All Posts by Jeff

Up Date from Sailors Run. 10/04/1

ME & MY STRIPS OF GENOA SAIL MARKERS CALLED “PATCHES”

First let me say I will be back aboard Sailors Run on the 3rd of December and will be kicking the boat back into shape to cruise the outer atolls in the Marshall Islands.

   I would also like to remind everyone that has purchased my new book” NO TURNING BACK” either in paper back or kindle please take the time to submit a review at Amazon.

   If you haven’t ordered one or had trouble finding it just go to Amazon.com/books then at the top of the page that comes up type in Jeff Hartjoy and you will get to my books.

   Also for those who are interested you can get an autographed copy directly from me by sending a check to me for 25 dollars or pay me at this email through Pay Pal. If you want a piece of “Patches” in the form of a book marker, just make  the check out for 33-dollars and you will have the autographed book and a piece of the voyage as soon as I can get it mailed off to you. Please instruct me as to who you want the book autographed to and of course your address.

Jeff Hartjoy

11800 Marquette Ave. NE.

Albuquerque, NM. 87123

                                         Your Amigos Jeff& Debbie

New book: NO TURNING BACK

 

Great news from the crew of sailors Run at last Debbie and my new book NO TURNING BACK Jefe’ Sails Solo Non-Stop Around the World. Is now available at Amazon.com./books,then type in Jeffrey R Hartjoy & enter.

We are also offering while material is available a special book package where you can purchase directly from us for 29.95+3.05 for shipping anywhere in the US an autographed copy of the book and a book marker made from the Genoa from Hell “Patches”. You will then own your own personal part of this historic voyage where the Jefe’[Jeff Hartjoy] became the oldest American at 70 years of age to sail solo non-stop, unassisted around the world via the 5-great capes. Some of those book markers are pretty gnarly as they are partially made up of the one of the 50-patches that I had to install to keep the Sailors Run moving along. Your purchase can be made in one of two ways: First send a check for 33-dollars and let me know who you would like the book or books autographed to: Jeff Hartjoy 11800 Marquette Ave. NE Albuquerque, NM. 87123 The second option is to pay through pay pal 33-dollars to Debbie Hartjoy at< sailorsrun01@yahoo.com

 

Shore Leave For the Jefe’ 8/16/2018

Dan & Myself leaving to head out on 5,000 mile road trip

I had tucked Sailors Run away securely moored to a sunken PT boat in the Marshall Islands and flew west to be with Debbie in Albuquerque New Mexico. It was great to be back home ashore now having a chance to help Debbie with the grand kids and some chores that needed doing around the house. I planted the garden something that we all get great pleasure from watching things grow and showing the kids how that all happens.

There were fences to be built and concreate to be poured. I have trouble deciding which is more work, maintaining a house or a boat. Oh well there is pleasure derived from both endeavors and a little bit of pain as well.

Debbie and my Suzuki 800cc motorcycle is a much needed escape for both of us from raising grand kids and chores around the house. We love weekend trips and I also try to get away for a month or so to visit family in Washington State and friends along the way.

My son rode down from Washington to ride back together on yet another fun adventure covering 5400 miles many on the back roads of different states along the way.

I have come up with what I believe to be a most incredible adventure for the future aboard Sailors Run. This one I’m sure will prove my insanity beyond a shadow of a doubt, yet I can hardly wait. I will announce this one in the late fall for timing is everything in accomplishing this one.

My new book “NO TURNING BACK” will be available at Amazon within a few weeks. This is a book that I’m extremely proud of and feel it will be enjoyed by all that manage to get their hands on it.

I will be back aboard the Sailors Run early in December to explore some atolls in the Marshall Islands.

Fair winds to you all Jeff &Debbie S/V Sailors Run.

The jefe’ building fence in Albuquerque.

Time to poor some mud.

Debbie at Clayton Lake NM. looking for dinosaur tracks.

The Jefe’ giving grandson Jacob a ride on the bike.

Gift from Dan & May Wilson.Bell to ward off evil spirits.

 

The Jefe’ and Daniel heading out to Washington State.

Debbie found some great dinosaur tracks at Clayton Lake

Grandson Brayden with tomatoes from Grandpa’s garden.

Brayden harvesting squash.

Jefe’ and the grad kids trying to kick the back yard back into shape.

Adding trees in the front yard is at least a start on it.

Debbie outside of Oklahoma

Debbie and I on the road again.

Debbie loves her weeping cherry tree.

 

The Jefe’s’ latest great grand child Ryder #5

Great Grandpa and Camy

Great Grandpa with Camy and Orlando.

Jacob learns about how to set a post for the new grape arbor.

Son Daniel on his 650 KLR Kawasaki motorcycle.


The jefe’ with two of his sons Daniel left and Chris center.

Debbie’s brother Tito on his Harley getting ready to head for Madrid.

Daniel and Tito arriving at Tavern in Madrid NM. where Wild Hogs was filmed.

Marshall Islands Voyage Days. 40-41-42

Marshall Islands,
The Town of Majuro where Jeff is now on lower right hand side

The Atoll of Majuro in the Marshall Islands

Anchorage at Majuro where Jeff is on a mooring ball

 Miles sailed last three days and 6 hrs. 30″ = 481 nm.
Miles left to go-0-.On a mooring in Majuro, Marshall Islands
Total miles sailed=5,775 nm.
Day-40.
Pos. Lat. 10*13′ N. Long. 174*58′ E.
24hr.Run= 161 nm.
Weather: Wind= 12-20 kts. ENE. Seas= 6-8 ft. Bar.=1003 mb. Cabin
Temp.=85*-87*.
The Rest of the Story:
  I’m getting closer day by day now with less than 300nm. to go.
  Last night while asleep I was suddenly awakened by my 6-mile AIS perimeter alarm going off. This alarm is an add on and very loud. I get up and view the AIS screen and there are two 125 ft. fishing vessels there. The closest one will pass 3.5 miles off my port beam. I stay up and read keeping an eye on the two boats in close proximity. These boats were actively fishing and all lit up.
  I should mention that the night before last, I had a Buoy show up on my AIS and I came within 1.5 miles of it and never could see it on radar nor did it appear to be lit, just glad for the AIS. making me aware. This no doubt was a weather buoy or tidal wave warning buoy for Hawaii.
  Searched the boat some and found the quarantine yellow flag that must be flown when entering a foreign country.
  Further research on the lost city of Zinj where solomon’s mines had been located in Zaire, Africa. I turned up some not so good news, and I believe the expedition to go there is most likely a no go.
  It seems in 1979 there were geologists at the site and the city had been rediscovered. The industrial blue diamonds that were worth millions were also there, but on the same day the diamonds were discovered Mount Mukenko erupted and the expedition there on the ground of 11- people only 5-barely escaped with their lives. It seems the site of the mine and city are today buried under a half of mile of Lava. Oh well at least we know where it is.
                                Heading for the “Barn” the Jefe’
Day-41.
  Pos. Lat.08* 12’S. Long. 153*22′ E.
  24hr.run=155 nm.
  Weather: Wind=10-18kts. E. Seas=6-8ft. Bar.=1004 mb. Cabin Temp.83*-89*.
The Rest of the Story.
  “One more night”, and I will be tied up to a mooring in Majuro. Heck, I guess I better brush my teeth comb my hair and put clothes on.
  Today was interesting because I came across two fishing boats up ahead of me and one of them decided to play “cat & mouse” with me. He positioned himself right on my course line and would speed up and slow down so as to stay there. He was about 7 miles distant when this all began. I waited until I was 4-miles from him, then altered course to weather 20* to sail clear of his bow. Now, I would see on the AIS. if he increased speed from his 1.2 kts that was keeping him on my previous course line to enable him once again get directly in front of me.
  Suddenly he switched his AIS. off, so I could not see what he was doing. I go ok and I switched mine off, and cranked up the radar. I watched as he speed up and attempted to get in front of me for about 30 minutes but eventually he went back to fishing slowing back down. I switched my AIS. back on, and after about ten minutes the fishing boat showed back up on AIS.
  The boat had a number rather than a name and the number  had the letters CH in front of it, and was possibly a Chinese fishing boat, as it had a strange appearance, not a Purseiner but most likely a long liner. It was about 100-ft. in length.
  Getting real excited to get in.
              Pounding out the last miles the Jefe’
Day-42 + 6 hrs.30″
  Pos. Lat. 07*15′ N. Long. 171*27′ E.
  24hr, Run=136nm.
  Weather: Wind=8-14kts. ESE. Seas=4-6ft. E. Cabin Temp. 86*-89*. Bar.=1004 mb.
The Rest of the Story.
  One last night and what a doozy as I had to sail in close to the reef and Islands sticking out to the north of Arno Atoll an arm that extends about 10 miles out, and in the same vicinity is a pile of rocks that exists out there. The bottom line is I had to duck under the pile of rocks all in the night and deal with that extension of Arno making it impossible to sleep.
  The sailing had gone well as I heaved to outside the pass waiting for first light. I have been in here before but it was 14-years ago so since daylight was not so far away I hove to under main and mizzen waiting.
  Finally, the first light showed and I headed in the unmarked pass and by staying 1/2 mile off the Island on my port side the least depth I seen was 45 ft. but moved over 1/4 mile over and the depth is 4-ft. whoops!!
  My friend Cary and a guy by the name of chuck helped me get tied up.
  I launched the dinghy and took a 75-cent cab ride to the customs and immigration and was checked into the Marshall Islands for as long as I want to stay and it was all free. I guess they charge you 10-dollars to check out, “How sweet is that”.
  You best believe I will have a couple of rum drinks tonight and sleep like a “dead man”.
                          Thanks for riding along and for all your support Love you all the Jefe’

Marshall Islands Voyage Days: 37-38-39.

Total miles sailed last three days =468 nm.
Total miles sailed so far=5,294
Miles left to go= -328 [actually less than 400 nm.]
Top speed so far =12.5 kts.
Day-37:
  Pos. Lat.09* 25′ N. Long. 177* 53′ W.
  24hr.Run=157nm.
  Weather: Wind=12-15kts. E. Seas= 4-6ft. Bar.= 1005mb. Cabin Temp=83*-89*.
The Rest of the Story.
  Winds fresher today and still no luck at fishing which might explain no fishing boats in my area as they will normally show on the AIS.
  The mysterious “Ham Grab” has been solved. The explanation is a combination of answers C.-D. First let me say this was all solved without the help of “Scotland Yard”.
  The thing started to unravel when I went to make pop corn. The pan I use for that is seldom washed as it is used only for popcorn and trying to conserve water I just wipe it out with a paper towel between popping. When I went to wipe it out there were two kernels of corn the vegetable, inside the pan. Now this made no sense as other than the two kernels there were just husks of the previous popcorn and some margarine I had melted to go on the popcorn.
  Now I remember clearly having peas with my ham dinner. I dig through the garbage once again and sure enough there is an empty can for the peas and one for the corn.
  I go back to the counter where the frying pan sets that I had cooked my previous potatoes, onions, and egg in and snatch the cover of the pan. Lifting the pan to my nose I smell the smoked ham, and there are even remnants of it sticking to the bottom of the pan. I also smelled a “rat” a pretty big one at that.
  Revisiting the events of the previous evening in my mind, it seems this is what took place. I got up from reading checked outside then came down and cooked dinner having corn as the vegetable. I obviously used the lid off the popcorn pan to drain the vegetables after cooking them in a smaller pan that has no lid, when I placed the lid back on the popcorn pan two kernels of corn stuck to the lid fell in the pan. I then proceeded to eat dinner once finished put the plate in the sink with other plates possibly was chewing on the bone getting those last tasty portions of ham, then went topside for a look around tossing the ham bone over the side.
  Now feeling quite content lay down for a short nap.
  I’m roused from my nap, and that universe, to commotion on deck. I scramble up on deck to fix what ever is wrong and still only half awake mind you. I adjust the course quieting the sails that had been bouncing about and return below. It is still day light and I never bother to look at the time. I glance over and see the pan I had intended to cook dinner in and it is all clean, heavens I must make dinner as now I’m in my new universe and hungry. Next the missing ham and the search that reveals nothing but questions. I get the other piece of Ham out thaw it and dine once again in my new universe.
  So you see the explanation is quit simple, basically went to bed contented in one universe and woke up hungry in yet another universe.
                              Just sailing the “Rum” line the Jefe’
Day-38:
  Pos.09*25′ N. Long.179*50′ E.
  24hr.Run=150nm.
  Weather: Wind=10-20kts. ENE. Seas= 6-8ft.ENE. Bar.=1005 mb. Cabin Temp.= 83*-89*.
  New Top speed for trip= 12.5 kts.
The Rest of the Story:
  Today I sailed into tomorrow crossing the International date line.
Suddenly Sunday becomes Monday, but for the sake of keeping track of the days on the voyage will stay with Sunday.
  Sailing pretty fast this day but not doing very well at alluding the squalls having been hit by three of them. The squall’s were small and no sail reduction was made, possibly why we have a new top speed of 12.5 kts.  Hmm.
  Also had a fishing boat pass 12 miles off my bow, although he was not fishing just beating feet for some place else.
  Now that I’m closing in on civilization once again my watches will become more diligent, do to the increased possibility of vessel traffic.
  Debbie alerted me that Bruno from Fiji has brought his circus to Majuro, now in April, so possibly I can find work in the circus. I feel I have been on this circus ride almost long enough now. Soon to be 40-days and 40-nights.
  Got a lead on one of the lost city’s it’s name is Ninj believed to be located in Africa Lat. 02*N long.03* E. just above the Congo River. This is the ancient Arabian City that is over 4,000 years old, where Solomon’s mines were located.
 Now I must plan another voyage with an attached land expedition into the Congo Rain Forest. This should prove to be one of my most “dashing” adventures so far. The estimated duration is difficult to determine but I believe the likely hood of success is much easier to compute =000%. Volunteers and donations will be greatly appreciated. Just as an incentive if the donations arrive soon enough I will skip the whole Circus gig and be off.
  When one considers that reality is just an illusion, that being the reason no two people see the same thing exactly the same. This brings me to believe that someone will see the Jefe’s chance of success at 100%, and remember I am pretty lucky to.
                                    Jefe’ going “psycho” out here.
Day-39.
  Pos. Lat. 09*57′ N. Long. 177*29′ E.
  24hr. Run=161 nm.
  Weather: Wind=12-20kts ENE. Seas=6-8ft. Bar=1006 mb. Cabin Temp=83*-89*.
The Rest of the Story.
  I’m slowly edging back up to the 10* Latitude as the winds are stronger in the higher pressure and I avoid some of those squalls. I’m moving west pretty fast and the angle to the wind for the other tack is improving by the hour. I hope my next Gybe will see me sail strait into Majuro.
  I have established contact on SSB-radio-6224 frequency and told them I should arrive on their Friday morning and that is my Thursday morning.
  Had a huge strike on the meat line snapping the 200lb. test line about 6-inches below the rubber bungy cord. I have no idea what it was but am pretty sure much bigger than what I need.
                  To rig another meat line or not???? Hmmmmm. The Jefe’
Sunset

Marshall Islands Voyage Days-34=35-36.

Miles sailed last 3-days=325nm.
Total miles sailed so far=4,826 nm.
Miles left to go HA HA=140 nm.
Top Speed so far = 12.2 kts.
Day-34.
  Pos. Lat.10* 03′ N.Long. 171*56′ W.
  24hr.Run=79nm.
  Weather: Wind 5-8kts. E.  Seas 2ft.E Bar.=1002mb. Cabin Temp. 85*-89*
The Rest of the Story:
  The last 48 hrs. have been under spinnaker in very light winds.
  Still no fish. I did have a ship come across my bow about 10 miles distant.
    There is a low in my area and squalls were forming all night long, fortunately I avoided them until 6:30 am when I scanned the radar and seen a large one bearing down on me about 6-miles long and only three miles away. Not wanting to take any risks I doused the spinnaker and put it away in the bag on deck then rolled out the genoa and sailed on. This squall was fragmented and contained little wind about 15 kts was all that came out of it and some refreshing rain. The batteries were getting down as there has not been enough wind to turn the wind generator for the past two days, so splashed up the diesel and powered for several hours taking on a charge. Once the batteries were looking good the winds had also started to improve so hoisted the main and soon we were exceeding 5 kts under working sails once again.
  Just one of those crazy thoughts from the Pacific, do you think that one day soon these sanctuary City’s will build houses and stick them around the neighborhoods and fill them with stuff to steal so that all those criminals they are giving the revolving door to can just go steel from them and not the hard working people that work for what little they have.
                    Just trying to be innovating, as I learn of more neighbors being robbed in my neighborhood.
                                              The Jefe’
Day-35.
  Pos, Lat.09* 36′ N Long. 173*43′ W.
  24hr.Run= 111 nm.
  Weather: Wind: 6-12kts. ESE. Seas: 2-3 ft. ESE.
The Rest of the Story:
  Today I complete week-5 and I actually thought by now I would have arrived, but there was one thing that I had overlooked in planning this voyage and that is the trade winds move more to the North and out of this area in April and who knows possibly this year they are even a little ahead of normal. This all makes for slower going. My next guess was arrive by the 9th of April that also could be a couple of days too optimistic. So, I will go with sometime soon to arrive in the Marshall Islands.
  Still “fishing” and can really see the bottom of the freezer now. Debbie is telling me to put the pole out and try different lures. I’m thinking about it but still have three more freezer meals. Maybe i could drag a bottle of rum and see if that helps.
  I don’t know if you can even begin to grasp the difference between this voyage and the trip around the world solo. I can tell you it is like night and day for me as one was super challenging and this one is just somehow to easy. I guess it is hard to come down from something where you are on the edge day after day to a realm of such predictability. Maybe, like going from the black Diamond ski run, then getting back on the rope tow.
  The distance and duration of course loom large in a voyage such as this, and planning and preparation is in many ways very much the same. I guess I’m just missing the “Adrenalin Rush” of the other, as probably you are to.
  I also realize that I must not become complacent as “shit” can still happen.
                        On Patrol nearing the “date” line. Is this where you “hook up”?
                                    Just trying to find that excitement somewhere.
                                              The Jefe’
Day-36.
  Pos.10*19′ N. Long. 175*56′ W.
  24hr.Run=135nm.
  Weather: Wind=8-14kts. Seas= 3-5ft. Bar.=1005mb. Cabin Temp.=83*-89*
The Rest of the Story.
  The winds are filling back in and the barometer is rising a sign that the trade winds are coming down from the north once again, Yea!! Still no more fish.
  Ok, so you would think by the miles left to go I would arrive tomorrow as the miles if I had sailed the course would be down to zero by tomorrow. I did this purposely to show you something that it took me years to figure out.
  I have learned that by sailing my boat on a broad reach I can go 20% faster,then I can sail going dead down wind, and that is what I would have had to do to stay on the course line most of the time.
  By tomorrow morning when my miles to go should be zero I will still have 620 nm. to go, but when you figure in that by then we will have sailed 4,966nm and that I have sailed 20% faster all those miles that equates to 993 of those total had I have stayed on course and went slower I would now still have 993 nm. to go instead of 460 nm. meaning I’m 373 miles ahead of the staying on course strategy, and normally I was off course by a  good 30*
  To really see this you have to lay this all out on graph paper, so then you get it straight in your mind, and you will do a lot better in your ocean racing over long distances.
  “Mystery Aboard Sailors Run”, went like this. I had decided to cook a piece of smoked ham for dinner. I pulled two pieces frozen together in a bag out of the freezer placing them on the counter to in a bowl to thaw for a few minutes. After about 30-minutes I separated the two ham slices and laid the one to cook in the bowl to finish thawing and placed the other now back in the bag into the freezer once again.
  I sat on the seating around the table and read for about 30-minutes before starting dinner. I go to cook the ham and it is gone-gone. Now, this is where you look at the bowl and then all over the counters and around the stove,under the stove, in the garbage and suddenly come to the conclusion it is gone-gone. I open the fridge and pull the bag out of the freezer and there is but only one piece in that there little bag.
  The mystery still remains unsolved any ideas?
  I had a few:
      a. A bird circling the boat decided it was sick of fish and flew in grabbed it and was gone.
      B. I have a rat on the boat and it snatched it up, and made off with it.
      C. I cooked the ham and ate it fell asleep woke up and decided it was dinner time and was shocked to find it gone so cooked a second ham. Problem with this idea is there is only one ham bone in the garbage and there would have been two and the pan that I cooked in was clean and I had to add oil to it before cooking the second piece.
      D. This my final and the most likely answer is we live in a parallel universe and a warp of that other universe wrapped over the aft portion of the boat while I was reading, and something that lives in that other universe ate the ham, then the warp receded and “bingo” no ham for the Jefe’ to cook.
    You got any other ideas cause I’m truly missing that piece of ham.
                            Somehow suddenly not feeling so all alone out here.
                                    The Jefe’

Voyage to the Marshall Islands Days. 31-32-33.

Miles sailed last three days=366 nm.
Total miles sailed so far=4,501 nm.
Aprox miles to go=465 nm.
Top speed so far 12.2 kts.
Day-31.
  Pos. Lat. 10*41′ N. Long. 167*32′ W.
  24hr.Run- 154 nm.
  Weather: Wind. 10-15kts. E. Seas= 4-5ft. E. Bar.=1005mb. Cabin Temp.=83*-87*.
The Rest of the Story.
  Sailing is going well but the fishing not so hot, but will keep the lure out there during the day time. When fishing after dark sharks are too often hooked up and not much fun to deal with. So far I have not lost any gear to a large marlin that does happen in this area, and what would I do with 1000 lbs. of Marlin. I think if I did get one and got him up to the boat it would be a great photo opt to lower my self over the side from the Mizzen mast in the boson chair and get a shot of me straddling him or more likely with me skewered on his bill.
  I look ahead to my arrival in Majuro and wonder what changes have occurred over the past 14-years that I have been away.
I do know the prices have jumped that the Mayors of the outer atolls want to charge for you to visit. I just don’t know how much. Majuro is a crowded little town with like 20,000 people, but lots of fun as I remember. The attraction here is the 200 ft.+ visibility that is normal and the 86* water temperature making snorkeling lots of fun.
  Our friends Carye and Karen live here on their boat Seal and run some moorings and provide marine services to cruisers, and Karen is the editor for the local newspaper or at least was 14-years ago, so we have some catching up to do.
  All is well onboard as long as you don’t count that little slide I took across the cockpit slamming into the stern pulpit and taking a small chunk out of my arm while attempting to roll in the meat line. The boat slipped of an unusually large steep 10 ft wave and healed suddenly to Port and I looked like “Felix” the cat grabbing at thin air and not slowing down at all until arriving at the stern pulpit. “Ouch”, “Shit”! Oh well another week and I will be all good.
Day-32.
  Pos. Lat. 10*35′ N. Long. 169*19′ W.
  24hr. Run=125nm.
  Weather: Wind. 6-12kts. E. Seas=2-3ft. Bar.=1004mb. Cabin Temp.=83*-87*.
The Rest of the Story.
  It was this morning early when I had gone up on deck to do yet another gybe, and I peered over the side into a very early morning dawn and what I seen sent a cold shiver up my spine, there just 30 feet off my port side was a very black 18″-diameter black creosoted piling standing on end bobbing between the surface and protruding out of the water by more than three feet at times. Now I have not seen a vessel or anything else in over a week and now some how I happen to see this “hull-spear” nearly in the dark and up close. I can only say I’m glad the Sailors Run is built like a “tank” and not some thin skinned go fast boat.
  Still after my second fish but no “joy” yet.
  It was about 4am ad I had been awakened by sails snapping and being unruly up on deck. After just being down for less than an hour I go top sides to asses the situation. It was pretty clear what the problem was, basically the wave action and a very light-light breeze. I watch as the main sail tries to self destruct and no amount of course change or trimming is making one bit of difference.
  I decide to go where I have been reluctant to go so far on this voyage and that is haul out the spinnaker and put it up. I fire up the diesel and slowly power along while I drop out the main sail and lash it to the boom, before it destroys itself. Next I role in the Genoa and haul the spinnaker up on deck and lay it out. I’m moving slowly and rethinking each and every move as it has been awhile since popping the chute. Pretty soon I hoist the spinnaker in its sock to the top of the mast and tie the halyard off using the winch that is normally used for the main. I know the main will not be used with the chute as the course is to down wind and the main would just shadow and screw up the spinnaker which is a monster anyhow and needs little help to power Sailors Run in Light airs. The mizzen will be flown with the spinnaker as they work well together.
  I hoist the sock the spinnaker fills and sets and now I shut the diesel engine down and once again all is quiet aboard Sailors Run and we are doing 2.5-3.5 kts in a very light breeze that I hope will build some throughout the day.
  The forecast is for winds 10 kts or less for the next three days.
  After an hour I’m back in my berth recharging my battery.
                  Listening for things that “go bump” in the night.
                                The Jefe’
Day-33.
  Pos. Lat. 10* 19′ N. Long. 170*42’W.
  24hr.Run=87 nm.
  Weather wind. 6-8kts. NE. Seas. 1-2ft, NE. Bar.=1004 mb. Cabin temp.=83*-87*
The Rest of the Story.
  Sailing going very slow under spinnaker, but atleast we are on the course line. With the chute up and you are down below you can’t even feel the boat is moving making life below decks pleasant.
  I’m still fishing but at this speed hold out little hope of catching anything.
  With the “Big Mother” up any squall becomes an ominous threat to Sailors Run and crew.
  I’m still not feeling 100% so I dive back in the medical bag searching for that magic potion. “Yep” by georg I believe I have found it. I have this one gigantic 400mg pill that is to be a one shot poison pill that will cure Ameiba, a parasite infection. I used one of these on Debbie once and it fixed her right up. Of course that was back in 2001 and I have been dragging this pill around since before then,but when have you ever heard of poison going bad. Wish me luck on this one. This is really no different than de-worming your pet, and I figure if I don’t get this under control I’m going to wear out the bottoms of all my shorts “scooting around” on the deck.
                          The Jefe’ still scooting across the Pacific.

Voyage to the Marshall Islands Days. 28-29-30.

Miles sailed last 3-days=468 nm.
Total miles sailed so far=4135 nm.
Aprox. miles left to go=831 nm. [this number is based on the original 5000 nm distance to the Marshall Islands, what we are hoping to learn from this is by sailing 20% faster and not sailing the course line you actually sail further and get there sooner].
Top speed so far 12.2 kts.
Day-28.
  Pos. Lat. 11*11′. N. Long. 160* 59′ W.
  24hr.Run=147nm.
  Weather: Wind. 19-15kts. Seas. 3-4ft. Bar.1004mb. Cabin Temp. 82*-86*.
The Rest of The Story:
   Today a typical day aboard Sailors Run went like this.
                                    Part-1
  8:30 am. pulled 24 hr. mileage and position from GPS. Logged all conditions sea state wind etc. in log book and plotted current position on chart, while coffee was perking. Then its time for another look topside before making breakfast.
  I scan the top of the mast as it is still dark  to determine wind direction by lighted wind indicator and adjust wind vane steering to sail as close to course as possible, today it is about 30* to the south of desired course, but we are moving fast once again. You must be aware I’m still on  Mexico time so my day-light doesn’t show up till after 10 on my clock.
  Today it is special-K cereal for breakfast with Craizzens on it and a second cup of coffee.
  After Breakfast I reread mail that came in the night before and respond back on it if need be and of course there is always one from my shore support “Debbie”, and there are usually issues that need addressing, this day it is a problem with the starter on the car.
  Next its on to the adventure that I put out every three days and I write the events of the past 24-hours or something that floating around in the Pacific has stimulated in my sometimes to active imagination.
  Once that’s complete of course now its light and I go topside for another sweep of the Horizon looking for traffic, squalls or out of place Islands and Ice bergs. Oh, yea check the meat line trailing behind the boat and can I pinch a couple of more degrees out of our sail trim and get closer to my desired course. Typically I Gybe [ altering course about 60* four times a day some times more seldom less.
                                               “To be continued”
Day-29.
  Pos. Lat. 10*39′ N. Long. 163&07′ W.
  24hr.Run=159 nm.
  Weather: Wind 10-18kts. E. Seas. 4-5ft Bar.=1004 mb. Cabin Temp.83*86*
The Rest of the Story:
  Still fishing but no fish yet. The sailing is going well pounding out some pretty good miles.
                              The continuation of a normal day.
  To Gybe Sailors Run goes like this:
    1. Remove preventers [they hold booms down on port or starboard side depending which tack you are on] there is one line for each boom.[main & mizzen].
    2.Push main boom up to center it on main sheet traveler from “broad reaching” position.
    3. Pull in slack on Genoa sheet line that is not under tension.
    4. I always put boat on electronic autopilot as long as it is operational as it cuts down the adjustments i must make happen in a very small amount of time.
    5.Turn wheel on auto pilot adjustment 80* to bring stern of boat through the wind. Immediately release tensioned sheet on genoa allowing it to fly forward as I dive to the other side of the cock pit and pulling for all I’m worth to pull the Genoa part way in on the new tack. As I’m doing this the main boom is swinging across the deck under the control of the boom break that is attached to it and the mizzen boom gets some relief by the fact that I have undone the mizzen sheet except for two wraps on the winch and that cushions the blow of it slamming into the mast and shrouds.
  6. Now its just a matter of final trim on Genoa and getting main boom slid over to the reaching position and the preventer tied off on it and the mizzen.
  I try to take two 1-hour naps during the day in an attempt to stay rested and I do most of my sleeping at night in short sleeps of 1-2hrs, maximum with look about’s, gybes and sail trim thrown in between them, or during them what ever might be needed.
  When you see the Sailors Run doing over 150nm. per day you can bet that sleeping conditions have deteriorated along with the increase in the size of the seas.
  After the writing on the computer I normally read out of my kindle for several hours and have a pop and pop corn every other day. After that more looks above decks and one of those hour naps.
  Once up again and another look about,fishing line,trimming possibly Gybe again. It’s time to thaw something out for dinner and a good time to have one or two drinks. I believe having just one gives you the maximum heath benefit and if you don’ have the second one then there will be absolutely no need for the other “five”.[Of course if you have just survived a huge storm all bets are off].
  Now I make dinner and consume it in about 5-minutes and read a little more before that second hour nap which of course is proceeded by look about and trimming etc.
  My day ends with my favorite time as it is dusk and time to pull the emails and here from friends and family and of course Debbie. Then its off to bed trying to get those one hour or so sleeps.
  I should say there is no sleeping to speak of when leaving the coast or making landfall.
                              Just a day at sea with the Jefe’
Day-30.
  Pos. Lat.10*29′ N. Long. 165*22′ W.
  24hr.Run= 162 nm.
  Weather: Wind.10-20kts. E. Seas. 6-8ft. E. Bar.=1004 mb. Cabin Temp.=83*-87*.
The Rest of the Story.
  Still fishing with out much success. The sailing is good and the sky’s are clear except for the horizon. I’m planning on arriving by the 9th of April, when I cross the international date line we will gain a day, but for the sake of this Voyage I won’t acknowledge it until I arrive.
  My two sons Richard and Daniel both sailors are going to be bringing our Blog site at www.sailorsrun.com up to date and make it much more user friendly, and as you might imagine I have tons of stuff that could show up there. I will give you a heads up when it happens.
  This is getting to large so I will stop here.
                Your Amigo the Jefe’

Marshall Islands Voyage Days 25-26-27.

Miles sailed last three days too few at=326 NM.
Total distance sailed so far.=3661
Miles left to go aprox.=1300 nm.
Top speed so far.=12.2kts.
Day-25.
   Pos. Lat. 13* 04′ N. Long. 156* 13′ W.
  24hr. Run= 127nm.
  Weather: Wind. 0-50kts. from all directions. Seas confused and 3-8ft. Bar.=1004. Cabin temp. 80*-83*.
The Rest of the Story.
  Today finds Sailors Run dealing with many micro weather systems in light and some what variable winds with a sky that is very much overcast. I should mention that the sky was very “Red” this morning.
  Yes,it has become pretty strange all right. The winds are very light out of the SE. at 7 kts. and the sky’s are 100% overcast. We are doing about 3.5 kts when I notice what looks like a squall in among st all those other clouds but not very well defined.
  I turned on the radar and was shocked to see it was only three miles away and it was a “whopper” over 12 miles long and at least 7-miles thick. I figured it was moving NW. as the wind was out of the SE. So I altered course aiming at the southern tip figuring we would just get brushed by it. “Wrong”!!!
I rolled in the Genoa sail to be safe as some how it was getting real close real fast. That left me with a full main and a reefed stay sail still up.
  Now, here was the dilemma- normally in a squall when the winds are light they normally just double the wind strength, but you have to remember that any squall over 8-miles long can be a “gear buster”. What you don’t realize is the giant squall has sucked all the energy out of the area creating the lighter winds.
  As it approaches my wind goes to zero knots forcing me too start the engine just to maintain steerage, I think I’m just going to get the boat washed. Suddenly! “Pandora’s Box” opens, and there is 25-knots of wind from the NW. the exact opposite of what we had been experiencing, and I fall off on a broad reach to the South  reducing the stress on the rig and sails, as the winds are now blowing a sustained 50-knots and Sailors Run is doing 9.6 kts for the next hour slowing to 8 kts for yet another hour and oh, yea the boat got a real wash and those gutters on the Bimini had lots of water pouring out of the spouts.
  Now! I’m just happy to say I seen this one coming and reduced sail significantly just in time, but had it caught me unaware at night it would have really put us to the test.
                              The Jefe’ yet again survives another “Blow Job” in the Pacific.
Day-26.
  Pos. Lat.12*27’N. Long. 157* 28′ W.
  24hr.Run=93nm.
  Weather: Wind 5-10kts. E. Seas 2-3 ft. E. Bar.1006 mb. Cabin Temp 82*-86*.
The Rest of the Story.
    Today is a nice sunny slow day just poking along trying to get there.
    I have completed all of my antibiotic therapy and now I believe its time to get my chemical dependence’s back in order.
   You see since not having a drink in 22-days I’m fright fully afraid my blood is getting way to thick. Also with the dietary change like no cookies,chips,sugar, or alcohol, this has left my body awash in urine.
  So, now begins a gradual increase in my alcohol consumption to recapture that dehydration level that puts the Jefe’ right once again. Wish me luck on this one!
                          Kick en back some “cold ones” in the Pacific.
                                      The Jefe’
Day-27
  Pos. Lat. 11*59′ N, Long. 159*00′ W.
  24hr. Rum Ha Ha 106 NM.
  Weather: Wind. 8-10 kts. E. Seas. 2-3 ft. E.
The Rest of the Story.
  Sailing with trade wind sky’s but very light trades, making for slow going.
 My current weather info shows me in 15 kts. of wind and I can assure you that is not happening. It looks like more wind is on the way so lets hope so.
  I’m on my second and last propane tank and it is 5-gallons and should last me 3-months. The first one was pretty low when I left Mexico. It seems with two people on board a tank will last about two months.
  The Produce is dwindling as I’m on the last cabbage [Debbie said take 4- I should have listened].  I have but two tomatoes left, yet still lots of carrots potatoes and onions. The Apples are holding out pretty well and I have lots of eggs and there are always more fish in the sea.
  I have nearly a full tank of fuel as I only ran the engine on the first day out for about 6-hrs. and twice when the wind totally died and I had to splash it up for an hour until the wind filled back in.
  I have 15 gallons of gas for my Honda 2-KW Generator if needed. I have pulled it out twice on the voyage to give the batteries a little boost. I have a 50-Amp charger that it powers.
  I’m currently sailing at 3.5kts.
  Here is something else the Jefe’ has been thinking about. Those solar farms out on the desert, now I know if a solar panel is not cleaned quite frequently their ability to produce power is very much diminished and out in the desert is there not lots of dust and wouldn’t a severe dust storm possibly permanently craze the glass reducing their performance. Like maybe panels built to last 20-years become only 25% effective after possibly just 5-years. And where do you get the water to wash them in the desert? This could add to the cost of the free power substantially. Oh! maybe they are building 100- acre domes that open and close and can protect them when the desert winds appear.
                            Hey I got to think about something. The Jefe’
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