All over but the notes!

[MichaelJefferson]

I do not consider a piece of flan the size of a ping pong ball a dessert that I should have to pay $60 for.
Michael Jefferson

 

[pogen]

I do not consider a piece of flan the size of a ping pong ball a dessert that I should have to pay $60 for.
Michael Jefferson

Wow. No argument there.

 

[Mewes]

The Tree Mai Tai this year was simple and well loved:

Per serving:

1oz dark rum (Barcardi cheap)
1/2 oz Cocoanut rum (Malibu)
3 oz orange juice
2 pineapple juice
1tsp grenadine.
Chill

Pour over ice if you have it.

 

[[email protected]]

One thing I think should be considered is to have some system in play whereby the term `seaworthy` is taken seriously. If someone wants to enter the race in a boat that is clearly designed as a day sailor they should be warned at the get go that their boat will under go a rigorous inspection to ensure that it exceeds its original design parameters. Capri 25`s should clearly not be sailing to Hawaii. Doug prepared his boat very very well and made basic structural improvements and still had a lot of trouble. Sorry to pick on Capris but they are obviously a lightly built daysailor or perhaps weekender. I can`t help worrying that the whole event will be compromised if someone dies because of an inappropriate boat. .......
..... I`m sure this subject has been tossed around endlessly but unfortunately I`m not in the club and I think it is the elephant in the room. I would be interested to hear what Doug thinks of this rant or Barry or Kevin.

I strongly agree with Peter's concerns as expressed above. I very much agree with his concerns that one accident could perhaps cause the termination of the race. It might also come as a surprise that I would not do the race in a stock Capri 25 although the first Capri 25 to sail the race took 2nd overall. That said, the difficulties I had were not caused by any design flaw in the 25, they were caused by a Nylox nut on the rig backing off ( I reused one rather than replacing it with a new one), and by the failure of the fully self-contained DeLorme tracking device. My decision to continue the race despite the damage was based on my confidence in the boat and its ability to handle rough weather (it had come through 5 days of full gales the year before with no damage at all) and with its ability to be easily driven with a much reduced sail area. I have great confidence in the boat.It is also true that over the years I have done a great many structural modifications to the boat to strengthen it. I have cut out the keel support structure and made it bulletproof, glassed in bulkheads that were formally free floating and added additional ones, put in two 4" cockpit drains (they were necessary), rebuilt the fore-cabin structure to take a Bomar hatch etc. Jack is a long way from a stock Capri 25 . While the hull construction quality is good (I have cut pieces out and they are in great shape), the general build quality from the factory was certainly 'down and dirty'. That said, it is also true that Barry has enough confidence in his 30 to race to Hawaii and return and he certainly has the experience in the race to make good judgements.

The question really becomes on of how do you determine if a boat is suitable for the race? Peter approves of the Dana 24 but not the Capri so it is not a matter of size. I would sail Jack in the race again, but not a stock Capri 25.The nearly stock Merit 25, Moore 24, or Santa Cruz 27 all have a long and successful history with the race. It is a really difficult question that I do not have an answer to.

FYI - I will do the race again, but not in Jack. Not because the boat is not up to it, but because I am not. The next race I do will be in a boat I can stand up in so my body (especially my knees) are not mince meat when I finish. I will continue to sail Jack until the day I can no longer hoist a sail, I really enjoy and trust the boat, but just not to Hawaii.

 

[Mewes]

Michael, the dessert was hapua, coconut pudding.

Sadly, the servers were overly generous.

I'll be really interested to see a $20 menu.

 

[Srwsails]

Sadly, the servers were overly generous.

I'll be really interested to see a $20 menu.

The servers were overly generous?? That's a joke right? But regardless...
A $20 menu...yes I suspect something of quality wouldn't come in that low, but likely many of the expenses associated with the $60 would be offset by low to no overhead costs by using Nawilliwlli. No room rental, no paying staff etc. allowing more resources to go to a quality meal and venue. Plus it would likely involve a great volunteer effort by the Nawilliwilli club members. You DO know how well volunteers get paid, yes?

Susan (Mouton Noir)

 

[pogen]

1.5 oz of bottom shelf rum in a 6 oz drink? FFS.

 

[Submarino]

I would not mandate a "cassette" since there are many different ways to skin a cat.

I would not require immersion suits.

I would not rule out or automatically rule in certain boats. Even the ocean capable boats have failures.

I don't know how other tracking devices compare with Yellow brick.

I would not mandate SSB, but encourage some method of two-way text or voice comm. To get more people doing SSB, add a few seminars dedicated to this.

I like the seminars focused biannually on SHTP and in-between on Long Pac.

Hooking up with NYC for banquet and races would be great. Would like to see an informal race from Hanalei Bay to Nawiliwili Harbor with NYC members on board. A Le Mans start swimming from shore would be awesome.

Formal roles/responsibilities, designated people, liaisons and schedules/rotations would be good.

Me thinks the modified PHRF ratings need some fine tuning.

Post race meeting/BBQ with racers only, even if it's back in Oakland would be nice.

Thanks for the great adventure Ben, Lucie, Brian, Dave, George, Bill, & Cliff and all the volunteers and racers. Really enjoyed the schedule and events at CYC pre-race.

Joe B.

 

[BobJ]

The question really becomes on of how do you determine if a boat is suitable for the race?

After looking at some of the smaller boats entered in prior races, I added the following when I was R/C:

"10.04 - In preparation for, or as a result of the yacht’s inspection, the Race Committee may request a more recent survey than that provided with the yacht’s race entry. Additional information, including more detailed photographs of the yacht, the offshore history of the yacht and other yachts of the same type, and additional information about the skipper’s experience may also be requested. Skippers entering smaller yachts without offshore history/pedigree and first-time entrants are encouraged to submit their race applications early to allow sufficient time to comply with any such requests."

I encourage future SHTP R/C's to use this paragraph and request additional information for any boat about which they have concerns. In one case we made sure the surveyor knew the boat was entering a solo Hawaii race.

My heartiest congratulations to the SHTP "class of 2014." I'm not bashful in saying I should have raced to Hanalei again this year instead of Kaneohe. I had a good time but you guys had better conditions. We even had to drop out and motor due to very limited time in Hawaii and commitments back home.

 

[Srwsails]

What's up with weather headed toward Hawaii. I heard that a hurricane or at least a tropical storm is headed there? What about the returnees? Are they in risky areas? Susan (S/V Mouton Noir)

 

[peter00]

There is a well organized system approaching the Hawaiian Is. Actually there are two systems. Scaramouche is departing Hanalei Bay tomorrow (the 5th) with the intent of being north of 25N by Friday when the system will hit Kauai. At that point it could possibly be a tropical storm. I have received great advice as my friends in the USCG are knowledgeable as hell. I rowed around the bay this morning and made sure Maris and other cruisers were aware of the situation. I couldn't contact the people on Grace. People should be taking this situation seriously but I noted a reluctance to head to Ko'olina or Ala Wai. I'm sure everyone remembers what happened in Cabo all those years ago.

 

[peter00]

To answer Susans question....extra tropical cyclones in the area of Hawaii are talked about but very seldom seen. Even the most destructive hurricanes have very little energy north of 25N. Everyone underway should be fine.

 

[Robert Stodieck]

Except for Kauai

To answer Susans question....extra tropical cyclones in the area of Hawaii are talked about but very seldom seen.

Except for Kauai

"Wind data in particular supports the USGS assertion that hurricane damage has been low on all islands except for Kauai."

Apparently Kauai is too far from the hurricane shield effect created by the big mountains on Hawaii, Maui, and O'ahu; and is crossed over by hurricanes regularly, with a frequency only somewhat less than typical for the latitude. Hurricanes causing major damage seem to hit in a 10 to 20 year timeframes. Hurricane Iselle and Julio are very unlikely to reach Kauai simply because they are approaching from the east, over the big island mountains. Kauai's hurricanes tend to approach from the south.

"September 1992: . . . Iniki caused almost $2 billion in damage, mainly to Kauai. It remains the second costliest East/Central Pacific hurricane on record, only behind Hurricane Paul in 1982. Six died as a result. Iniki brought winds of 140 miles per hour (230 km/h)."

"November 1982: Hurricane Iwa was one of Hawaii's most damaging hurricanes. Severe property damage was inflicted on the island; up to $250 million. - from the Wikipedia "List of Hawaii hurricanes" ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Hawaii_hurricanes )

The "hurricane" issue may distract attention from the more relevant issue of "what is the return weather going to be like this season". The difference between a "hurricane" and "tropical storm" is one mph. I do recall one experienced SHTPer who abandoned his boat at sea during the return, having seen just one too many ordinary "storms". (Skip Allan Scuttles Wildflower| http://www.latitude38.com/lectronic/lectronicday.lasso?date=2008-09-02#.U-JgqcKHc0o )

 

[Srwsails]

Weather stuff approaching Hawaii is looking major sucky. Any updates on folks over there and what they may be doing?
Wishing safe passage to all those in the windy areas.
Susan (S/V Mouton Noir)

 

[DaveH]

hi Susan -
It looks like Brian posted [yellow brick??] positions on the SHTP site for Harrier, Galaxsea and Lightspeed, all of whom seem to be well away to the North.

DH

 

[Corine]

Hi Susan, Gary and Jak on Elizabeth Ann are fine as well. They have a Delorme tracker and currently actually don't have enough wind and have been bobbing around all night. Talked to Jak on SatPhone and they are getting a bit bored but hope the wind will pick up again later tonight. Currently at 41.09 138.21 heading for Brookings, OR or potentially Coos Bay if the north end of the high gets him there instead.
They talk on the SSB to the General and I saw on Facebook that Peter is having fun with some wind but not bad.
Just hope that Brian has someone checking the anchor of Maris! Not sure if Grace with the delivery crew already left.
Corine (S/V Maitreya)

 

[Srwsails]

Thanks all. I've been following the returnees. I am hoping all is well with those that remained. I believe Steve Hodges was to fly over this week to begin a return. Hoping all is well with those that remained and I wasn't really sure who that all entailed. Safe passages to everyone!
Susan (S/V Mouton Noir)

 

[standardhuman]

Aloha from Nawiliwili,

The remaining fleet, Frolic, Grace, and Maris, are all snug in slips and within a few boat lengths of each other here in Nawilwili. I saw Brian and Steve this morning as well as the delivery crew aboard Grace. All seem at ease and as ready as one can be. This morning has brought us stronger breeze than I've seen here before, but standard issue for a summer afternoon in Berkeley. Will post further as Iselle passes and Julio approaches.

Wait, what was this thread about?

Brian
Maris

 

[Mewes]

I ran into Jim Quanci yesterday. "Best return ever!" He sailed under the Gate at 6 AM, a day and a half behind Galaxsea and Lightspeed. The difference between a rough coast and not! Nice to see our skippers.

 

[WBChristie]

The party's over...the trophies are packed into yachts headed home, provisions are stowed, weather gribs are being analysed right and left.

As Race Chairs, we have two duties left: Set the date for the next race and reserve the condo.

We've picked Saturday, June 25, 2016. HUGE EBB. Start at 1000. And the party will be Saturday, July 16, 2016. So we're reserving the Condo for Ten Days beginning Day 9 of the Race, July 9.

I have a few ideas of things that worked and things that to change.


SSS Seminar Series year round, every year. Repeats of some topics regularly.
Cassette ERudders only.
Yellow Brick. Is it worth the $5,700 cost?
Require SSB. A significant part of the race communication.
Seriously throw out the Minimum Equipment Requirement section. Racers from past years agree on what to add. SSS should set the rules, not any other group.
One honcho. One decision-maker. No "co's."

What do you say?

The SSS seminars are great, but for people out of town simply recording them and putting them on uTube would be very helpful...I think some were and some were not this year.

A cassette erudder would be very, very hard to fit on my boat, a double ender with outboard rudder.

Everyone I know loved the yellow brick tracker.

The SSB was a huge part of the enjoyment of the race for me. Used SSB's are available at very low cost. Anyone who plans to sail to Hawaii should be capable of installing one.

Yes.

Yes.

Joe, curious what are you talking about when you say that the "modified PHRF rating need to be looked at?"

Since my belt buckle receiving "speech" was so lame, I just want to say again that this whole experience was a high point in my life that I would hugely recommend it to anyone contemplating it.
Thanks to both Jak Mang for crewing back with me and the race committee - that I did remember. Others are Dave King, Lee Perry, John Boye. It would not have been possible without help from these three (Along with my wife Charlotte)
I hope to do the race again now that I have somewhat of a clue.

Gary - s/v Elizabeth Ann