Thursday, July 08, 2010

Back from Sunapee


What a great trip to the east coast!! We visited my family in New Hampshire and the first two days had perfect weather. Visited the Lake Sunapee Yacht Club (established in 1902) and they lent me a 420 sailing dingy. These high performance racers can fly. Both times I went out, the wind was pretty decent and the gusts were a blast. On the second sail, my 85 year old father joined in the fun. Sailed for a couple hours each time on this beautiful glacial lake that sits at 1000' near the boarder of Vermont. We also saw two fireworks shows from a boat on consecutive nights to celebrate the 4th. My sis was also celebrating a wedding anniversary so the food was outstanding as was the french wine that my brother in law Ray loves so much. We also made time to golf, swim and hot tub. The last two days were a little hot but heck, we could just jump in the 74 degree water and cool right off.

We returned last night and after a few days of work, I will be sailing an a cat out the Gate with a boat that is going on the Baja Ha Ha. Hopefully, I will impress the skipper and he will invite me for the 750 mile trip down the coast in October. I will keep you posted!

From the Archives - Windsurf Insanity


From August 2007.

Saturday, July 03, 2010

Rogers Cancels Swim from Farallones to SF

Sailing to and from the Farallon Islands from San Francisco is a difficult and dangerous endeavor. The Farallons lie about 30 miles of the coast of San Francisco. That 30 miles can be some of the wildest water in the Pacific. And did we mention the great white sharks? Karen Rogers is an ultra swimmer from Lake Tahoe. She is used to the 54 degree water she would encounter during her swim. The thing she didn't count on was the 12 foot waves that prevented her boat from even getting to the islands. Maybe that's a good thing. The swim has been done before, but not for about 40 years. She may try again when the conditions are more favorable. Read the full story here.

Wetass is Back!

After an almost 5 year layoff, Wetass is back! Tim Zimmermann is one of my favorite bloggers/writers. The Wetass got me into the blogging biz way back in 2005. Tim is a professional writer and has an extensive background in politics and adventure writing. Check out his new blog here. We loved you on Twitter, but this is the real deal, welcome back to the blogging world Tim!

Ripping with The Ripper

Cruising New England


The family and I have been out in Boston for the last several days and we have been having a grand old time. Everyone says it's a good idea to start with a Duck Tour during your first visit to Beantown. So we did. Amazing history and great overview of the city on an amphibious bus. The highlight was heading into the water on the Charles River. Lots of sailboats and we almost took one out! The captain of the bus/boat explained that the boats were from the Community Boating Center and that for $1 you can join and learn to sail and sail all summer long. That's amazing! The program started in the 30's and is thriving today. Wish I had access to a program like that when I was a kid. After the tour, we headed to the Museum of Science for some more fun. Yesterday we went on a waterfront Segway tour. What a blast! Technology and history and a tour of the bay. Some awesome boats to behold and it was so cool to breeze around the docks and canals of Boston on a Segway. Then we headed off to Tillerman country. Bristol, RI was our destination. My nephew is a sous chef at a restaurant called Persimmons down near the water on State St. We headed in for a very fine meal and some lovely hospitality from the staff. I even sent the "godfather" a note from the table via email and Tillerman replied! Bristol is a lovely town and the sailing looks fantastic. Today we head off for our annual family reunion at Lake Sunapee in NH. Should be a great 4th of July as we enjoy fireworks on the water. Have a safe and sane July 4th!

Monday, June 28, 2010

Pics of the Week

Click the pic for a larger view



Weekend Sailing


The weather here has been awesome. 70's with lots of sun and wind. Got out on Friday around 4pm for a nice sail to SF. Lots of 20's on the bay and a little overpowered in some areas. Kona and I made it to Pier 1.5 in SF for a quick walk. If you don't know, this pier is available for tie ups and gives you access to the city for up to 3 hours at no charge. We cast off to a beautiful sunset behind the clouds. Made it back to the dock around 9:30. On Sunday, I took out the darts team for a sail to see the Giants play the Red Sox. Lots of Boston fans and the park was sold out. Wind was up again on the way home. Mid 20's again and we saw some high 7's on the knot meter. I am heading back east to see my sis on Lake Sunapee for more boating fun for the holiday. Might have some more posts from there. Have a splendid 4th of July!! And be safe!

Friday, June 25, 2010

Weather Helm Explained

During the Americas’ Cup campaign in New Zealand in 2003, I saw one of the best explanations of this on a TV interview with the Greg Butterworth, the Tactician for the Alingi Team, but the concepts are very useful for the cruising sailor.

Most of us sort of understand the concept and we’ve been left with the answer of 'Well – weather helm is better because it’s safer.' But few explanations go into how it gives your boat a sailing advantage.

The definition of weather helm and lee helm is simple and it is easy to remember which is which. If you have a tiller, weather helm is when you have to pull the tiller to weather (toward the wind) in order to keep the boat going in a straight line. Lee helm is when you push the tiller to lee (downwind) in order to keep the boat going in a straight line. We’ve probably all felt this slight pressure required on the tiller when underway.

Your boat can be tuned to give weather helm or lee helm. Rake the mast forward and you move the center of effort of the wind forward which causes your boat to want to turn downwind. Rake the mast back and you move the center of effort of the wind back causing your boat to want to go upwind to weather.

When your boat gets rounded up – you just experienced massive weather helm. No matter how much you pull the tiller to weather, you can’t stop the boat going to weather. Dumping the main sail moves the center of effort forward thus reducing the weather helm.

The basic perception of weather helm being safer comes from this effect: if you let go of the tiller, it will automatically go to center because of the water flowing over the rudder and because the rudder is pivoted at its leading edge. Now there is no rudder force to counter the desire of the boat to turn up wind to weather so the boat does exactly that. It turns to weather and rounds up slowing the boat down and reducing forces on the rig. Conversely, lee helm means that if you let the tiller go the boat will turn away from the wind, heel over more increase forces on the rig.
Continue reading here.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Underwater Freefall


World champion freediver Guillaume Nery special dive at Dean's Blue Hole, the deepest blue hole in the world filmed entirely on breath hold by the french champion Julie Gautier.

Monday, June 21, 2010

Segan - Pale Blue Dot

Abbygate

Here is a quote from a great article about Abby: 'I wonder why the world is in the condition it is in. We sit in our homes and worry about other people trying to do extraordinary things, even though they may be dangerous or a little crazy. Well it's the crazy ones that will be remembered and be the ones to do great things that will have a great impact upon this world and human race.

'We condemn those who wish to risk everything to enjoy their lives no matter what there age or intention. You know why? It is because we are unhappy with our lives, because we do not have the courage or the guts to do extraordinary things. Everyone who makes a case against this girl wishes to prevent disaster, but the one thing they do is to assure mediocrity. Abby don't give up ever, keep fighting until you cannot fight anymore to fulfill your dreams. Good luck with your adventures.'

Read more here.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Summer Sails


It's been a great spring from a sailing standpoint. I have been heading out with lots of friends for day sails, night sails and sails to the ballpark to see the SF Giants play. This weekend, we will be heading to Treasure island for the Sailstice Summer Sailabration. It's the 10th Annual and my first. The idea was born from a desire to sail on the longest day of the year. There will be music, food entertainment and lots of groovy folks hanging on the island. We will stay for a while but will be heading out for a sail on our beautiful bay. The water temp is in the low 60's and I have been swimming in Paradise Cove a few times already. Still cold enough to give me an ice cream headache! Looking forward to another awesome summer of sailing and fun on the bay!

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Video of the Week

Make sure you go full screen with this beautiful hi def vid! Click on the link below if the vid does not show up in this window.
Quote of the week:
Fear of danger is ten thousand times more terrifying than danger itself.

Monday, June 14, 2010

The Story of Robinson Crusoe


Here is a fascinating look at the story behind Robinson Crusoe. The book is based on the adventures of Alexander Selkirk, who decided to stay behind on an island during a very miserable sailing trip around Cape Horn. He spent four years on an island surviving on his wits and ingenuity. Read the article here.

Friday, June 11, 2010

Concept Boats



Found a cool place where designers can post pics and info on new concept boats, both sail and power. Here is one that will turn some heads. If you had unlimited funds, this might be up your ally!

See more here. If you look near the top of the page, you will see the link to more concept boats. Check it!

Abby Update - Her Rig is Down


The 16-year-old Californian girl attempting to sail solo around the world has been found alive and well following a desperate overnight search in a remote part of the Indian Ocean, her parents said today.

Rescuers contacted Abby Sunderland after she set off two emergency satellite beacons on her 40ft yacht, Wild Eyes.

Laurence Sunderland said rescuers on board a chartered Australian airline made contact with her earlier today and that she was alive.

"She's fine, the boat's afloat and she's on it," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. "It's huge, fantastic, exciting news."

Abbey's parents lost satellite phone contact with her after she had told them she had been repeatedly knocked down in 60-knot winds and 50-foot waves, about 2,000 miles east of Madagascar.

"Wild Eyes is upright but her rigging is down. The weather conditions are abating. Radio communication was made and Abby reports that she is fine!

Read more here.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Song of the Day

I have enjoyed a lot of Al Green songs over the years but I missed this one when it came out in 72. This may be one of his best as the pace is great the the emotion is raw. Take a listen to "Simply Beautiful" and turn it up!

Tuesday, June 08, 2010

Summer Sailing Adventures on the Bay


It's time to get out the charts and start thinking about some time on the water this summer. We have been sailing our Newport 30 for the last 10 years on the SF Bay and have had some grand adventures. I hope to inspire you to get out there and have some great times on the bay. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Plan a weekend trip to Sausalito. We usually stay at Schoonmaker Marina. Nice spot with a beach and close to town. Take your bikes and head to Tennessee Valley for a beautiful ride to the coast.

Head up the Napa or Petaluma River. Last year we had so much fun cruising up to the Napa Valley Yacht Club for the night and then back the next day to the Napa Valley Marina for tours at the local wineries by bike. We hope to do the Petaluma this summer. Here is the log from our Napa trip last year: http://h2uh0.blogspot.com/2009/09/cruising-napa-river.html

Take a five day (or more) trip up to the Delta. We usually spend the first night at the Antioch Marina and then head out fresh the next day for Potato Slough and beyond. Warm, fresh water for swimming and lots of friendly, helpful folks. We spend three days up in the sloughs and river and then head back to Antioch for the last night. We depart at daylight for the bay and it takes all day to get back. Be sure to go with the flow of the tides or it will be a very long trip! The 4th of July is a popular time with big fireworks shows and lots of boaters on the water. Here is the log from our trip in 2003: http://addiction30.tripod.com/id19.html

Be sure to have good charts and always stay in the channels, especially in the delta! If you do not know about kedging, look it up as you may need to take your anchor back to deep water should you run up on some mud.

We always try to meet up with friends along the way and that make the trips even more enjoyable. There is something special about a meal on a boat. Many times I have gotten the comment, "this is the best Thai chicken (or whatever we are eating) I have ever tasted". Maybe it is, but being on a boat and having a fine meal makes you appreciate it more than in a nice restaurant. Be sure to share your favorite trip on the bay in the comments section and get out there and have some fun!

Friday, June 04, 2010

Making it just that much harder to get thru your Friday!

Tuesday, June 01, 2010

Rolling Stone Mag Picks Top Five R&R Songs


Pink Floyd's "back" catalog.

Many claim that Bill Haley's Rock Around the Clock was the first song of rock and roll. Since that time, many songs have been written under the genre of rock and roll. But what are the top five rock and roll songs of all time? There are as many opinions as there are songs. Some might argue for Stairway to Heaven or Comfortably Numb, or what about Satisfaction? According to Rolling Stone Magazine, the top 5 songs are far from what I think the average listener would pick. These are great songs no doubt, but would you pick these as your top 5??

No. 5: "Respect," by Aretha Franklin

Otis Redding wrote "Respect" and recorded it first, for the Volt label in 1965. But Aretha Franklin took possession of the song for all time with her definitive cover, made at Atlantic's New York studio on Valentine's Day in 1967. "Respect" was her first Number One hit and the single that established her as the Queen of Soul. In Redding's reading, a brawny march, he called for equal favor with volcanic force. Franklin wasn't asking for anything. She sang from higher ground: a women calling an end to the exhaustion and sacrifice of a raw deal with scorching sexual authority. In short, if you want some, you will earn it.

No. 4: "What's Going On," by Marvin Gaye

"What's Going On" is an exquisite plea for peace on Earth, sung by a man at the height of crisis. In 1970, Marvin Gaye was Motown's top male vocal star, yet he was frustrated by the assembly-line role he played on his own hits. Devastated by the loss of duet partner Tammi Terrell, who died that March after a three-year battle with a brain tumor, Gaye was also trapped in a turbulent marriage to Anna Gordy, Motown boss Berry Gordy's sister. Gaye was tormented, too, by his relationship with his puritanical father, Marvin Sr. "If I was arguing for peace," Gaye told biographer David Ritz, "I knew I'd have to find peace in my heart."

Not long after Terrell's passing, Renaldo Benson of the Four Tops presented Gaye with a song he had written with Motown staffer Mo Cleveland. But Gaye made the song his own, overseeing the arrangement and investing the topical references to war and racial strife with private anguish. Motown session crew the Funk Brothers cut the stunning, jazz-inflected rhythm track. Then Gaye invoked his own family in moving prayer: singing to his younger brother Frankie, a Vietnam veteran ("Brother, brother, brother/There's far too many of you dying"), and appealing for calm closer to home ("Father, father, father/We don't need to escalate").

Initially rejected as uncommercial, "What's Going On" was Gaye's finest studio achievement, a timeless gift of healing. But for Gaye, the peace he craved never came: On April 1st, 1984, he died in a family dispute - shot by his father.

No. 3: "Imagine," by John Lennon

John Lennon wrote "Imagine," his greatest musical gift to the world, one morning early in 1971 in his bedroom at Tittenhurst Park, his estate in Ascot, England. His wife, Yoko Ono, watched as Lennon sat at the white grand piano now known around the world from films and photographs of the sessions for his Imagine album and virtually completed the song: the serene melody; the pillowy chord progression; that beckoning, four-note figure; and nearly all of the lyrics, 22 lines of graceful, plain-spoken faith in the power of a world, united in purpose, to repair and change itself.

"It's not like he thought, 'Oh, this can be an anthem,'" Ono said, looking back at that morning 30 years later. "Imagine" was "just what John believed: that we are all one country, one world, one people; He wanted to get that idea out."


The top 2 songs are here.

Friday, May 28, 2010

X-Treme

Safety Onboard

With the holiday weekend kicking off the boating season for many boaters, it's a good time to review safety on your boat. Practice a man over board drill to refresh your crews memory on what the procedures are. Make sure your fire extinguishers are in working order and up to date. Have you ever thought about what you would do if a fire broke out on your boat? Do you know where your thru hulls are? Are your plugs ready? And lastly, are your flares handy and are they current as far as the date of expiration goes? Take a look at this video and see if you are ready to rescue your first mate should they go over the side. Let's have a great season on the water and a safe one too! YachtPals has a great article on this topic.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Know Your Limits as well as Your Boat's Limits


We had a sad Sunday on the Bay when a couple was found in the water and their sailboat sailing away. The wind was in the 30's and the seas were big and steep. These folks were sailing back from Half Moon Bay and very close to their destination inside the Gate. Neither made it home. I have been sailing inside the bay for 10 years and have never ventured much past the Gate in those years. I know it can be nice and gentle out there and it can also be life threatening in rough conditions. In addition, our boat does not have all the safety gear that I think is needed once you turn the corner. It's dangerous out their folks! Stay inside the bay unless you have all the equipment and knowledge you need. Have a mentor take you out on their boat so you can get a feel for some of the most dangerous waters in the west. Some friends from San Francisco sailed around the world and I asked them where the roughest water was. They said the first 100 miles was the worst. And what about your crew? Are they ready to go out there? I had a crazy friend who went out on a race out to the Farallons which are about 20 miles off the coast. She freaked out as they rounded the island as it was insanely rough. Unbelievably, she jumped off the boat and into the Pacific! They were able to get her back on board, however it goes to show you how crazy it can get and what your crew might do in a hairy situation. So folks, stay inside the bay until you have all the equipment, knowledge and experience to sail the frigid, dangerous waters of the Pacific.

Here is another take on this accident.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Windy Sail on Sunday


Here is a great pic of my crew on Sunday. Two blondes and beer!

Kaboom 2010

2010 KFOG Kaboom! Fireworks from KFOG Radio 104.5/97.7 on Vimeo.


What a wild night! The wind was in the 30's as we headed out to Kaboom. We had a boat full of friends, food and fun. With the wind blowing hard, we had to motor sail to get towards our destination. They changed the location to Candlestick Point this year and it was 12 miles to the show. The boat did well and we made it in 2 hours. The waves calmed down closer to land and we found a nice spot to anchor. Paul set her down and the mud and the anchor did the rest. We were secure. We had about 2 hours to socialize and eat! Had a great spread and some wine to top it off. Just before the show, some friends from Got Wind and Water showed up and they said they would like to raft up. The wind had died a bit and so yes let's do this. Now we had eight more folks to join the party! Their radio was out and the cool part about the fire works is that they synch it to a great rock soundtrack. We put our speakers on the deck and cranked it up. The fire works were spectacular. The second song was Poker Face and happy faces were exploding around us. We were front and center and for the second year in a row, we scored on positioning the boat. Being anchored was nice for me as I didn't have to worry about moving the boat around through the crowd. We waited a little bit after the show so folks could clear out. Our sail home was with all sails up and the night sailing past San Francisco was excellent. Got home at 1am and was very happy with another safe and memorable show! Thanks KFOG!

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Go Forth (just not face first)



We are sailing to a spectacular fire works show tonight called KaBoom! Our favorite local rock station KFOG is throwing the party and we will be there front and center. They sync it up to a classic rock sound track and it is one of the west coast's best shows. Plus it's done on the water. Will post a full report on Monday! Here is last years Show. Turn it up!!!!

2009 KFOG Kaboom Fireworks from KFOG Radio 104.5/97.7 on Vimeo.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Pics of the Day




Adventure Lost by Tim Zimmermann

When Jessica Watson set out from Sydney, Australia, last October to sail non-stop around the world, solo and unassisted, I was—how shall I put this?—extremely skeptical. It wasn't her age—just 16—so much as her inexperience, though that is age related. It didn't help that she collided with a freighter before the start. I thought her parents were idiots.

Mostly, though, it was my perception of solo, RTW sailing as an epic, dangerous, and lonely challenge, requiring superhuman discipline, an ability to survive on little sleep, and the capability to fix, invent, and jury-rig your way around the globe. I got that perception from devouring the RTW sailing literature from the early days: Robin-Knox Johnston, Bernard Moitessier, Miles Smeeton, and many others. Also, from following the inspired craziness of the Vendee Globe. This canon elevates solo, RTW sailing to world-class adventure, matching anything you can find in mountaineering or exploration.

But now that Jessica is cruising serenely toward Sydney on her S&S 34 Ella's Pink Lady, about to conclude her voyage successfully and become a marketing superstar, I realize that it's time to update my perception.

I don't want to take too much away from her accomplishment. Any solo, RTW voyage is a big deal, and I sincerely doubt I would have fared as well. She was knocked down multiple times, slugged her way through gales and headwinds, and, at least early in the voyage, sometimes appeared on the verge of tears.

But after following her voyage I was struck by how much the nature of this sort of adventure has completely changed. It just doesn't feel very "solo" or "unassisted" anymore, and that takes the blood and guts out of it. Think of all the time Jessica spent on the sat phone, talking to her family and shore team. Problem with the autopilot or generator? Get on the horn with the manufacturer for step-by-by step repair instructions. Feeling lonely and blue? Call up your Mum for a chat and some bucking up. Need an emotional lift? Read the comments on your blog.

And then there is weather. Without doubt, the most challenging element of early voyages was a nearly complete inability to know what weather lay ahead in time to do anything about it. So part of the deal was having the snot knocked out of you on a regular basis. In the Southern Ocean, you got the snot AND the crap knocked out of you, and that was why it was such a hoary, intimidating place.

But both Jessica and Abby Sunderland (the other 16-year old who was up for a little global sail), have been on the receiving end of incredibly precise and detailed weather routing. So good that Abby commented that "it was like having driving directions." So good that I was amazed at how rare truly nasty weather was. In fact, I would venture to guess that Jessica experienced less extreme weather, and a lower average wind speed, than most if not all previous solo RTW voyages.

Continue reading by clicking here.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Go to the Sun


I am looking forward to the Baja Ha Ha this October. Since I am a music lover and an iPod owner, I will need to find a way to keep my iPod charged on this two week trip down the coast of Baja Mexico. One possible source of power is solar. I found a cool charger called Freeloader. It can charge many types of hand held gagets including an iPhone which has my chartploter on it. Another possibility is Juicebar. I will do some more investigating to find out which one is best and let you know the results. They are both in the $50 range. If you have tried either product and have an opinion, please let me know.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Lessons from a Storm

On or around 7 May 2007 the s/v Sean Seamour II was struck by a what is believed to be a “freak wave”, during Subtropical Storm Andrea. The sailboat was broadsided by a wave that did an great deal of damage to the boat and sent the crew flying about the cabin doing 360’s and causing its Master to break his ribs. The wave caused the sailboat to immediately list starboard.

After a harrowing time riding the waves a EPIRB signal was received by the USCG and a C-130 over fight located the wave riding crew. A J-Hawk Helicopter was dispatched to the area and launched a rescue swimmer, who injured his back during the insertion into the water, when a wave dropped from beneath him and he dropped some 50 to 70 feet. All of this done in 50 to 70 foot seas, with winds estimated at 80 knots.

To continue here are the captain’s own words:

10 Lessons learned from the Incident

1. No two passages are alike, do not consider that setting sail at what is deemed the most appropriate time is reason for less vigilance. Weather routers are not only for racers, they add a level of security through objective analysis of far broader data than one can access on board within economically reasonable parameters.

2. All security equipment should all be grouped together in the most central, least vulnerable and most accessible area inside the vessel. Heavy weather requires as much crew as operationally possible to be secure inside the vessel where security equipment can be accessed in anticipation of catastrophic events. The most vulnerable element of a sailboat is the rig. Such was the case for Sean Seamour II with the exception of cold water protection suits that were in a rear port deck locker that ended up under the crushed rig. Had these been kept with all other security equipment in a compartment at the base of the companionway the crew would have been able to don these after the first knockdown and avoid hypothermia.

3. Pumps are never redundant: whale pumps are great, I had three installed on board, only the cockpit pump could have been used, the stern and bow units were not accessible due to debris or water levels. Again these should be centrally installed on the highest floor level within the vessel. 2000gph electric Rule pumps should be permanently installed in tandem to avoid debris plugging the pump. Ours had to be constantly monitored against floating paper and other debris.

4. Redundancy saved my crew but not my vessel. The second EPIRB I always considered a luxury, eleven years later it still tested operational, which it ended up being. Had I planned this redundancy with purpose it would also have been sent for recertification, would have been kept with the main unit inside for deployment, would have been initiated and efforts to save the vessel accomplished. Redundancy is a must, but making sure you are not carrying duds as a feel good notion of redundancy is almost as important.

5. Reliability of equipment, considering the above, both ACR 406 EPIRB units tested operational yet both performed below specifications. The ACR Globalifix died within thirty minutes after being sent for verification and recertification two weeks prior, the second old ACR self tested positive but battery life was only ten hours, had we been further out to sea its remaining ten hours of battery would have been insufficient to guide help our way.

6. Lashing is too often considered and applied to on deck equipment, openings, doors, etc. Within the vessel we generally secure for heavy weather thrashing forgetting what happens during knockdowns and 360’s. Start with floorboards – these are the first to pop under such circumstances either through simple gravitational action, let alone kinetic energy that can be created during a knockdown. Besides half of my floorboards that were not secured, the one most forgotten in my case was the salon table which detached and was probably the cause for half of my ten broken ribs. Had it knocked me unconscious or worse my crew would have likely perished.

7. Gulf Stream, staying away from the core is not sufficient when confronting opposing direction weather systems. I left the stream well before the storm but did not take into account the size of the eddies in that area. I had used the stream carefully avoiding the eddies in my 1996 crossing, but over the past five years I had noticed the eddies diminishing in strength in the North Atlantic. Had I tacked further east from the night of the 4th I would have probably been less punished by Andrea. New data seems to correlate this.

8. Stowing and backup usage of vital electronic equipment must be designed into contingency plans. Sean Seamour II had most everything but contingency plans did not take into account such catastrophic circumstances. VHF, a backup antennae was pre-wired to enable the DSC VHF to function, but the stowed antennae was unfindable after the 360 which crushed the rig. The SSB antennae used one of the backstays, gone with the rig, also the tuner was positioned too low and was shorted by water. The Iridium satfone should have been kept in a waterproof skin, it was soaked in the 360.

9. Securing the vessel at least for the short term must remain a priority. With the knowledge that the GPIRB had been initiated securing the vessel was to be my first objective by dumping the rig, 100 meters of chain and bow anchors and plugging the mast passage. These actions would have secured the vessel for at least extra hour or two, taking other actions could have put us under way with engine propulsion. Although for years I have prepared myself mentally for this type of situation, given the level of panic, physical trauma and the ensuing disorientation too much time was lost attempting to get electronic equipment to function — if it doesn’t work it is not going to, redundancy yes dependence no.

10. Although substantial time had been dedicated to briefing the crew prior to departure on the security equipment inventory, whereabouts and deployment, showing them how collision mats, rule pumps and other equipment should be used, as well as other procedures such as rerouting whale pumps, effective drills are far better. Had I been incapacitated during these catastrophic events I am not sure the crew would have survived.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Amazing Rescue of a Sailor

After losing power and steering in an Atlantic storm, a sailor is tossed into the sea 250 miles from shore. Yet he defies the odds, and gets rescued by the Coast Guard. Watch his story here.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Head to the Hills


Barefoot running is all the rage at the moment. If you have not read "Born to Run" yet, you should get a copy. What a great book! The book looks at the current state of running in hi-tech shoes and how we have more injuries now than ever. When you run barefoot, you naturally run on the balls of your feet instead of your heels with a Nike strapped to your foot. It also traces the history of barefoot running and how the Indians from New Mexico can run barefoot 200 miles at a time. I don't run barefoot but I do run on the balls of my feet by taking on massive hills in a park near my house. Running uphill naturally puts you there as it is impossible to run uphill on your heels. I have been running almost everyday for 8 years without injury. And the cardio workout is awesome. I am 6'6" and 260. I think that says it all. The pounding I would take running on a flat sidewalk would not allow my body to be able to handle the punishment. If you want to keep in shape for sailing or any other pursuit, head to them thar hills and go up!

I also have a friend that swears by stretching before a workout. I never stretch. In the book, they took a bunch of runners and showed them stretches and asked them to stretch before every run. The other group did no stretching. The group that stretched had 30% more injuries then the non stretch group. Amazing but true!

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

BVI Bliss

He arrived looking ready for island life however underneath his wrinkle-free surf trunks and faded Abercrombie & Fitch t-shirt was the presence of a man who had not a minute to spare, a man whose Blackberry and briefcase were as much an appendage as his arm or leg. My big brother Barry — senior partner in a New Jersey based law firm, single father and county coach for junior boys soccer — had left New Jersey for his first real vacation in six years.

My proposed remedy for his suburban stress was the somewhat unoriginal recipe of a Caribbean island, gorgeous weather, a seaworthy vessel, and copious amounts of rum. His unexpected response after six years of rewarding lock-down, was, 'I'm in!'

After arriving at the Moorings marina in Road Town, the capitol of Tortola, home to our sleek 55-foot monohull, we were introduced to our captain and chef, Australian couple Tom and Jaquie. But shortly after we toured our elegantly appointed cabins, Barry started with queries of cell phone availability and Internet service.

Continue reading here.

Pics of the Day



Running on Water

How Wind is Created


Wind can be defined simply as air in motion. This motion can be in any direction, but in most cases the horizontal component of wind flow greatly exceeds the flow that occurs vertically. The speed of wind varies from absolute calm to speeds as high as 380 kilometers per hour (Mt. Washington, New Hampshire, April 12, 1934). In 1894, strong winds in Nebraska pushed six fully loaded coal cars over 160 kilometers in just over three hours. Over short periods of time surface winds can be quite variable.

Wind develops as a result of spatial differences in atmospheric pressure. Generally, these differences occur because of uneven absorption of solar radiation at the Earth's surface (Figure 7n-1). Wind speed tends to be at its greatest during the daytime when the greatest spatial extremes in atmospheric temperature and pressure exist.

Continue reading here.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Well Built Cruising Boats 30'-42'


If you are looking in the used boat market for a well built cruising boat, why not look at some Canadian sailboats. If you can find one, they say the Niagra 35 is one of the best for a cruising couple. Roomy and comfortable at sea, this boat will take you there in style. We have an Aloha 34 next to our boat and she looks like a winner. Check out all these highly recommended examples

Wednesday, May 05, 2010

Miracle Rescue of Kiter

From Bertrand Racing

David Wright, a top Canadian Laser sailor, who is training at the International Sailing Academy in La Cruz, Mexico, rescued a downed kiteboarder at 2:30 am today after a three and a half hour water search in Academy's coach boat. The kiteboarder had been in the water for seven hours when David found him.

Like all of us, David is only here in Mexico this week because the of the air travel shambles resulting from Iceland’s runaway Eyjafjallajokull volcano. He’s part of a group of top North American competitors who couldn't get flights to the French Olympic Regatta in Hyeres

David Wright Canadian Laser Olympic hopeful

Those of us who know David know he is one of the most determined and focused individuals you will ever meet. He just never gives up. Whether it's during an upwind heavy air grind and he is tight on your hip, or if it is a sail back to the harbor after a long day on the water, he will always be sailing his hardest. After training with him on and off for the last five months, I found out he purposely puts himself in the most disadvantage position in our speed tests and drills just to test his abilities to their fullest. It's that tenacity and his Merchant Marine training that combined to save a life last night.

At 10:30 pm yesterday, David along with Rob Crane and Clay Johnson, were awakened by frantic knocking on the door of their villa. A man wearing a kiteboarding harness, board shorts and a rash guard excitedly told David that his friend was lost out in the bay. He knew there was a powerboat at the villa. Could they help go search for him. The man had been kiteboarding with his friend after the wind died in Banderas Bay. He lost sight of his friend and decided to swim for shore. The guys jumped to action. While David tried to ascertain exactly what the situation was, Rob immediately went to the other villa to get the keys to the coach boat. Within minutes David and the kiteboarder were headed out in the 25-hp 14' RIB to search for the lost sailor.

Dave recounts the events of the rescue: "I didn't know what to make of this guy pounding on the door so late at night. Once I determined there was a legitimate emergency we immediately acted." The kiteboarder who had made a swim for it was picked up by local fisherman. They ignored his plea to go search for his buddy and was brought to the Riviera Nayarit Marina. The guy had passed out from exhaustion and shock after being picked up by the fisherman but had recovered enough by the time they docked to go find help for his friend.

Dave was formulating a plan on how to find the lost sailor from the get-go. His training as a graduate from Kings Point Merchant Marine Academy and as a 3rd Class Merchant Marine officer was put to good use. Dave goes on: "The first thing we needed was the key to the boat and to get an idea what the current was doing over the past three to four hours this guy was in the water." Dave was in the inflatable within minutes with the exhausted kiteboarder heading out into Banderas Bay, the second largest bay in North America, on a search and rescue mission.

Dave continued: "We first motored fives miles up the beach to where they launched, to make sure their car was still there. I brought him (the kiteboarder who was rescued by the fisherman) in close and he waded ashore to check the car. He flagged down a police officer and gave him a report on his missing friend. After that we motored to the last spot he saw his friend out in the bay. That's the spot where I started to run a search grid."

Because the 3/4 moon provided better visibility looking back into shore and based on the prevailing winds, Dave motored southwest offshore for another five miles and started his grid search first heading southeast. This was based on his best estimate of current and drift of the stricken sailor. As it turns out it was a smart move. "I motored as far out as I felt comfortable for my own safety in such a small boat and then started the grid pattern. I planned on running a five-mile square grid. I motored for two minutes at a time and then turned off the engine to listen and look. We had a big flashlight and it was amazing how much marine life was out there. I saw dolphins and all sorts of fish and you could hear the whales spouting. I didn't see any sharks but you know they were somewhere out there."

It was on his second pass that Dave found the lost sailor. "He was laying on his sail which has an inflatable section that kept him afloat, but he was mostly submerged." "We got him and his board and sail in the boat and put a jacket on him. He was pretty cold at that point." Dave arrived safely back at the marina at 3:00 am with the two kiteboarders.

On reflection Dave had this to say: "It was neat how all my Merchant Marine training was so naturally retrieved. There was good visibility because of the clear skies and good moonlight, and relatively smooth seas. I was supposed to be in France this week racing but because of the volcano, I ended up in Mexico instead."

I happen to agree with his next statement. "I think the guy is extremely lucky."

Give her a try before you buy!

When buying a boat, you need to take her out for a test run to make sure she handles the way you want her to. Just like a test drive in a car, you need to get the boat out on the water.

Nick Jaffe Documentary

Between Home (documentary trailer 2010) from nickj on Vimeo.

Bernard - The Sailors Sailor


"I have no desire to return to Europe with all its false gods. They eat your liver out and suck your marrow and brutalize you. I am going where you can tie up a boat where you want and the sun is free, and so is the air you breathe and the sea where you swim and you can roast yourself on a coral reef....(1)"

IN EARLY MARCH 1969, THE FRENCH-COLONIAL SINGLE- handed circumnavigator Bernard Moitessier, aboard his unique 39 foot steel ketch Joshua, rounded Cape Horn and stood to the north "outside" the Falkland Islands for the long run uphill to England to finish first and fastest in the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race around the world.(2)

Joshua was so far ahead of the other entrants that winning was almost a certainty, barring any unforeseen emergency-and there were few exigencies that the capable and versatile Frenchman could not handle, including Cape Horn, which Moitessier had now doubled twice in his long sailing career. Waiting for Moitessier would be the cash prize of $25,000, the trophy, and the inevitable storm of noto- riety, adulation, and perhaps a million dollars in books, endorse- ments, public appearances, emoluments of all kinds to say nothing of the nationalistic pride of beating the English at their own game, and winning the Legion d'honneur.

Joshua at the moment was a shoo-in. Then something happened. Moitessier changed course, headed eastward along the Roaring Forties (after having already crossed his outbound track) on a second nonstop circumnavigation, automatically dropping out of the Times race.

In his log, and in a long letter composed for his publisher, which he hoped to give to a passing ship, Moitessier's reasons were although he professed to be of sound mind weird in the extreme, incomprehensible at best. He was in a region noted for phenomena and hallucinations, which had affected many lone voyagers such as Captain Slocum (for whom Joshua was named), Al Hansen, and Vito Dumas. Had he succumbed to some strange mental unbalance? Had he just plain gone nuts?

"Why am I doing this? Imagine yourself in the forest of the Amazon. Suddenly you come upon a small temple of an ancient, lost civilization. You are not simply going back and say, "I have found a temple, a civilization no- body knows." You are going to stay there, try to decipher it . . . and then you discover that 100 kilometers on is another temple, only the main temple. Would you return?"(3)

But no. How could anyone understand? It is this thing, this strange cosmic dimension, which time takes. You feel as if you could sail on for a thousand years....

Read more here.

If you enjoy reading about sailing legends, here is one more, Tristan Jones.

Last Wooden Top Sail Schooner For Sail


If you are into old boats with a hstory and you have heaps of money and time, you may want to check this old girl out from 1900.

Friday, April 30, 2010

Sail To Angel Island


My friend Andy and I had a nice little overnighter to Angel Island the other day. I sailed over to meet him at the Giants game. I hit a pretty bad wind and rain storm on the way with winds in the 30's coming over Yerba Buena with a bit of katabatic wind coming down the hill. Made it over to the game and met Andy. We had seats in right field next to a boisterous crowd. The Giants had this game but after a pitching change they lost. Undaunted we headed for the marina and met a fellow sailor with a new to him Islander 36. We took a look and then challenged him to a race to Sam's in Tiburon. He had a nice head start and more sails up than us in the 25 knot winds. We got to Sam's and had a drink and talked a bit to the locals. Then it was over to the moorings at Angel. We had a nice bbq dinner on the boat and talked about our days growing up in Delaware and the great times we shared. I had planned to take Kona over to the island for a run on the beach but the wind was blowing so hard, I never would have had a chance getting back to the boat. Good thing we were secure on the mooring. Kona would have to hold it. Up before the sun and over to the beach with Kona on our handy kayak. I knew the tide was out and we decided to head out before low tide. We barely made it out and had to plow thru some soft mud to get to the deep water. Ended up in Sausalito for a nice breakfast just drifting in the wind and current. Had a great sail home in about 15 knots. Great way to break up the week with an old chum from my childhood. Aloha!

What Cruising Is All About

Here is a note from a cruiser after four years of cruising:

Today is our fourth anniversary of cruising. And what a long strange trip it’s been! From Chicago to Grenada we’ve covered thousands of miles. From the Great Lakes to the Erie Canal to the Hudson River down the ICW, on the Atlantic Ocean across to the Bahamas eventually to the Dominican Republic then onward to Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and finally to the Caribbean Islands - indeed what a long-strange-wonderful trip it’s been.

What have we discovered as a result? Living the cruising life is a very freeing experience. Probably more than we may have realized early on. We rarely look at a calendar. We lose track of the days. We get up when we want. We eat when we’re hungry. We have TIME to think about things. Time to read. Time to watch Gracie and then Mismo chatter at the gulls. Time to look at the stars. Time to plan what our next trip might be. Time to be in the moment and relish where we are and what we’ve done so far.

After some reflection we’ve realized that the freedom that we feel doesn’t have anything to do with sailing per se. It’s more like the sailing and living aboard has flipped a switch in our heads. Real freedom is more than just physically being able to go where you want when you want. Real freedom is a state of mind where you can think anything is possible. We think anything is possible (although Scott’s chances of playing in the NBA are dwindling).

Many times in our past lives we may have put ourselves in a box or a situation thinking that that was the only way things could be. This trip has brought to the forefront the idea that, as Sue is fond of saying, ‘Lots of things are possible’. Indeed. This trip should have been impossible. Little money. Little sailing experience. Lots of curiosity. Lots of time spent thinking of the ‘other’ solution.

Now on this fourth anniversary of being ‘cruisers’ we don’t feel like we necessarily
are cruisers. We feel that the freedom we’ve learned via cruising allows us to think ANYTHING. . . And then maybe try it!

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