New Boat 4 Sled

[sleddog]

Pt. Reyes Station, pop. 848, is only about 3 blocks square, and sits atop the San Andreas Fault. Everyday, for all to hear, at noon atop the Western Saloon, a rooster crows and a cow moos. Last Sunday when the rooster cock-a-doodle-dooed and the cow bellowed, Pt. Reyes came alive with its annual Western Days Parade.



Providentially, I was invited to sit on the judges platform: the back of a flatbead truck. Bribery of the judges seemed de rigueur. I saw wine, ice cream, flowers, chocolate, cookies, and olive oil change hands in attempts to influence judging. The parade was also being announced live as well as on the radio, both in English and Spanish.



The pipe and drum band was very cool, piping "My Bonnie Lassie" for the judges.

And who was next but local icon Jack Elliot. Ramblin' Jack is a legendary storyteller, musician, and cowboy. But his secret love is being a schoonerman. Aren't we all?



All in all, a fun afternoon on the sunny streets of PRS.

 

[MillyB]

Milly has it figured how to sail a 110 keel boat in that mud and get it to the dock.



She gets her PINK on a plane, and on the count of 3, she and her crew hike to leeward, tipping the boat on its side. PINK enters the mud sliding on her topsides, and momentum carries her to the dock pretty as you please, where they step ashore without getting muddy.[/QUOTE]

We aren't called " Club Mud" for no reason. Jackie- you will be fine !

 

[MillyB]

Pt. Reyes Station, pop. 848, is only about 3 blocks square, and sits atop the San Andreas Fault. Everyday, for all to hear, at noon atop the Western Saloon, a rooster crows and a cow moos. Last Sunday when the rooster cock-a-doodle-dooed and the cow bellowed, Pt. Reyes came alive with its annual Western Days Parade
Providentially, I was invited to sit on the judges platform: the back of a flatbead truck. Bribery of the judges seemed de rigueur. I saw wine, ice cream, flowers, chocolate, cookies, and olive oil change hands in attempts to influence judging. The parade was also being announced live as well as on the radio, both in English and Spanish.
The pipe and drum band was very cool, piping "My Bonnie Lassie" for the judges.d who was next but local icon Jack Elliot. Ramblin' Jack is a legendary storyteller, musician, and cowboy. But his secret love is being a schoonerman. Aren't we all?in all, a fun afternoon on the sunny streets of PRS.

Some of our bribes can be seen in one of the pictures- tangerines, mead, and cookies . It was SO FUN to have you on the platform with us !

 

[sleddog]

The Empress Hotel docks at Victoria Harbor will be abuzz today, with the R2AK shoving off at noon for points north. Doggies. 5 entries are pre-approved for the outside Vancouver Island route, which was the winning call last year. Given weather forecasts, I doubt any will choose to do so this year, as it looks like a hate mission: 20-30 nose on the wind. Our hometown team has already picked their choice. "we're going inside for the scenery!"

Juan de Fuca Strait - central strait
Gale warning in effect.
Wind west 20 to 30 knots diminishing to west 15 to 20 early this
morning then increasing to west 25 this afternoon. Wind increasing
to west 25 to 35 early this evening then becoming west 25 overnight.

https://r2ak2023.maprogress.com/

The morning's marine layer over Santa Cruz has dissipated..What a concept given the prevalence of gloominess, even rain, the last few weeks. Launching the kayak has been a challenge recently. The mornings' minus tides make the dinghy ramp extra steep ("on rappel") and the barking sealions have taken over the bottom dockage. Sleddog barks back, and they give me "room at the mark." Other paddlers have retreated for the duration. Arf, Arf, Arf.

 

[sleddog]

3 tris, including RUF DUCK, MOJO, and PESTOU are leading R2AK exiting Active Pass into the Salish Sea. Good progress for them. PESTOU is being sailed solo by Eric, a iron man if there is one. Can he go all night? The tri TRES AMIGOS with the pro crew broke their rudder cassette and have put into Roche harbor for repairs.


Nobody chose to go outside Vancouver Island. Here's a photo of Eric on PESTOU, a Corsair F-24 Mk2. If there's a singlehander in the R2Ak to get behind, Eric is eminently worthy.



https://r2ak.com/2023-teams-full-race/team-pestou-3/

 

[MillyB]

3 tris, including RUF DUCK, MOJO, and PESTOU are leading R2AK exiting Active Pass into the Salish Sea. Good progress for them. PESTOU is being sailed solo by Eric, a iron man if there is one. Can he go all night? The tri TRES AMIGOS with the pro crew broke their rudder cassette and have put into Roche harbor for repairs
Nobody chose to go outside Vancouver Island. Here's a photo of Eric on PESTOU, a Corsair F-24 Mk2. If there's a singlehander in the R2Ak to get behind, Eric is eminently worthy
I love this race ! Nathalie Crou made me aware of it a few years ago .I am following Tanguy and now Eric. It looks knarly on the outside track .Thanks Sled !

 

[sleddog]

RUF DUCK, MOJO, and PESTOU continue duking it out in close quarters. spinnakering northwest in a 10 knot SE breeze, clicking off 10-14 knots SOG. RUF DUCK is 4 feet longer than MOJO, who is 2 feet longer than PESTOU. But their speeds are nearly the same in the gathering darkness. All 3 tris have kickup rudders, but not daggerboards. So if they run over a log and break their daggerboard, that will likely be the end of the race for them. That increases the pucker factor for the crews, although their daggerboards are currently pulled up flush as they fly downwind.

 

[sleddog]

The breeze went light and forward overnight, allowing boats in the rear guard to move up. Brake4Whales with their efficient pedal drive, made up the most and is now leading in a close race with Mojo, Tres Equis, Pestou, and Ruf Duck all within a mile of each other and sailing at 4-5 knots BS in 5-8 knots of NW wind. This is a critical part of the Race2AK as arriving at the tide gate at Seymour Narrows, 30 miles ahead, at opportune time means you either pass through, or get held up for hours. The breeze looks to stay light for the rest of today, 5 knots or less, meaning those boats with efficient manual power like Brake4Whales pedal drive will extend their lead.

 

[sleddog]

At 4 pm, the van of the R2AK fleet is entering Discovery Passage, grouped together. Led my RUF DUCK, just a mile astern is TRES EQUIS, BRAKE4WHALES, MOJO, and PESTO. They should all be able to make 10 miles to Seymour Narrows before the flood tide gets too strong to make headway. But after their transit, the tide gate will close with 8 knots of adverse current.

 

[sleddog]

Screech! The tide gate at Seymour Narrrows slammed closed before any of the R2AK race leaders were able to get through the building flood of 8 knots. So there will be a restart tonight at 10 pm when the current goes slack and everyone in line waiting can hopefully get through in the building ebb.

Biggest to benefit is solo sailor Eric on PESTOU who has tied up at Campbell River marina for a shower, meal, and nap. Campbell River is a fair sized town 7 miles south of Seymour Narrows.

This pause in the race for tidal change at Seymour Narrows is not unexpected. One year an enterprising R2AK kayaker had his bike and trailer ready, and peddled his boat around Seymour Narrows on Highway 19, perfectly legal.

 

[sleddog]

The leading R2AK pack made it through Seymour Narrows tide gate last night around mid-night and is now sailing westward out Johnstone Straits, with half gale conditions forecast for later today. WHALES looks to have all the necessary ingredients to bash westward in good nick..RUF DUCK was slightly ahead when they approached Knox Bay. But that was several hours ago, and the DUCK has gone dark, both on tracker and AIS. Wind at Fanny Island, close abeam WHALES, is reporting W@19knts. After WHALES is TRES EQUIS, then DOGSMILE and MOJO even up.

 

[sleddog]

MOJO has retired from R2AK and are evaluating options. "wind system setting up for next few days not conditions to ensure safety of boat and crew.."

Extended Forecast for Central Coast ​
Issued 04:00 AM PDT 10 June 2023
Monday Wind northwest 15 to 25 knots increasing to northwest 25 to 35 in the afternoon. Tuesday Wind northwest 30 to 40 knots.

Extended Forecast for Hecate Strait S. Half issued 04:00 AM PDT 10 June 2023​
Monday wind northwest 15 to 20 knots increasing to northwest 25 to 35 in the afternoon. Tuesday Wind northwest 30 to 40 knots. Wednesday Wind northwest 25 to 35 knots diminishing to northwest 15 to 25.​

 

[sleddog]

A comment from the weather office at CBC. At the R2AK Skippers Meeting the Canadian Coast Guard clearly stated their assistance to the R2AK fleet would be minimal at best and that all competitors should be ready to fend for themselves. I believe Tanguy and crew on MOJO have made a wise decision to abandon before they approach Hecate Straits and the lee shores to their east. Hecate gets shoal at its north end and with NW gale force against (flood) tide, seas in that area become dangerous for even large ships, much less 25 foot trimarans. You don't get to see the word "overfalls" on many NOAA charts...but it's there for Hecate. As well, MOJO is new to the owners who may not have previous multihull experience. On a dark night in 30 knots of wind, and confused seas, there is no room for error in driving a small tri.

 

[MillyB]

A comment from the weather office at CBC. At the R2AK Skippers Meeting the Canadian Coast Guard clearly stated their assistance to the R2AK fleet would be minimal at best and that all competitors should be ready to fend for themselves. I believe Tanguy and crew on MOJO have made a wise decision to abandon before they approach Hecate Straits and the lee shores to their east. Hecate gets shoal at its north end and with NW gale force against (flood) tide, seas in that area become dangerous for even large ships, much less 25 foot trimarans. You don't get to see the word "overfalls" on many NOAA charts...but it's there for Hecate. As well, MOJO is new to the owners who may not have previous multihull experience. On a dark night in 30 knots of wind, and confused seas, there is no room for error in driving a small tri.

This sounds like a wise decision on their part- especially knowing that the owner is new to the boat. Do you think that was Erik on Pestou's reason to drop out too ? That weather report looks overly festive.

 

[sleddog]

Sorry Milly, but Eric on PESTOU has not dropped out. He anchored at Port McNeill this afteroon to rest up after pedaling 3 hours and helming 19 hours straight. Eric has sailed PESTOU in challenging conditions before and I fully expect he will be underway north again early tomorrow. Strong winds, >25, do not arrive until Monday afternoon, 40 hours hence. In 24-36 hours Eric can certainly get near or to Bella Bella, 120 miles up the road and the one and only checkpoint of the Race. Bella Bella and its approaches also have good protection and a nearby marina if he decides to wait the gale out, which is forecast to begin to subside Wednesday afternoon.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=711638804286034&set=a.500035575446359&type=3&ref=embed_post

PS: Fact. Bella Bella, a small town, is on Denny Island, 70 miles from the nearest road on Vancouver Island. But you can drive there. How do that? Tom Wylie has. Anyone else?

 

[AntsUiga]

Sorry Milly, but Eric on PESTOU has not dropped out. He anchored at Port McNeill this afteroon to rest up after pedaling 3 hours and helming 19 hours straight. Eric has sailed PESTOU in challenging conditions before and I fully expect he will be underway north again early tomorrow. Strong winds, >25, do not arrive until Monday afternoon, 40 hours hence. In 24-36 hours Eric can certainly get near or to Bella Bella, 120 miles up the road and the one and only checkpoint of the Race. Bella Bella and its approaches also have good protection and a nearby marina if he decides to wait the gale out, which is forecast to begin to subside Wednesday afternoon.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=711638804286034&set=a.500035575446359&type=3&ref=embed_post

PS: Fact. Bella Bella, a small town, is on Denny Island, 70 miles from the nearest road on Vancouver Island. But you can drive there. How do that? Tom Wylie has. Anyone else?

Tom Wylie must be creative in transportation as well as sailboat design.

I have been on the ferry from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert, but the last time the truck was driven was entering the ferry. The only stop was at Klemtu, but no vehicles got off. The first folks off the ferry were dog owners giving the dogs a potty alternative.

Ants

 

[sleddog]

At the R2AK Skippers Meeting the Canadian Coast Guard clearly stated their assistance to the R2AK fleet would be minimal at best and that all competitors should be ready to fend for themselves. I believe Tanguy and crew on MOJO have made a wise decision to abandon before they approach Hecate Straits and the lee shores to their east. ........As well, MOJO is new to the owners who may not have previous multihull experience. On a dark night in 30 knots of wind, and confused seas, there is no room for error in driving a small tri.

Turns out more than a little of MOJO's steering was compromised. They only had one, experienced, night time and heavy air driver, and after hitting a log, their rudder cassette was on the verge of departure, leaving steering with an oar not the best of looks, especially on a lee shore.



I thought these small tri's had kickup rudders. But apparently not. Ouch! Mistake IMO.

 

[Dazzler]

Just reported (on Facebook) from Chad on 2nd place TEAM TRES EQUIS:

“We have retired from R2AK. More boat issues than thumbs and some issues have no field fix. We are headed to Port Hardy. All is well… considering.”

 

[sleddog]

Just reported (on Facebook) from Chad on 2nd place TEAM TRES EQUIS:

“We have retired from R2AK. More boat issues than thumbs and some issues have no field fix. We are headed to Port Hardy. All is well… considering.”

WE BRAKE FOR WHALES ETA at Bella Bella is 4:30 pm this afternoon, with a 40 mile lead over DACRON&DENIM, both monohulls, WHALES' big lead will present them a happy tactical problem. Obviously they won't stop. But the wx forecast north from Bella Bella is unambiguous. Northwest 25 Monday evening, building 30-40. Guess they will fill water ballast, put their noses to the wind, and go for it before reaching off and seeking shelter in the myriad of rockbound, kelpie, and wild coves to leeward. Hope they have a big anchor and Don and Re'anne Douglass' coastal guide.

Update: BRAKE 4 WHALES passed Bella Bella checkpoint at 5 pm and continued onward. It is possible to drive to Bella Bella via either Bella Coola on the mainland road and ferry, or from Port Hardy on Vancouver Island and ferry. Tom Wylie did the latter.


Note: except for headstay and runners, their mast is freestanding.

 

[sleddog]

It's been pretty quiet. To see if anyone is awake, I offer a quiz with ice cream prize. You must guess both photos correctly to win. One try only/24 hours.

1) What class boat is this leaving Inverness YC yesterday for her new home in FLA
2) What famous man made surfing spot in Orange County, CA., with an instantly recognizable name, did this become after the 1920 aerial photo?