Here are my thoughts.
Firstly the argument that a small boat cannot power an SSB is dead wrong. On receive it draws at most only an amp or two. Similar to a VHF. In transmit, although on the highest power mode it can draw a PEAK current of as much as 25 amps, if used at the intermediate or lower powers, the TOTAL amp hour cost for a gabby check-in is only a few amp hours. Many small boats (e.g. Big Dot, a 24 ish foot boat) had stellar SSB without needing huge power generation capabilities. Most of the issues people have with SSb are due to ignorance, not the nature of the technology. As far as requiring it, I am torn. We had one contestant go nuts and abandon a perfectly good boat (Space Cowboy- how aptly named...) in one of the races I did because he became convinced that aliens had planted a bomb on board. Really. I am convinced that had he been in regular contact with other racers, that reason and sanity would have prevailed (although given the boat name, maybe not). In another race, the General dismasted, and we were only able to find out about it due to a jury rigged antenna and SSB. In that case, he got sail-by visits from a number of boats who donated spare fuel and best wishes, and who could, if it had been needed, offer a tow or a ride to Hanaleii. These days the cost of an SSB is much less than that of a sail, if a little preplanning is done and EBAY is consulted often. After the seminar I gave on SSB installation, I found a huge pallet of ICOM 710 SSBs being sold for $600 each. Throw in a KISS radial ground (which has been proven to be extremely effective and easy to install) and a NEW tuner, the total cost to install an SSB is probably less than $1200. And for the cheap among us, it can be resold on EBAY or at Blue Pelican for most, if not all of what it cost afterwards. There is a certain type of person who throws an absolute fit each transpac over anything that smacks of safety requirements, especially SSB. A factor which does not seem to be considered is the liability of the SSS in the event of a serious disaster during the race. My opinion, not universally shared, is that if we have a fatality or "celebrated" big money rescue, the TransPac and possibly the SSS will not survive. WE already go to pretty good lengths to encourage good seamanship and proper equipment, with generally good results, as David's experience with the USCG (on Domino) has shown. Although modern satellite technoogy (Iridium, YB, Delorme, EPIRB etc) does offer some serious value, they are (with the exception of Iridium phone systems) just not capable of summoning specific help when needed. You know that something is wrong, but not necessarily WHAT. As the Vendee Globe and other world class singlehanded events have shown, the best or nearest rescue is likely to be a competitor. With an SSB net, the competitors connect with each other at least once a day, usually twice. Using a few sat phones in the group, any distress issues that the race committee is aware of can be communicated directly to the so equipped boats, and thus, over SSB (and VHF where useful) to the fleet. Without this sort of net, one might sail right past a fellow competitor in distress without ever knowing about it.
There are no guarantees. Singlehanded sailing is actually quite dangerous. Some of the entrants take the prospects of a difficult, long ocean passage (and often a worse return) seriously and prepare their boats appropriately. Others, especially ones on their first race, follow the letter of the rules (grudgingly) but do not seem to "get" the big picture with respect to the dangers and the power of a realy bad sea state over a long period of time. People laugh at the amount of gear and tools I carry, but my decisions to carry those things and to install the communications equipment I have are driven by a number of truly horrible and dangerous situations I have been through at sea. There is an argument that "light is fast". This is true, to an extent. I have seen quite a few boats espousing this philosophy barely make it to Hawaii at all in races i have sailed (in REASONABLE weather conditions) due to failed electrical systems, sails, halyards, and so on, with ineffective backups and few if any spare parts and tools. For god's sake- even Yves Parlier, one of the gurus of ultralight extreme sailing, carried enough tools, carbon cloth, resin, and supplies to COMPLETELY REBUILD and RE-RAISE an Open 60 carbon mast that was dismasted and shattered at sea.
My point is this. There needs to be some common sense about this race. It is NOT a day race X 14. It is NOT a gentle spinnaker run down lovely trade wind swells, giggling all the way. It is sticking your head (and boat) in a blender and hoping that boat preparation, skill, character, and perhaps some luck are enough to make it there, competitively or otherwise. In the past, the SSS TransPac rules have attempted to insure that boats that went out the Gate at least had the minimum of gear and spares that common sense and experience have shown are required to really have a realistic chance for survival in the event of things going badly wrong. Clearly, unless you are a raving paranoid like me you cannot take everything you "MIGHT" need, but the way that some people resist even having the essentials always baffles me. If someone like Webb Chiles (a hugely talented and experienced sailor) wants to sail to Hawaii with the minimum possible boat and gear, there is nothing to stop them- just go! If they want to do it in a race, then they should be prepared to abide by not only the letter, but also the spirit of the race regulations. If they do not, and die in the process, they will not have to bear the long term consequences- their families, their fellow competitors, the race committee, and the SSS will, and all will be hugely affected.
Here are some specific recommendations (sure to generate howls of outrage):
SSB should be highly encouraged, possibly required. If required, a detailed handout on acquisition, installation, and power needs should be sent with the race entry form, as ignorance is the major factor preventing people from using them. I have prepared a fairly complete presentation which I am willing to expand and provide for this purpose.
The seminar seeries should be started earlier and expanded a bit. I think that sending either printed handouts on critical issues (emergency rudder, electrical systems, SSB) or links on the SSS Site should accompany each entry. Late preparation or failure to appreciate the priorities and not having good information on starting points makes it hard for first timers to get everything sorted out well.
A "gumby suit" should be REQUIRED aboard all boats. These may be obtained at reasonable cost on EBAY. Even if bailing out into a life raft, it would be very easy to die of exposure before being rescued. If the life raft doesn't make it, a person has probably a 48 hour life expectancy floating in the ocean at our latitude (or south), and if holding an EPIRB, stands a good chance of being rescued (especially by a competitor if some way to notify them was in place).
This year there were boats in the race (Capri 25) which should NEVER sail outside the Gate. I have all respect to Doug and Kevin for their rather amazing seamanship in sailing the boats to SF and in Doug's case, finishing the race. But these boats are truly terrifying to those of us who have had the misfortune to experience really bad weather. Going out the Gate this year, we saw bad conditions. 30+ knots and nasty seas for several days. Please believe me when I say that these are actually pretty mild conditions compared to the sort of things that are possible off the California coast, even in June. Perhaps Peter on Scaramouche can amplify on this if anyone desires. I know I sure can. In any case, the ocean can destry any boat, given the right circumstances, but boats like a Capri 25, as fun to sail as they are, would be literally ripped apart by conditions that boats built and properly equipped for offshore sailing would survive. Again, no slight intended to the Capri 25 or the two entrants who sailed them. My recommendation is that a clause be inserted into the rules that allows the race committee, at its discretion, to consult a qualified naval architect (Antrim, Wiley, etc) for a decision as to whether or not a specific boat is designed for offshore sailing (construction, scantlings, rig, etc), and that the judgement of the (disinterested third party) be final with respect to accepting an entry. There are small boats, such as Maris (Dana 24), Moore 24, Express 27, Santa Cruz 27, Olson 30, etc which have a long proven ability to get out there and endure bad conditions. No one would suggest that a J24 was suitable for ocean conditions. Clearly there is a fuzzy line here, but we need SOME way to say "Sorry, but NO" to a prospective entry who does not properly understand the seamanship issues of a transpac. The withdrawl of the Mumm 30 after a rather brutal qualifier is a good case in point. I have no idea if the MUMM 30 is a good sea boat or not, but my impression is that after getting beaten up for a few days, the skipper realized that the boat was not right and had the great guts and integrity to withdraw.
Finally, I also second the proposal that much closer ties to nawiliwili Yacht Club be cemented and that we take them up on their gracious offer to host the dinner after. A further suggestion for those who dislike the drive is that we charter a couple of busses for those without cars or who want to drink a little more. The venue is superb, we can go late and drink and schmooze with each other and also the hosts, who actually sail a LOT, ad who are very congenial and interesting people. Even with a few busses, I bet the cost would be $30, and the drinks would be "at cost" (they make good drinks there, too... I discussed this with jim Saylor (google Saylor jeweler kapaa, and hold onto your eyeballs) and he and larry Conklin know someone the really trust who would probably cater the event for around $20 per head. With a LOT better food and a REAL dessert!
Finally I want to again thank the Race Committee, Ben and Lucie, Brian Boschma, Dave, and all the others who did so much to make this happen. My experience with this race spans about 25 years, and it is unique and wonderful. Somehow it always seems to work, thanks to poeple who step up and sacrifice themselves. It is a really hard job, and something of a burnout (from my observation). like herding cats. Really BIG, clever, anarchistic cats who LOVE to argue......
Michael Jefferson
S/V Mouton Noir
), so they’re a good place to start. Weed out what you don’t like. SSS knows what’s best for SSS.