Not the same story

[jamottep]

Hey hey, well, I signed up for the SHTP 2025. Unlike when I started this thread in 2016, I feel not as motivated. Also, I pretend to be "experienced", to have a well-sorted out seaworthy boat; I may even feel entitled ... of what I'm not sure. I am almost 10 years older and weaker. I am ramping up with about 6 months to go. So, I think this thread will more be about what not to do to win the SHTP.

Lesson 1: don't do it with a boat with a rating that makes winning very unlikely. I'm well set on this one. If memory serves me right, from my calculations for the PacCup, Changabang would have to average 13 kts on course to win. Yeah, not going to happen.

Lesson 2: give yourself plenty of time for your boat to be ready, and for you to be physically and mentally prepared. Sure, Changabang was mostly prepared for the PacCup last year but ... time passes and new things happen that require attention (hint: CaB is going to Bay Marine again next week). As for me, I'm working two jobs (one full-time) and only have 6-7 months to get ready. I am also going through a separation after 25 years, have my daughter studying in Paris (so I'm going there to visit sometimes, i.e. not sailing), and my social network has pretty much been atomized. I have not yet emotionally recovered from the s**t that happened before the PacCup and over the summer. So, yes, a bit of a basketcase with a short runway.

Lesson 3: make sure you want this. The punishment is not to be underestimated in the running up to the event, during the event, the return, and the sorting things out after. As I said above ... I'm not scoring high here either.

Ok, with that out of the way, what am I doing?

1. Getting CaB back into Bay Marine for more underwater work. Nothing crazy or concerning according to the diver, but it has to be done, and hauling out will tell us the real story.
2. Figuring out my life raft situation. Nothing that money or kindness can't solve but it would be nice to be able to service my Plastimo life raft. The way that's going it is likely that buying new will be cheaper.
3. I need to get the upper port lifeline repaired. I discovered that one or two wires were cut right where the cable passes through a stanchion eye. It is completely invisible unless you happen to look right there intently. It may even pre-date my purchase of the boat.
4. And of course, I now need to go through everything again: standing/running rigging, plumbing, engine, deck hardware, electrical (incl. charging), electronics, etc.. Or maybe I'll just wing it? See ... entitlement ...

Anyways ... that's it for now ... I see 6 other boats have signed up. That's not many ... it smells like the race may be canceled? I can't image how 7 racers would make this worthwhile the RC's effort. Maybe it'll be like the old days then? Just go and take your time?

 

[jamottep]

All right, CaB is back at Bay Marine. The damaged lifeline is home and likely going all the way East for replacement. I also took down the 2:1 code 0 halyard because it's been a problem (twisting on its own) and I think I'm going to have to replace it too. Ca-ching ... The "check writing for the SHTP" party is on!

 

[Philpott]

It's good to hear from you, Philippe.

 

[jamottep]

I know ... Trivial stuff ... But if you've never seen one, here's a damaged lifeline ... You can see 3 strands that were cut.

 

[jamottep]

And the 2024 saga continues: SVBM discarded CaB's cradle without checking in with me. I once again acted stupid. The list is getting long for PJ naive moves.

 

[jamottep]

The new lifeline arrived yesterday and was installed today.

 

[Mcollins428]

Hey hey, well, I signed up for the SHTP 2025. Unlike when I started this thread in 2016, I feel not as motivated. Also, I pretend to be "experienced", to have a well-sorted out seaworthy boat; I may even feel entitled ... of what I'm not sure. I am almost 10 years older and weaker. I am ramping up with about 6 months to go. So, I think this thread will more be about what not to do to win the SHTP.

Lesson 1: don't do it with a boat with a rating that makes winning very unlikely. I'm well set on this one. If memory serves me right, from my calculations for the PacCup, Changabang would have to average 13 kts on course to win. Yeah, not going to happen.

Lesson 2: give yourself plenty of time for your boat to be ready, and for you to be physically and mentally prepared. Sure, Changabang was mostly prepared for the PacCup last year but ... time passes and new things happen that require attention (hint: CaB is going to Bay Marine again next week). As for me, I'm working two jobs (one full-time) and only have 6-7 months to get ready. I am also going through a separation after 25 years, have my daughter studying in Paris (so I'm going there to visit sometimes, i.e. not sailing), and my social network has pretty much been atomized. I have not yet emotionally recovered from the s**t that happened before the PacCup and over the summer. So, yes, a bit of a basketcase with a short runway.

Lesson 3: make sure you want this. The punishment is not to be underestimated in the running up to the event, during the event, the return, and the sorting things out after. As I said above ... I'm not scoring high here either.

Ok, with that out of the way, what am I doing?

1. Getting CaB back into Bay Marine for more underwater work. Nothing crazy or concerning according to the diver, but it has to be done, and hauling out will tell us the real story.
2. Figuring out my life raft situation. Nothing that money or kindness can't solve but it would be nice to be able to service my Plastimo life raft. The way that's going it is likely that buying new will be cheaper.
3. I need to get the upper port lifeline repaired. I discovered that one or two wires were cut right where the cable passes through a stanchion eye. It is completely invisible unless you happen to look right there intently. It may even pre-date my purchase of the boat.
4. And of course, I now need to go through everything again: standing/running rigging, plumbing, engine, deck hardware, electrical (incl. charging), electronics, etc.. Or maybe I'll just wing it? See ... entitlement ...

Anyways ... that's it for now ... I see 6 other boats have signed up. That's not many ... it smells like the race may be canceled? I can't image how 7 racers would make this worthwhile the RC's effort. Maybe it'll be like the old days then? Just go and take your time?

Philippe: Thank you for your post; good feedback.

To reduce the list of variables you need to contend with, cross off "the race not running"; she will.

Best wishes.

 

[BobJ]

Absent the usual "Who's going?" forum thread, this (^) is actually a key piece of data.

The fewest number of SHTP racers was eight (in 2002), and that was when everything in Kauai was
much cheaper. As it was, the awards dinner was a potluck on the beach, there was no race HQ, etc.
Since there are always SHTP hopefuls layin' in the weeds, knowing the race will happen "no matter
what" is a big help.

 

[jamottep]

That's good!
CaB is back in PPH. 't was a bit of a wild ride but much fun too. Shoulda reefed sooner ... What's next now? Going cruising! But when

 

[jamottep]

I'm downsizing my rent a bit, maybe I'll save some $ to buy a new spinnaker?!? I'm also hoping to go to Brittany and check out a used A6 end of February. My spinnaker wardrobe isn't exactly optimal

 

[jamottep]

A few things I did today:
1. About the fractional halyard (gennaker, A6, etc.): it's been a problem in that the line twists on itself. And since it is a 2:1 the line forms a tightly wrapped bundle up there. Once a sail is hoisted hard in this setup, there is no hope of bringing it down without going aloft. I was advised to trail it behind the boat, which I did. We'll see if that fixes it. If not then it's $500-$1000 for a new halyard. Oh, and the ATN mast climber came in handy again. That is one of the best purchase I have made, ever!
2. Put a bit of rubberweld on the new lifeline ends.
3. Realized that a nut was coming off on the mainsheet block, and re-secured it.
4. Tested the water ballast pump. All good!
5. And this one is a biggie: I finally managed to wriggle the boom end sheaves pin out! We had spent hours trying to get it out with Alex to no avail. This is yet another case of "sometimes one is smarter than two". So now I need to order a new pin and sheaves.
Good stuff!

 

[jamottep]

So ... I was looking at the ratings and I'm not highly confident in my calculations but it looks like with a PHRF of 6 (no ballast), my SHTPR is 36. So against a boat with a SHTPR of 102 (Double Espresso in 2018?), I'd owe that skipper 66 seconds every mile, or 39 hrs on the course. So I'd have to finish in 10 days 6 hrs to beat my time in 2018. If anyone could chime in I'd appreciate it. It doesn't sound as unreasonable as I thought anymore. This conclusion doesn't align with what we found out for the PacCup.

 

[sierrawhiskeygo]

Hey hey, well, I signed up for the SHTP 2025. Unlike when I started this thread in 2016,

OK, wow, I am exhausted.

I just read (good thing it's a bit of a lazy Sunday morning) that entire thread in one sitting. Scanning some posts more that reading but holy sh*t man, what a journey. For anyone wanting to do the SHTP that thread is super inspirational, for me especially so since I have an Olson 30 and I am planning for 2027 or 2029. Incredible to me that you started only 2 years ahead without even having a boat. And then you won the race!! Flabbergasted really, you are a savant of some kind, clearly.

Bravo. There is a lot more to say but maybe for now just a hearty félicitations!

One funny thing I will say for now: I am claiming ownership to a teeny tiny microscopic part of your success because I manage/webmaster olson30.org, so the classified ad where you found your boat would probably not exist without the work I have done there over the years; had I not kept the site going it would probably have died long ago. I know a lot of Olson 30 sailors have benefited from the site over the years and even though the Forums there have become completely moribund (thanks to FaceBook mostly) I maintain the site as a labour of love. I should absolutely add/improve the SHTP content there. Ever since we got our Olson 30 in 2015 I've held onto the dream of doing the SHTP one day.

Above you mention maybe needing sheaves. It can be tricky replacing like for like, especially your boat that might not be a common one in your area (I guess it's a Class 40 of some kind). I have used this supplier and they are brilliant, they can make anything you need to exact specifications, quickly and at very reasonable cost.

Zephyrwerks, The Sheave Factory

Zephyrwerks, The Sheave Factory, owned by Ed Louchard, manufactures and repairs running rigging parts: sheaves and rollers for sailboat riggers, boat builders, and boat owners worldwide, from Port Townsend, Washington.

www.zephyrwerks.com

 

[jamottep]

Thanks for the tip, @sierrawhiskeygo . I've reached out to the boom manufacturer who helped me last year with instructions on removing the sheave pin. And, looking back after all those years, I think the most reasonable thing to do is to pin my 2018 success on circumstances and luck.

Some victories, some losses ... the untwisting of the 2:1 halyard didn't work. So I'm thinking of trying the old mainsail halyard but most likely it'll need to be a new one. I can still use the old 2:1 as a spare.

Then I went out with California Condor's old jib top. Here's a video and picture. The conditions were good. I loaded the ballast and we were doing good speed. I'm still about 0.5-1 kt below the polars, which could be for many reasons. I'm not sure if a jib top is a sail I should leave with for the SHTP. It is heavy.

I do recall someone saying that on a Class40 there are a lot of sail changes going on to keep the boat powered up. We were TWA @ 100 in 15-17kts, AWA @ 66 so I doubt I could have carried any of the spinnakers I have. Polars says I should be doing about 10.7. Those polars! I have never been able to achieve them ...

 

[jamottep]

And a quick update: I went sailing today, just white sails. A long tack out along which I tried all three reefs. It reminded that to put the second reef tack in I need to ease the first reef line. And we turned around only to find out that the tide was too low to get in my slip. So I refueled, went up the mast to take the trouble halyard out, and waited until 6pm. Not a bad day.

 

[jamottep]

Ordered 4 new sheaves and pin for the boom end ... Still noodling about that frac. halyard.