Monthly Archives: February 2016

0 AROUND ALONE DAY 115-116-117

2013 September
Time we spent in San Francisco watching the most exciting race in history

Fine sailing on San Francisco Bay at the America’s Cup day

Total miles sailed so far= 15,783 NM.
Miles sailed last three days=389 NM.
Distance left to go to East Cape Tasmania=210 NM.
Top speed so far=14.1kts.
THE REST OF THE STORY:

Day-115.
24hr.Run=108NM. Pos. Lat.46*16’S. Long.135*36’E. Weather=Wind=0-20kts. WSW. Seas=8-12ft. West. Cabin Temp=58*-62*. Bar=994mb

It is Barometer Soup time as I watch the barometer as it plummets once again to 989 mb. A low has formed right in front of me and I have sailed into the center of it.

I go top side to harvest some much needed water as it is raining like crazy, and I get about 35-gallons before the rain stops.
I now wait for the wind to fill in again, and when it does I will probably have plenty.
It takes about an hour and the wind goes up to about 20kts or less for the remainder of this day
Day-116.
24hr.Run=139 NM. Pos.Lat.46*08’S. Long.139*06’E. Weather=.Wind=10-25kts. WNW. Seas=8-12ft. WNW. Cabin Temp=54*-62*. Bar=992mb

Today I awoke to sunshine and a NW wind that is driving me to the south so I jibe over, and get back on course.

I’m beginning to realize what it is like to live on a survival basis. It’s almost like an experiment, where you isolate yourself from all sources of replenishment, and interacting with other people hands on.
Mother nature provides the challenges you must deal with daily, and good planning on the food supply will determine how well you will be nourished over the planed duration of the voyage. What fascinates me the most is the opportunity to study survival up close on a personal level.
I know hunger is man’s strongest driving force with sex being the second strongest. I will cover “Sex of the single-handler” in the next adventure.

What I have learned out here so far is that with a year and a half to plan and obtain my needed supplies I still fell short in some areas, and that was with knowing I needed supplies for 5-7 months.
What is truly frightening about this is when you think of how ill prepared most families are for a prolonged isolation from food supplies. In the event of a catastrophe whether it be natural disaster, epidemic, war, meteor hits are planet, financial collapse etc.
I believe most people would be in trouble in three days and forced to go ask for provisions, and it would not be long after that, they would go take the stuff at whatever risk.
This is just food for thought, from an isolated sailor, with way too much time on his hands.
Day-117.
24hr.Run=142 NM. Pos. Lat.46*23’S. Long.142*25’E. Weather=Bar= Wind=45kts gusting 60+kts.WNW. Seas=15-30+ft. Cabin Temp=55*-58*. Bar=986 mb.

Today the winds are blowing 45 knots plus, and the seas are getting up to the twenty-foot range. I’m sailing under stay sail alone and exceeding 7 knots at times.The low continues to strengthen as it moves to the SE towards New Zealand.

At 1:30 pm I was forced to go to bare poles as the winds are gusting 60+knots and by 7 pm after recording 12.1 knots on the odometer, it’s time to set out the drogue.

I use the fishing floats in the net bag with a swivel and about 30 feet of 3/8″ chain and 400 feet of 5/8 three strand and never exceed 5-knots after that.
At 3:30 am I drag the drogue back in as the fierce squalls have abated, and stay under bare poles for another 5-hrs in 45 knots We spent 18 hours under bare poles and eight of that was with the drogue deployed, and the drogue dug in and did a great job.

The difference with this storm from the last, is that it was of shorter duration, and the sustained winds were a little less, not producing the enormous seas. Although we were slammed many times by breaking waves, and it was extremely dangerous sailing.

The squalls were producing spray that moved across the ocean towards us that looked like a cloud of smoke, pretty freaky. Some waves were over 30 ft.

Hanging on once again, the Jefe’.

US WATCHING ORACLE-EMIRATES RACING ON SAN FRANCISCO BAY

ON OUR FRIENDS BOAT BEING SO CLOSE TO TAKE THIS PICTURE OF ORACLE ON THE BAY

ORACLE COMING TOWARDS US AS WE WATCH

MANY BOATS ON SAN FRAN BAY WATCHING THE AMERICA’S CUP

WALKED THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE ACROSS FROM SAUSALITO TO WATCH THE AMERICA’S CUP

Saw Google’s co founder Larry Pages yacht on San Francisco Bay

0 AROUND ALONE DAYS 112-113-114

Sailors Run anchored by Sugar Loaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro,Brazil

Total miles sailed so far=15,394 NM.
Miles sailed last three days=421 NM.
Distance left to go to East Cape Tasmania=590 NM.
Top speed so far=14.1 kts.

THE REST OF THE STORY:

Just a quick note I love to hear from you all, but please do not hit reply when responding to this email, as it sends the whole adventure back via a slow radio link. Thank You.
DAY-112.
24hr.Run=128NM. Pos. Lat.45*07’S. Long.127*05’E. Weather=Wind=8-25kts.WNW. Seas=8-12ft. WNW. Cabin Temp=56*-62*. Bar=1008’mb

Sailing along under mizzen main & stay sail in weather just a little too dicey to pull Patches off for repair. A cold front is sneaking up on us very slowly, making it difficult to judge when it will arrive.

Tasmania looms ahead, surrounded by treacherous bodies of water, such as Bass Strait, Tasman Sea, and The Southern Ocean where we will be.

Here we find ourselves with our back against the wall, as we have very little control over our arrival time, and this area to the south of Tasmania is the spawning grounds of many severe low pressure systems.

Here aboard Sailors Run we can only hope for a little good luck transiting this stretch of ocean.
DAY-113.
24hr.Run=149 NM. Pos. Lat.45*12’S. Long.130*29’E. Weather= Wind=10-25Kts.WNW. Seas=8-12ft.W. Cabin Temp=58*-62*. Bar=107mb

Today we are sailing fast along our course line, and it seems the high pressure in the area has stalled the cold fronts arrival. There is a low pressure trough up ahead that we might have the opportunity to collect some water in.

I have decided that I will strip down to my underwear and slip on my Mustang work suit [A suit used by fisherman and Coast Guard alike when working in cold water areas]. This is necessary because I’m getting down to my last warm clothing. Should I get a lot of water then I can get some clothes washed up. Today I wiped mold from some of the walls and oiled some of the teak wood below decks.

It’s funny how that before this voyage, I had a huge list of things to do to get the boat ready to go, and low and behold once again I have another large list of things that need to be done to the boat, a battle that seems impossible to win.
DAY-114.
24hr.Run=144 NM. Pos. Lat.45*45’S. Long.133*46’E. Weather= Wind=10-25kts.WNW. Seas=8-12ft. WNW. Cabin Temp.58*-60*. Bar=1004mb

Today I was pulling weather faxes and happened to notice a huge storm off Cape Horn, the likes of no sailor would care to participate in. It appeared two 964 lows had combined at the Horn and were tearing the place up.

My weather has been reasonably mild the past 5-days and it appears that will end tomorrow, when a big low moves up from the south onto the Sailors Run.

It appears now that I will be riding the northern top edge of the low in 35-45 kt gale force conditions, and that should be okay.  My only worry is if it comes in behind me and runs directly over the top of me meaning much more severe conditions for a longer period of time. “Feeling Lucky Punk”??

Feeling Lucky, the Jefe’.

PS.  Be sure and check out the blog at WWW.SAILORSRUN.COM as Debbie is posting pictures of our past 17-years of cruising.

The Famous Christ Redeemer(christo redentor) we visited in Rio de Janeiro,Brazil

Looking down on the city of Rio De Janeiro

Jeff in Rio & Sugar Loaf Mountain,Brazil

Jeff with local portuguese fishermen on the street of Rio de Janeiro,Brazil

Guess Who? happy in Brazil

0 AROUND ALONE DAYS 109-110-111

SAILORS RUN,JEFF SAILING BELOW AUSTRALIA, THEY ARE RIGHT WHERE THE “I” IS OF THE WORD ‘BIGHT”

Total miles sailed so far=14,973 NM.
Miles sailed last 3-days=414 NM.
Miles left to go to East Cape, Tasmania=1000 NM.
Top speed so far=14.1kts.
THE REST OF THE STORY:
DAY 109.
24hr.Run=127NM. Pos. Lat.46*01’S. Long.118*40’E. Weather=Wind=7-25kts. Seas=8-12ft. Cabin Temp=55*-57*. Bar=1012mb

Just wanted to mention Cape Leeuwin is the south western most point of Australia, and it is named after the Dutch ship Leeuwin (Lioness)that charted much of the west coast back in 1722. The ship is believed to be the first ship to ever visit there.

Many things seem to be happening today, first the light in the galley mysteriously turns on by itself, and it is a new Led light. Upon closer examination it is obvious that salt water is getting into the fixture and is creating a path for current to flow.
While unscrewing the fixture Sailors Run is slammed by a large wave and I get tossed across the galley, and slammed into the door frame, with my right shoulder blade and head taking most of the impact. My stocking hat goes flying along with the battery light I had strapped on my head. I see stars for a minute then regain my senses. After a few choice words, I realize although nothing is broken I still feel a serious pain in my shoulder and have a pretty good naught on my head. Serious personal injury is very high on the not to do list for solo sailors.
Soon it began raining hard outside and I went topside to collect some much needed water. I got about 10-gallons before the rain stopped. While crawling around on deck I noticed a screw in the Genoa track was pulled up, meaning the track was coming up while sailing with the genoa, not a good sign.
As it turns out the loose track was the source of the leak that was messing with the light in the galley, and this problem was actually created by me 11-years ago.

PICTURE OF JEFF AFTER HE REMOVED THE TEAK DECKS ON SAILORS RUN IN AUSTRALIA

See in 2004 in Australia I removed the teak decks on Sailors Run, and when I put the track back down where the genoa block goes there were two bolts that went through the deck, and the nuts on those bolts were under the piece of wood that the light in the galley was screwed to. Apparently, when I caulked those bolts in I never pulled that light down to put the washer and nuts on so for the past 11 years the lag screws in the deck carried the load, but were finally failing. Lucky for me I found it before the track was broken.
The next thing that happened was the coffee pot was launched off the stove by a wave and spilled water and coffee grounds all over the galley, this is the second time this trip this has happened. Fortunately, the stove had not been lit as yet so the water was not hot, and I hadn’t gotten the bungee cord on the pot. Now when I finally do get the coffee going the second propane tank goes empty on me so number three and my last propane tank is hooked up. Now I’m hoping this one can get me home.

The winds have gone light so I roll out Patches, only to discover another rip in the sail, so I immediately roll it back up. I would have pulled it off but feel my shoulder needs a day of rest before further abusing it.

Later in the day I hang over the stern tying new stopper knots on the servo rudder of wind vane, just a precaution so the old knots cannot fail.
DAY 110

24hr.Run=148N.Pos, Lat. 46*07’S Long.121*58’E. Weather=Wind=20-25kts WSW. Seas=8-12ft.Cabin Temp.=51*-56*. Bar=1012mb

Today cleaned ground connections on SSB radio for better performance and installed additional heavy copper ground lead from batteries to the engine, as it seemed the engine was having trouble cranking over. The additional lead solved the problem and the engine fired right up for its by-weekly 15- minute oil circulating and dry out run in neutral.

DAY 111

24 hr.Run=139NM. Pos.Lat.44*45’S Long.124*21’E. Weather=Wind=20-25W .Seas=W. 8-12ft. Cabin Temp.=55*59*. Bar=1000mb

Today winds are 20-25 knots and we are getting some warmer air possibly off of the great Australian desert. I like the warmer temperatures but my eggs don’t, as now it sees every other one must be tossed. I don’t eat them if they are cloudy or smell too bad. They can stink a little bit.

My variety of foods is dwindling, not to mention cookies. I got a shower today and that goes a long way in propping up one’s spirits.

Doing the “Coffee Ground Shuffle” in the galley, the Jefe’.

WINDS THAT JEFF & SAILORS RUN ARE HAVING ON BOTTOM LEFT HAND CORNER AT 45′ & 130′ BELOW AUSTRALIA

0 AROUND ALONE DAYS 106-107-108

THE SAILING JOURNEY CONTINUES ON MY MAP IN BLUE FOR JEFF & SAILORS RUN

Total miles sailed so far =14,559 NM.
Miles sailed last three days=441NM.
Miles left to go to East Cape Tasmania=1,320 NM.
Top speed so far=14.1kts.
THE REST OF THE STORY:
DAY-106.
24hr.Run=142 NM. Pos.45*41’S. Long.108*59’E. Weather=Wind=15-35kts.WSW. Seas=12-18ft. WSW.  Bar=1012mb Cabin Temp=53*-60*.

Today was water the batteries day, something I must do every two months, and they are in the aft stateroom, our garage so to speak, with lots of things stored in there, not to mention all the black plastic bags full of plastic containers and wrappers that are piling up, as the voyage continues.
I also put in place the third storm board to eliminate the inboard waterfall. I had been reluctant to do this as it makes opening the hatch much more difficult, not to mention climbing in and out.
It’s Valentine’s Day and I’m celebrating with an extra ration of chocolate bar, and the beautiful card that Debbie had stashed aboard for this special time, as she knows Valentine’s day was always my favorite day, as it was the one holiday that I felt like I could afford.
DAY-107.
24hr.Run=152NM. Pos.Lat.45*40’S. Long.112*30’E. Weather=Wind=WNW 15-20kts.Seas=8-12ft.WNW.  Bar=1001mb.  Cabin temp=56*-62*.

Today is nice sailing with winds down and “Patches” up. I pulled everything out of the back locker to gain access to the autopilot ram so I could set it at the center steering position for more ohm readings and to get model and serial # off unit. Now I wait to hear from the manufacture.

This afternoon the sun is out as we skirt along the southern inner edge of the high hoping to stay out of the calm center. I’m getting great weather faxes out of Australia, so now there will be fewer surprises, weather wise.

There is a cold front that will hit tomorrow early and bring gale force winds forty knots or better.

Day-108.

24hr.Run=147 NM. Pos. Lat. 46*08’S. Long.115*55’E. Weather=Wind=20-40ktsWNW. Seas=15-18ft. Bar=1006mb

AT THERE THIRD CAPE GOING FROM INDIAN OCEAN TO SOUTHERN OCEAN, AUSTRALIA

Today is a very special day as we sail along in yet another gale, and what makes it so, is we will at last have Cape Leeuwin abeam, our Third Cape of the Five.

Debbie and I would like to put a special shout out to all of our Aussie friends up there in Australia. As we met many wonderful Aussies when we cruised there in 2004-2005, and have met many others in anchorages all over the world. You have a great country Mates!
It’s amazing to think that here we are sailing under the folks from down under.
The next and last two capes are not so far away now, there is east cape Tasmania just 1400 NM.  and West Cape New Zealand just about 850 NM. beyond that.
These last two capes are very challenging as the weather in that area is notoriously difficult and once again you are down near the screaming 50* latitude, off of New Zealand to clear that one.

I must say a bit of good luck would go a long way’s towards easing the challenges that lay ahead for Sailors Run and crew. You can trust, I’m already watching the weather around those two capes.

“Scared Skinny” the Jefe’.

0 DAY 108: FEBRUARY 16TH-AT CAPE LEEUWIN

SAILORS RUN AND JEFF GOING BY HIS THIRD CAPE= CAPE LEEUWIN, AUSTRALIA

MY THIRD CAPE AND 2 MORE CAPES TO GO:

Today is a very special day as we sail along in yet another gale, and what makes it so, is we will at last have Cape Leeuwin abeam, our Third Cape of the Five.

Debbie and I would like to put a special shout out to all of our Aussie friends up there in Australia. As we met many wonderful Aussies when we cruised there in 2004-2005, and have met many others in anchorages all over the world. You have a great country Mates!
It’s amazing to think that here we are sailing under the folks from down under.

The next and last two capes are not so far away now, there is East Cape Tasmania just 1400 NM.  and West Cape, New Zealand just about 850 NM. beyond that.

24 hr.Run=147 NM.

Position: Latitude  46*08’S. Longitude 115*55’E.

Weather=Wind=20-40 knots WNW.

Seas=15-18 feet

Bar=1006mb

0 AROUND ALONE DAYS 103-104-105

Total miles sailed so far=14,118 NM.
Miles sailed last three days=456 NM.
Miles left to go to Cape Leeuwin=390 NM.
Top Speed so far=14,1kts.

THE REST OF THE STORY

Day-103.
24hr.Run=170NM. Pos. Lat.44*52’S. Long.95*39’E. Weather=Winds Gale35-45+WSW. Seas=15-20Ft.WSW. Bar=1003mb Cabin Temp=53*-55*.

Feeling much better today, and we are sailing with double reefed mizzen and Patches the [Genoa].  Wind and seas are gradually building now blowing 30-40 knots with seas 15-18 feet and Patches had to be furled in and then hoisted the stay sail in place of it.
When I went forward to hoist the stay sail, I was shocked to see the winch handle had been flipped over board, and this is the second locking handle I have lost. I have never lost a handle in all the years of sailing, until this trip, and the reason it’s happening now is the new shallow boots that hold the handles I recently replaced them, and should have realized these were no good.
Now that leaves me with just two handles left, and neither locks in place making them dangerous, because when they pop out of the winches on the mast they can very easily take your teeth out. Sometimes you have to hang on to the handle to keep it in position by the mast, and that will not work with a handle that pops out. For now, I will not leave any more handles in the main mast boot.

Later in the afternoon I found myself hanging over the stern replacing a pulley wheel at the bottom of the wind vane, as the old one was hanging up and chafing the lines.
Day-104
24hr.Run=146NM.Pos. Lat.44*54’S. Long.102*28’E. Weather= Winds 35-40kts WSW. Seas=15-20 WSW.  Bar=1010mb Cabin Temp=55*-57*.

Today we are in the second day of the gale and charging along under staysail alone.
Yesterday when taking a shower, I noticed I have lost some weight, a difficult thing to notice with all the clothes I normally wear. I can’t help but wonder why, as it seems I eat a lot.
To some up my explanation of the weight loss, comes down to three theories I have:

1)     That because I’m cold all the time I find myself shivering at times, and that requires lots of calories to be spent.

2)     The second logical thing is the “Whiskey Shakes”, but without them there would be days where I got no exercise at all.

3)     My third, and possibly the biggest contributor to the weight loss is, being Scared. Like you have heard of people being scared straight, Well, I think just possibly you can be “Scared Skinny”.
Now just think of what a great new sailing term this is, like when you come in from a wild day of sailing on the bay, and someone asks, ”How was the weather out there?” You can simply reply “Scared Skinny”!

Day-105

24hr.Run=140NM. Pos. Lat.45*09’S, Long.105*43E. Weather=Winds WSW30-40kts. Seas 15-20ft. Bar=1012mb

Today is the third day in gale force conditions, and since we are running under stay sail alone requires very little sail handling. The one thing I did have to do was drop the stay sail down and reattach a couple of hanks that were flipped out during a couple of hard pops that that sail endured.

We are pretty accustomed to dealing with such weather, but the only problem is the seas are up pretty good now and it looks like something worse is headed our way, and should arrive in about 36 hrs. so “HANG ON”.
I realize now I should have put an external antenna on the AIS unit, as down here at 45* south the satellite coverage is not so good and occasionally the AIS loses its position setting off a very loud alarm.

Last night while I tried to sleep the alarm was going off every minute and I had to get up to cancel it, after about 15 alarms I shut the FFFEN thing off, then an hour later turned it on only to have the same thing happen again. I must assume I’m in a bad area, and that things should improve as I close on Australia. I did find a way to cancel the alarm for no GPS position and that is fine as it gets the position back within a minute anyhow.
“Scared Skinny” the Jefe’.

BET JEFF WOULD LIKE TO BE DOING THIS RIGHT ABOUT NOW WITH ALL THOSE GALES HE IS HAVING ?

0 AROUND ALONE DAYS 100,101,102

Total Miles sailed so far=13,662 NM

Miles sailed last three days=424 NM

Miles left to go to Cape Leeuwin, Australia=840 NM
Top speed so far=14.1NM

THE REST OF THE STORY:

DAY-100

24hr.Run=137 NM. Position=Lat.46*08’S. Long.89*24’E.  Weather=Wind=W.25-40kts.  Seas=15-20ft. Cabin temp=48*-53*. Bar=1007mb

It seems amazing to me that we have been at sea now for “100-days”.

Today I dropped Main down sailing under staysail alone in 25-35kts. I pulled the radar screen off and opened it up looking for an obvious problem to find that the silicone rubber key pad seal was cracked and allowed indoor water fall to breech the seal, taking out the radar. Mystery solved, and all the time I was thinking it was the fault of my indoor waterfall. I loved this radar unit as it was small and required little power to run and had operated perfectly for over twenty years.
Day-101.

24hr.Run=145 NM. Pos. Lat.45*37’S. Long.92*42’E. Weather=Wind=WNW.15-25kts. Seas=WNW 8-12ft. Cabin Temp=51*-56*. Bar=1004MB

I am now sailing with double reefed mizzen and staysail with squalls about.
I worked over the wind vane changing out a servo rudder line that was showing signs of chafe and I tightened the two bolts at the bottom supports on the vane as they were working loose.
Next I dug way back into the drive unit on the auto pilot, and re soldered the three butt connection splices hoping to get it up and running, but no “joy”. I then pulled the E drive out to the center steering position and adjusted the heading to whatever, but once I turn it on it just retracts and shuts off.  So I’m still looking for bad connection somewhere.
I am feeling somewhat better and it is a little warmer now that we are moving a little to the north.

Last night on the SSB radio I could not hook up to sail mail through Africa, as we are getting to far away from that area, but tonight I was able to get through Australia, although weak, it worked.
Today I opened my sealed container on my last 3.5 dozen eggs to find that the storm managed to break eight of them. They were well packed in there but when one broke the others got moving about.

Day-102

24hr.Run=142 NM Pos. Lat. 44* 52’S. Long.95* 39’E. Weather=Wind=WNW.12-20kts. Seas=8-12 ft.  Cabin Temp 53*59 Bar=1000mb

I have decided that since losing the drogue in the last storm, that in the next one I will drag my “Balls” off the back.

Now let me further explain that I have these Two Fiberglass Fishing Floats about 20 inches in diameter in a weaved line bag that I will shackle to 35 ft. of 3/8″ chain hung on the end of the four hundred feet of line, and I believe they will create a fair amount of drag. They are perhaps the only thing I could put out that would survive.

THE BALLS JEFF WILL BE USING ARE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BOAT HANGING

Sailing the ocean blue, “the Jefe”

0 AROUND ALONE DAYS 97,98,99

Total miles sailed so far=13,238 NM.

Total miles sailed last three days=417 NM.

Miles left to go to Cape Leeuwin, Australia=975 NM.

Top speed so far=14.1 kts.
DAY 97  24hr Run=117 NM. Pos.Lat.46*17’S Long.80*15’E Weather=Wind=10-65 knots Bar=994 mb  Seas 18-40+ ft. Cabin temp=51*-53*

DAY 98 24hr.Run=158 NM Pos. Lat.46*55’S Long.83*35’E. Weather=Wind WSW 20-35kts squalls. Seas=15-20ft. 997 mbBar=Cabin Temp= 49*-53*.

Day-99 24hr.Run=142NM. Pos. Lat.46*35’S Long.86*24’E. Weather=Wind=SW-SE 12-20kts. Bar=1005mb Seas=8-20ft.W.
THE REST OF THE STORY:

DAY-97. THE STORM RECAP:

First let me say I never seen this one coming, as it just appeared to be another 30-35 kt day. In reality the 35 knots was just the beginning of a 48 hour battle of survival. Once I had set up the Staysail and mizzen I figured we were ready to handle what was to come our way “Wrong”!!

I became suspicious when I noticed the barometer plummeting down, and the waves were gradually growing larger and One of these waves catapulted Sailors Run ahead at 14.1 kts.

I knew the mizzen must come down, and once out on deck it was obvious the staysail also must be struck, and we would continue along under bare poles alone. It was while I was lashing the staysail on deck that a huge wave broke over the deck, as I hung on and was thoroughly drenched to the core by this one, and later required a complete change of clothing.

We sailed under bare poles for 16.5 hrs. and by this time we were seeing gusts to 65 kts, and sustained winds in the 50+kt range. The waves were becoming monstrous and the top 10 feet was breaking off and rolling down the face of some of these waves.
At one point during the day I looked out upon the sea and swore I was in the mountains, as it appeared that there was snow covered peaks everywhere, with avalanches plummeting down their steep faces.
We had been fairly successful in keeping our stern to the waves, but there are always a few rogue waves that will come in on your beam. One such wave took out one of our solar panels support struts, tearing the bracket from the cap rail.
It was while I was replacing that support that I looked up to see a huge wave break and its coke bottle blue frothing top come charging down upon me, and Sailors Run. I grabbed a life line post and a nearby shroud and just hung on to be drenched for the second time to the bone.

During the Storm Sailors Run was engulfed by more than a dozen large waves. One such wave took away our man overboard pole.  Another one came in over the stern not only filling the cockpit but forcing green water through the louvers on the companion way doors, then hit the two storm boards I had in place, and came up over the top like a waterfall cascading down into the galley and sloshing about 10-gallons of water, about the cabin sole, until I could get it bailed out. The waterfall also bathed our water proof radar unit that has now stopped working. This is yet another big loss.

It was 2:30pm when I deployed our Delta drogue on 400 feet of 5/8 inch nylon rode to slow the boat, as now we were surfing bare poles at over 9-knots. This slowed us to 3-4kts and made things feel more under control. We stayed on the drogue for 15 hrs. It was the next morning that I pulled in the line to find the drogue had failed and all three factory nylon straps that attached it to the swivel had parted and it was gone.
I actually believe I know when it happened; I was writing Debbie, when we were catapulted ahead by yet another huge wave and I saw the speed jump up to 9.1kts, and then noticed several other high speeds shortly thereafter. The total duration of the storm was about 48-hrs.

I truly hope not to encounter another storm like that one any time soon. Over the next few days I hope to get further north for better weather if that’s possible.

DAY-98.

Today we are sailing through many squalls, hoping to get north. It is kind of a lick your wounds day, and I woke up with a sore gland in my neck, and felt chilled, so I started antibiotics as I cannot afford to be sick.I believe I have captured some great film and shots of the voyage, and do plan to produce a video, although not sure what to sell it for until I access the final damages to Sailors Run.

It’s amazing when you do battle with nature how fast she takes away your, electrical and mechanical advantages and it becomes you, and the boat, and your will to survive.

DAY 99

Today we are working through many squalls and making some progress to the north. We are still experiencing 20 ft waves as they refuse to lay down, and the squalls keep breathing life back into them. The really big waves took about 18-hrs to quit breaking and then started subsiding. It seemed amazing to me that running bare poles and towing a drogue we still managed to cover 117 NM.

The gland in my neck is still sore and I feel very sensitive to the cold. I’m pretty sure in a couple of days I will be fine

Getting a little more religious as we go, The Jefe’

0 AROUND ALONE UPDATE 2/05/2016

THE CALM AFTER THE STORM,BEAUTIFUL

“GOOD NEWS FROM JEFF THIS AM 2/05 THIS IS WHAT HE WROTE ME:

   Now that was one hairy ass ride.The winds died down in the late morning here and at 5:30 am I pulled in the drogue ,only to find it GONE !!
Apparently the three straps that connect it to the swivel failed under the horrific conditions.The four hundred feet of line helped me through the night, If I have another storm i will just drag two of those balls with a piece of chain hooked to them.
Tonight I will sleep well, well pretty good as the radar had died. I turned it on this am and it started to work then faded out, just dead !! that will make my job harder watching for traffic although there shouldn’t be much until Peru.
That storm was unreal at one point I thought I was in the mountains as every where I looked were these big peaks with avalanches cascading down them.
I will try to stay further north until New Zealand where I must go to forty eight
and I’m hoping i don’t catch Pneumonia after what I have been through.
Hugs,your Jefe

0 AROUND ALONE DAYS 94.95.96

THIS SHOWS THE WIND AND DIRECTION OF THE WIND OF WHAT JEFF IS GETTING, AT 46’S 77 E
THAT BLACK DOT IS SOUTH ATLANTIC ISLANDS AND HE IS JUST EAST OF IT IN THE YELLOW AREA

Total Miles sailed so far=12,820 NM.

Miles sailed last three days=433 NM.

Miles left to go to Cape Leeuwin=1,500 NM.
Top speed so far=New Record=14.1kts
THE REST OF THE STORY:

DAY 94
24hr.Run-147 NM. Position= Lat.46*16’S Long.71*3’E.

Weather= Wind=W 8-25kts. Seas=8-12 ft.W. Cabin Temp=46*49*. Bar=1002mb

Today we find Sailors Run sailing over the top of the Island Kerguelen some 130 NM to the south of us. Kerguelen is a French Possession and geographically a very interesting Island, because of all the amazing amount of waterways and anchorages all around it. The Island is very large some 70 miles by 60 miles, making it much larger than Hawaii. It is volcanic and popped up out of the ocean 35-million years ago, shortly before I got my first boat. The Island has a very harsh environment, with snow and glaciers as well as winds that are clocked at 105-kts regularly every year. Mostly scientists and a few tourists visit each year.

The sailing has been good the last three days but another low will arrive tomorrow.

Also the cargo ship Tokyo Bunker passed 18 miles north of me on this day bound for Australia.

THE ISLAND OF KERGUELEN WITH IT’S RUGGED SNOW PEAKS

Day 95.

24hr.Run=153NM. Position=Lat.46*46’S. Long.75*04’E.

Weather= Wind=20-30kts.NW. Seas=8-15 ft. Bar=994mb Cabin Temp=46*49*

Today A gale approaches and I drop the main and hoist a double reefed mizzen and run the stay sail and we are now sailing pretty well in 30 knots.
I replaced a chafed line on the wind vane and when I went to use the electronic auto pilot it now doesn’t want to work, it appears that it is jammed and kicks it’s breaker like it does when it is hard over and can’t steer. I will have Debbie call on this one and see what she can find out.
Later in the day I popped my last popcorn and enjoyed it very much. I was kicking myself for not bringing more as my crackers are also almost gone. Then I decided to take one more look in the popcorn locker and there at the very bottom I discovered 5- more bags ‘Yahoo’!!

As evening came on so did the storm and this is much worse than predicted. I got soaked getting the mizzen down and the stay sail so I could run under bare poles.

DAY 96

24hr.Run=143NM. Position=Lat.46*51’S. Long.77*41’E.

Weather=Wind=W 50-65Kts.  Seas=20-40+ft   Bar=990mb

The storm rages on and it is sustained 50+knots and gusting 65-knots.

I have gone to the drogue as I was hitting 9 knots bare poles. The drogue a 6 ft. delta slowed the boat to about 3-4 knots and made things seem a little more under control. One large breaking wave took away my man overboard pole, fortunately I had no name on it.                       Another breaking wave tore one of the struts off the solar panels so I improvised another one out of schedule-40-PVC

This is by far the worst storm I have encountered at sea, the waves are getting monstrous at 40+ft. and the wind is screeching and howling and I pray it will let up soon. I see a slight rise in the barometer and pray it keeps moving up.

Hanging in there in the “Big One” The Jefe

THE STORM DROGUE THAT JEFF IS USING BEHIND SAILORS RUN

SHOWING HOW THE STORM DROGUE IS USED