WBChristie
Member
A week out from the original start date, windy shows the high far north with a rhumb line racecourse.
Another fast year? Will we ever see a “normal” year again?
Another fast year? Will we ever see a “normal” year again?
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What might have been.
- Thread starter WBChristie
- Start date
This summer's 2020 Singlehanded Transpac, slated to start Saturday, June 27, is postponed a year. Nevertheless, its never too early to begin, or continue prep to make 2021 SHTP a safe, fun, and fast SHTP passage.
In this vein, as well rekindling fond memories of a wonderful boat, I hope to virtually sail my 27' sloop WILDFLOWER from the Corinthian Yacht Club start line to Hanalei Bay finish using her 2008 configuration, equipment, polars, sail combinations, and notes from my log book. Everything pretty much as it was 12 years ago, except I will use current available weather analysis and forecasts to make the passage as fast as possible given this year's June/July 2020 weather patterns and winds.
Potential SHTP entrants and other interested parties are encouraged to “run what you got,” and begin to observe weather patterns this summer, rather than waiting until next year. Things can be learned and practiced, even with the boat tied to the dock and operating from Shelter in Place, including power consumption, understanding of Eastern Pacific weather patterns, and possible sail combinations, among other things.
My plan, as it stands, is to post each day WILDFLOWER's theoretical DR position based on the previous 24 hour course and speed. Our course will be determined by whatever estimate will get us to Hanalei the fastest given the location and strength of the Pacific High and other weather influencers like an upper level low to the north, or tropical activity to the south. No, I don't have any routing program like Expedition.
WILDFLOWER's reported 24 hour average boat speed will be a theoretical estimate derived from that day's projection of wind speed and direction in the area of the WILDFLOWER's position.
Encouraging any and all to join in and “run what ya got” starting next Saturday, June 27, Noon PDST. No handicaps, safety inspections, qualifying, racing rules or expense required.
Here's today's Anal (Pacific Surface Analysis)
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WBChristie
Member
Great! this will be interesting. Thanks for doing this
To reaffirm my previous post above, at noon Saturday, June 27th, several hours after 30 odd singlehanders start the 2020 rescheduled Singlehanded Farallones Race near max ebb, WILDFLOWER and I will start sailing from the CYC start line with an imaginary 2020 Singlehanded Transpac fleet on a virtual passage to Hanalei
At X+1, 24 hours after the start, I will post WF's position based on previous 24 hour average course and speed. These posts will continue daily until reaching the Hanalei Finish.
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Our course will be determined by whatever estimate will get us to Hanalei the quickest given the location and strength of the Pacific High and other weather influences such as an upper level low to the north, or tropical activity to the south.
I do not intend to mention ratings or handicaps. Probably after the first night, I won't see any other boats. But who knows what might be dreamt up...WF dueling gybes with SHARK ON BLUEGRASS?
Whatever weather forecasting I use will be generic....am not using any routing program, just eyeball and best guess....With a strong Pacific High and out of season trof passing the Bay Area this Saturday evening, looks like Gale Alley will be in full cry Sunday and Monday. My course to Pt.A will take us south of the area of maximum winds, forecast to be 30-35 knots, and keep us in the 20-25 knot range, still plenty of breeze and sea conditions for the first night, a dark one, on a 27 foot boat in this year's virtual Singlehanded Transpac.
Any and all are welcome to join in...
Here's WILDFLOWER, and Norton Smith's SC-27 SOLITAIRE, dueling an hour after the start of the first Singlehanded Transpac, June 15, 1978.
At X+1, 24 hours after the start, I will post WF's position based on previous 24 hour average course and speed. These posts will continue daily until reaching the Hanalei Finish.
.
Our course will be determined by whatever estimate will get us to Hanalei the quickest given the location and strength of the Pacific High and other weather influences such as an upper level low to the north, or tropical activity to the south.
I do not intend to mention ratings or handicaps. Probably after the first night, I won't see any other boats. But who knows what might be dreamt up...WF dueling gybes with SHARK ON BLUEGRASS?
Whatever weather forecasting I use will be generic....am not using any routing program, just eyeball and best guess....With a strong Pacific High and out of season trof passing the Bay Area this Saturday evening, looks like Gale Alley will be in full cry Sunday and Monday. My course to Pt.A will take us south of the area of maximum winds, forecast to be 30-35 knots, and keep us in the 20-25 knot range, still plenty of breeze and sea conditions for the first night, a dark one, on a 27 foot boat in this year's virtual Singlehanded Transpac.
Any and all are welcome to join in...
Here's WILDFLOWER, and Norton Smith's SC-27 SOLITAIRE, dueling an hour after the start of the first Singlehanded Transpac, June 15, 1978.
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So, right about now we'd all be gathering for the skippers meeting in the ballroom at CYC... followed by lunch at noon.
I suppose we can dispense with the com plan and other features of the skippers meeting; Skip, if you want to add a weather brief, great...
I'm planning on playing along here; expeditions open, polars are loaded. But that's just a fancy form of DR in this case.
DH
I suppose we can dispense with the com plan and other features of the skippers meeting; Skip, if you want to add a weather brief, great...
I'm planning on playing along here; expeditions open, polars are loaded. But that's just a fancy form of DR in this case.
DH
6/26/20 S-1 (day) to start of 2020 Virtual Singlehanded Transpac
Thanks to the club's generosity eleven 2020 SHTP entries have gathered at Corinthian YC in Tiburon. Despite its small size, this is the most competitive fleet in years with 3-4 challenging for 1st to Finish, and 7-9 a good chance at winning overall. Don't underestimate HULA, the Westsail 32!
This morning I dove WILDFLOWER in 60 degree water for a last inspection, wipe down, and rubber banding the folding prop. Prop shaft is locked with vise grips, 5 gals of diesel fuel is aboard, 1 gal of that in jug.; 20 gal. of water in numbered jugs, 30 days supply of food (I'll be sailing home and shopping on Kauai is not cheap.), an Avon inflatable dinghy, a cockpit awning, 2 bean bean bags, a Sail-o-mat windvane and 2 tiller pilots. Electronic navigation is minimal: 2 solar panels (1 able to be moved around on deck.) a depth sounder and handheld GPS, which I will power up once per day to update my DR and mark a noon position.
The weather briefing for tomorrow's noon start was short and sweet. Start will be on the last of a 3.3 ebb, one hour before slack. Winds in the Bay will be 15-20 from the SW. There's a strong EPAC high of 1031 mb anchored near 40Nx149W with intensification expected to 1035 mb near 42x146 in 72 hours, pretty much guaranteeing a fast first half of the race. There are no tropicals of concern. TD Boris is far to the south and west of track and poses no threat.
Tomorrow evening, X+8 hours, an out-of-season cold front will rapidly veer the wind from SW to NW, then NNW, building strength from 15 knots to 20-25 knots off soundings and 22-28 knots on Sunday (X+2). Seas will build to 7-12 feet by Sunday. More wind north, less wind south, at least to 140 W.(Day 7)
It should be fast and wet sailing, and I'm glad my CYC slip buddy HEDGEHOG and WILDFLOWER both have hatch dodgers.
Taped to WILDFLOWER's main bulkhead is my "game plan" aka reminder list.
Get out of Bay fast and clean. Choose right jib for the start, probably #2 (117%)
VHF 12, 15 and 45 minutes, VTS transmits shipping bearing and range from Lightbucket. VHF 14 is Lightbucket to SF Bay. VHF 13 is Bridge to Bridge.
As Stan Honey says, "consider the Farallones your weather mark until outside the SF Bar Channel.
If struggling, I am trying to hard. Slow down, rest, regroup.
Practice has shown I need 5 hours of sleep/24 hours. 20-40 minute naps OK.
Don't get fancy with little details. Remember big picture.
Have in mind what sails will be needed in next 6-12 hours. Stop spinny well.
Know where I want to be on Day X+3 when crossing 130-00 W. This is "Pt. A."
Reach off to broad reach to change headsails when the wind is over 20. No foredeck sail changes after dark. if possible. Always carry jib to bow rolled up and tied with a sail tie. Don't go to bow without knee brace. Crawl to bow except in benign conditions. Reefing/un-reefing OK at night. Keep in mind it takes 5 minutes to change jibs at a loss of 1 knot of speed.
Keep all halyard and sheet tails in their bags and out of the water.
Staysail and JT sheets always lead inside lifelines. Cunningham hook hangs up on main luff slugs.
Be aggressive with spinny in winds <18 knots.
If in doubt, sail closest gybe. Default course is 230m. No lower than 200m or higher than 270, my "fences."
Trader Joe's Jambalaya is too spicy. Tuna in yellow curry sauce better.
Don't trip on Autopilot cord!
Thanks to the club's generosity eleven 2020 SHTP entries have gathered at Corinthian YC in Tiburon. Despite its small size, this is the most competitive fleet in years with 3-4 challenging for 1st to Finish, and 7-9 a good chance at winning overall. Don't underestimate HULA, the Westsail 32!
This morning I dove WILDFLOWER in 60 degree water for a last inspection, wipe down, and rubber banding the folding prop. Prop shaft is locked with vise grips, 5 gals of diesel fuel is aboard, 1 gal of that in jug.; 20 gal. of water in numbered jugs, 30 days supply of food (I'll be sailing home and shopping on Kauai is not cheap.), an Avon inflatable dinghy, a cockpit awning, 2 bean bean bags, a Sail-o-mat windvane and 2 tiller pilots. Electronic navigation is minimal: 2 solar panels (1 able to be moved around on deck.) a depth sounder and handheld GPS, which I will power up once per day to update my DR and mark a noon position.
The weather briefing for tomorrow's noon start was short and sweet. Start will be on the last of a 3.3 ebb, one hour before slack. Winds in the Bay will be 15-20 from the SW. There's a strong EPAC high of 1031 mb anchored near 40Nx149W with intensification expected to 1035 mb near 42x146 in 72 hours, pretty much guaranteeing a fast first half of the race. There are no tropicals of concern. TD Boris is far to the south and west of track and poses no threat.
Tomorrow evening, X+8 hours, an out-of-season cold front will rapidly veer the wind from SW to NW, then NNW, building strength from 15 knots to 20-25 knots off soundings and 22-28 knots on Sunday (X+2). Seas will build to 7-12 feet by Sunday. More wind north, less wind south, at least to 140 W.(Day 7)
It should be fast and wet sailing, and I'm glad my CYC slip buddy HEDGEHOG and WILDFLOWER both have hatch dodgers.
Taped to WILDFLOWER's main bulkhead is my "game plan" aka reminder list.
Get out of Bay fast and clean. Choose right jib for the start, probably #2 (117%)
VHF 12, 15 and 45 minutes, VTS transmits shipping bearing and range from Lightbucket. VHF 14 is Lightbucket to SF Bay. VHF 13 is Bridge to Bridge.
As Stan Honey says, "consider the Farallones your weather mark until outside the SF Bar Channel.
If struggling, I am trying to hard. Slow down, rest, regroup.
Practice has shown I need 5 hours of sleep/24 hours. 20-40 minute naps OK.
Don't get fancy with little details. Remember big picture.
Have in mind what sails will be needed in next 6-12 hours. Stop spinny well.
Know where I want to be on Day X+3 when crossing 130-00 W. This is "Pt. A."
Reach off to broad reach to change headsails when the wind is over 20. No foredeck sail changes after dark. if possible. Always carry jib to bow rolled up and tied with a sail tie. Don't go to bow without knee brace. Crawl to bow except in benign conditions. Reefing/un-reefing OK at night. Keep in mind it takes 5 minutes to change jibs at a loss of 1 knot of speed.
Keep all halyard and sheet tails in their bags and out of the water.
Staysail and JT sheets always lead inside lifelines. Cunningham hook hangs up on main luff slugs.
Be aggressive with spinny in winds <18 knots.
If in doubt, sail closest gybe. Default course is 230m. No lower than 200m or higher than 270, my "fences."
Trader Joe's Jambalaya is too spicy. Tuna in yellow curry sauce better.
Don't trip on Autopilot cord!
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MAGICdreamer
Member
Good luck on your Race, Sleddog!! We will be following along as will some folks up in PT.
Are you going to nap on the couch 20 minutes at a time, then run out to Andre to check in with his weather? If so, remember to wear your safety harness when you go out!
Annie is going to know you are nuts, you realize?
Cool idea, dude!
Are you going to nap on the couch 20 minutes at a time, then run out to Andre to check in with his weather? If so, remember to wear your safety harness when you go out!
Annie is going to know you are nuts, you realize?
Cool idea, dude!
6/27/20
S-30 minutes to start at noon.
Final Weather Briefing:
Corrected Barometer = 1013 mb.
Wind at the start will be SW 12-18. I can already see the port (outboard) end of the CYC start line is, as always, heavily favored. Will likely start on port tack, get a little upwind in clear air, then tack to starboard heading for the City Front and out into the last of the favorable ebb.
WILDFLOWER's headsail of choice will be the #2, good for 6-20 knots of wind. It's a hank-on sail, as are all my headsails.
A spotter at Lands End, outside the Gate, has phoned that she can see the breeze offshore looks to be light, 6-10 knots from the SW. Hawaii is dead upwind, at least until frontal passage this evening about dark when the lights go out.
I can see this oncoming front, and veering wind shift on HRRR, aka High Resolution Rapid Refresh real time wind model. https://rapidrefresh.noaa.gov/hrrr/HRRR/Welcome.cgi?dsKey=hrrr_ncep_jet
Will likely change down from the #2 to the #3 this evening about 2000 hours, if not before. If underpowered, I'll also set the staysail inside the #3 (on its own removable stay). We won't be underpowered long, and heading for Hanalei by mid-night.
My plan is to get to windward as fast as possible, even if it means port tack for a while, away from the mark. I want to meet the frontal passage as quickly as possible. And that will mean being in the vicinity of the Farallones and west, not down near Point Montara and south. A veering (right hand shift) wind will initially favor the boats on the windward (NW) side of track.
If you want to watch our start, go to Sam's Anchor Cafe outside deck. The inboard end of the start line is directly offshore, 100 yards seaward (SW). http://gobefore.me/cams/sams_cafe/ That American flag on Sam's pole is waving limply, indicating it's in the lee of Tiburon Point. Another reason to start out in the middle of Raccoon Straits: more wind, more good current.
Gotta run. Here comes HEDGEHOG on starboard. Wheee! Of we go.
S-30 minutes to start at noon.
Final Weather Briefing:
Corrected Barometer = 1013 mb.
Wind at the start will be SW 12-18. I can already see the port (outboard) end of the CYC start line is, as always, heavily favored. Will likely start on port tack, get a little upwind in clear air, then tack to starboard heading for the City Front and out into the last of the favorable ebb.
WILDFLOWER's headsail of choice will be the #2, good for 6-20 knots of wind. It's a hank-on sail, as are all my headsails.
A spotter at Lands End, outside the Gate, has phoned that she can see the breeze offshore looks to be light, 6-10 knots from the SW. Hawaii is dead upwind, at least until frontal passage this evening about dark when the lights go out.
I can see this oncoming front, and veering wind shift on HRRR, aka High Resolution Rapid Refresh real time wind model. https://rapidrefresh.noaa.gov/hrrr/HRRR/Welcome.cgi?dsKey=hrrr_ncep_jet
Will likely change down from the #2 to the #3 this evening about 2000 hours, if not before. If underpowered, I'll also set the staysail inside the #3 (on its own removable stay). We won't be underpowered long, and heading for Hanalei by mid-night.
My plan is to get to windward as fast as possible, even if it means port tack for a while, away from the mark. I want to meet the frontal passage as quickly as possible. And that will mean being in the vicinity of the Farallones and west, not down near Point Montara and south. A veering (right hand shift) wind will initially favor the boats on the windward (NW) side of track.
If you want to watch our start, go to Sam's Anchor Cafe outside deck. The inboard end of the start line is directly offshore, 100 yards seaward (SW). http://gobefore.me/cams/sams_cafe/ That American flag on Sam's pole is waving limply, indicating it's in the lee of Tiburon Point. Another reason to start out in the middle of Raccoon Straits: more wind, more good current.
Gotta run. Here comes HEDGEHOG on starboard. Wheee! Of we go.
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WBChristie
Member
Since all the racers are in their boats and cannot read this thread, armchair sailors are curious about some of the tactics. Is the Wind shift the only reason For this approach?
Also closer to great circle route and quicker to the stronger winds...?
Good luck, we are enjoying the ride!
Also closer to great circle route and quicker to the stronger winds...?
Good luck, we are enjoying the ride!
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1945 As forecast, it's been all upwind since the start, and we've made 5 tacks with the #2...mostly in W and WNW breeze 8-12. About 1600 the breeze freshened to 12-15 Knots, and now at 1945, on starboard tack, we have the SE Farallone Island abeam to windward, 6 miles. Speed is 6 knots, steering 225m (240T)
2000 hrs With HEDGEHOG, GREEN BUFFALO, and SURPRISE hull down and barely visible ahead (can't tell who is whom), rigged for dark by setting the working staysail on its inboard stay, and set up runner. Then hanked on #3 below the #2. Dropped #2, unhanked and dragged aft. Retied jib sheets at correct lead and hoist away with #3, which is on an 8" tack pennant to allow water from breaking waves over the foredeck to not fill the foot of the sail, potentially causing damage. Boat speed probably dropped briefly to 4.5 knots with main and staysail during change, and now back up to 6.
On offshore passages with the wind forward of abeam, I sail slightly hot sailing angles ("bow down") compared to inshore. But would remind that WILDFLOWER does not have any speed or wind measuring instruments except the handheld GPS and orange peel method and a Windex and telltales. All boat speeds are best estimates from sailing this boat for 33 years.
In the first SHTP in 1975 I towed a Walker Log for the first half of the race, and crawled aft every 2 hours to read the dial. That was never a pleasant chore, but allowed the boat to have no thru-hull fittings. By halfway to Hanalei, hungry fish had taken all 3 of my spinners, and that was the end of the Walker Log usefulness. I'd even painted the spinners black to avoid any shiny attraction for sea creatures.
At 0100 hours today (Sunday) we are off soundings (beyond the Continental Shelf) and into the synoptic (gradient) wind of "Windy Lane." There are 4-5 masthead tricolor lights in the vicinity, mostly aft and to weather. Wind speed is now 18, gusting 25 from the NW (315 T). I already had in the first reef and decided on the second. Not so much because we were tipping over, rather to neutralize any weather helm the windvane steering might be encountering.
All 3 reefs have single grommet drain holes in their bellies to relieve the possibility of accumulating sea water in the reef folds if a larger than normal wave comes over the weather rail. In addition, these drains serve double purpose and can be fitted with a hose and nipple to catch fresh water from squalls for bathing. cleaning, and drinking purposes.
Except for brief look-arounds every 20-30 minutes, I'm spending the night below, warmly dressed, drinking hot chocolate, watching the AIS glow, and napping. We are trimmed for a course of 225m (240t), and probably making 5-10 degrees leeway with current and drift. Handily, I can make minor adjustments to the tiller angle from the cabin. As well, I can shine a light through the forehatch to check jib trim and yarns on both the #3 and staysail. We are sailing fast, 6.5 to 7 knots, and not pounding, a pre-requisite for choosing my course.
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X+1 6/28/20 Noon Position 36-19 N x 124-56 W. 24 hour run from Start = 158 miles at 217m (232t). Speed average = 6.3 knots. Current wind N @ 22-28 with 9-14' seas. 90% overcast. Baro=1013 mb.
Desired Course to Pt. A (33-30 x 130-00) = 225m/240t at 295 miles. Pt A is where I will enter the SE ridge of the EPAC High and enter the "Slotcars" portion of the Race as the wind begins to comes aft.
WILDFLOWER is rumbling now, averaging 7 knots with the True Wind Angle (TWA) just forward of abeam and Apparent Wind Angle (AWA) at ~ 70 degrees There's a couple of sails on the horizon to windward. Having a two burner propane stove in the galley, I'm heating water for instant oatmeal and a second cup of coffee. Had a pleasant 45 minute nap after dawn. Then suited up for an on deck inspection. Reled the #3 sheet outboard lifelines. Windvane is doing silent, yeoman duty. It's so powerful I could barely overcome it's force when both connect lines are hooked to the tiller.
Earlier I passed some kelp paddies 120 miles offshore. I hang on my belly over the windward rail to confirm keel, prop, and skeg/rudder are clean. This will be a regular 4 hourly ritual during the passage. Takes about 2 minutes and I use a cushion to lie on the toe rail.
Desired Course to Pt. A (33-30 x 130-00) = 225m/240t at 295 miles. Pt A is where I will enter the SE ridge of the EPAC High and enter the "Slotcars" portion of the Race as the wind begins to comes aft.
WILDFLOWER is rumbling now, averaging 7 knots with the True Wind Angle (TWA) just forward of abeam and Apparent Wind Angle (AWA) at ~ 70 degrees There's a couple of sails on the horizon to windward. Having a two burner propane stove in the galley, I'm heating water for instant oatmeal and a second cup of coffee. Had a pleasant 45 minute nap after dawn. Then suited up for an on deck inspection. Reled the #3 sheet outboard lifelines. Windvane is doing silent, yeoman duty. It's so powerful I could barely overcome it's force when both connect lines are hooked to the tiller.
Earlier I passed some kelp paddies 120 miles offshore. I hang on my belly over the windward rail to confirm keel, prop, and skeg/rudder are clean. This will be a regular 4 hourly ritual during the passage. Takes about 2 minutes and I use a cushion to lie on the toe rail.
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Thanks! Coming out the Golden Gate yesterday at 1300 hours, the wind was SW. Port tack took you up towards Pt. Reyes. Starboard tack aimed you at Half Moon Bay. As the front and its veering and increasing wind was approaching the Coast from the NW at 10-15 knots, any distance gained in that direction would be of benefit when that progressive shift begin to be felt later in the afternoon and further offshore. I was willing to sail 5-10 miles on port tack in what looked like the wrong direction (but actually closer to GC) to take advantage of meeting this shift earlier than boats that tacked to starboard earlier.
Day 1 + 6 hours 6/28/20
1800 DR = 35-43 N x 125-37 W. Wind continues 22-26 knots from N. Reaching fast at 7 knot average. A couple of ships rang the AIS, set at 12 mile range, but no-one coming our direction. Overcast continues except for vagrant patches of blue. Boat is well balanced and not on her ear.
Weather fax shows an "Omega Block" over the EPAC....a horseshoe curved, N/S, 500 mb jet stream along the West Coast. This will anchor the Pacific High in position for next 2-3 days, making for good confidence in forecasts. However, after July 2, the Pacific High begins to deflate to 1028 mb and wind along the course drops to 10 knots or less. Thus I will begin aiming slightly further south, a safer bet. New desired course now 220m (235t), which is 5 degrees lower than we've been sailing, and faster yet. Will likely be able to change up to #2 early tomorrow, as breeze on our track is forecast to diminish slightly, to vicinity of 20 knots.
Here's the 24 hour, 500 mb, map:
Day 1, X+13 hours (0100) Shook out 2nd reef. Now 1st reef, #3, and staysail, sailing 220m at 7 knots. "dark, dark, dark" said the harelip dog. No AIS traffic at 12 miles, 2 ships on 20 mile range. Happy to get out of town when we did. Winds in Gulf of Farallones astern have gone light and from the south.
Night sailing, the only ship's lights are the glow of the red, starboard side compass light, the white AIS receiver, and the masthead tricolor running light, which illuminates the masthead Windex mounted on top of the tricolor.
X+18 hours (0600) first light of dawn. Begin sail change from #4 to 125% Jib Top (high clew) reaching jib. .86 poly spinnaker cloth built by my brother. This is a powerful sail and sheets both to the boom end or the transom corner. Change took about 5 minutes with the main and staysail keeping the boat at about 6 knots. At course 220m AWA is now abeam or slightly aft and TWS is 18-20 from N. If I had an asymmetrical spinnaker, we'd probably consider that. But we only have one spinnaker, a .75 symmetrical spinnaker in our 2008 sail complement. Making an honest 7.25 knots BS and possibly more SOG with surface current of >.5 knots. This will be a good 24 hour run. WILDFLOWER, with her 21.5 foot waterline, has never run 200 miles in 24 hours. Best on record was 194 miles, which would be hard to break. We can only average 8 knots with favorable current. Without current, 7.5 knots average could be considered "hull speed" for this IOR shaped pumpkin seed, and that takes >20 knots of wind aft of abeam. I know our SHTP competitor Bill Stange, on Westsail-32 HULA, is going to be doing better than that in these conditions. Go Bill!
1800 DR = 35-43 N x 125-37 W. Wind continues 22-26 knots from N. Reaching fast at 7 knot average. A couple of ships rang the AIS, set at 12 mile range, but no-one coming our direction. Overcast continues except for vagrant patches of blue. Boat is well balanced and not on her ear.
Weather fax shows an "Omega Block" over the EPAC....a horseshoe curved, N/S, 500 mb jet stream along the West Coast. This will anchor the Pacific High in position for next 2-3 days, making for good confidence in forecasts. However, after July 2, the Pacific High begins to deflate to 1028 mb and wind along the course drops to 10 knots or less. Thus I will begin aiming slightly further south, a safer bet. New desired course now 220m (235t), which is 5 degrees lower than we've been sailing, and faster yet. Will likely be able to change up to #2 early tomorrow, as breeze on our track is forecast to diminish slightly, to vicinity of 20 knots.
Here's the 24 hour, 500 mb, map:
Day 1, X+13 hours (0100) Shook out 2nd reef. Now 1st reef, #3, and staysail, sailing 220m at 7 knots. "dark, dark, dark" said the harelip dog. No AIS traffic at 12 miles, 2 ships on 20 mile range. Happy to get out of town when we did. Winds in Gulf of Farallones astern have gone light and from the south.
Night sailing, the only ship's lights are the glow of the red, starboard side compass light, the white AIS receiver, and the masthead tricolor running light, which illuminates the masthead Windex mounted on top of the tricolor.
X+18 hours (0600) first light of dawn. Begin sail change from #4 to 125% Jib Top (high clew) reaching jib. .86 poly spinnaker cloth built by my brother. This is a powerful sail and sheets both to the boom end or the transom corner. Change took about 5 minutes with the main and staysail keeping the boat at about 6 knots. At course 220m AWA is now abeam or slightly aft and TWS is 18-20 from N. If I had an asymmetrical spinnaker, we'd probably consider that. But we only have one spinnaker, a .75 symmetrical spinnaker in our 2008 sail complement. Making an honest 7.25 knots BS and possibly more SOG with surface current of >.5 knots. This will be a good 24 hour run. WILDFLOWER, with her 21.5 foot waterline, has never run 200 miles in 24 hours. Best on record was 194 miles, which would be hard to break. We can only average 8 knots with favorable current. Without current, 7.5 knots average could be considered "hull speed" for this IOR shaped pumpkin seed, and that takes >20 knots of wind aft of abeam. I know our SHTP competitor Bill Stange, on Westsail-32 HULA, is going to be doing better than that in these conditions. Go Bill!
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X+2 6/29/20 Noon Position 34-47 N x 127-57 W. 24 hour run from Start = 178 miles at 217m (232t). Speed average = 7.4 knots. Current wind N@20 with 7-12' seas. 90% overcast. Baro=1018 mb.
Desired Course to "Pt. B" = (28-00 x 140-00) = 223m/236t, 730 miles. "Pt B" is just an aiming mark along longitude 140. It is adjustable N/S depending on weather forecast. Point B is in the area where we will enter consistent NE tradewinds of the EPAC High as the wind direction begins to align with course to Hanalei, i.e. DDW.
Today, now that wind and seas have come aft, and my stomach has settled, it is time to "go to school" on competitors. Bigger, faster boats ahead all have experienced Transpac navigators, and with daily rollcall positions available, slower boats astern can use this experience as their "probes," or "guest navigators." HEDGEHOG heading more south? GREEN BUFFALO liking the northern side of the track? Where's SURPRISE!? Where will they be crossing my theoretical "Pt. B?" along Longitude 140W?
In an attempt to keep things simple and not having to remember, 2x/day I post a piece of duct tape with the desired course written in black magic marker above the compass. This is not necessarily the course we will sail. That depends on what ever is fastest, boat speed wise. For example, I don't want to sail 4 knots on desired course if it's DDW and I can sail 6 knots by steering 25 degrees higher.
Here's the GFS Grib File Surface Chart for 4.5 days from now, July 3, when I will be approaching the area of Pt. B. Not looking so windy, eh? Good news is that by July 7 the trades will build to a more usual regimen: 15-18 knots, with 25 in night squalls.
Thanks, Hans, for your suggestion about discussing food and food prep...That's a most important part of this passage. I hope to talk about food in a couple of days when I'm able to lessen isometrics hanging on here in the cabin with 5'8" headroom, 4" short of not hitting my head. Anyone else with comments or questions, fire away.
Desired Course to "Pt. B" = (28-00 x 140-00) = 223m/236t, 730 miles. "Pt B" is just an aiming mark along longitude 140. It is adjustable N/S depending on weather forecast. Point B is in the area where we will enter consistent NE tradewinds of the EPAC High as the wind direction begins to align with course to Hanalei, i.e. DDW.
Today, now that wind and seas have come aft, and my stomach has settled, it is time to "go to school" on competitors. Bigger, faster boats ahead all have experienced Transpac navigators, and with daily rollcall positions available, slower boats astern can use this experience as their "probes," or "guest navigators." HEDGEHOG heading more south? GREEN BUFFALO liking the northern side of the track? Where's SURPRISE!? Where will they be crossing my theoretical "Pt. B?" along Longitude 140W?
In an attempt to keep things simple and not having to remember, 2x/day I post a piece of duct tape with the desired course written in black magic marker above the compass. This is not necessarily the course we will sail. That depends on what ever is fastest, boat speed wise. For example, I don't want to sail 4 knots on desired course if it's DDW and I can sail 6 knots by steering 25 degrees higher.
Here's the GFS Grib File Surface Chart for 4.5 days from now, July 3, when I will be approaching the area of Pt. B. Not looking so windy, eh? Good news is that by July 7 the trades will build to a more usual regimen: 15-18 knots, with 25 in night squalls.
Thanks, Hans, for your suggestion about discussing food and food prep...That's a most important part of this passage. I hope to talk about food in a couple of days when I'm able to lessen isometrics hanging on here in the cabin with 5'8" headroom, 4" short of not hitting my head. Anyone else with comments or questions, fire away.
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This recreation is a great tutorial for those that never sailed to Hawaii (me and probably others too).
The sailing description and navigation is excellent.
Now that your stomach has settled, can you include some notes on food and food preparation. The Why on food choices would be interesting to know also.
Keep up the speed!
Ants
The sailing description and navigation is excellent.
Now that your stomach has settled, can you include some notes on food and food preparation. The Why on food choices would be interesting to know also.
Keep up the speed!
Ants
Thanks for doing this sleddog! I'm playing along too. Your write-ups are really helpful. I'm sure I'll have some questions for you, but I'm way too tired/sick right now to come up with anything worthwhile. The last 48-hours pretty much kicked my butt, and I'm just happy to still be sailing west. You can't see my tri-color... I'm quite a long way north-east of you;-)
Philpott
Cal 2-27 Dura Mater
photo, please! Gotta know what all these fellas are racing against. Do you enjoy ice cream aboard, ala Green Buffalo? Over the weekend I spoke with Steve Saul, who said that his boat was referred to as the "Pleasure Palace" when he did the race. Maybe in the 2004 race or was it when he went again in 2014?
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