Monthly Archives: March 2019

Total distance sailed so far: 3711 nm

Distance sailed last three days: 379 nm. .

Day-25.

  24 hr.Run: 133 nm. Pos. Lat.33*16’N. Long. 153*33’W.

Weather:Winds: 10-15 kts NNE. Seas:  4-6ft .NNE. Course 075*

Speed: 6 kts. Cabin Temp at 7 am=60* Bar: 1023 mb. up-3 mb.

The Rest of the Story.

  The winds have dropped way down and so have the seas so it was time for me to set about to fix that roller furling system. I had worked the project through in my head before ever heading up on deck. I redid the end on the genoa halyard as it was showing signs of chafe. Then I wrapped a grape vine knot on to the furler foil and winched it up from where it had broken. The foil slid up about 6 inches before stopping at the top of the mast. I grabbed the end of the broken piece that was still in the furler tube and could move it up just slightly before it got hung up. I then took a very large screw driver and pounded it down inside on the out side of the foil and against the wall of the tube, this allowed me to bend it in towards the stay. I also did the same thing on the other side of the piece of foil then reached over and pulled it out and off the stay.

 Next, I cut the end of the foil off square with my angle cutting wheel getting rid of the flared broken end then lowered the foil back down into the furler tube. It took some pounding to get it in there as it is a very tight fit, and suddenly Sailors Run was ready to have her most powerful working sail hoisted up into the foil.

  Wow, what a difference this made in boat speed as we went from 4-kts to 6-kts just like that and I felt a great concern was lifted off my mind.

                        Definitely time to “splice the main brace”.El Jefe’.

Day-26.

  24 hr. Run:146 nm.  Pos. Lat.32*57’N. Long.150*51’W.

Weather: Wind: 10-15 kts. NE  Seas: 4-6 feet NE.

Course 117*T  Speed=5.5 kts. Cabin Temp at 7am=60*.

Bar.=1020 mb. Down 3 mb.

The Rest of the Story.

  Today sailing pretty fast on a good course towards the east. My weather looks like light winds ahead,tomorrow as I sail into a wind hole. How long this will last is a good question but hopefully less than 12 hrs.

  Food supply’s continue to diminish aboard Sailors Run. I have but three chicken thighs left in the freezer and now am actively fishing, hoping to fill that freezer back up, but no guarantees out here. I have seen no birds on the sea the past three days and that is a bad sign for fishing.

 In the heavy winds and seas the Albatross were gliding about on every wave it seemed, I mean they seem oblivious to 40 knots and seem to take shelter in the troughs of the large waves.

 I have lots of canned tuna and Spam so will not go hungry. I have eaten the last orange yesterday and now have lots of apples. I also have potatoes,onions and two cabbages for stir fry’s just looking for some fish.

  I seem to keep being pushed further south and that concerns me. I will be sailing 70* to get some northerly when the opportunity arises.

                                Just “slip sliding” across the Pacific. El Jefe’.

Day-27

  24 hr. Run:100 nm. Pos, Lat.33*10N. Long.149*04’W.

Weather: Winds: 4-15 kts. NE switching to SSW. Seas: 4-6 feet, Course=080*T. Speed 7 kts. Cabin Temp at 7am=62*

Bar.:1015 mb. down-5 mb.

The Rest of the Story.

  A high pressure system has formed in my area and it became necessary to splash up the diesel as what wind there was,was 54 kts on my nose. I’m never anxious to burn fuel with still a long ways to go as you never know what kind of rigging failure could occur but it is reassuring to know you could motor for 5-6 hundred miles.

 I bit the bullet and powered for 10-hours until a favorable wind started filling in from the SW and soon we were sailing swiftly along.

  There is a low pressure area coming to my area and the winds should be up pretty good around 30 kts.

I noticed one of the steering lines on the Monitor wind vane was chaffing through the outer jacket and replaced it with a new line while conditions were still mild.

  Still no luck at catching any fish, but I know if I put it out there everyday sooner or later something is going to grab it.

  I want to thank all my friends in Majuro that have been staying in Radio contact with me up until now, and it seems that I’m just now to distant and our time differences is making it nearly impossible to hear each other. So please pass the word that I will no longer be on the radio and Thanks so much for being there, and all future communication will be via email.

                                  Sailing into Radio Oblivion El Jefe’.

 24 hr. Run: 137 nm. Pos.34*10’N. Long. 161.19′.W.

Weather: Wind: 20-30 kts. Seas: 10-15 feet. Course: 119*T –

Speed: 6 kts. Cabin Temp at 7 am:59* Bar: 1020 mb up 2mb.

 The Rest of the Story.

  Today was a decent sailing day and I hoisted a reefed main and reefed Mizzen to go with the stay sail keeping our speed up as the wind and seas are moderating some what.

  I also took advantage of this day to pull the Genoa sail out of the bag below decks and inspect it for damage and yes, I found some. One of the seams pretty high up on the sail and by the leech had let go when the sail had deployed its self in 25 knots and was popping up forward. Fortunately for me the seam was only 20-inches long and I had it patched within an hour or so.

  I also added another line further lashing the dinghy to the deck as it has the tendency to slide around up there causing chafe and wear.

  The next two days look good weather wise for good progress to the east.

  I have been reading lots of books on this voyage and they are of a good variety, like the God Father and Gangster stories. Of course, then I change to Nora Roberts where her stories have good sex and she brings out the good qualities in her characters in the stories and you can’t help but appreciate her writing skills. MY wife Debbie thinks the sex parts are way to much, but out here they seem “just about right”, making up a good portion of the sex life of the “single handed sailor”.

                              Sailing along nicely today in the Northern Pacific. El Jefe’.

Day-23.

24 hr.Run: 141 nm. Pos. Lat. 33*57’N Long.158*32’W.

Weather: Wind 18-25 kts. NW. Seas: 8-10 ft. NW. Course=077*T.

Speed: 6 kts. Cabin Temp. at 7 am=60* Bar: 1020 mb holding steady.

The Rest of the Story.

  It has calmed down enough where I can crawl out from under my “blanky”. My current situation is one where I see a high pressure system starting to fill in behind me, meaning I need to get east fast. I probably won’t quite get east soon enough and might get becalmed and this is the next worst thing from a storm. You end up rolling about in very uncomfortable conditions waiting for the winds to resume.

  If the calms do occur I will be able to fix the furler, I hope as it handles my most powerful working sail.

  I want to thank all of you whom have written and please understand that I’m pretty much maxed out just trying to keep the boat going and getting out the adventures, but do love hearing from you.

  I’m just happy we are still moving forward and also must thank Robert Perry for designing such a strong seaworthy vessel as the Baba-40 Sailors Run Never ceases to continually amaze me at her ability to survive the “savage sea” much to my benefit I must add.

                    The jefe’ studying what’s to come from the “barometer soup” next.

Day-24.

24 hr run: 131 nm Pos: Lat: 33’24 N Long: 156’06 W

The Rest of the Story.

  We are sailing in light winds from the NNE and have little choice but to sail south of east. We only have the full main stay sail and reefed mizzen to power Sailors Run at this time. We are doing the best we can to go east and are well aware of lows headed our way from the North West. Conditions are very comfortable and we hope to make repairs on roller furling soon to get Sailors Run up to full power. Possibly tomorrow will be the day where all things are  fixed and back to 100% on Sailors Run.

                    Anxious to get Sailors Run sailing at 100% El Jefe’.

 

Day-19.

  24 hr.Run: 118 nm.Po s.35*08’N.-Long.168*27’W.

Weather:Wind:30-50 knots.

Seas: 20-35 feet. Course=060*

Speed-5 kts. Cabin Temp at 7am=62*

Bar: 995 mb down 15 mb.

The Rest of the Story.

 Roughest day of the trip so far could only sail with staysail and eventually went to bare poles(no sails)when our speed surfing was up to 10+ knots.

  I’m seriously considering dropping down close to Latitude 30* where the winds seem to be less most of the time.

 Getting some pretty amazing footage on my camera. I will keep this short as writing is difficult.

                                  Hanging on out here, El Jefe’.

Day-20.

  24 hr.Run: 131 nm. Pos: Lat.24*52 N. -Lat.166*05 W.

Weather: Wind=45-50 kts. Seas: 25-35 feet all from NW. Course=111*T Speed: 6 kts. Cabin Temp: 55* down 7*. Bar.=1012 mb. up 17 mb.

The rest of the Story.

  This morning I was fooled by a slight decrease in winds and hoisted stay sail sliding around on deck all harnessed in but getting wet just the same. The sail was up for 15-minutes and the storm  force winds filled back in. Once I was back out on deck I was amazed to see that six of the hanks on the stay sail had released from the popping the sail was seeing. The damn springs in these Chinese hanks are just too weak to sail on the Sailors Run.

Getting the sail down was very difficult trying all the time to keep it on deck and out of the sea Thank God, it is a small sail.

 So for 23 & 3/4 Hrs we sailed under bare poles(no sails) covering 131 nm.

I was advised that this storm is now developing hurricane force winds and I’m very glad it is moving away from me. I would think over the next 8 hrs conditions for me should improve.

  It’s  amazing still no ships showing up on the AIS in my area. Hmmmmm!

                      El Jeffe’ just”keeping on”.

Day-21.

  24 hr.Run: 130 nm. Pos. Lat.34*24’N- Long. 163*49.W.

Weather: Winds:  25-50 kts. improving. Seas: 15-30 ft. dropping down. Course:088* Speed: 5 kts. Cabin Temp:57* Bar.=1018 mb. up 6 mb.

The Rest of the Story.

  Today winds and seas began coming down and by noon I had the staysail up and we sailed with that through the remainder of this day.

  I had become extremely tired as it is hard to sleep when it feels like you have been hit by a freight train 15 times during the night and you are suddenly jolted awake to the sound of water crashing over the boat and dripping in around the companionway hatch.

 Now,you must go outside and see if there is any major damage. We have fared pretty well so far. The Bimini did get knocked loose by a large breaking wave and I had to lash it down with some line for a temporary repair. I later got it back as it should be. So far the amazing thing to me is that the large solar panels on the rail haven’t been damaged “yet”!

  I study the pilot charts once again and it appears I must stay this far north until the 130* longitude so will have to deal with mother nature on her terms.

  I did sleep soundly at times last night and it made me feel much better.

                        Come on 130*, El Jefe’

Day-16.

  24 hr.Run: 151 nm. Pos.Lat. 34*07’N -Long.175*12’W.

Weather: Wind NW at 30-40 kts. Seas: NW 20-30 feet.

Course:100*T.  Speed: 6+ kts. Cabin Temp=56* Bar: 1014mb. Up 4 mb.

The Rest of the Story.

  Yes, this is day 16 NOT “sweet-16”, or anything else sweet.! Much like it seems to happen the winds are stronger and the seas higher in my area than predicted. Like many of you know you don’t sleep well and the clock slows down and you get this knotted-up feeling in your stomach.

  You do this self quiz about have I done every thing I can and should have done? I had reduced sail to just a hanker chef size piece of the head sail rolled out and question if that is maybe not to much. I’m sailing on a broad reach down wind and praying the wind vane keeps me there.

 Its about 2 am and suddenly we are slammed by a huge wave on the beam. Thank God I have the shower curtain protecting my bunk as quite a bit of water breeches the seal on the butterfly hatch on the cabin top. I scramble out of my bunk sliding about in my socks on a wet cabin floor. Fortunately I have all three storm boards in and take no water through the companionway

 Once out in the cockpit the problem becomes real obvious why we are steering 30-degrees closer to the wind than we had been. Apparently a large breaking wave prior to this one had broken over the stern and snapped the wind paddle on the monitor wind vane and it is flapping around like a broken wing. I disengage the wind steering system and get the boat headed back down wind running with the wind and waves. Now, I turn on the below decks auto pilot and set a course that should be safe for awhile.

  Once back down below I wipe things down and crawl back into my bunk.[The safest place on the boat at times like this].

 Two more times rogue waves break on our beam and force us over at least 70′, not a knock down but pretty damn close. I must say there have been no ships out here during this day .Hmmm!

                Hanging on awaiting arrival of lighter conditions. El Jefe’.

Day-17

  24 hr.Run: 109 nm. Pos. Lat.33*52’N.-Long 173*12’W.

Weather: Winds: 25 kts dropping to about 5 kts by midnight.

Seas: 20 feet dropping down to about 8-feet overnight. Course: 109*T.

Speed: 5-kts. Cabin Temp at 7am=58*. Bar=1013 mb down 1 mb.

The Rest of the Story:

  This day started out looking much more promising than the previous one as the winds were now down to 25 kts and the seas running about 20-feet. I had patched a couple of small holes in the mizzen since it was down and needed the repair. I’m still moving along nicely with just a small amount of the head sail rolled out on the furler.

 It was now 1 pm and I decide to have a drink and celebrate coming through the gale just fine. I was covered up with a blanket as it seems to me like it is freezing at 56*, and sipping on my drink and reading a book on my kindle. Suddenly!  I hear this strange rumbling sound coming from the bow of the boat and hear and feel the Genoa popping and pounding up forward. I jump into the cockpit to see up forward the Genoa sail rolled all the way out in 25 kts of wind and dancing around up there like some kind of “Mad Demon”.   What the hell is going on I’m thinking as I slip forward staying low on the deck in the 20-foot seas that are running. It appears that the aluminum foil that holds the luff bead of the sail had failed where it went into the furler drum and let the sail go and it rolled out. This means there is no way to roll it back in.

  Once back in the cockpit I try to come up with a plan to get the sail down with out dropping it in the ocean. I must say this is a real”son-of-a-bitch” job to try and accomplish on your own in these conditions.

Here’s what I do:

(1) I hoist the stay sail up front to help blanket the frolicking Genoa.

(2) I pull in the slack sheet line on the genoa while releasing the line slowly that has the tension on it. This gets the sail somewhat collapsed and behind the stay sail, finally I have all the strain on the slack sheet line and release the other one completely.

(3) I go to the mast and start lowering the sail a little bit at a time making repeated trips to the bow pulpit to tuck the sail in there keeping it from the sea. This all takes about 45-minutes and finally the sail is bagged and dragged below decks.Phew!

  It appears to me that I can use the Genoa Halyard with a grapevine knot on the foil to raise it up the forestay enough to extract the broken remnants of it out of the furler drum tube, this might require cutting it out in small pieces with my Makita cutting wheel.

 Then I will put a nice straight edge on the bottom of the foil and drop it back in the tube and sync it up with the clamp on top. The foil will be 6-inches shorter but I believe it will work just fine.

  I should mention when the wind died down overnight I went on deck from midnight until 2-am installing three patches on main sail.

               Waiting for calmer conditions to get to work on furler. EL Jefe’

Day-18.

  24 hr.Run: 142 nm.  Pos. Lat.34*21’N -Long.170*32’W.

Weather: Winds: 20-30+ knts. SW shifting to NW overnight. Seas:6-10 ft. Course: 054*T. Speed: 6-kts. Cabin temp: 62*. Bar: 1010 mb down 3 mb.

The Rest of the Story.

  Today starts out sailing along nicely with staysail, main with one reef and mizzen ,the winds start building about 11 am and the mizzen comes down once the winds start to exceed 25 knots. The conditions are much to rough to attempt a repair on the roller furler.

 There is something about standing on a plunging bow platform that will bring salt water up to your knees, while I’m holding an electrical cutting wheel plugged into a 120 volt extension cord in my hands trying to make very careful cuts so as not to nick the forestay that holds the mast up. That job must wait!     It was 11 pm when winds exceeded 30 kts and I crawled clear of my bunk and went on deck to drop the reefed main all the way down. Once back below in the safety of the main cabin we were still moving along at 6-knots under stay sail alone.

  The weather out here is perfectly “cold and crappy” and yes that 80* Mazatlan weather is playing hard on my patience to get there. You must realize there is no heat aboard Sailors Run and presently everything is damp or wet below decks.

  Now on the brighter side I do get to have a piece of chocolate every day and a rum drink or possibly two if I want to really indulge.

Afternoons usually involve either popcorn or crackers and peanut butter. Oh yes, and I have two cookies with that first cup of coffee every day. So never a day goes buy without the Jefe’ enjoying something good.

                Looking so forward to that 80-degreeeeees the Jefe’.

Day# 13.

  24 hr.Run: 162 nm.  Pos. Lat.32’24’- Long. 177′ 18’E.

Weather: Wind-15-18 kts SSE   Seas: 6-8 ft. Course 090*T speed-7 kts.

Cabin Temp at 7 am-67* Bar.-1012 mb down 4 mb.

The Rest of the Story.

  The radar reflector is still banging around up on the Mizzen Mast and for now with the wind and seas up I’m not going up there after it!

  I have been having trouble hooking up on Sailmail with my current course but by gibing and heading North I can hook up, so that is the plan for the time being.

 We are sailing fast for the time being and I’m trying to avoid those areas with little wind and right now there is one forming just North of my position.

  Today I believe I’m almost 1/3rd of the way to Mazatlan. Other than that its raining at times & that is about all that is going on.

                        Trying to stay “dry” El Jefe’.

Day# 14

  24 hr.Run: 124 nm.  Pos. Lat.32’22’N Long.179’36’E.

Weather:Wind-SW 8-12 kts. Seas: 4-6 ftt from NW.Course:104*T Speed:5 kts. Cabin Temp at 7 am=67*. Bar=1010 mb down 2 mb.

The Rest of the Story.

  Sailing today in light winds yet find ourselves rolling around quite a bit from waves coming in from the NW. We have a “gale approaching from the west.   This one I have decided to stay low on my course line to avoid the brunt of it’s 40 kts. of wind and 28 ft. seas. I expect to see 30 kts and 20-ft seas where I am.

  I have dug out my storm boards for closing the boat up properly and my mustang suit that affords a lot of protection from the weather and I also pulled out my winter hiking boots that I like to wear in severe conditions, but was disappointed to see that all the brass islets had corroded away. Oh, well wool socks and tennis shoes work.

  I plan to get further to the north on the back of this low to attempt sailing over the high. Doing this will quite possibly put me in the cross hairs of the next low coming through unless I get real lucky.

       One eye on the compass and the other looking over my shoulder.

       Cheer,s El Jefe.

Day# 15

  24 hr.Run: 151 nm.  Pos. 33*40’N Long.178*01’W.

Weather: Increasing winds all day and through the night currently 30-knts gusting higher from NW. Seas running 15-18 ft.NW.

Course: 060*T. speed-6 kts. -Cabin Temp at 7 am=64*.

Bar: 1010 mb and steady.

The Rest of the Story.

  I have put in place the first storm board and start the process of managing Sailors Run in the on coming heavy weather. I visualize in my mind where every thing is should I need to set out a drogue.

 My predicted weather is for 30 knots but I have learned that some times these lows are miss judged by the meteorologists, not to mention there can be some intensified conditions lurking in a gale such as I’m faced with.

 It was late afternoon on this day with winds already at 25 kts and having recorded a surf down a wave at over 11-knots I dropped the mizzen sail down and lashed it to the boom.

  It was just after dinner that I went forward on deck and put a reef in the main. Now, I was running the reefed main with my 110% Genoa all the way out. Several hours later the winds dropped somewhat like they do at night sometimes and I was able to sleep comfortably while broad reaching away from the wind. I did have several ships show up on AIS and one tanker passed within 5-miles of my position.

  It was 4:30 am and the winds were starting to build rapidly. Suiting up I climbed out into a dark hostile environment where spray was starting to fly and waves slopping aboard. I first rolled the Genoa in 75% of the way and that slowed us down just a touch but the main was forcing us around into the wind and that caused the waves to be coming in on the beam and slamming us pretty good,it was time to drop the main down and I did. Wow!  what a difference and now the boat was manageable and the wind vane could hold us more down wind and we were still going 6-kts, and the conditions below decks were now very comfortable.

 It was time for coffee and the start of a new day.

                        Riding the crests in the Pacific, El Jefe’

Day#10:

  24 hr.Run: 69 nm.  Pos: Lat.27*43’N. Long. 172*32′ E.

Weather: Winds:NE 30-50 kts. Seas: NE 19-15 feet.

Course E-SE 2-3 kts. Cabin Temp=69* at 7 am down 6*.

Bar.=1020 mb. up-4mb.

The Rest of the Story:

  The past 24-hrs has been by far the most challenging and worst part of the voyage, “What Happened”?

 The conclusion of day -9 found us hove-to in 40-50 kts. This lasted for close to 4-hrs. My interpretation is a cold front,proceeding a 180* shift in wind direction. Unfortunate for me as now the wind is blowing out of the NE the direction I want to go. I must hold my ground if possible. At first heaving to was good as we were only going astern at about .5-kts. The problem and a very serious one is as time goes on the height of the waves continue to increase and heaving-to can end in a roll over by a breaking wave on your beam that’s height is greater than your beam.

  It was after 4-hrs of heaving-to and the winds had abated to 35-40 kts and the waves were steadily getting larger,I hoisted the staysail and Sailors Run began close reaching under staysail and reefed mizzen. This is much safer as the bow is always into the waves. Sailors Run can do this in up to 45-knots of wind.

  We spent this day sailing into an adverse current coming from the east at about 2-knots, allowing very little favorable progress, yet not yielding any ground.

                    Help ” Mr. Wizard” time for this “one” to come home.

                            Far from Paradise, El Jefe’.

Day# 11:

  24 hr.Run: 140 nm. Pos: Lat. 29*41’n Long.172*46’E.

Weather: Winds=30 kts NE shifting early to ENE at 10-12 Kts.

Seas=15 feet NE, remaining very confused through out the day but eventually dropping to 4-6-feet from ENE.

Course shifting early from SE to OO1* speed going from 2.5kts to 6 kts.Cabin Temp.=66* Bar=1020 and steady.

The Rest of the Story:

  It was after breakfast and the radio net when I set about hoisting the main with a reef in it and rolled the Genoa 1/3rd of the way out and soon we were moving along very nicely headed North.

 It was while standing in the cockpit I heard an unfamiliar noise coming from aloft. Looking skyward I seen the source of this strange noise!  It appears that one of the wires that hold the radar reflector aloft has parted and now the reflector is swinging around beating on the mizzen mast with the broken stainless steel wire flopping about below it. The wire appears to come dangerously close to the whirling carbon fiber blades on the wind generator.  For now with rough seas and sailing close to the wind heeled over there is little I can do but pray the other wire fails and the radar reflector blows clear of the boat. If conditions allow I will pull myself aloft and cut it in the clear, but for now that must wait.

  I can only say what a difference a day makes when it comes to sailing conditions. Yesterday, it was pounding rain and spray with little chance of going where I wanted to go. Today the sun shines seas are abating and we are moving along our course line nicely.

  Have you ever noticed when “Mother Nature” becomes angry the clock seems to slow down and minutes can seem like “forever”.

                    Enjoying the sail now in my thermals, El Jefe’.

Day# 12.

  24 hr,Run:158 nm.  Pos: Lat. 31*37’N Long.174*36’E.

Weather:Winds SE at 15-17 kts. Seas:SE at 4-6 ft. Course 061*T. Speed=7.1 kts. Cabin Temp.=68* up 2. Bar=1016mb down 4mb.

Miles sailed last 3-days=367 nm.

Total miles sailed so far=1704 nm.

The Rest of the Story:

  Sailors Run is presently making good time on a Broad reach. The ride is quite comfortable and the sun is out. Things have warmed up two degrees with the winds now coming up from the south. I have however thrown a second blanket in my sea berth and it is definitely needed at night.

I have seen several ships on AIS but none have came within thirty miles of us.

  The Radar reflector still is hanging and banging on the mizzen mast and all the paint is off where it has been pounding. I’m looking for that opportunity to sneak up there and cut it down.”Maybe Today”.

  I want to thank my friends in Majuro for keeping Debbie appraised of how things are going out here when I can not hook up on sailmail because of the heading I’m on.

                Heading for the top of the high, I hope El Jefe’.

Day-7

  24hr. Run=149 nm. Pos. Lat.24*32’N Long. 169*48’E.

Weather: Wind: 12-15 kts. SE. Seas 3-5 ft. Course:17*T speed 6.6 kts.

Cabin Temp at 7 am: 78* Bar.: 1012 mb.

The Rest of the Story:

  The truth is last night on the 10th I was trying to get the last three days adventure 7-8-9 and thought I had it sent then I seen it was still in my out box.

 I was sailing in a gale at the time and somehow I inadvertently lost all three days so since I have no safe copy I will try to catch you up to date.

  This day was good sailing and it appeared that my plan to pinwheel over the top of the Pacific high was working well.

Day-8

  24hr.Run: 131 nm. Pos. Lat.26*27’N. Long.170*49’E.

Weather: Winds: 12 kts. SE. Seas: 3-5 ft. Course=030*T. Speed: 6 kts.

Cabin Temp: 78* Bar: 1014 mb. up 2 mb.

The Rest of the Story:

  Sailing is going well in winds that are becoming steadily lighter. I’m eating well and tonight I’m having steak and stir fried cabbage and onions and of course a rum drink and a piece of chocolate for dessert. It seems like I’m eating popcorn every other day and crackers with peanut butter on them on the other days ,this pretty much being lunch.

Day-9

  24hr. Run: 111 nm. Pos. Lat. 27*51’N.  Long. 171*35’E.

Weather: Winds:8-12 kts. SE changing to NE upon arrival of cold front with winds gusting 50 kts. Seas: 3-5 feet SE. changing to NE. 8-10 and rising. Course: Hove To at end of 24 hr. day in 40+ kts.

Cabin Temp at 7 am: 75* Bar=1016 mb. up 2 mb.

Miles sailed the last 3-days: 391 nm.

Total miles sailed so far: 1337 nm.

Day- 9 The Rest of the Story:

  Today was one of those frustrating days as there was a period around midnight when the wind had died completely, yet there was still enough swell to cause the main sail to bang about making sleeping impossible.

  I ran the motor for 1.5 hrs until the wind started filling in again from the west and I was at last able to sleep. At 4:30 am the “Shit hit the fan”!  I awake to screeching winds and Sailors Run Pinned down on her starboard side, I grab my safety harness and climb out into the cockpit where the spray and wind are flying.

 I let the Genoa fly and crank it in on the furler next I’m at the mast dropping the main down boom and all right on to the cabin top. This leaves me to heave to under reefed mizzen alone and in 40-50 kts, the mizzen does a fair job of holding the bow into the waves. The waves are not dangerously high yet so I feel comfortable with this plan.

  I had to use a 40-foot piece of line to lash the main sail to the boom. It was while lashing it down a square wave came in on the side and broke over me and Sailors Run. Now, I got to tell you when you are bent over the boom in your underwear and you get blasted by a wave in the “Ass” that’s some kind special experience for sure.

       Just hanging in there with a new sensual perception of the Pacific ‘El Jefe’.

 

Day #4  24 hr.Run-137 nm. Pos.-17*03 N. Long. 169* 55’E.

Weather: Wind=10-15 kts E.  Seas=4-6 ft E.

Cabin temp at 7 am=80* Bar.=1010 mb and steady Course-005*T at 7-kts.

The Rest of the Story:

  We slowed down on this day and pretty much “Licked our wounds”. The previous day being boisterous and abusive both On Sailors Run and the skipper, it felt good to chill and get caught up on some writing.

 Please cut me some slack on typos as many times I’m at the key board feeling like I’m trying to write while jumping on a trampoline.

  The one thing I did in the 10-kt conditions is open the port light window over my sea berth behind the lee-cloth and fill the seal with silicon caulking and gradually re tightened it over the next 4-hours. Before doing this when Sailors Run would take on a deck load of water three or four drops would end up on my face or pillow. It was like some kind of torture thing I had going on and hopefully that is currently resolved.

    Trying to sleep when asleep and be sharp when out of the bunk. Cheers El Jefe’.

Day#5 24 hr. Run=171 nm. Pos.-Lat. 19*50’N. Long. 170* 17’E.

Weather: Wind=15-18 kts.E   Seas 5-7ft.E.

Cabin Temp at 7 am=78*Bar=1012 mb up 2 mb. Course 006* T. Speed=7 kts.

The Rest of the Story.

  Today was a wonderful day, not only is the Monitor servo rudder staying on but we sailed our best day of the voyage so far. The night was beautiful as the heavens were star filled and at one point I had the Southern Cross setting close to the horizon off my stern and the big dipper lighting up the Northern sky standing on its handle off the bow.

  Picked up a ship on A.I.S. at 1:30 am that passed 13 miles ahead of us as it was headed West.

  Cooked up a big pancake with an egg for breakfast, then worked on getting caught up on the adventures as well as getting some reading in.

  Debbie is at home in Albuquerque plotting my progress and showing the grand kids where their Grandpa is hanging out.

  I was studying the pilot charts for March in the North Pacific and it appears my best route continues North to the 35* Latitude before turning East, then it is a matter of getting over the high possibly going to 40* North until hitting Longitude 130*W then dive SE towards Cabo San Lucas and East from there to good old Mazatlan. Hope this “shit” all works out???

Day#6 24 hr.Run-149 nm. Pos- 2*35’N Long. 170*04 E.

Weather: Wind-10-15 kts. E. Seas=4-6 ft.E

Cabin Temp. 7am-78* Bar.1012 mb and steady Course 356*T. Speed 6.2 kts Total miles sailed last three days=457 nm. Total miles sailed so far 946 nm.

The Rest of the story.

  The winds are getting lighter and appear to change direction over the next two days so looks like big mileage days won’t be with us for several days. The ride however will be much more comfortable with less heal.

  I was cooking up one of my favorite breakfast’s this morning which is fried potatoes onions with an egg and some Corned Beef tossed in. The interesting thing about it was when I opened that can of Corned Beef it brought back memories of my child hood days back in the “sixty’s”.

  Now you might wonder what would that be? It was when I use to feed my collie dog her Terrels canned dog food as it smelled just the same as my Corned Beef Hash and yes, it looked the same to.

 There was one major difference though the dog food can was twice the size and cost twenty five cents and This Corned Beef cost 3-dollars a can. Hmmmmm!

                              Getting it all “sniffed out” here on the Pacific.

                                    Until later Amigos, El Jefe’.

   I walked a little further down the beach and out of curiosity picked up another packet hefting it up and down trying to estimate the weight and it seems to weigh between 4-5 lbs, I estimate the dimensions to be 12″ by 6″ by 3″ thick. I dropped the packet back onto the beach and continued my walk which somehow now seemed so uninteresting, and all I could think about is where did that stuff come from. Suddenly something sparked way down deep in my mind.

  It was about one month prior to my arrival at this beach that a Taiwanese or Chinese ship had gone hard aground on Taka Atoll here in the Marshall Islands. I remember hearing that the ship was some kind of fish processing ship but not licensed to be working in these waters and was under investigation.

  Now say for instance that ship was smuggling drugs to Hawaii or the US/Canada and as captain and crew you were going to be rescued and attempts made to get the ship off the coral atoll, there might be less explaining to do if you had no drugs aboard. I believe it is possible they pitched them off the stern into the sea. Hmmmmmm!

  Once back aboard Sailors Run I pulled out my pilot charts as well as the charts of the area. Taka Atoll is located 160 nm. due East of Rongelap and the winds have been predominately trade winds from the ENE. I noticed that the currents on the pilot charts for this time of year appear to be from the SE. So it is possible that something could float from the grounding site to Rongelap, of course on the other hand they could have come from much further away but then would you find 13-square grouper all laying within 100 yards of one another.

  My next question was what was the street value of 50-60 lbs. of cocaine?  I myself have never taken or used any illegal  drug other than that what was prescribed by a doctor. OK!  I might have drank a SPLASH of alcohol over a period of time. Now,Debbie was quick to write back that the street value was 1.5 million dollars. Wow! that’s almost better than finding lobster.

  I personally hate the damage drugs do to people and their family’s the world over.

  Later that night I find myself tossing and turning in my bunk and unable to sleep. I begin to think who should I tell about my discovery, as here at this atoll there are but 29-people and I suspect the structure for law and order is pretty weak. I can just imagine me walking into the village and say “GEE” guys you have 1.5 million in cocaine laying on the beach up there. No, that would not do. I could contact Majuro or Kwajalein and maybe the military would get involved but then I might also get detained as a witness or who knows what? So that didn’t sound good either. OK, how about I just go cut them all open and let it vanish into the sea. Hmmmm! Now that sounded good,but would I be destroying evidence and somehow be covering things up?  Hmmmm!

  I remained in this anchorage for two more days never seeing another boat anywhere. My curiosity got the best of me and I hiked around the Island once again, because I wanted to know if more cocaine had washed upon the beach.    Once again I counted the “Bricks and this time there was only 12 and I guess that made sense as the one I had slit open had bled out and washed away to somewhere.

  In the end I decided that few people seldom visit this atoll and fewer less would make the two hour walk to get there and back, so I left it there hoping nature will take these “Square Grouper” back into the insatiable sea.

                Just a little “Freeked out” in Paradise!  Your Amigo El Jefe’.

Day -#1- 3/1/19:

24 hr. Run=166 nm

Position N  09* 36′ Long. E 170* 33′ Weather 15-20kts NE switching to ENE seas=6-8ft NE Barometer=1008 mb and steady. Cabin Temp at 7 am=82* Course 359* True at 7kts.

Day-1 The Rest of the Story:

  I sailed off the mooring at 7-am and was of to a quick start sailing at seven-knots. Inside the atoll the seas were flat and a great way to start a voyage. Now as you might imagine this was not to last. I was nearing the pass where you exit from the protection of the atoll and head out into much rougher sailing conditions. I was eye balling my mainsail and thinking how far it will be required to take me on the trip to Mexico. Suddenly something is not right as there at the second batten pocket down is a tear in the batten pocket and about eight inches of the four foot batten is showing.”AH Shit”how did I miss that the last time the sail was up.One thing for sure it will not last for 7,000 nm.

  I was now on final approach to the pass and decide to exit first then once clear of the shallows go ahead and drop the main. I let the sail down and the main boom just lay on the dinghy that is upside down on the cabin top. The seas are running 6-8ft so not any place to do a proper repair so I go for the fast fix. I gather up several ounces of contact cement and a chisel, life jacket and lanyard to clip in with and head top side. I spread the contact cement all over the damaged area, then go below and get a foot long piece of sticky back sail repair tape and slap that in place. “Walla fixed” at least for now and it will be interesting to see if it makes it all the way.

  I’m beginning to realize that there are some truly amazing advantages to getting older.

  The day before my departure  I made one last dash to the store to pick up some additional “RUM” supply’s. You know, after and sometimes before taking on a most challenging job on the boat you need to “splice the main brace” [have a shot of rum]. Well, I find some rum with a nice golden color to it and ask at the register what a liter bottle cost. The clerk says $14.95, I go great that is right in my price range as I only drink cheap rum. Now, I did not have my glasses on but looking at the label I could make out that the rum was 75 proof  this seemed ok to me as most rum is 70-80 proof. I grab 5-bottles and head for the boat. Once back aboard I put on my glasses to take a closer look at my newly acquired rum, Hmmmm! I now read the alcohol content and discover it is 75% meaning 151-proof. I mean this crap has more alcohol than rubbing alcohol. I’m pretty up on adapting so maybe what I best do is complete the tough task at hand prior to “splicing the main brace”.

                Making my best efforts to avoid being “plastered” at sea. El Jefe’

Day-#2-3/2/19.

24 hr. Run=168NM.

Pos. Lat.09*36’N Long. 170*33’E. Weather: Wind ENE 18-20 kts. Seas 8-10 ft. Bar.1009 up 1mb. Cabin temp at 7am 81*.Course 000* True speed 6.6kts.

Day-2 The Rest of the Story.

  Sailing hard and fast on a close reach. The Genoa is about 1/2 out, stay sail up, full main and reef in mizzen sail. I was enjoying a cup of coffee below and glanced aft watching the wind vane steer. I love my Monitor wind vane as it hunts the wind keeping the boat sailing fast and will steer up when the wind shifts helping Sailors Run Get back on a more northerly course. The winds seem to be shifting from NE to East over the next two days a good thing for me. As I watch the wind vane I notice that it seems to be moving about much more than is normal. Once out in the cockpit the reason for shifting around becomes obvious as the support strut at the bottom of the vane has dropped off on the starboard side and is just swinging out into the sea. I go below and locate a replacement bolt to reattach the strut. This job takes about 30-minutes total and requires me to get harnessed up as I must hang by my knees off the back of the boat to reattach the strut and screw the bolt in while all the time being submerged to different levels by the passing seas. What surprises me is that I tightened these bolts just before leaving as they are notorious for working loose. Normally they require tightening about every thousand mile, but I have only covered about 200 nm. and a bolt has fallen out. I dipped the new bolt in contact cement and let it set up for 5-minutes before screwing the bolt in place, possibly this will help.

   Always busy underway El Jefe’ [ Jefe’ is Spanish for boss and the J is pronounced like an H or Hefe].

Day-#3-3/3/19.

24hr. Run=155nm.

Pos. 14*48’N Long,169*54’E. Weather: Wind=10-25 kts. ENE-E. Seas 10-15ft. ENE. Bar.=1010 mb. up 1mb. Cabin temp. 7am=80*. Course 000*N speed=5.6 kts. Total miles sailed so far=489 nm. Top speed so far=9 kts.

Day-3 The Rest of the Story.

  I seem to be getting very tired as the conditions are rough one must struggle to do the simplest tasks like just moving about the cabin.

  I have now at last sailed clear of my last atoll in the Marshall Islands so that will make sleep easier to come by. The winds have built to 25-kts and the seas are 15 feet at times. Sailors Run is healed about 15* and I’m pretty sure I will end up with one leg shorter than the other by the time I get to 35* North.             Once clear of the atolls a ship shows up on the Ais and manages to pass just 1/2 mile ahead of my bow. The skipper was nice and we had a nice chat on channel 16 bidding each other good sailing. This might all sound well and good but the truth is this day “sucked”!!

   It was 5 am when I was awakened from my sleep to sails flogging on deck. Once in the cockpit the problem was obvious the servo rudder on the wind vane that runs in the water had snapped off and was trailing astern on it’s safety line. It has been over 10,000 nm since this failure has happened. It is a safety fetcher to save the wind vane from being torn from the stern of the boat say a log should roll up from under the boat and hit it.

  Drilling a new piece of stainless tubing and getting it replaced takes about two hours not to bad if you don’t count the fact that I have bolted it on 180* out.”Shit”! The sea conditions are growing worse by the hour and all this work must be done while being part submerged while once again hanging by my knees over the stern of the boat. This second reattachment of the rudder takes five long hours. The biggest problem is you can only work with one hand as the other one is hanging on for dear life. Sometimes the seas rushing by nearly take my sunglasses off my face. There is one point where I’m sitting in the cockpit getting the bolt and nut ready for reattaching the rudder and a rogue wave breaks in over the stern of Sailors Run totally engulfing me and I find myself being forced through the stern pulpit. It was frightening to feel my head bashing into the stainless steel tubing on the stern pulpit and fortunate for me I was tethered in by my safety harness and stayed aboard.

  The struggle to line up the holes on getting this bolt back in with the rudder facing the right direction was just kicking my “ass”.

I finally get it started in and feel like it is somewhat lined up on the other side and in desperation I put the hammer to it and forcefully drive it through. Now of course I have screwed up the threads on the bolt and after losing 5-nuts into the sea while trying to get them started on, I’m starting to think about splicing the “main brace”. I can’t pound the bolt out and be sure I could ever get another one back in. My ribs are protesting with a great amount of pain every time I lay on them as I wiggle my way over the stern for more of this torture.

  At last I say “screw it” and take a piece of stainless steel mousing wire rape it around the end of the bolt then back around the tube and pray the damn thing doesn’t fall out. I can only say that for the past 14-hours the Monitor vane steers on.

                        “Hanging out” on the beautiful Pacific El Jefe’