New Boat 4 Sled

[tboussie]

Regarding SURPRISE!, we have received word from Bob that his AP clutch is damaged and that he is hand steering while attempting repairs. He has a B&G 5000 AP with a Robertson HDL2000 hydraulic drive.

I do not want to solicit a bunch of random ideas here, but if you have very specific advice for potential at-sea repairs, please share them on this forum or PM me via the SSS forum.

Tom Boussie
2019 LongPac RC

 

[sleddog]

1330 Friday
Looks like BobJ on SURPRISE has figured out some fix for his Auto-Pilot clutch issue. He may be hand steering, or using self steering by balancing the sail plan. Whatever, SEA WISDOM, Capt. William Lee, has caught up to SURPRISE and could be first-to-finish and overall winner. Wow, who would have thought? As Phipott says, this is exciting to watch.

Both SURPRISE and SEA WISDOM still have ~ 130 miles to go to the finish. Depending on wind and tide on the Approach, an ETA for the winner could be as soon as 0830 tomorrow (Sat.) morning. But there's still a lot of miles and wind ahead. And we can't dismiss SHARK on BLUEGRASS (Olson-25) or the sailing condo GALAXSEA as contenders also. When Daniel gets a bone in GALAXSEA's teeth, there's no denying momentum.

 

[ScottOwens]

I believe the sail under the boom is called a watersail. Back in the old days of racing offshore outside the gate, a Columbia 57, Concerto used one in many races.

 

[sleddog]

I believe the sail under the boom is called a watersail. Back in the old days of racing offshore outside the gate, a Columbia 57, Concerto used one in many races.

Bingo. Watersail it is. Or was. Watersails sometimes had their foot lined with lead shot to keep the foot from blowing out ahead. MARIE CELINE's watersail with a window is pretty sweet. And definitely one-of-a-kind.

I do remember CONCERTO owned by Irv Loube, but not the water sail. Scott, were you aboard CONCERTO when the crew attempted a two pole spinnaker jibe in 25 knots under the Golden Gate, did a deep roll to windward and broke the port pole, then another roll to starboard and broke the other pole? Those spinnaker poles were massive, probably 20 feet long and heavy too.



Yiii doggies. Scott wins a fruit smoothie at CBC.

 

[ScottOwens]

Luckily, I was not on Concerto during that particular maneuver. I was probably on an Ericson 35 or Tartan 41 experiencing our own difficulties. I remember Concerto passing us outside in the ocean with the watersail . It was rectangular, had no window and the bottom would occasionally float on the surface of the water but for the most part did the job. Ah fun times. Except for the jibes.

 

[sleddog]

The 2019 LongPac is up for grabs. At least 4 boats in contention. But there's a better than even chance the race will start over tomorrow morning. Why? Any competitor approaching within 10 miles of the Golden Gate between 5 a.m and 11 a.m is going to experience the effects of light winds coupled with a massive 4.3 knot ebb at 0700. The ebb might even be stronger than that, given current Sierra snowmelt on the surface. That's not a "gate," that's a Wall.

In addition, the front runners have challenges asterisked by their names.

SURPRISE * PHRF rating 111. Has BobJ fixed his Autopilot? If not, can he hand steer for the next 18+ hours?
With a possible ETA of 0830, will he meet the Wall and possibly be unable to get inside the Golden Gate until mid or late morning when the wind makes up and the current slackens?

SEA WISDOM * PHRF rating 150. This Hinckley 42, designed by McCurdy and Rhodes, and built in 1987, has got to be a sentimental favorite. 32 years old, displacing 25,000 pounds, her waterline and stability paid dividends in the conditions of the outbound leg. But can William Lee deal with the light airs and downwind sail angles of tomorrow's approach? Maybe. SEA WISDOM is currently only 2 miles behind SURPRISE and could assume the boat-for-boat lead later this afternoon as conditions freshen.

SHARK ON BLUEGRASS * PHRF rating 159. This Olson 25 could do well indeed when the race starts over tomorrow mid-morning. SHARK is light, nimble, and fast in lighter conditions. But can she get over the challenge of the 20-25 knots of breeze that will be encountered tonight after the lights go out? Falk has to be tired. Small boats on a big ocean do that to you. Go the SHARK!

Then there's a real, honest to god, dark horse thundering in from the southwest. Daniel Willey won this race in 3 days, 1 hour in 2013, and when the ketch GALAXSEA (PHRF 180!) gets her rail under and the windshield wipers going, it's Katy bar the door, there's trouble on its way. GALAXSEA is heavier and has more waterline than any other boat in the fleet..and not by a little. She'll be bruising the ocean wave tonight.

GALAXSEA is also a sentimental favorite, same as SURPRISE, SEA WISDOM, and SHARK ON BLUEGRASS. But there's a nagging question. Did GALAXSEA cross the 126-40 turnaround? The tracker casts doubt, but I'm sure Daniel has it all on video. I'm just glad GALAXSEA's refrigerator door will be to leeward for the windy reach into the Gulf of the Farallones.

Here's the Tracker: https://www.jibeset.net/tv.php Click on the Green "Watch" Button.

The above are just opinions ..As Scoop Nisker would say on his 5 pm KSAN alternative news report, "If you don't like the news, go out and make some of your own."

 

[sleddog]

At 2100 Friday evening, SEA WISDOM and SURPRISE are within 2 miles of each other and communicating on VHF. BobJ on SURPRISE indicates he will heave to, eat dinner, and rest before resuming the course. This indicates Bob's #1 priority is finishing the 400 mile course as his Singlehanded Transpac Qualifier. His position in the LongPac race has become secondary in priority. We assume Bob has been unable to make repairs to his autopilot and will be handsteering and possibly using sheet to tiller steering for the last 83 miles.

SEA WISDOM is now leading boat-for-boat and is 78 miles from the finish, sailing at 6.8 knots on a beam reach in 20 knots of wind. A possible ETA, given the lighter conditions ahead, might be 1000 hrs Saturday morning.

Good sailing to all.

 

[Philpott]

Thank you for the splendid analyses, Skip. I'm so glad to hear that Surprise! has decided to rest and eat before coming in. Before he left that is something Bob advised: make sure to be rested upon the approach, in consideration of all the traffic and the re-entry to the Bay. These sailors have really been through some weather. So now Sea Wisdom, all 24,000 pounds of her, will try to maintain her position past that strong ebb. It isn't over yet. What a great spectacle this has been!

 

[sleddog]

At 0600 this Saturday morning, the Long Pac fleet is charging home on a windy reach, 20-30 knots of NW wind and 7-9 foot seas.

Winds grow progressively lighter ahead in the Gulf of the Farallones. Current wind at the Farallones and at the SF Approach Buoy are < 10 knots. Leader SEA WISDOM, 7 miles East and south of the Farallones, with 23 miles to the Finish, is only making 1-2 knots while the next closest boat, RIFF RIDER, is 13 miles back and sailing at 7.5 knots, 34 miles to the Finish.

LIBRA and GALAXSEA, seen on AIS, are both reaching at 8.5 to 9 knots. SURPRISE, also on AIS, having made progress during the night, is 53 miles from the Golden Gate, currently hove to, drifting south at 3-4 knots. Hopefully things are OK onboard and Bob is getting set up for his final push today during daylight.

https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/centerx:-122.6/centery:37.1/zoom:8

Guessing the fleet will compress inside the Farallones as the leaders slow on soundings, with first-to-finish sailing under the Golden Gate sometime early to mid-afternoon with good breeze and flood tide current helping to push things along.

They're gonna be tired puppies.

 

[tboussie]

This was posted on other thread, but for those following the race here, a LongPac update 0730 7/6/19 from the RC:

At 0330 this morning SEA WISDOM contacted RC to let them know that they had lost their rudder about 5 nm SW of the Farallones and that they were steering with their hydrovane. William expressed concern as the rudder post was slamming against the hull and he feared it would breach the hull over time. He was in contact with the CG who were monitoring the situation. At 0530 SEA WISDOM contacted the CG to let them know that he had lost all steerage and to request assistance. They have dispatched a vessel to provide a tow. SEA WISDOM is currently SE of the Farallones, ~20 nm from the Gate.

SURPRISE! has apparently hove to twice overnight and is currently ~60 nm from the Gate. Last communication indicated that Bob is okay and the boat is sound.

RIFF RIDER now expected to be first boat to finish, likely in the early afternoon. We expect 7 of 8 boats to make it back to SF some time today. TORTUGA is ~100 nm from the Gate and will likely finish early tomorrow morning. Randy texted at 0800 this morning: "Rough night but all ok on tortuga. . C55. S5.8. . 36. 52.95. . 124.12.39. hoping the winds calm down".


LP RC

 

[sleddog]

At 0530 SEA WISDOM contacted the CG to let them know that he had lost all steerage and to request assistance. They have dispatched a vessel to provide a tow.
SURPRISE! has apparently hove to twice overnight and is currently ~60 nm from the Gate. Last communication indicated that Bob is okay and the boat is sound.
RIFF RIDER now expected to be first boat to finish, likely in the early afternoon. We expect 7 of 8 boats to make it back to SF some time today. TORTUGA is ~100 nm from the Gate and will likely finish early tomorrow morning. Randy texted at 0800 this morning: "Rough night but all ok on tortuga. . C55. S5.8. . 36. 52.95. . 124.12.39. hoping the winds calm down".
LP RC

Thanks for posting, Tom.

As of 0935 SURPRISE is 59 miles from the Golden Gate Bridge, on course, and making 6.9 knots. Bob could be finished this evening by 1900 if all goes well.

Of more concern is SEA WISDOM. Many of us have experienced the helpless feeling of losing a rudder. About all you can do while figuring out what to do, is deploying a drogue to keep the stern to the wind, rather than having the boat slewing around. Fingers crossed for William Lee that the hull is not compromised and the CG can assist.

Also of concern is SHARK ON BLUEGRASS. The tracker shows SHARK heading west at 3 knots.

As stories filter in, much can and will be learned from debriefings. Thank goodness, though banged, bruised, wet and tired, all are apparently well at this juncture.

 

[Tom P.]

Agreed that there’s much to be learned, and we can hope for major debriefs. With complicated systems onboard it becomes essential to have quickly available manuals. I’ve become very appreciative of my iPad for that. I wonder what BobJ has along? I know he was very familiar with the systems on RAGTIME! and probably didn’t even need (no stinkin’) manuals.

Hydraulic linear drives don’t have a “clutch” as we might think of one. They have a solenoid valve (an electrically actuated valve) that is normally open (NO) to allow the hydraulic fluid in the ram to by-pass the system. When the pilot is put in AUTO the valve receives current to close. So the problem could be as simple as a wiring issue, or maybe the valve has failed. I’m sure by now Bob has checked it out as best he can. All this could be pretty hard to sort out by someone who is already sleep deprived and fatigued.

Tom P.

 

[tboussie]

Update on SHARK ON BLUEGRASS from RC

SOB's tracker shows him headed due West, obviously of concern. We asked the CG to contact him by VHF - happily he is in fact 15 miles from the Gate headed home. Must be a tracker malfunction.

 

[WBChristie]

Agreed that there’s much to be learned, and we can hope for major debriefs. With complicated systems onboard it becomes essential to have quickly available manuals. I’ve become very appreciative of my iPad for that. I wonder what BobJ has along? I know he was very familiar with the systems on RAGTIME! and probably didn’t even need (no stinkin’) manuals.

Hydraulic linear drives don’t have a “clutch” as we might think of one. They have a solenoid valve (an electrically actuated valve) that is normally open (NO) to allow the hydraulic fluid in the ram to by-pass the system. When the pilot is put in AUTO the valve receives current to close. So the problem could be as simple as a wiring issue, or maybe the valve has failed. I’m sure by now Bob has checked it out as best he can. All this could be pretty hard to sort out by someone who is already sleep deprived and fatigued.

Tom P.

Right. IRIS had a very similar system for last years shtp. We replaced the solenoid cartridge, but ultimately the problem was a broken motor shaft. Very unusual.

 

[Wylieguy]

Heres a friend responding to my question about Bob's steering problem. If someone thinks it might help and wants to forward it do so. Pat
Pat,

Just saw this. I’m probably not much help but here’s what I know.

We have a very similar or identical unit on Escapade. The clutch is a valve in the hydraulic circuit and is normally open (fluid just circulates) or closed when autopilot is engaged. The valve is controlled by a solenoid which in turn driven by electrical signal from AP Junction Box.

It sounds like the AP won’t engage, which would mean

1. Electrical connection issue from AP Junction Box to HLD2000, specifically AP Clutch signal or ground
2. If not 1 then clutch solenoid has failed.
3. If not 1 or 2, then the system might be low in fluid (pump is pumping, clutch valve is closed)

As to at-sea fixes:

1. Check electrical connection (voltmeter) – preferably at the HLD2000 end, both for the clutch and the pump motor drive.
2. If the solenoid itself has failed (won’t close) I doubt there’s much that could be done.

Where would he be at this point?

 

[sleddog]

With a garage sale in CBC's front yard, it is challenging to stay up on all the late breaking LongPac news. All important, but in no particular order:

SEA WISDOM is undertow at 8 knots. Ironically, she is likely to be first boat to return after completing the entire LongPac course ....but with outside assistance

SHARK ON BLUEGRASS has reappeared after a tracker malfunction and is in a 3 boat horse race for first-to-finish with RIFF RIDER and LIBRA. All should be sailing under the Golden Gate in the next hour. SHARK ON BLUEGRASS
could well win the 2019 LongPac overall on corrected time.

But wait. Here comes GALAXSEA only 7 miles behind SHARK and owed 2 hours, 20 minutes by SHARK...

Yes? No? Maybe? GALAXSEA (and NIGHTMARE) may need to show proof to RC they crossed the turnaround
point at 126 degrees, 40 minutes west. The tracker shows ambiguity which may be an error in the tracker. Or possibly human error of entering 126-40 into a GPS waypoint as 126.40, which is a point 16 miles short of the turnaround. I hope it's tracker error. In the old days we had to take a photo of the LORAN/GPS readout to provide evidence. Maybe Daniel and Greg did just that.

BobJ on SURPRISE will be finishing strong. He is currently 37 miles SW of the Golden Gate making 6.3 knots on a beam reach, hand steering, and likely within cellphone range. I suspect, with his approach, and shipping in the vicinity, he is too busy to achieve further investigation into his AP issue.

There's other news (wind between the Golden Gate and the Finish is SW at 15 knots.) But that's the important stuff. I'm sure the RC is on station at the GGYC and will provide finish info on the other (official) thread.

If you want to watch live, tune in the St.FYC web cam and watch your favorite singlehander come under the Bridge and downwind to the finish line 2 miles distant.http://12.201.135.206/Race Deck/siteproxy.html
(Zooming in the focus upwards to 30X provides excellent viz. Also, controls are available for direction of view, the best for finishing purpose being Gate 1, Sausalito, Buoy (the St.FYC finish line, 200 yards west of GGYC finish line), Angel Is., and Alcatraz (looks northeast at the GGYC finish.)

Will DURA MATER be going out to meet arrivals? My guess is yes and Jackie's already in the vicinity of GGYC. Hi Jackie!

 

[sleddog]

Finish times this afternoon as reported from Jackie on GGYC Race Deck. Chief RC honcho Tom Boussie
and SSS Commodore Don Martin on hand taking official times. Thanks, Tom, Don, and Jackie!
SHARK 1:42:18
LIBRA 1:42:30
GALAXSEA 1:46: (Mizzen and jib, lost main halyard)
RIFF RIDER 2:08:37

It is interesting that two of the smaller entries, Olson 25, and a Pogo 20 footer were in a near photo finish for first-to-finish. Actually, SHARK ON BLUEGRASS won best elapsed time by 5 minutes,12 seconds, as her Class B start was 5 minutes after LIBRA's Class A.

 

[AlanH]

Happy Holiday All,

This 4th of July morning at 0900 PDT, BobJ on his Alerion 38 SURPRISE continues his lonely slog westward, 25+ miles north of the remaining Long Pac racers. Bob is 102 miles west of the Golden Gate, and same distance from his turn around point at 126-40W. SURPRISE, averaging 5.5 knots, should be headed home in approx. 17 hours, or 2 A.M. tomorrow morning.

Conditions over the course have moderated, with 18-20 knots of wind from the NNW. And should slowly moderate a bit more over the next 12 hours. SURPRISE, by going West, rather than Southwest, is setting up for a fast broad reaching angle home. Everyone else, further south, is going to be sailing more miles, and at a slightly slower angle on their return.

Here's the GFS chart for 11 A.M. PDT this morning. Yellow is 13-15 knots of wind. Orange is 15-17 knots. As will be noted, the wind arrows are in 5 knot increments, and do not exactly match up with the chart colors. For example, a barb and 1/2 = 15 knots of wind. Two barbs = 20 knots of wind. In addition, in swell, the wind strength near the surface is less than higher off the water, say 10 meters. Also, cooler air is denser. 20 knots of wind off the CA coast is stronger than 20 knots of tradewind in Hawaii.

View attachment 4506

Good sailing to all. Here at CBC, we had a very low tide this morning, -1.4 feet. Beachgoers from over the Hill were already planting their umbrellas in the sand at 7 a.m. under overcast skies. Dozens of surfers were out early, enjoying the chest high southerly swell.

Just a note... We saw 27-34 knots of wind all night Wednesday night. On the way out, it blew 13-17 before we got to the south Bar. It hit 30 quite a few times while we transited the bar and then there was a lovely hour or so of about 15 knots until we neared the Continental shelf. At that point it climbed to 25 and rarely dropped below that. There were extended periods, like an hour- plus where the wind sensor at the masthead did not drop below 30, and there were plenty of times when I saw 35 knot gusts on the anemomenter. We were the next-to-northernmost boat of the fleet until we turned for Moss Landing .

 

[sleddog]

Rode my bike to/from Capitola Boat Club to Santa Cruz Harbor yesterday. 4 miles one way along the Coast via E.Cliff Dr. I noticed two interesting signs. The first, across the street from CBC, shows a wave breaking, and says "Entering Tsunami Warning Zone."

CBC is at 90 feet elevation, so I think we're mostly safe. But the last tsunami, March 11, 2011, ripped the Harbor apart, sank a dozen or more boats, and caused million$ in damage....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MDnlcbRMaQ

The other sign of interest, at Brommer and 17th, said innocently "Great White Shark Encounters." I parked my bike and went inside Stagnaro Fishing and Whale Watching booking office. The nice lady behind the counter confirmed they did run Friday and Sunday afternoon boat trips to the local Great White nursery, near the Cement Ship, where juvenile fish, 5-10+ feet long, hang out near the beach and sun themselves near the surface in the afternoon warmth.



https://www.santacruzwhalewatching.com/great-white-shark-encounters-santa-cruz

Hmmm. Apparently there have been no reported nibbles by these youngsters on swimmers or kayakers. But they're there, as evidenced a few years ago during a Junior Guards championship when a low flying photo plane radioed the lifeguards they could see dozens of Great Whites in the vicinity of the Cement Ship.

Whistles blew. "Everybody out of the water immediately!!" (Probably not a good idea to be splashing as you attempt to exit the ocean.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkZML7saXuE

At the Stagnaro booking office I had a question. "Do you chum for sharks with bloody meat?" This had been done before by another company, raising significant ire from surfers and others, resulting in the company discontinuing its Great White shark adventures and leaving town.

The nice lady said, "we most certainly do not." "And all our trips are accompanied by a certified naturalist."

Never a dull day on a bike trip at shark o'clock.

 

[sleddog]

Have you seen a boat hit by lightning? Here's a direct hit. No Halifax Race for PERSEVERENCE.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHFJh_tFQs0