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New Boat 4 Sled
- Thread starter sleddog
- Start date
tiger beetle
N/M 45 Tiger Beetle
Yes, that's due to the US Navy having a self-signed SSL certificate, which nobody else trusts (would *you* trust them?).
I can accept their self-signed (DOD) certificate and continue on to view their site using the Firefox browser on my laptop. Not the smartest thing to do, but there it is.
That's fascinating that the folks there are providing boat-specific forecasts, which they did not want you to see. Kristen and I got to visit NWS Monterey, and we were introduced to 'Perfect Paul', which everybody has heard over the VHF radio. He's short, tan, and speaks strangely + he fits into a large computer chassis. Who would have thought?
I was introduced to FNMOC by a cruiser departing La Paz in 2017 headed for French Polynesia, he was one of the folks that worked on the weather model code and explained in great (and useful) detail how the ITCZ modeling of clouds worked and therefore how we might benefit from that information. Most interesting stuff - and he was correct, the data was seriously useful for my crossing to FP.
- rob
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Not difficult to see why RIFF RIDER made a left hand southerly detour yesterday. It's beginning to look like the boats to the north will run their slot car tracks right to the edge of the cliff and into the grasp of the EPAC High. 10 knots or less of wind north of 32N and/or 1024 millibars may feel pretty slow after the windy reach.
Here is the 48 hr. forecast:
The isobar (lines of equal air pressure) spacing is key. Closer spacing = more wind. Notice the wider spacing above the 1024 isobar indicating lighter winds, 5-15 knots, and the narrower spacing south of the 1024 isobar, indicating 15-20 knot winds.
Pretty much everyone in the fleet knows about this possibility. Still, it's fascinating watching it play out in slow motion. Even KYNTANNA, at one point furthest south, seems to now be intent on getting north so not to miss the pool party at the half way barge.
Where are the tradewinds? South of 29 degrees.
Carry on west at your peril.
An additional reminder. Not allowed by the race rules to share these charts or blog info with any race boat.
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Sled Dog,
Why is the majority of the fleet still pushing North? Is there routing software skirting them that close? Are we seeing something different than what's actually going on the water, i.e., our isobars are reading 1026, their actually in 1024. Is the High Center Barge offering free cold beers & cocktails to the first 10 boats?
Hmmm?
Why is the majority of the fleet still pushing North? Is there routing software skirting them that close? Are we seeing something different than what's actually going on the water, i.e., our isobars are reading 1026, their actually in 1024. Is the High Center Barge offering free cold beers & cocktails to the first 10 boats?
Hmmm?
Herbie's Halfway Barge remains a great attraction to sailors, especially with its 3 hour free tie-up, hot showers, organic iced fruit smoothies, and use of electric jet skis.
The Half Way ship used to be run by the government, and was a Coast Guard cutter on 3 month deployment calling itself "Ocean Station November." Ocean Station November had two main duties: radio weather observations to the weather bureau. And being at halfway, Point of No Return, between Hawaii and the West Coast, they were there to rescue aviators who had to ditch.
During Transpacs up until the mid-70's Ocean Station November would radio weather to the racing fleet on 2186 twice/day. I well remember one afternoon Ocean Station November missing it's appointed schedule. KIALOA's owner went apoplectic. Finally a sleepy guardsman answered KIALOA's plaintive calls.
The irate yachtsman demands "what is the position of the Pacific High?"
The guardsman radios back in a somewhat stoned sounding voice, "the High? The High? I do believe it's right here."
Here's a short video of Ocean Station November doing its thing, successfully rescuing the passengers and crew of Pan Am Flight #6 in 1956, when two of their four engines quit mid-Pacific and the crew was forced to make a water landing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6onMGIvRF0
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I don't know how many of this year's SHTP fleet are using routing software. Probably less than half. There is great attraction to trusting information coming over the sat com/computer with its pretty uniform lines of wind arrows. As reminded earlier, Stan Honey says, "Understand why the router always takes you too close to a High.."
Other attractions to be sucked into light winds associated with the Pac High?
1) "Everyone else is up here. Someone must know better than I." ( I call this the sheep effect.)
2) The "slot car" effect. Jibing south on an unattractive course perpendicular to Hawaii is a powerful disincentive.
3) Not everyone is receiving current weather info.
4) If Kauai is your GPS waypoint, GPS readouts give you the Great Circle course and distance, exactly opposite of reality, when you should be initially curving south, not north, the traditional "Reverse S" course, as my father named it in 1949 when he was TransPac fleet weatherman.
5) Despite advice, not everyone has a calibrated barometer. This is the "out of sight, out of mind" effect. Same goes with sailing along with plastic on your fin keel for hours/days on end.
6) Unless you are CRINAN, JACQUELINE, or KYNTANNA, jibeing is a 30 minute chore. Most everything has to be re-led. The wave angle feels odd. The sun is in a different place in the sky, and your solar panels are in the shade of the sails.
From current tracker positions, I believe the two lead boats have jibed to port and are trying their best to get south. Certainly RIFF RIDER has jibed to port. What about DOUBLE-X? Here's PJ's thoughts from last night:
"My watch barometer reads 1026.5 and when I vaguely calibrated it seemed to be 1 mbar too low. So that's 1027.5. That's really close to what the Grib files say. Baro has been going up and down over the day. I realize I'm really close to the eye but I'm staying below the routing based on Grib files.
I had planned to watch this over the night. The wind is supposed to veer, at which point I plan to jibe the main and pole out the 3 too. I almost did it an hour ago but the wind came back. The forecast is for the wind to come light behind me first then port so I'm trying to move West quickly. If speed drops I'll jibe. I'm going to get updated forecasts now."
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Above is the current routing from a position near 32 N x 137-35 W. As opposed to yesterday's "Go North, young man, this route looks like "get South" to me. Even if following this southerly track, winds will only be in the 14 knot range until Monday, July 2, when they again begin to build into the 16-18 knot range.
Looks like a 13 day race for First-to-Finish.
A reminder: Any yachts trying to surf the web rather than the waves may encounter financial obstacles. A recent competitor in the S.California 300 Ocean Race from Santa Barbara to San Diego, an overnighter, was shocked to find they'd run up an $8,000 bill while continuously connected to their INMARSAT. Turns out the INMARSAT was downloading a massive Windows OS upgrade....
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Apparently PJ on DOUBLE-X did jibe south sometime this morning. Reading between the lines, I can tell he is tired and not thinking straight. Did he forget earplugs/headphones?
PJ's recent rig is a #2 jib whiskered poled to windward (starboard.) And a #3 jib spinnaker poled to leeward (port). Apparently in his sleep deprivation he decided when jibeing he needed to switch the jibs side for side. This means not only lowering and rehoisting, but also switching poles, luff grooves, halyards, and sheets.
A near impossibility by my reckoning.
PJ attempted anyway. Here is his description of the results:
"It dawned on me that the center of the high was forecasted to be 1029, only 2mbar up from my reading. I decided to pole out the 3 and jibe the main and come South, which I knew was against rule of thumb (stay in your lane during slot car). Good but it felt slow.
I decided to jibe the twin jibs and everything went South ... Nothing broke but it took me 90 minutes to recover. Mainly: 2 wrapped with sheets multiple times, lines entanglement galore, lines under the boat and trailing out. I kept clipped on, took everything down and back up. I was on course but with main only. I guess I lost 6 miles there, a lot of energy and confidence. I'll need to jibe this rig again. Don't know how yet. The problem is when I let out the pole then the 2 goes nuts ...
We're now doing about the same speed but will need to sail more miles.
Anyways it looks like all the boats North are still making good progress so I have doubts this was all worth it in the end. Passages, Joujou and Riff Rider appear South of me too.
Getting short on sleep. Too much noise.
Need to find a happy spot ...
PJ
PJ's recent rig is a #2 jib whiskered poled to windward (starboard.) And a #3 jib spinnaker poled to leeward (port). Apparently in his sleep deprivation he decided when jibeing he needed to switch the jibs side for side. This means not only lowering and rehoisting, but also switching poles, luff grooves, halyards, and sheets.
A near impossibility by my reckoning.
PJ attempted anyway. Here is his description of the results:
"It dawned on me that the center of the high was forecasted to be 1029, only 2mbar up from my reading. I decided to pole out the 3 and jibe the main and come South, which I knew was against rule of thumb (stay in your lane during slot car). Good but it felt slow.
I decided to jibe the twin jibs and everything went South ... Nothing broke but it took me 90 minutes to recover. Mainly: 2 wrapped with sheets multiple times, lines entanglement galore, lines under the boat and trailing out. I kept clipped on, took everything down and back up. I was on course but with main only. I guess I lost 6 miles there, a lot of energy and confidence. I'll need to jibe this rig again. Don't know how yet. The problem is when I let out the pole then the 2 goes nuts ...
We're now doing about the same speed but will need to sail more miles.
Anyways it looks like all the boats North are still making good progress so I have doubts this was all worth it in the end. Passages, Joujou and Riff Rider appear South of me too.
Getting short on sleep. Too much noise.
Need to find a happy spot ...
PJ
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"Ocean Station November" -- at first, I thought you were pulling our legs, but after looking at the video and doing a little more history search, it IS part of our actual history. Wow!
Regarding jibing DE's 2 poles/2 jibs, yes, that sleep deprivation will lead to some odd, repeated behavior. In 2014, my boom was pumping back and forth into the mast at the gooseneck. I could see the hole elongating, so my course of action was a Spanish windlass to compress/squeeze the boom into the mast more.
After a nap, I marveled at my hour worth handiwork with spectra, rigging tape and turning strut. But also with a clearer head, I could now see that all I needed was to pull the boom vang tighter. I had to chuckle!
Regarding jibing DE's 2 poles/2 jibs, yes, that sleep deprivation will lead to some odd, repeated behavior. In 2014, my boom was pumping back and forth into the mast at the gooseneck. I could see the hole elongating, so my course of action was a Spanish windlass to compress/squeeze the boom into the mast more.
After a nap, I marveled at my hour worth handiwork with spectra, rigging tape and turning strut. But also with a clearer head, I could now see that all I needed was to pull the boom vang tighter. I had to chuckle!
The only topic that gets more topic at Tree Time than auto pilot malfunction is sleep deprivation....one competitor came ashore from his Olson-30 with his saddle and spurs...said he had to go ride a rodeo, then do a vision quest up Mt. Wai'aleale. That was the last we saw of him for 3 days until he returned, barely recognizable and covered in mud. He's the same fellow who steered his planing O-30 under spinnaker across the finish, steering with his AP remote from his hammock swinging on the foredeck..
Sometimes I think I've seen it all. Then I remember the SHTPer who came ashore to Tree Time with his lawnmower, explaining he had to earn some money mowing lawns for rich people.
That wasn't the last of it. One competitor showed up with no anchor and wanted to borrow one. It wasn't he didn't have an anchor. Just his anchor (that apparently passed the safety inspection) was a miniature replica of the real thing that was 5" long and weighed 12 oz. I believe he was tossed by the RC.
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The eastern sky is just beginning to lighten for those singlehanders up early and enjoying a cup of coffee.
KYNNTANA continues her scientific research of the Eastern Pacific gyre, having gone from most northerly boat, to most southerly, back to most northerly. And now on a track south again, at much reduced speed of 3 knots, having made acquaintance with the Pacific High during her criss-crossing. I'm guessing her windvane is having difficulty coping with the weather helm induced by most or all of her sail area on one side of the boat?
The fleet has separated into two groups, with RAINBOW bringing up the back of the front, and IRIS the front of the back. Winds should be moderate today for the front runners, 14-16 knots, and lighter behind, 10-14 Knots, except even less for those more north.
PJ on DOUBLE-X should reach the happy nautical mile stone of halfway this afternoon with a nice lead. The skipper of DOUBLE-X, on his first small boat ocean crossing, is nervously looking astern for sails, jadedly considering any speed less than 8 knots as "slow."
Following DOUBLE-X are CRINAN, 11 hours behind. NIGHTMARE and PASSAGES are ~ 12 hours back; RIFF RIDER 14 hours; JOUJOU 21 hours.
JOUJOU is in "cruze" mode, reporting he earlier jibed S too close to high. "Spinnaker + AP + swells = chaos"
As is true in all SHTP, Auto Pilots are coming a cropper. CRINAN is down to his spare, and we hope that gets him downwind for the remainder of the Race.
The tradewinds, with their popcorn clouds and flying fish, lie just ahead and to the south: south of 29N, west of 140W. Then the big moon will make for delightful nighttime sailing.
KYNNTANA continues her scientific research of the Eastern Pacific gyre, having gone from most northerly boat, to most southerly, back to most northerly. And now on a track south again, at much reduced speed of 3 knots, having made acquaintance with the Pacific High during her criss-crossing. I'm guessing her windvane is having difficulty coping with the weather helm induced by most or all of her sail area on one side of the boat?
The fleet has separated into two groups, with RAINBOW bringing up the back of the front, and IRIS the front of the back. Winds should be moderate today for the front runners, 14-16 knots, and lighter behind, 10-14 Knots, except even less for those more north.
PJ on DOUBLE-X should reach the happy nautical mile stone of halfway this afternoon with a nice lead. The skipper of DOUBLE-X, on his first small boat ocean crossing, is nervously looking astern for sails, jadedly considering any speed less than 8 knots as "slow."
Following DOUBLE-X are CRINAN, 11 hours behind. NIGHTMARE and PASSAGES are ~ 12 hours back; RIFF RIDER 14 hours; JOUJOU 21 hours.
JOUJOU is in "cruze" mode, reporting he earlier jibed S too close to high. "Spinnaker + AP + swells = chaos"
As is true in all SHTP, Auto Pilots are coming a cropper. CRINAN is down to his spare, and we hope that gets him downwind for the remainder of the Race.
The tradewinds, with their popcorn clouds and flying fish, lie just ahead and to the south: south of 29N, west of 140W. Then the big moon will make for delightful nighttime sailing.
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Congrats to our friend PJ (Phillipe), first in the SHTP Class of '18 to surf his DOUBLE EXPRESSO over the magical half-way stripe, through the rainbow portal, and enter the second and downhill half of the passage.
We understand DOUBLE EXPRESSO flew by Herbie's Halfway Barge shortly before 4 pm PDT, slowing only briefly to pick up a slice of Hana's delicious coconut and mango cake and a frosty can of root beer.
Said PJ in a brief interview with the Barge crew, "I'm new to this stress of racing .....has anyone come by before me? Look, there's a patch of blue sky. My guess is that's the light patch coming to get me. But the wind just picked up so I'm not sure. I've been sailing mostly DDW, regularly by the lee, to avoid losing miles by going South. The boat rolls quite a bit with the autopilot I'm fed and hydrated. I'm hopeful and will try to do the math to figure out my current position and how much I must gain on who."
Carry on PJ. It's all downwind from here and those Hanalei mermaids will soon have you by a nylon tow rope!
We understand DOUBLE EXPRESSO flew by Herbie's Halfway Barge shortly before 4 pm PDT, slowing only briefly to pick up a slice of Hana's delicious coconut and mango cake and a frosty can of root beer.
Said PJ in a brief interview with the Barge crew, "I'm new to this stress of racing .....has anyone come by before me? Look, there's a patch of blue sky. My guess is that's the light patch coming to get me. But the wind just picked up so I'm not sure. I've been sailing mostly DDW, regularly by the lee, to avoid losing miles by going South. The boat rolls quite a bit with the autopilot I'm fed and hydrated. I'm hopeful and will try to do the math to figure out my current position and how much I must gain on who."
Carry on PJ. It's all downwind from here and those Hanalei mermaids will soon have you by a nylon tow rope!
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Very Happy for Phillipe! A refreshing surprise, the boat no, but the skipper, Yes!
Hard to believe there's more than 300 miles of distance between the front and back of the fleet.
After lunch Sunday, there appears to be a good chance for the back surfers to move up to mid fleet since they will be the first to get the 20 plus knots of wind.
I love arm chair racing!
Hard to believe there's more than 300 miles of distance between the front and back of the fleet.
After lunch Sunday, there appears to be a good chance for the back surfers to move up to mid fleet since they will be the first to get the 20 plus knots of wind.
I love arm chair racing!
Wheeee! Here's a weathermap/forecast every TransPacific Racer dreams about, but rarely sees.
This is the 96 hour forecast for next Tuesday, July 3. What it shows is downwind/surfing salivation. Enough wind, 20-25 knots for everyone, north to south, east spreading west across the course beginning late Monday.
Enough wind to blow the fleet speedily all the way to Kauai.
The Pacific High is strong, 1036 millibars, 12 millibars above average and providing a steep gradient. The High is anchored well north, above 40 degrees. And it is perfectly shaped, symmetrical and nicely rounded. The perfect pinwheel.
Wind blows out of a High at 15 degrees from parallel with the isobars (lines of equal pressure).
The steep gradient of this High is sure to erase memories of light winds of the early Southerly Surge. And provide unlimited stories for Tree Time and memories for months/years to come.
Singlehanders, re-check your gear. The Breeze she is a comin'. This is what we live for!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLYDq4PEJRM
This is the 96 hour forecast for next Tuesday, July 3. What it shows is downwind/surfing salivation. Enough wind, 20-25 knots for everyone, north to south, east spreading west across the course beginning late Monday.
Enough wind to blow the fleet speedily all the way to Kauai.
The Pacific High is strong, 1036 millibars, 12 millibars above average and providing a steep gradient. The High is anchored well north, above 40 degrees. And it is perfectly shaped, symmetrical and nicely rounded. The perfect pinwheel.
Wind blows out of a High at 15 degrees from parallel with the isobars (lines of equal pressure).
The steep gradient of this High is sure to erase memories of light winds of the early Southerly Surge. And provide unlimited stories for Tree Time and memories for months/years to come.
Singlehanders, re-check your gear. The Breeze she is a comin'. This is what we live for!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLYDq4PEJRM
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The tracker COG and SOG function has been malfunctioning since the start for DE.
As has been the case for every SHTP, the majority of the fleet is experiencing auto-pilot/self steering issues. Electricity, salt water, and frequent and rapid tiller movements don't always make a reliable combination.
Except for those on a VHF or SSB sked, much of the fleet has little news of their competitors. Even if it were reliable and consistent, Tracker info not available to sailors.
The Pacific High will be increasing even further. 1037 millibars is strong indeed. Winds beginning to increase tomorrow, building to 15-25 knots tomorrow night through Thursday with 7-11 foot seas. Even the heavier craft in the back half of the fleet will begin to surf. Glad KYNTANNA has a boom brake and strong gooseneck for possible accidental jibes. Just hope the mainsheet doesn't wrap on the binnacle.
I believe one of the better downwind rigs in the fleet is aboard Dave Clark's O-30 PASSAGES: Twin jibs on a common, loose luff. Dave also has hanks, unlike his sister-ship DOUBLE-X and DARK HORSE, who have headfoils that allow the jib to be dropped in the water. PJ on the bow of DOUBLE-X is a fearsome sight: 6'5", 230. He doesn't fit in his pipe berth, but has found rest on the cabin sole.
TIGER BEETLE is already at anchor in Hanalei. Jackie and crew leave early tomorrow for RC duty in Hanalei. Synthia follows Tuesday. They won't have long to wait. Barring unforeseen circumstances, the first-to-finish should arrive late Wednesday night/Thursday morning.
Estimated 8,000 marchers in downtown Santa Cruz yesterday. Not enough room on the sidewalks...4 square blocks of downtown was packed...
Except for those on a VHF or SSB sked, much of the fleet has little news of their competitors. Even if it were reliable and consistent, Tracker info not available to sailors.
The Pacific High will be increasing even further. 1037 millibars is strong indeed. Winds beginning to increase tomorrow, building to 15-25 knots tomorrow night through Thursday with 7-11 foot seas. Even the heavier craft in the back half of the fleet will begin to surf. Glad KYNTANNA has a boom brake and strong gooseneck for possible accidental jibes. Just hope the mainsheet doesn't wrap on the binnacle.
I believe one of the better downwind rigs in the fleet is aboard Dave Clark's O-30 PASSAGES: Twin jibs on a common, loose luff. Dave also has hanks, unlike his sister-ship DOUBLE-X and DARK HORSE, who have headfoils that allow the jib to be dropped in the water. PJ on the bow of DOUBLE-X is a fearsome sight: 6'5", 230. He doesn't fit in his pipe berth, but has found rest on the cabin sole.
TIGER BEETLE is already at anchor in Hanalei. Jackie and crew leave early tomorrow for RC duty in Hanalei. Synthia follows Tuesday. They won't have long to wait. Barring unforeseen circumstances, the first-to-finish should arrive late Wednesday night/Thursday morning.
Estimated 8,000 marchers in downtown Santa Cruz yesterday. Not enough room on the sidewalks...4 square blocks of downtown was packed...
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