Monthly Archives: April 2016

0 AROUND ALONE DAYS 178-179-180

Around Alone Days-178-179-180.

Day-178. 24hr.Run=144nm. Pos. Lat.28*50′ S. Long.102*54’W. Weather=Bar=1005mb Wind=NW 10-25kts. Seas=NW 8-10ft. Cabin Temp71*-74*.

Sailing fast today, dropping down the mizzen when winds exceed 25 kts. to maintain a better course down wind.
Before I left on this voyage my friend John was looking at all the canned goods that I was taking along, and he said you better make sure you have two can openers.
I already had one nice one I had paid like 9-dollars for, so picked up a second cheap one in Ecuador for like $1.50, and figured I was set. Now after nearly 6-months and many cans later neither of those two can openers works. Although the cheap can opener opened twice as many cans as the expensive one. Fortunate for me I have two “leather man”, multipurpose tools; you know the ones with pliers and knife blades, saws, files, etc. Now the can openers on those tools are tough and work perfectly every time with no moving parts except your muscles.

Day-179. 24hr.Run=106nm. Pos. Lat.27*45’S. Long.101*50’W. Weather=Bar=1005mb.Wind=NW 7-10kts. Seas=W 6-10ft. Cabin Temp=73*-76*

Today is a nice sunny day with much lighter winds and the thermometer actually hits 76*. I used to believe that 75* was the perfect temperature but after spending so many years in the little latitudes and out on the water, I now believe 86* is perfect.

Now with approximately 2-weeks left to go I must begin to prepare myself for reentry, back into a more complex life with stimuli coming from many different directions, and watch as the oneness of the “solo sailor”, slowly vanishes, being left out upon the sea.
I must now be especially cautious, and aware, as I’m not yet there, waiting until I’m safely moored up inside, upon the Rio Chone River to finally let down.
This particular voyage is one huge block of consciousness, that I’m sure will linger in my mind forever.

All my previous adventures will pale in comparison to this one, and I doubt I will ever do anything to compare to it in either my future sailing or otherwise.
I’m just truly glad that I have had the opportunity to share this experience with many others, and hope it will possibly in some way help them to step up and take on their next big adventure.

Day-180.  24hr.Run=75nm. Pos. Lat. 27*12’S. Long.100*51’W. Weather= Bar=1005mb. Wind=W-6-10kts. Seas=W 6-10ft. Temp 73*-75*

The winds just seem to becoming lighter, and I knew this route might not be the fastest but I have opted for the safer route. We have been flying the spinnaker for the past 17 hours and the winds have stayed light.

A very good friend of mine Wayne asked me what food do I miss the most. I started thinking about it and was drooling by the time I was done. One food wasn’t enough at this point, so I decided if I had my choice, my special meal whether it is upon my arrival to Bahia Caraquez or before they hang or shoot me, would go like this.
Nice greasy fried chicken, homemade French fries with tartar sauce, Tossed green salad with blue cheese dressing, A “grape float”[ice cream and grape pop];now that is not desert as desert would be a couple of rum and cokes and “Debbie”, and of course there is nothing wrong with having “Desert First”.
Trying to get there the Jefe’.     

Total miles sailed so far=22,792nm.

Miles sailed last three days=325nm.

Miles left to finish at Bahia=1976nm.

Top speed so far =14.1kts.

0 AROUND ALONE DAYS 175-176-177

Sailors Run sailing along

Day 175. 24hr.Run=139nm. Pos.Lat.33*00S. Long.106*33’W. Weather=Wind=N 20-30+kts. Seas=N 8-15Ft. Cabin Temp=72*-74*. Bar=998mb

Day-176. 24hr.Run=153nm. Pos. Lat.31*32’S. Long.104*53′ Weather=Wind=NW 12-30kts. Seas=NW. 8-12ft. Cabin Temp=71*-75*. Bar=1001mb

Day-177. 24hr.Run=85nm. Pos. Lat.30*45’S. Long.103*54’W. Weather=Wind=5-15kts.NW. Seas =6-10ft. SW-NW. Cabin Temp=71*75*. Bar=1004mb

Total Miles Sailed so Far=22,467nm.

Miles sailed last three days=377nm.

Miles left to go to finish=2,243nm.

Top speed so far=14.1kts.

THE REST OF THE STORY;

Day-175.
Once again “Sailors Run” is put to the test, pounding hard to weather in very rough seas under reefed mizzen, stay sail and tiny bit of “Patches”.

The SW swell at 10-feet colliding with the wind waves that are up to 15ft. from the N. causes us to “Bang and Crash” forward somehow towards our destination.
I’m hoping to pick up the SE trades in about 3-days and leave the worst weather behind us in our wake.
We are still sailing on into uncertainty as yet there is no word back from Tripp Martin at the Marina, whether or not the channel in to Bahia is open.
Debbie is doing all she can to get this info. She has heard the channel has moved, but not if it is still navigable.

Day-176.
Today the sailing is great, and the winds are down a little, as well as the seas.

I’m down to my last big chocolate bar and they will be greatly missed, however I have a big bag of chocolate chips that will pick up some of the slack in the “sack” department. I believe I only have 5-more “Top Ramon” breakfasts, before I go to pancakes every day. Dinners seem to be holding out for now.

I should mention that Electronic Latitude 38 for April had a nice article on the “Circumnavigation”, check it out on line. www.latitude38.com

I awoke about 5 am to screeching winds as a very powerful squall was upon us in the 50-knot range and the reefed main needed to come down.
I struggled to get clear of my berth on the low side as Sailors Run was pinned down hard on her side.

It seemed like forever to get the foulies and boots on before clamoring on deck. I clipped in and inched forward with spray and waves crashing about.

Once at the mast I grabbed the halyard to the main and let it fly, and hauled the sail down while clinging to the mast, in the wild conditions that were trying to pitch me off the boat.
It wasn’t until early the next morning that I discovered the strap that holds the double main sheet block had popped one of the 5/16″ rivets off, separating it from one of the two 4-wheel slides that run on the main sheet track. I made a temporary fix with a small bolt reattaching the strap. I believe this should hold till I get in.

Day-177.
After that big squall the winds died to where we were eventually becalmed for 4-hours, and we rocked and rolled in the cross swells, forcing me to reduce sail, thereby reducing the flogging. Eventually the winds slowly filled in and we were off once again “homeward bound”.
I got really great news in on the sail mail.

The email was from Tripp Martin congratulating me on the circumnavigation, and to let me know that they are waiting for my arrival in Bahia and that “YES” not only is the channel open but appears to be one meter deeper.

Tripp is doing all he can to take care of the cruisers and he expects power to be back on at Puerto Amistad in the next couple of days as well as the internet service.
Now I have to tell you I breathed a “huge sigh” of relief upon hearing that news.
Trying to keep it all together the “Jefe”.

0 AROUND ALONE DAYS 172-173-174

Around Alone Days- 172-173-174.

Day-172.
24hr.Run=81nm. Pos. Lat.34*20’S. Long.112*14’W.
Weather=Bar=1012mb. Wind NNW 4-12kts. Seas NNW 4-6ft. Cabin Temp=71-73*

Day-173.
24hr.Run=49nm. Pos. Lat.34*30 S. Long.111*17’W. Weather=Bar=1016mb. Wind=4-12kts. NNE. Seas= N 4-6ft. Cabin Temp=71*-74*.

Day-174.
24hr.Run=129nm. Pos. Lat.33*53’S. Long. 109*02’W. Weather=Bar=1004mb. Wind=N 10-15kts. Seas= N 6-8ft. Cabin Temp.=71*-73*.

Total Miles sailed so far=22,090nm.

Miles sailed in last 3-days=259nm.

Distance left to finish line off Bahia=2,558nm.

Fastest speed so far =14.1kts.

The Rest of the Story.

Day-172.
Today we sailed on into dying winds that were nearly no existent by the end of the day.

It’s strange how things happen, as today both my Spot locator device and my outside GPS started acting up. The spot no longer has the right light configuration when you turn it on and seems to have failed. The Gps  hot power terminal on the GPS for the external power source has corroded away, and now requires new batteries every 24 hrs. Fortunate for me they are double AA batteries and I have a bunch of them. These two pieces of electronic equipment are the 4th and 5th pieces of electronic equipment to have failed do to the harsh “Southern Ocean” environment.

Day-173.
The winds are staying light as yet another low forms right on top of us. This area seems to be the nurturing source where the warm moist winds coming down from the north tend to start circulating over these cooler waters, and forming into low pressure systems that move off to the SE..
This becomes the challenge to any sailor out on the open ocean, and that is to marry the forces of nature to his sailing vessel into a harmonious relationship that powers them together across vast oceans.
One can only find peace of mind far out on the vast ocean by being confident in the seaworthy ness of his vessel, and the knowledge and experience that he, the skipper always has a plan to deal with whatever nature brings his way.

Day-174.
Today the winds are increasing and from a direction that is propelling us along on a favorable course. We have been pounding to weather for the last week, having to stay close to the winds of varying strengths to gain distance towards our destination.

Debbie just informed me that she read in Latitude 38, that I’m the oldest American to Circumnavigate via the “5-Great Capes”. The oldest person to do it was a Japanese sailor Minoru Saito 71 years old on a 50-footer back in 2004-5, and the oldest women is British Jean Socrates 70 years young on a 38 foot boat just a year or two ago.
Now this is a great honor, but I was kind of hoping to be the “Hottest Guy’ to solo the “5-Great Capes” as Debbie says I am! HA HA!
Well I just hope this feat entitles me to 50% off on everything it’s going to take to put “Humpty Dumpty” [Sailors Run], back together again.
Now come on “Finish Line”.
Anxiously looking for the “end”, the Jefe’

0 AROUND ALONE DAYS 169,170,171

Total miles sailed so far=21,831 nautical miles

Miles sailed last three days=323 nautical mile

Distance to go to Finish line off Bahia=2775 nautical miles

Top speed so far 14.1 knots

THE REST OF THE STORY:

DAY: 169= 24hr Run=06 nautical miles

Pos: 36*47’S. Long. 118*54′ W.; Weather=Wind=0-5 NW mostly becalmed.;Seas=4-6 feet

Cabin Temp=71*-73*; Bar=1010 millibars

THIS MORNING finds Sailors Run becalmed, and it starts to pour down rain.

I suit up and quickly get on deck plugging up scuppers to trap the rain. I scoop up the peddled water managing to get a much needed 15 gallons into the starboard tank. Obtaining this water lets me breathe a little easier, as now I possibly have enough to get to Bahia.

It appears that I have a 0.7 kt. counter current pushing us to the west, and we stay becalmed, for twenty hours before the winds start to fill in from the north. The end result is the worst day of the trip so far netting only 6 nm.

This very dismal performance was only slightly offset by the water I had collected, and at this rate it will take 503 more days to get to Bahia; Hmmmmmm!

I think this is when you are supposed to start off loading excess weight. Like in the old sailing days it was the horses that went. I can’t seem to find no “Damn” horses so must pray for wind as a “Birthday Gift” for tomorrow.
DAY: 170= 24hr.Run=161 nautical miles

Pos:  Lat.35*38′ S. long. 116*20’W; Weather= Wind =N 12-25kts ; Seas N 6-10 feet

Cabin Temp=73*-73*; Bar=1012 millibar

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME
Today is a mile stone in my life as I sail on into my 70th-year, and I did get my present of plenty of wind to sail with.
When I think of my age, and what I’m doing I have to reflect back upon my mentor “Clarence Plotts”.

I met Clarence while studying with the Tacoma Power Squadron, soaking up all I could about Navigation, Seamanship and Sailing. Clarence taught the sailing course, and he seen the keen interest I displayed for sailing.

Well one thing lead to another and I ended up racing with Clarence, aboard his beloved boat “Pinocchio” for three years and we “kicked ass”.

Clarence raced until he was 90-years old and at 92 I helped him Sail “Pinocchio to Seattle to put her up for sale.
I remember asking Clarence what he would do now, and he said, he was just about done, and wouldn’t last long. Clarence died on his 93rd birthday, but I can only assure you this, he was very much alive and lived life to the fullest for at least 92 of those years.

DAY: 171=24hr.Run=156 nautical miles

Pos: Lat.34* 46’S. Long. 114*00’W.; Weather=Wind= NNW 12-15 knots ; Seas=NNW 6-8ft

Cabin Temp=63*-64*. ; Bar=1013 millibar

DEBBIE & I are both devastated by the catastrophic damage caused by the 7.8-magnitude earth quake in Ecuador.

Our hearts and prayers go out to the Ecuadorian people in their struggle to survive, and start the rebuilding process.
We have many friends in Bahia, Caraquez and fortunately we believe they have all survived, but some are homeless living at the college with many other people from their area.
We are just gradually starting to get the picture as to the extent of the damage to homes, buildings and businesses where people might have been employed. Phone lines are down and power is out in many areas, and because the whole west coast is affected, recovery will be slow and resources to do so in short supply locally.
For me and the Sailors Run it feels much like being on a space mission where you are returning to earth and when you get back it somehow looks very different from when you left.

Debbie and I have not yet been able to make contact with Tripp, the Marina owner and are not even sure there is an open channel to reenter the river. We do know that Tripp, Maye & there daughter Franchy are okay and no doubt dealing with the disaster taking care of priorities.

So for now I sail on for Bahia, and by the time I arrive I will have “boots on the ground” Debbie. Who knows I might see her out there shoveling out the channel at low tide so I can get in.

We had hoped to leave the boat there and fly home, but were not for sure there is a there!

I will be out of food, water, and propane by then. Worst case I will have to provision off shore and sail for Peru or the Marquesas, as I don’t like the lightning in Panama or the Hurricanes off Mexico in the summer.

So, as for that big planned celebration, it doesn’t look real promising, but I’m sure like most things it will somehow all work out “just fine”.
“Hmmmmmm” which way to “steer, the Jefe’.

PICTURES ARE FROM LAST YR-2014

Tripp & Maye,owners of Puerto Amistad

Debbie in front of Puerto Amistad,Bahia Caraquez, Ecuador

0 AROUND ALONE DAYS-166-167-168

Around Alone Days-166-167-168.

Total Miles sailed so far=21,508 nautical miles=  Miles sailed last 3-days=205 nautical miles

Distance left to go to finish line-3,032 nautical miles= Top speed so far=14.1 knots
THE REST OF THE STORY:

DAY-166 =24 hr.Run=43 nm. Position:Lat: 36*18’S. Long: 122*42’W.

Weather=Bar=1008 mb= Wind=2-25 kts NE. Seas=NE-4-6 ft Cabin Temp.=71*-71*

Today we went over on the port tack, that taking us to the SE, where hopefully winds from the low will allow us to sail to the east
I have eaten the last of the popcorn and drank my last cup of coco. I can substitute tea for the coco but there is nothing for the popcorn. The one good thing about me eating my way to the bottom of all our provisions, is that all the new stuff will be good for several years down the road.
The ocean is warming up around us and the warm moist air coming down from the tropics seems so thick you could cut it with a “knife”.

Debbie is packing her bags and in those bags will be our new refrigeration system and a few other goodies for the boat.
Now with just a little over 3000nm to go, all I have to do is sail a distance across the Pacific equal to the size of the United States.

DAY-167= 24 hr Run=63 nm. Position: Lat.36*27’S. Long.121*01’W.

Weather= Bar=1006mb. Wind=N-5-20kts. Seas=6-8 ft. Cabin Temp=73*75*

I’m currently closing in on my outward bound track, and should be crossing that tomorrow. The low that the weather info showed overtaking me, apparently has gone someplace else and hopefully the sailing will be much better than yesterday

It’s truly amazing how my cooking skills are coming along Take my gravy for instance, once I switched from using two cups of flour, to 2-tablespoons of flour, now the gravy just flows over whatever you put it on, whereas before you could have laid “bricks” with it.

Also making gravy in a frying pan is never a good idea when pounding to weather unless the stove and cabin sole need oiling. I now almost need “ski poles” to stay at the stove when healed over.

DAY-168= 24 hr.Run=99 nm. Pos: Lat.36*20′ S. Long.119*09’W.

Weather=Bar=1009mb. Wind=NNE-3-40+kts.Seas=8-18ft. Cabin Temp=73*-73*

Today winds are gusting over 40-kts and I have had to go to the staysail and run off for a while until winds settled back down.

***Today is another mile stone of the voyage as after 167-days and 8-hours we have crossed over our out bound route completing the loop around the globe***

Now it is just a matter of sailing to the Finish line of Bahia Caraquez,Ecuador and who knows how long that might take?

In search of “favorable winds” the Jefe’

0 AROUND ALONE ADVENTURE DAY 167-GOOD NEWS

         ARRRGH MATES!! GREAT NEWS ABOUT JEFF!

APRIL 15TH 2016

RECEIVED AN EMAIL ON DAY 167 THAT SAILORS RUN AND THE CAPTAIN HAVE
FINALLY TIED THE LOOP!   AT LATITUDE 36’27 S- LONGITUDE 121’01 W

RIGHT WHERE THE TWO BLUE LINES MEET AT WHAT LOOKS LIKE THE TOP OF A BEAR’S SNOUT WHERE ARROW IS POINTING

ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS GET ENOUGH WIND TO KEEP ON THAT BLUE LINE TO THAT BIG YELLOW SMILING STICKER 🙂
I KNOW,I KNOW,A SAILORS DREAM,BEEN THERE DONE THAT!!

(on picture,right where the arrows are pointing)

0 AROUND ALONE DAYS-163-164-165

Around Alone Days-163-164-165.

Day-163 24hr.Run=127nm.

Pos.Lat.38*18’S.Long.125*39’W. Weather=Wind=S-12-30kts.Seas=SW 10-13ft.

Cabin Temp=64*-69*. Bar=1002mb

Day-164 24hr.Run=123nm.

Pos. Lat.37*21’S. Long.123*59’W. Weather=Wind=SE 7-12kts. Seas=se 6-10ft.

Cabin Temp=65*-68*. Bar=1008mb
Day-165 24hr.Run=115nm.

Pos. Lat.35*48′. Long.123*59’W. Weather=Wind= E 7-20kts. Seas=E6-10ft.

Cabin Temp.68*-69*. Bar=1007mb

Total Miles sailed so far=21,303nm.

Miles sailed last 3-days=368nm.

Distance to go to finish line at Bahia Caraquez=3186nm.

Top speed so far=14.1kts

THE REST OF THE STORY:

DAY 163.
The barometer is rising, and soon  the winds begin coming down and many hours later, the seas also drop down, and I breathe a sigh of relief.
I put the mizzen back up and several hours later in 20-knots of breeze I hoist the mainsail back up to keep speed up.
Today is Sunday and I always run the engine for 15-minutes in neutral to circulate the oil and dry the moisture out of the engine.
When I go out in the cock pit to shut down engine I’m greeted by a strange, rather musical sound, like someone playing the comb with wax paper on it. I look over the stern at the exhaust water and there is just a trickle coming out and the exhaust without water is making the music. I immediately shut the engine down, and soon realize my mistake.
I share this with you as it might save you problems in the future. Since I was sailing well healed over and waves on the beam were rolling me even further over, at times I was sucking air instead of water into the engine thru hull fitting, and “smoked” the rubber impeller, on the raw water pump, that needs the water for cooling and lubrication.
I have never had this happen before but should have realized it could. Fortunately, I have spare impellers and it is an easy fix.

DAY-164.
We have a drought aboard Sailors Run, and now our reservoir is down to the last 15-gallons of water. We still have about three weeks to go and I might be able to make it. I still have the hand operated water maker that I have been advised not to use, because I will end up looking like “Popeye”.

Well that might not be so bad after all my “Hash Harrier”[runners group] name I was given in Samoa is “Popeye”.
There is yet another low that has formed NW of me and headed our way. This one I do believe will pass astern of us, but will impede our progress by hitting us with 25+Knot winds from the NE forcing us to the SE.

DAY-165.
Today I headed into what was going to be a very productive day.
First I replaced the impeller on the engine, and had a bit of trouble as my liquid gasket material in the tube had all set-up solid. So I made do by using the inflatable dingy glue for the gasket material and it seemed to have worked.
Next on my list was “Patches as I decided since it was a nice day to bring her down and do the three needed patches. This project went “side-ways” on me at the get go, as the halyard jammed in the mast where it entered because the outer jacket on the line had chafed through and bunched up causing the jam. The sail won’t come down without me going up in the boson chair and cutting away the excess jacket and taping the jacket down so it can inter the mast.
Since the last time I patched “Patches”, and put her up, only to see another two foot tear in just 15-minutes, I have a hard time going thru all that this repair will require; so for now it’s back to using “Patches at 10-15% rolled out. Possibly If I get stuck in the center of a high I will be more motivated.
I eased the strain off the chafed halyard, as the genoa is going nowhere most of the way rolled in.
I have changed our distance to go from the turn north to the finish line at Bahia. I still need to get east for weather reasons and will be trying to do that, but lately these lows have been forcing me north at times. It now comes down to a chess game where you try to anticipate the weathers next move so you can place your vessel in the right part of the ocean, and it can be very frustrating and sometimes very little forward progress is made.

” Ene meany miny moe”, what in the “Hell” way, should the Jefe’ go.

0 Around Alone Days-160-161-162

DAY-160 24hr Run=64 nm.Position:Lat.40*46’S.Long.130*12’W Weather=Wind=N 7-10kts. Seas=4-6ft. Cabin Temp=66*-68*. Bar=1010mb

DAY-161 24hr Run=87 nm Position:Lat.40829’s. Long.129*19’W Weather=Wind= N-NE. 5-40+kntos  Seas=N-NE 8-15 feet  Cabin Temp=66*-68*. Bar=989mb.Wind
DAY-162 24hr Run=142 nm Position:Lat.39*11’S.Long.127*30’W. Weather=Wind N-SW. 18-40+ knots  Seas SW 15-20 feet  Cabin Temp 64*-69* Bar=996mb
Total Miles sailed so far=20,938nm.
Miles sailed last 3-days=292nm.
Miles left to go to turn North=814nm.

THE REST OF THE STORY:

DAY-160.
Today is a cloudy day with light WNW winds, and early on, this day, the barometer remains steady at 1010 mb.
I’m waiting for the once fast moving low moving at 30kts. that is coming down from the NW, and it appears to be slowing down to 15kts. and passing just above me, or on top of me.

I must admit that this reminds me of when I was in the 6th grade and had shinned a kid while playing soccer during first recess, and he challenged me to a fight after school, and I had agreed to meet him in one corner of the field out behind the school.  Well, all day long I watched the clock and it must have been every half hour in my mind I fought this kid over and over again.
At last the final school bell rang and I and my buddy went to the far corner of the field to wait for the kid. Wouldn’t you know it he never showed up, which was alright with me, as it must have been with him, as he never looked me up again.

Now once again I find myself watching the clock and the barometer for the fight that is yet to come. I know I must tack to the north when the 30kt. East winds come, but for now it is a “waiting game”.

DAY-161.
The day of reckoning is upon us, as the winds steadily build and the barometer plunges towards the bottom.
It was just after dinner that my course started heading more to the south, and with the rising winds I decided to drop the main sail down.
I tacked over on to the starboard tack, now pounding to weather on a heading of 345* giving up progress to the east. The seas are rising now 10-12ft and Sailors Run Bashes head long into them.
(Sometimes I think an off shore cruising yacht should have a “Tums” dispenser both fore and aft.)
Now I wonder, have I tacked too soon giving up hard earned miles and how long will this continue.

After just 30-minutes the winds are blowing 30kts, and after one hour they are gusting over 40kts, and even though it is dark and time to sleep the Jefe’ gets none.
I squirm in my bunk the safest place in bad weather, and wonder by heading directly into this low what kind of “Pandora’s box” have I opened.

Sailors Run has been my “war horse” so many times on this voyage, and I feel my stomach muscles tense as she vaults of a huge wave and comes crashing down into the face of the next one; the mast shudders and the entire hull vibrates, and I wonder just how many times can she with stand this brutal punishment.

I question myself is there not something I can do to ease Sailors Run’s struggle. After two hours we are sailing due north and sometimes making 20-degrees of east actually gaining some ground, but at what seems like a huge risk of catastrophic failure, in the deteriorating circumstances.

I run through the abandon ship drill in my mind, May Day, Get out quick bag, Gumby suit(a full emersion suit),Deploy life raft.

It was after being launched off one particularly large wave where we grabbed a lot of air and crashed into the trough, slamming me down hard on my berth, and then sending a horrendous shuddering through the boat, that I finally said that’s it, and rolled out of my berth and suited up to go top side.
Once in the cock pit I hurriedly altered our course away from the wind and waves by about 10-degrees. I can’t fall off too much for fear of taking a large breaking wave on the beam and getting knocked down or worse, rolled all the way over.
Once safely below decks I check the barometer and it is now reading 990mb, and we are obviously beating through the squall filled outer wall of the low. I wonder how long it will take to reach the core of the low.

This all started about 6pm and at 2am suddenly the wind appears to have stopped and all is quiet below. I go top side to see what is going on and find that we are back winded in a moderate 17 kt breeze from the North. I trim the sails in as they should be and reset the wind-vane and we are now sailing almost due east in a nice breeze with confused seas that slam into us from all sorts of directions, but they are smaller seas, and Sailors Run takes them in stride.
We are now sailing inside the low, and the barometer is reading 986mb. The low is moving over us and I wonder how long before the back of the low’s wall will overtake us.
Soon I collapse into a deep sleep.

DAY-162.
After Four hours its 10am, and my eyes pop open, and I find we are sailing along nicely to the east and the barometer is still at 986mb.
Suddenly at 3pm our world changes, as the back wall strikes us, and the winds go to the SW30-40+kts and the mizzen comes down and we sail on a broad reach under staysail alone, hitting 7kts at times.
The seas are higher now reaching 20ft. this happens because in the Southern Ocean there is almost always a SW swell running 6-10ft, and when you apply 40kts of wind to those swells they grow rapidly into storm force waves.

Sailors Run’s cockpit is filled several times by waves breaking over the stern, and several rogue waves strike us on the beam forcing a small amount of water below decks at times.
When Sailors Run runs before these following seas it remains fairly comfortable below decks, and I can actually sleep “sometimes”.
Riding out the” blow” the Jefe’.

0 AROUND ALONE DAYS-157-158-159

JUST ABOUT WHERE SAILORS RUN AND JEFF ARE

Total miles sailed so far=20,645nm.
Miles sailed last three days=448nm.
Distance to go to turn North=978nm.

THE REST OF THE STORY:

DAY-157 24hr.Run=135nm.

Pos: Lat.42*06’S. Long.136*52’W. Weather: Wind=NE-N 7-15kts. Seas=N 6-8ft.

Cabin Temp.=65*-71*. Bar=1010

Today we started out with light winds that filled in late in the afternoon, and we are presently sailing fast.

Today I received a most welcome email from Debbie, where once again she has stepped up to be part of “Team Sailors Run” and agreed to yet another off shore passage. We will depart Bahia, Ecuador in early November sailing the “Clipper Route” to Barra De Navidad, Mexico, a passage of some 2100nm. and it should take about 17-days.

Now my immediate concerns, are the two lows that I must deal with here in the “Roaring 40s.

One is already bringing me NW winds that I will try to get the most easting out of as possible and slip a little to the north, trying to out run the second low that is gradually overtaking me and should hit by the 10th. This low is predicted to intensify rapidly and could end up right on top of us, pounding us with head winds to 40+kts. This is never a good feeling.
For now we just “Haul Ass” to the ENE and pray it drops in just behind us. You know what they say if you can’t run with the “Big Dogs”, you best just stay on the porch!

DAY-158 24hr.Run=173nm.

Pos: Lat.42*07’S. Long.134*06′ W. Weather: Wind=NW 12-15kts. Seas=NW 6-8ft.

Cabin Temp=65*-67* Bar=1011mb

Today finds us still sailing fast with warm winds from the NW. It’s so warm that I’m only wearing one set of long underwear on the bottom with shorts on top of them and double long underwear on top with a T-shirt.

I’m still eating pancakes every other day with fruit, and my special Top Ramon & tuna breakfast with fruit on the other days. There is no lunch, making that easy. Dinner is either, chicken, spaghetti and vegetables, or chicken, potatoes and vegetables, or rice, chicken and vegetables. I must admit my cooking skills are improving, as now the instant potatoes are coming out thicker than the gravy for a change.
I do still get a small piece of chocolate for a treat each day and for a little longer a cup of coco in the evenings.

Those of you, who have been following me by my “spot” locator, haven’t been getting a position lately as I’m in a remote part of the Pacific, where there is no spot coverage. I will however continue to set it out once a day until I hear from someone that it is being picked up once again, then will put it out twice a day after that. It should kick back in around 120* longitude.
DAY-159 24hr.Run=140.

Pos: Lat41*19’S. Long.131*52’W. Weather: Wind=WNW 7-15kts. Seas=WNW.6-8ft.

Cabin Temp=66*-71* Bar=1010mb

Winds today are westerly and much lighter.

Last night was another one of those nights where the sky looked like a “bowl of diamonds”.

It has been suggested to me by our good friends Cal & Elly formerly from the yacht “Desperado” that I should harvest the goose neck barnacles hanging on my stern, as they are considered a delicacy in Europe going for about 200-dollars a plate. They say they taste somewhere between clams and lobster. I’m thinking about doing it but have yet to devise a way to scrape them off and catch them at the same time. They are close to the water and possibly a dust pan might work

I’m still ahead of the low, but the winds are going light much like the calm before the “storm”.
“Running Scared Skinny” the Jefe

0 AROUND ALONE DAYS-154-155-156

THIS IS WHERE SAILORS RUN & JEFF IS,
RIGHT ABOVE THE “L” ON THE WORD “WORLD” AND UP ABOVE IS BAHIA, ECUADOR BY THE BIG SUNGLASS SMILY FACE

THE STORY:

Total Miles sailed so far=20,197nm.
Miles sailed last three days=407nm.
Distance to turn north=1,295nm.
Top speed so far=14.1kts.

DAY-154 24hr.Run=109nm.

Position:  Lat.40*53’S. Long.143*55′ W.

Weather= Wind=WNW 7-20kts. Seas=6-10ft. Cabin Temp=62*-65*. Bar=1003mb

Today the sailing was primarily under light winds.

I came across a fleet of commercial fishing boats and was contacted by Paul aboard ” Seven Daughters” registered out of Haines,Alaska. They were fishing for Albacore Tuna, and Paul reported the fishing was slow yet slightly better than last year. He said once they get 600 fish they head for Tahiti for fuel then up to Vancouver Canada where they spend the off season.

On this night the sky was so clear that it looked like you could stand on deck, and pick the stars out of the heavens above.

Fishing Vessel Seven daughters Jeff was talking to

DAY-155 24hr.Run=122nm.

Position: Lat.41*25’S Long.141*57’W.

Weather=Wind=WNW 8-15kts. Seas=WNW6-8ft. Cabin Temp=62*-66*. Bar=1000mb.

Today I find myself studying the pilot charts, as I have become somewhat apprehensive about my planned point where I intended to turn north. The reason being I’m later getting here, later than I had hoped and the fall weather can be pretty unpredictable at 45* south and the 85* west.

I also must admit that I’m suffering a bit from “Battle Fatigue”, and figure if I’m going to deal with the elements I would sooner do it in warmer waters.

I have decided to go over the high or thru it rather than sail under and around. This route will be slightly shorter but most likely no faster, but I feel safer given the time of year.

I will still have adequate rhumb line mileage for a credited circumnavigation.

AN IN SITE TO WHAT A TEAR IN THE SAIL LOOKS LIKE

THIS IS WHAT PATCHES LOOK LIKE SEWN ON A SAIL, OURS NOT IN COLOR THO

DAY-156 24hr.Run=176nm.

Position: Lat.42*40’S Long.139*21’W

Weather=Wind= NE 12-25kts. Seas=NE 6-10ft. Cabin Temp=63*-67*. Bar=1005mb

Sailing fast today close on the wind with “Patches” rolled out just 10% reefed main, reefed mizzen and full staysail.

Now the reason “Patches is only 10% out is that she has three tears buried on the furled portion of the sail, and I need both a nice day and the desire to get her patched.

“Patches” however has become famous and here is a song that was written about her, by Liz Wilder a follower of the adventure:

If your happy and you know it, Patch it there!

If your sailing and you know it, Patch it here!

If your happy that your sailing and you know it needed Patching, then you just Patch it e.v.e.r.y.w.h.e.r.e.!!!” ha ha.

Yes, happy that I’m sailing and yes, I will no doubt be patching it everywhere, The Jefe’