Mike, last year when I had to get the SAS seminar completed, I looked at the US Sailing website or Googled it to see which YC in the bay area was doing one. They fill up quickly, so reserve soon when you see it on the calendar. I only took the one-day seminar at EYC, which I think was suitable for the Long Pac. Brian, it would be helpful to know when the two-day training would be required.
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Cheers - Bryan
2015 Long Pac - who is going ?
- Thread starter brianb
- Start date
Mike, last year when I had to get the SAS seminar completed, I looked at the US Sailing website or Googled it to see which YC in the bay area was doing one. They fill up quickly, so reserve soon when you see it on the calendar. I only took the one-day seminar at EYC, which I think was suitable for the Long Pac. Brian, it would be helpful to know when the two-day training would be required.
BobJ
Alerion 38 "Surprise!"
Link to the 2013 LongPac RR&C's
I took the full ISAF Sea Survival course in preparation for the 2014 Pacific Cup. This course was so far-and-away better than the SAS courses that I highly recommend it. The big difference is that it's hands-on. You put on all your gear, jump in the water and right an inverted life raft, then climb into it. You actually cut rigging (as if you lost your rig) and see what works. You put out fires with a fire extinguisher, burn some SOLAS flares, etc.
If this peaks your interest, here's where you sign up (See the ISAF Sea Survival tab):
http://www.sfyc.org/training
There are two sessions currently scheduled for weekends in March.
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I took the full ISAF Sea Survival course in preparation for the 2014 Pacific Cup. This course was so far-and-away better than the SAS courses that I highly recommend it. The big difference is that it's hands-on. You put on all your gear, jump in the water and right an inverted life raft, then climb into it. You actually cut rigging (as if you lost your rig) and see what works. You put out fires with a fire extinguisher, burn some SOLAS flares, etc.
If this peaks your interest, here's where you sign up (See the ISAF Sea Survival tab):
http://www.sfyc.org/training
There are two sessions currently scheduled for weekends in March.
.
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Dazzler
m/v PACIFIC LOON
ISAF Sea Survival Course
+1 for the ISAF Sea Survival course. Sue and I both did the course over three days in October at SFYC. As BobJ said, the hands-on experiences were invaluable. After you have jumped in the Bay with full gear and boots, and then swum around righting and climbing into a liferaft, you quickly learn why you never want to be in that situation.
Even if the course isn't required for you, go take it.
Tom - CLOUD
+1 for the ISAF Sea Survival course. Sue and I both did the course over three days in October at SFYC. As BobJ said, the hands-on experiences were invaluable. After you have jumped in the Bay with full gear and boots, and then swum around righting and climbing into a liferaft, you quickly learn why you never want to be in that situation.
Even if the course isn't required for you, go take it.
Tom - CLOUD
dhusselman
New member
Regarding strategy, there are a lot of good stories and theories. I'm sure folks will share during one of the meetings.
But to give you an idea. Last LongPac I raced against Rick in Lightspeed (Wylie 39 Custom) with a rating of 81. My C&C 110 (36ft) had the same rating. Rick stayed close hauled to have the shortest route to the longitude. I decided to sail lower and faster. I turned around 2 hours ahead of Lightspeed but had a forward of beam reach back. Lightspeed had a little better angle as he stayed North. Keep in mind that it was very windy (25+ most of the way). Lightspeed was just ahead of me at the Farallones. I finished 17 minutes ahead of Lightspeed only due to the 5 hour no wind at the entrance of the gate. It would have been minutes if the wind would have held. So in this case 2 different approaches provided the same results..
The LongPac is my favorite race!
Dirk "TIJD" First30JK
But to give you an idea. Last LongPac I raced against Rick in Lightspeed (Wylie 39 Custom) with a rating of 81. My C&C 110 (36ft) had the same rating. Rick stayed close hauled to have the shortest route to the longitude. I decided to sail lower and faster. I turned around 2 hours ahead of Lightspeed but had a forward of beam reach back. Lightspeed had a little better angle as he stayed North. Keep in mind that it was very windy (25+ most of the way). Lightspeed was just ahead of me at the Farallones. I finished 17 minutes ahead of Lightspeed only due to the 5 hour no wind at the entrance of the gate. It would have been minutes if the wind would have held. So in this case 2 different approaches provided the same results..
The LongPac is my favorite race!
Dirk "TIJD" First30JK
Lightspeed
Willpower
Dirk, you are way to kind. I stayed up all night laying on the low side of Lightspeed trying to get a little wind to get ahead of you. When the fog lifted in the morning and the wind filled in, you popped your spinnaker and came out of the fog like an old pirate move. I was beat and to tired to get the kit up in time! It was a great race my friend! My lesson learned on the LonPac and TransPac, if you can get 5 min of sleep, TAKE IT!!
Great to have the Forum back! Thanks David! Here's some preliminary info about the 2015 SSS LongPac.
1. Start: July 9 at 1200 at the Corinthian YC.
2. Yes, there will be several LongPac Seminars which will cover important prep and safety topics. There will be an initial meeting in February for all interested skippers to go over general topics and provide an opportunity for questions/feedback. Skippers considering entry are encouraged to attend.
3. The 2015 NOR and SI will closely follow the 2013 version.
4. Position Reporting: We're working on this, but there will be a requirement for reporting.
5. EPIRB with GPS will be required
6. Two GPS receivers will be required (as per 2013). A handheld VHF/DSC radio as the 2nd GPS is a good idea to think about.
I'd like to begin creating an email list of skippers planning/thinking about participating. Please PM me with your contact information. Pat Broderick, 2015 LongPac Chairman
1. Start: July 9 at 1200 at the Corinthian YC.
2. Yes, there will be several LongPac Seminars which will cover important prep and safety topics. There will be an initial meeting in February for all interested skippers to go over general topics and provide an opportunity for questions/feedback. Skippers considering entry are encouraged to attend.
3. The 2015 NOR and SI will closely follow the 2013 version.
4. Position Reporting: We're working on this, but there will be a requirement for reporting.
5. EPIRB with GPS will be required
6. Two GPS receivers will be required (as per 2013). A handheld VHF/DSC radio as the 2nd GPS is a good idea to think about.
I'd like to begin creating an email list of skippers planning/thinking about participating. Please PM me with your contact information. Pat Broderick, 2015 LongPac Chairman
techdiverx
New member
I'm in too.
Little wing
Little wing
Given that the reporting requirements will include email or text messaging, what do y'all recommend for satphone rental? I am probably not offshore regular enough to justify a purchase (unless a great deal pops up between now and July) and I don't have SSB onboard. Does anyone have experience with the Sat Phone Store or another provider to recommend? - https://www.satellitephonestore.com/
brianb
Olson 34 Driver
The usual rule, have completed an SAS class in the last 5 years.
Concerning SAS training for the 2015 LongPac. The answer is, " Yes." SAS Certification within the past 5 years will be required for the skipper (single/double) and crew (double). The training may be one of the approved 2-day, 1-day, or 1/2-half day training sessions. This changes the 2015 NCORC requirements, which only require that the skipper (person in charge) be SAS certified for doublehanded entries. A list of SAS training sessions will be published soon.
For entries from outside the immediate SF Bay Area, similar SAS training will be required.
Pat Broderick, SSS LongPac PRO
For entries from outside the immediate SF Bay Area, similar SAS training will be required.
Pat Broderick, SSS LongPac PRO
If you rent a sat.phone and plan to use if for downloading GRIB files, be sure it has compression software that works. If you're contemplating the SSS TransPac, where you would likely really use GRIB files, the LongPac would be good practice to make sure you can do it. On the 2010 PacCup everything worked at home and in the berth, but not at sea with the boat rocking and rolling. We didn't have the compression program, so it took an eternity to download files and every time we lost the connection, we had to start over. We gave up and really navigated our way to victory with a ten-year-old $65 Garmin Gecko GPS. It helped to have Gordie Nash onboard, something you wouldn't have in the SSS TransPac! -- Pat
I had a good experience with OCENS up in Seattle for satphone rental. They also have good phone / tech support.
If you are just concerned with the reporting requirements, a DeLorme InReach or the like could also do the trick, albeit without the voice option.
solosailor
New member
I've had great experiences with www.satphonestore.com for both purchases and rentals. I'd look into an IridiumGo over a phone at this point for less $$$.
Some competition for Iridium. Maybe in time for the 2021 LongPac 
http://www.space.com/28305-spacex-satellite-internet-seattle.html
http://www.space.com/28305-spacex-satellite-internet-seattle.html