• Ahoy and Welcome to the New SSS Forums!!

    As you can see, we have migrated our old forums to new software. All your old posts, threads, attachments, and messages should be here. If you see anything out of place or have any questions, please scroll to the very bottom of the page and click "Contact Us" and leave a note with as much detail as possible.

    You should be able to login with your old credentials. If you have any issues, try resetting your password before clicking the Contact Us link.

    Cheers
    - Bryan

2008 Participants and Interest Levels

Feral - International Folkboat - #637 - interest level 5. Although this will be a bit less fun without my "archenemy" the Carole E and without my photofinisher from the '03 farallones race Ergo.

- Tom Kirschbaum
 
Thanks, Tom. Our race in from the Farallons ranks right up there with me also.

Re: returning Ragtime from Hanalei. In '04 I traded cash for time with a Moore 24 and it worked out ok. Ergo got home in great shape, the Moore 24 saved on shipping but the experience wasn't great for either of us. If I were to do it again, I'd find a skipper from the race and 1 or 2 crew with offshore experience and/or good familiarity with the type boat being returned. I think familiarity with the type boat is as important as offshore experience. First time racers at least know their boats and, as almost all of us have learned, during a 2100 nm passage, something is going to break or at least develop quirks.

If I were sailing back myself again I'd definitely have at least one crew member. It may be an amazing experience to go both ways alone but if things go bad on the return having another body on board could make a big difference. Whether I was sailing back myself or having the boat sailed back, it would be doublehanded or crewed. It should also be considered that with crew it might be possible to get insurance coverage.

Bill Merrick
 
Hayward, John, Valiant 40, Livermore,CA, Interest level 5 (will be handing checks for membership, entry fee and almost all of the completed entry forms to Rob or Synthia at the seminar tomorrow night. I have to go now, just rented a house in Princeville for wife, brother, father, etc. to (hopefully) see me cross the finish line.

John
 
Transpac interest

Hello,

I must make 2 changes to the interest list. First, I sold my Freedom 21 and bought an SC27 (Velocious from GW) so I would have a faster crossing and maybe work a one design start with Ankle Biter. Unfortunately, I won't have the time to take off this summer, so my plans have changed to get to know the boat and do my qualifier in hopes of a '10 SHTP. So please take my name off the list for this year, George McKay (now of Velocious, SC27)
 
I plan to talk with the PASHA rep next week to see if there are any existing arrangements with the PacCup fleet which might lower the costs.

An update - I had a great conversation with PASHA and there is a high level of interest in putting a package together for us. They gave me a provisional quote which is substantially lower than what I wrote in my earlier post. There will also be package options to get boats back to the Bay Area from PASHA's terminal in San Diego.

Please get in touch with me if the return shipping is a factor in your decision to race.
 
Hi Bob,

I am currently planning on sailing back but if the numbers are right I might ship back.
I have a trailer which I would have to get to San Diego from SF for shipment to Hawaii and then fly back to SF. I am also concerned about the timing of the shipment since I have to get the boat back to NC eventually. With trailer I weigh in around 7500lbs and around 50' LOA with the mast on deck, boat is 31' .
Thanks for your efforts, Don
 
Hey Bob,
Like Don, I'm planning on sailing back but if the numbers are right, I'd prefer shipping back. If you need any data let me know.

Rich Hillman
[email protected]
Horizon - Contessa 26
 
Bob,

After the last race (2006) I left my boat in Hawaii and sailed it back to the mainland the summer of 2007. I had planned on doing the same this year, but finding a place for the winter is a problem, so if the price is reasonable, I'd be interested in shipping to the west coast. On the trailer the boat probably weighs about 3600 pounds, is 24 feet long with a 38 foot mast.
The boat is currently on the trailer in Seattle, I'll tow it to SF, then tow the trailer to San Diego if necessary. Any information you can provide would be appreciated.

Paul Woodward
s/v Hesperus
Paul Woodward
 
I got a call from Larry Cummins from 'Load A Boat' company, who says he is ready to work with the SSS TransPac'ers to ship their boats back at very competitive rates, and says he can beat Matson. Plus they can work out any arrangement of using your own trailer or not (quite an advantage) as well as trucking it anywhere in the country. The more you ask them to do, of course, the more it costs. I asked him to start a thread with more detailed info and he said he would.

The site is www.loadaboat.com and Larry seems to be able to make quotes pretty quickly right over the phone once you give him the boat dimensions and what you want them to do.

- Mark
 
I grossly underestimated the amount of time (and money, for that matter) that it would take to prepare for the SHTP. Bottom line...I won't be able to make the race this year.

I'll continue with my preparation so that I don't run into the same situation next time.

To all those who succeed in getting to the starting line in July, know that you have my respect and admiration. Hopefully, I'll be able to join your ranks in 2010.
 
I'm sure sorry to hear that John.

When I started doubting whether I would be ready I hired out a couple of the bigger jobs to get back on track (the autopilot upgrade and the e-rudder). More money for sure, but a few things make the financial pain fade fast:

1) One of those amazing nights in the trades when you're barreling along under spinnaker with a full moon and warm steady breeze, and you don't want to take your nap because the sailing is so great.

2) When the SHTP R/C announces over the VHF: "2.7 Seconds has just finished the 2008 Singlehanded TransPac."

3) When you are resting at anchor in Hanalei Bay and you look up the mountains around you, and you can't believe one spot on this Earth could be so beautiful.

4) When you come to the Tree for the first time after finishing and those who preceded you all start clapping and cheering.

And other things like that.

Bob J.
 
John,

I agree with Bob. If you are getting behind, then farm some of the work out. Borrow money if you have to. It will probably be all paid off by 2010 anyway and you will have great memories. 2010 is a long way off......... What the heck, you may want to do it again in 2010. Most of us that are doing it for the first time have a huge and expensive preparation list, so you're not alone.

John H.
 
Hey John,

I'm also sorry to hear. Possibly you'll reconsider with the input of the posts before this one as motivation. I also kind of lost the Aloha and feeling of sailing in trades and the constantly warm breezes that all contribute to a wonderful experience. This is my first time doing the SHTP as you know but have sailed a little in the trades. The previous couple of posts renewed my resolve.

As far as money, time, labor etc. -- what a monumental task. But I've had to borrow some money and also farm out more and more tasks as the race gets nearer. Bishop Rock race is February, full moon and Guadalupe is March, full moon so deadlines are approaching.

Best,

Rich
Horizon
 
Hi John, You Can Do It! The gun hasn't fired yet! Who says we're going to be here in 2010? If you ever need to feel motivated about your position, come see me and I'll show you what being behind is really like ;) Just do your best, then go with what you've got.
 
Hold the bus! hold the bus!

To all,

My entry form and check went in the mail tonight - I don't know how, but I'm gonna be there. I've got a lot of work to do, and a lot of logistics to work out, but I'm gonna do my best to make it.

A particular thanks to those who responded to my earlier posting - it was your words of encouragement that convinced me to push harder to be ready.
 
Congratulations John, you have just receive your first big helping of what the SSS is known for, the Competitor-Comrade Special. Many more servings to follow. And for dessert, the cherished belt buckle accompanied by the accolades from your peers.

Cheers!
Synthia/Eyrie
 
Hey John,

Waytogo! See you for the race around Catalina on the 9th! Looking forward to learning the AS or Symmetrical

Rich
Horizon
----------
 
Provisional Race Entrants

Thought you'd all like to know that as of this mornings run to the PO Box, we currently have 14 provisional race entrants ranging from the smallest Cal 20, up to the largest Open 60, to the widest Hammerhead 54, and a whole assortment in-between. The fleet is about half returning vets and half first timers. I hope to get something posted to the web site soon showing names and boats and faces.

Thanks to the early entrants for giving me some relief that I'm not planning a big party that no one will attend. As for the rest of you, don't let the $100 price increase keep you from joining in, for the experience is priceless. Well, compared to the cost of getting to the starting line, $100 isn't much, and you will surely regret missing the start more than if you lost $100 on a Superbowl bet. ;)

Synthia
08SHTP RC
 
Back
Top