it. I have learned a great deal there. Happy Sailing (and carry plenty of spare parts and tools...) Mike Jefferson
Mike Jefferson's Log: 1900 PDT. Bad day at Black Rock for the fleet! HARRIER and JOE both broke goosenecks on their booms, although they expect jury rigs to work well enough to finish ok. BIG DOT blew up his 3/4 oz spinnaker, got knocked down with the 1.5 oz chute, lost a guy and shackle when they flogged loose. Doug reports that the 3/4 oz kite is repairable, and that he is very comfortable and going fast under twin poled out jibs. He had a good attitude and was commenting that it was all a learning experience. BERSERKER is still trying to get a decent reinforcement for his boom, which had the vang fitting torn out, leaving a hole which weakens it. He also has more problems with his fuel system, but can (painfully) keep the engine running. Ed English spent most of the day with the sails down tuning his rig. ORANGE BLOSSOM is a new boat, and the rigging is stretching as the hull works. He sounded pretty tired, but now has the boat back up to speed and is sailing well. NAI'A had a 1/2" diameter new halyard chafe through, rendering his jib hors de combat. He was able to get it back running with a spinnaker halyard. He is feeling his way around on this ultra-high performance racing machine, and eased off on the throttle today to get some things figured out. Lots of squalls on the horizon this evening. It may be a busy night. FOXXFYRE is running on port tack with two poled out headsails and a reefed main. Winds are in the 20 knot true range with a moderate swell and small seas. Regards! Mike Jefferson
Saturday,
July 6thMike Jefferson's Log: 0800 PDT. It was a groggy and grumbly fleet that assembled for roll call this morning. About half the fleet had major squall activity last night and had little or no sleep. The rest were, well, rested. After the damage of the previous day, there was little news to be reported. Greg Morris on SLIPSTREAM lost his pole topping lift and had to climb the mast to retreive it. The Vic-Maui fleet has been blowing by us. Mark Rudiger, navigator on CHEVAL, has joined our check-in net the last several evenings. The speeds being held by the sleds are really impressive! Today is an anniversary of sorts. At noon we will be exactly one week into this race. We seem to be doing very well with respect to speed, as by noon more than half the boats will be better than half way down the course. Even the slowest boats are no more than 100 miles or so from the halfway point. Shortly NAI'A will begin passing through the fleet as it makes up time lost to repairs. The major topic of discussion in the net was which frequencies the BBC and other world band shortwave broadcasters use. There is a mental transition taking place in the competitors from a shore-society based mode of perceiving the passage of time to a more relaxed mental rythmn which is in better harmony with the wind and waves. The first week was very long, perceptually. I think the next week will pass in a flash. Regards from the tradewinds. "You gotta love the roll!" Mike Jefferson
Mike Jefferson's Log: 1900 PDT. Well, it is definitely official, we are in the tradewinds: Ken Roper on HARRIER has started mixing martinis during the cocktail hour (check-in). This ancient tradition usually means that he is getting into the groove and about to put all the newbies in their places. Somehow at this point in a TransPac he starts gaining 10 miles a day on everyone. However, all the rest of the fleet was greatly cheered to hear that he had spent most of the day in a rainy prison cell made of squalls all around him, and with no wind. Ken was quite upset that he only made 11 miles in 5 hours. Perhaps THIS is the reason for the martinis...
In any event, the light airs allowed him to make a substantial jury rig to his boom, and is now able to sail with his mainsail up in a more-or-less normal manner. Chuck on JOE spent several hours crawling around in the nether regions of his boat rebuilding the bracketing for his autopilot. It appears that somehow some bolts had loosened and the resulting play allowed the mounting to work and twist all out of shape. He reports that all the tools he carries came in handy. He also has made a jury rig for his broken gooseneck, and reports being able to set the main with 2 reefs; adequate to finish the race. BERSERKER is sailing with a reefed mainsail. The cracks in his boom seem to have ceased propagating. Barring new developments, Mark should be fine to Kauai.
The fleet would like to thank amateur radio operators Ron Ellis, KG6DV, and Bill Di La Mater KB6LFM for their continuous support in bringing these reports to you. They have been outstanding in their skill and dedication to providing communications for the fleet. In addition, after the carnage of "Black Friday" they have passed detailed traffic to the race committee that will allow repair parts to be fabricated and shipped to the finish line, so as to make the boats seaworthy again. The finish line in Kauai has no support services or marinas, and is, in fact, a delightfully primitive place to end the race. The closest boatyards are in Oahu, a very nasty 120 mile bash to windward. Definitely not recommended for boats with rigging damage!
NAI'A has built a spinnaker net to avoid the catastrophe of the "Wrap of Death" that he suffered several days ago. He has the chute up again and is reeling in the fleet. He reports that his confidence has been regenerated and that he feels much better. Controlling a rocketship like NAI'A must be a real challenge! There are many flying fish about decks these days. These are very pretty fish, somewhat like a smelt, silver and lean, with large fins which act like actual wings. I have observed them to whiz over the waves for many yards.
Ed English on ORANGE BLOSSOM reports spending a delightful day covered in black rubber dust while he rebuilt his alternator system. Apparently the belt was loose, and had been slipping, accounting for his poor charging performance, and also filling the engine compartment with powered belt. Another of the nasty little things they don't tell you about when one applies for a job as "Heroic Ocean Racer"! It is really astounding how much success in this game (or even survival) depends on the willingness of each sailor to deal with the most obnoxious or baffling problems. The range and deviousness of the spectrum of problems which one must solve is amazing. And just when you thought it was safe to go back on deck, you drop a jar of olive oil and it breaks and runs all over the cabin sole, and you can't stand up, and you REALLY WANT YOUR MOMMY! Sometimes ocean sailing is enough to drive you crazy!
Everyone seems to be really happy. We are starting to get warm sunshine and dependable winds, and the net is alive with friendly banter, with the racers trading spinnaker tricks, recipes, and war stories. It is really a lot of fun! Now if only Roper would share his martinis... Regards from the sea! Mike Jefferson
Sunday,
July 7thMike Jefferson's Log: 0700 PDT. LIFE at SEA: Things are different offshore, more than you might ever dream possible as you slug your way through a traffic jam on the way to a stressful day in the salt mines. Small things become large and priorities change. Winning and losing seem less important, somehow, although each of us relishes a few miles gained on a competitor and much hoopla is made about minor misfortunes which slow them down. Losing a few miles is cause to run on deck and throw up more sail or tweak what is there. Weather faxes are discussed as eagerly as what was for dinner (by and large you would shudder to hear about this subject, so we will pass it quickly without inquiring deeply!). Yet in spite of the friendly competition, or perhaps because of it, deeper bonds are being formed. One sees people in a more intimate way offshore, as much of the baggage and attitude we carry around in our work-a-day lives dissolves in the face of a simpler, more direct existence. We see ourselves, and our competitors (rapidly becoming lifelong friends) as we really are; human beings with strengths and weaknesses, fears, and insights into life often different than our own. This is not to say that we have been cast into some philosophical wonderland of touchy-feely sensitivity. Life at sea is rather pithy, and there is nothing like a shot of seawater down your pantleg to recall you to sober reality.
None-the-less, one does see things differently. I know nothing about the presidential race, and find that I couldn't care less. In a few weeks that will change, but it is nice for now. Doug on BIG DOT has spent a lot of time watching some spiders spin webs on the stern pulpit. Probably pretty slim pickings out here, but a poignant reminder of the way that our inner natures drive us onward, in spite of the prospects. Perhaps as singlehanders we are not so different from the spiders.
Terry on SENSEI almost lost her last avocado when it became misplaced and as best as the rest of us can make out, barely avoided being hoisted in the spinnaker. Is the last avocado such a big deal? In a nutshell, yes. Terry had been looking forward to that avocado and seemed quite put out at the thought of losing it.
Ken on HARRIER misplaced his calculator and was quite annoyed because he couldn't calculate his daily punishment of the rest of us. A short time later he reported that his trash bag had disappeared. The famous "Search for the Trashbag" was hilarious, not only for Ken's caustic commentary, but also for the result, namely that the trashbag had been found, but that it had been torn and leaked large amounts of indescribably disgusting (no, I won't describe it and you can't make me) goo all over the reacher/drifter and that he was going to have to spend hours cleaning up. We were all delighted to hear it.
After ribbing Rob on TIGER BEETLE for his near rundown by the planet VENUS, last night Ed English succombed to "Alien Invasion" paranoia and repeatedly tried to contact a satellite crossing the horizon. "I could have sworn it was a ship", he mumbled later.
The sky last night was particularly beautiful, with the Milky Way blasting into your face like a Fourth of July fireworks show. Playing Bach loud, lying on your back in the cockpit, watching the stars, while the autopilot drives you along under spinnaker can make your heart want to explode with happiness and wonder. These small moments of intense feeling are part of the reward for undertaking this sort of adventure. Describing them cannot do them justice. They remain with you forever.
Now to switch gears, old Professor von Schwabski on RUMBLESEAT was dealing with the "Mother of all Squalls" while the rest of us were debating existentialist philosophy and drinking tea. Bruce got caught in one of the REAL squalls. He was surfing in the upper teens with the chute up when the wind got up to about 40 knots. At this point survival started to look better than "Fast is Fun", so he turned upwind to drop the chute. Of course the chute ended up in the water, so Bruce will have shrimp for dinner tonight. His vang fitting broke a few days ago, and he still gripes about it because it was the only piece in his rig he didn't build himself. Anyway, his reinforcement is holding ok and he is cooking along to the finish. Mark on BERSERKER reported that his autopilot (an Alpha Spectra) has become rather unreliable. Occassionally it goes into a narcoleptic coma and seemingly passes out. A good stiff kick with a seaboot (literally) seems to get it's attention, but the Alpha owners association was full of helpful (or well meaning, anyway) tips and advice. We will await developments.
Things here on FOXXFYRE are fine. I am scooting along down the rhumbline with my beautiful new spinnaker pulling away. I play good music, talk on the radio, trim sails, write this hogwash, read books, and enjoy my PopTarts and Cracker Jacks. Gradually making the transition from uptight land creature to relaxed sea creature. It will be over all too soon. Regards from the sea, Mike Jefferson
"I can do whatever I want..." Roper's Law
Mike Jefferson's Log:
1900 PDT. ORANGE BLOSSOM, in a shameless attempt to steal
the "Best Disaster" award in the evening check-in, revealed that
the worst spinnaker wrap that Ed has had in 27 years of sailing was successfully
defeated after a 2 hour struggle. The only time so far Ed didn't raise
the spinnaker net... COASTER and TIGER BEETLE are
sailing along a quarter mile apart. Rob reports that it provides for stimulating
racing. SENSEI reported a broken strand in her forestay.
The mast is in no immediate danger and a spare spinnaker halyard has been
used to support it. New wire and fittings have been requested and will
be delivered in Hanalei. Overall, most boats report a pleasant day of spinnaker
flying, with moderate winds and flat seas. The squall potential looks fairly
promising for tonight, so stay tuned for more adventures! Regards, Mike
Jefferson
'96 TransPac | SSS | Sailing Links | Weather Links | Hawaii
This
site maintained by Wingo Bay