For the record, the crew members of Allure are:
Jim Morgan Skipper
Jim Barber Watch Captain
Tom Jorgensen Watch Captain
Al Garnier Navigator
Eric Caras Bow
Steve Calhoun Trimmer
Bill Megowan Trimmer
The Friday July 8th start of Transpac 2011 was picture perfect under blue skies and 12-15 knots of breeze that looked like we would be able to clear the west end of Catalina without a tack. We had great boat at the start, on the line 1/3 way from the pin end, but not clear air. Soon the big guys swept passed us and we found ourselves kind of the leeward boat. The wind lifted us a little, but not as much as expected and we arrived at Catalina near Dunigan's rock and began to tack our way towards the West End in the company of all our completion, splitting tacks with Flaca and Horizon. We continued passed Catalina on port tack for about 15 miles. Flaca hung with us, but Horizon and a number of the SC 52's turned south an hour before us. We did have to shift to the No. 3 on the approach to Catalina as the winds built not unexpectedly to 18- 20 knots. Once clear of the island the wind dropped back to 11 knots and so we went back to the No. 1 (147% headsail)
Most of the night we were pretty hard on the wind sailing 220, having set a waypoint to cross the Ridge at 27 55 N, 130 00 W, then some 654 nm away bearing 230 m. Our 0600 Position compared to our competition is not surprising as both Horizon and Flaca have scoops, extending their waterlines 2 + feet.
It is now 1400 and I just got off the wheel, sailing boat for boat with Flaca on our starboard beam just 100 yards away, There are still 3 other boats around too far off to know for sure who they are. In the last 4 hours we have averaged 10 plus knots seeing 14.4 k best so far.
Life is good for most of us. A few (3) have experienced seasickness so not much food is being consumed. Tonight's meal will be pushed back as we continue to eat the leftover chicken and Friday sandwiches.
In the problems area, there are 3 things of concern. 1st - you guessed it - THE WATERMAKER! The raw water pump is not running, so nothing can happen without it. Once our heel angle improves we will tackle this issue. 2nd is a few mysterious leaks, some fresh, some salt. We think we have stopped the fresh water loss, and part of the salt water was the speedo thruhull leaking when Allure pounds coming of a wave. The 3rd is the Iridium antenna. It worked fine all thru the night, but by morning roll call time, it suddenly became intermittent and now dead. So its back to the old method of holding the phone up thru the hatch while sending and receiving. What can you say; it's a sailboat race!
Aloha,
Al
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Nice going boys. Don't sweat the small stuff. Don't forget to race hard!
ReplyDeleteHow did Flaca get such a good handicap?
So cool to watch your progress. Thanks for the report Al!
Bill
Miss you dad!!! Hope you did not get sea sick :( what kind of a name is 'Flaca'?? :)
ReplyDelete-Katherine
Hi dad, Really like tracking you on this yellowbrick program! seems like you have constantly improved your lead on number 4 "J Worlds Hula Girl"... they have been crisscrossing your stern from the beginning!
ReplyDeletethanks for the great explanation of the tactics dad, I did notice Horizon zig zaging your stern for the first couple of days and wondered what was up. now about your southern then northern Z. It was cool to see the maneuver on the yellowbrick and then have you describe the strategy behind it. You know i have like three web pages open to the trackers/blogs and i cant wait until one of them is updated! With the blog and the tracker (and some video even though its not of Allure) you really feel like your here! keep us posted! love you DAD,
ReplyDeleteScott