SHTP Seminars 2025

[alemon74]

Thanks for posting the seminar recordings. I've been watching with interest. I have an interest in '27 but im not much of a racer. Are casual sailors welcome?

 

[Daydreamer]

Absolutely!!
Many have "raced" in order to make a first solo passage amongst company and gone on to do many more crossings.
Welcome aboard!

 

[alemon74]

Absolutely!!
Many have "raced" in order to make a first solo passage amongst company and gone on to do many more crossings.
Welcome aboard!

Great and thank you! Thats exactly where my interest is. Would really like to learn from the group's collective experience as I contemplate such a trip. I gather '27 will be the 50th anniversary of the original SHTP? Seems like a great one to aim for (although both myself and my boat will need a lot of prep work).

 

[Baltic Fury]

Alemon, I'm prepping for 2027 as well. I was a fly on the wall during the last seminar cycle and learned a ton. The generosity of the SHTP veterans and organizers to share knowledge and information is greatly appreciated! I've only been able to attend the 1st seminar this season, but plan to jump on the remaining ones.

Cheers, Mark

 

[alemon74]

That's great, Mark. Perhaps our paths will cross. Your baltic 42 should be a fun boat. I own a 1980 cape dory 33. Not exactly a speed machine but a very enjoyable boat to sail. I have had her listed for sale with the thought of finding a boat that may be better prepped for offshore sailing. The boat market seems pretty slow at the moment so starting to think I may just refit her and go in the old battleship. I have doubts about whether I could make the cut off to hanalei bay though. Lots of decisions to make. Will try to soak up as much advice and knowledge as I can. I initially felt that I was way ahead of the curve by starting the process now for '27, however, the more that I learn the more I feel like that's a tighter schedule than I realized. Cheers, Alex

 

[captleasure]

That's great, Mark. Perhaps our paths will cross. Your baltic 42 should be a fun boat. I own a 1980 cape dory 33. Not exactly a speed machine but a very enjoyable boat to sail. I have had her listed for sale with the thought of finding a boat that may be better prepped for offshore sailing. The boat market seems pretty slow at the moment so starting to think I may just refit her and go in the old battleship. I have doubts about whether I could make the cut off to hanalei bay though. Lots of decisions to make. Will try to soak up as much advice and knowledge as I can. I initially felt that I was way ahead of the curve by starting the process now for '27, however, the more that I learn the more I feel like that's a tighter schedule than I realized. Cheers, Alex

Hi Alex - Unless there is a super light wind year or you float around in the Pacific High, I would think you should be able to make the race cut off easily in your Cape Dory 33…This is coming from a guy who’s sailed 3 SHTP’s in my full keel Westsail 32. I recall being really worried about the cut off my first year. Ended up finishing in 17 days and change and getting the “Perseverance” trophy for last to finish. Your going to to put lots of $ in prepping any boat, so prep the one you love Happy to answer any Qs while you’re outfitting etc.
Cheers, Randy
W32 Tortuga
~~~_/)~~~

 

[alemon74]

Hi Alex - Unless there is a super light wind year or you float around in the Pacific High, I would think you should be able to make the race cut off easily in your Cape Dory 33…This is coming from a guy who’s sailed 3 SHTP’s in my full keel Westsail 32. I recall being really worried about the cut off my first year. Ended up finishing in 17 days and change and getting the “Perseverance” trophy for last to finish. Your going to to put lots of $ in prepping any boat, so prep the one you love Happy to answer any Qs while you’re outfitting etc.
Cheers, Randy
W32 Tortuga
~~~_/)~~~

Thanks Randy, appreciate the encouragement. I dont fly a spinnaker so I would be sailing wing on wing. Hopefully would beat the cut off but I suppose missing it wouldnt be the end of the world either. I like your youtube videos by the way - cool channel!

 

[AZ Sailor]

Thanks Randy, appreciate the encouragement. I dont fly a spinnaker so I would be sailing wing on wing. Hopefully would beat the cut off but I suppose missing it wouldnt be the end of the world either. I like your youtube videos by the way - cool channel!

Alex:

I can vouch for Greg's comment on the casual sailor doing the SHTP: I am one of those of whom he speaks. Did the race in 2018 as a way to do a first ocean crossing in good company. Crossing was great, company was fantastic. Have now done 3 round trips between HI and North America. Doing the race was one of the best choices I have ever made in my life. Sounds corny, but it is the truth.

As to the Cape Dory 33, I also join Randy's take. My boat is a Valiant 32, and I was very concerned about making the cut off. Like Randy, we finished in 17 days, got the Perseverance Award, and loved it.

As to your sail set up, you might consider adding an A-sym in a sock. No spin pole to rig and deal with, and having a sock makes it super easy to launch and douse. I use mine with only one sheet and douse the sail with the sock to jibe. We can also drop the main and pole the genoa out to windward with the A-sym flying in it's normal configuration -- the two sails act like a big spinnaker, and you can get a deeper downwind angle than with the A-sym alone. Even better results if you put up a jib top (aka drifter) in place on the genoa once you're on the downwind part of the course.

Best,

 

[DaveH]

Seminar #4 - the trip home - WED Fed 05 1900 at OYC & ZOOM

Wednesdays Seminar will focus on preparing and re-provisioning your boat for the passage home.
The primary focus will be on returning your boat to the West Coast on its own bottom, but will include updates on returning your boat via freighter.

AZ sailor, from the above post will be our presenter, but I encourage veterans to come prepared to share your thoughts and tips.

We will again be gathering at Oakland Yacht Club as well as via zoom - please join us in person if you can.
Doors and bar will be open at 1900 PST, we will get rolling with the seminar content at 1930

Singlehanded Sailing Society is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: SHTP 2025 Seminar #4 - The trip home
Time: Feb 5, 2025 07:15 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88652806010?pwd=VwnjWakadYhGmQZS2Eysx6YtFbC30x.1

Meeting ID: 886 5280 6010
Passcode: SHTP2025

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[alemon74]

Alex:

I can vouch for Greg's comment on the casual sailor doing the SHTP: I am one of those of whom he speaks. Did the race in 2018 as a way to do a first ocean crossing in good company. Crossing was great, company was fantastic. Have now done 3 round trips between HI and North America. Doing the race was one of the best choices I have ever made in my life. Sounds corny, but it is the truth.

As to the Cape Dory 33, I also join Randy's take. My boat is a Valiant 32, and I was very concerned about making the cut off. Like Randy, we finished in 17 days, got the Perseverance Award, and loved it.

As to your sail set up, you might consider adding an A-sym in a sock. No spin pole to rig and deal with, and having a sock makes it super easy to launch and douse. I use mine with only one sheet and douse the sail with the sock to jibe. We can also drop the main and pole the genoa out to windward with the A-sym flying in it's normal configuration -- the two sails act like a big spinnaker, and you can get a deeper downwind angle than with the A-sym alone. Even better results if you put up a jib top (aka drifter) in place on the genoa once you're on the downwind part of the course.

Best,

Well, i've since sold my Cape Dory 33. The timing was right and she went to a great buyer. Now the hunt begins for possible transpac boats....