0 Making Final Preparations aboard Sailors Run for October 31st “Halloween Day Departure

It was a year and a half ago that I decided to go solo around the world nonstop, and at that time it somehow seemed so far away,now today it seems to be rapidly approaching.

I have been busy over the past month putting on new sails and many other parts to help insure a safe and successful passage. Chafe gear has been installed on both sets of spreaders as the back edges of them seem to be a little too sharp for the sails best interest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many lines have been replaced or swapped end for end to extend their service life.

I have been running hard attempting to get in the best shape possible for the trip and I’m happy to report my times keep coming down on my measured runs.

I’m currently repainting the bright work and will re-oil the teak in the cockpit area. I have also re-familiarized myself with sea anchor tactics and means to deploy the18 ft parachute if need be. also the drogue was revisited and accessories for both made readily available. It will be interesting to see how big of a part they may or may not play in the grand scheme of things.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This next month October will be primarily spent on final provisioning and trying to stuff away 7-months supply of all necessary foods and “Drinks”, more on that later.

I know I have bitten off a huge challenge and look forward to living the adventure that will come out of it. I feel Sailors Run is a Great Baba 40 foot Ketch and in top condition for what might lie ahead. My health is good and I feel up for my battle with nature, to propel Sailors Run around the world unassisted (meaning no motoring or outside help)

I have a lot of knowledge in heavy weather sailing,therefore feel confident that we will prevail.

My route around the world measures out at just over 22,000 Nautical Miles via a rumb line course. To come up with this much distance I have had to add nearly 2,000 miles to my route, and did that by sailing SW after I cross up into the Northern Hemisphere and sailing past Easter Island on its western shore, and continuing in that direction until I get to Longitude 120* West and 35* South where I plan to take my first opportunity to turn SE and sail for the Horn and the other four Great southern Capes,- Good Hope,Africa-Lewellen, Australia,- West Cape ,Tasmania and finally East Cape, New Zealand.

Be sure and check out our blog site for photos of preparations at www.sailorsrun.com

Debbie will be taking care of that end and I can only say she will be greatly missed over this extended period of time.

Thanks, Your Amigos ,Jeff & Debbie of S/V Sailors Run

0 MY RETURN TO SAILORS RUN IN BAHIA CARAQUEZ,ECUADOR-9/2015

                         My Return to Sailors Run in Bahia Caraquez, Ecuador, 9/2015

  Debbie and I have just wrapped up a great 6-weeks together, visiting family and friends. Our tour started in New Mexico at our son Chris’s place for several weeks then; off to Colorado to visit friends, then it was on the bus to Grand Junction where we climbed aboard the Amtrak Train to San Francisco, to visit our son Daniel’s family and friends.

Debbie and I put on a slide while there at the Corinthian Yacht club at Tiburon. It seemed the show was well received and several of our long time cruising friends came by to see us,which was wonderful.

    Next we were off again to Washington state to visit friends and family,such as our daughter Ginger and sister Bonnie  and brother in law Jim live there.    I must admit there were many great friends that we never got to see, but you must know you are all in our hearts and minds often.

 

 

It was truly magic to return to Longbranch, Washington, and put on a slide show for our friends and neighbors there, it had been over 16 years ago that we left that quiet community, and I’m happy to report it is still just that a quiet community. This was put into the Newspaper and Newsletter

(COMING AUGUST 25TH “CAPE HORN “CAPE HORN “CAPE HORN-ONCE MORE AND BEYOND” ONCE MORE AND BEYOND” ONCE MORE AND BEYOND”

Former Longbranch residents, Jeff & Debbie Hartjoy, have quite a story to tell.

Since leaving Puget Sound in 1999 and ‘turning left’ at Cape Flattery, they have logged over 85,000 miles at sea aboard their Baba 40 sailboat, “Sailor’s Run”, and will be back in Longbranch on August 25th to share their adventures with old friends, neighbors, and guests, at the Longbranch Improvement Club.    Jeff will take listeners on a trip through the Southern oceans, including his solo transit from Ecuador to Argentina via Cape Horn. Jeff’s presentation will include photos of sunny beaches, local islanders, and occasional gatherings of fellow cruisers at some of their favorite spots from Baja, Central and South America, and the South Seas.

Of course, it’s not all fair winds, coconuts and palm trees out there on the blue water, so he will also recount his passage around notorious Cape Horn, dealing with 50-knot winds, blown sails, gear failures, and electrical fire, and a punishing knockdown off the Falklands.

But wait! There’s more! Jeff is now preparing for another solo rounding of Cape Horn. This time he will keep going east, as he attempts a nonstop circumnavigation via the Five Great Capes. His plan is to accomplish this feat in about 5 months, and he has vowed to not use his engine or accept outside assistance. He plans to leave Ecuador around Halloween, and with any luck, hopes to arrive back in Ecuador by his 70th birthday next April. This is not a ‘bucket list’ stunt, Jeff just plain loves sailing.

He will share his enthusiasm, determination, and sense of humor with all, who attend this special presentation, whether you are an Armchair Adventurer or an experienced sailor.

The program will be on August 25th, Tuesday evening, starting at 7:30 pm at the Longbranch Improvement Club Hall, 4312 Key Peninsula Highway, Longbranch WA.)

We were also able to get to the Bob Perry Rendezvous at Port Ludlow and visit with THE MAN who is a major part of our Baba Ketch-Sailors Run.

  Debbie and I took off in two different directions from Tacoma, Washington, she to Oregon to visit our daughter Heather and grandson and me flying back to Ecuador.

 

  I was so loaded down with two new sails and lots of parts for the boat, not to mention warm clothing for the upcoming circumnavigation, and I could only hope the plane would get off the ground. I was very anxious about coming into Ecuador with all this stuff, as I had heard many horror stories about customs in Ecuador. Well as it turned out I was welcomed right in with absolutely no problems, I just wish I knew better, ” when to worry”

  Arriving back at Puerto Amistad marina at 4am worked out well as the security guards were happy to see me and helped lug my two sails and three bags down to the patrol boat, and soon I was back aboard the “Old Sailors Run”. I was happy to find the door still locked and secure, everything was still there as I breathed a sigh of relief and collapsed into my birth.

  It was 10am when I finally rolled out of the “sack” and had a look top sides in the daylight. Yes all things were in order and everything was coated with a secure layer of dust.

  Now I’m busy readying Sailors Run to put to sea once again, there is much to do over the next two months, and I eagerly dive into this project, so I can finish up the obvious, getting the new sails on, replacing the whisker stay fitting that I had discovered was cracked. Of course the bright work must be repainted and the teak in the cockpit all oiled. I brought back a new control cable for the auto pilot, and my boom break must be reinstalled on the main boom.
  A really big ticket item will be the provisioning for 5-7 months, our friend John in Colorado came up with the great idea of pickling a bunch of eggs to extend there life, and maybe mine. I will be more than happy to hear from anyone on this subject of provisioning for extended voyages. Just realize that I’m in Ecuador and there are no Costco’s here, so we have to work with some pretty basic foods, but I’m hoping to make them tasty.

  I just want to thank my Great Wife “Debbie”, for supporting me in “living the dream”. I know I will be alone on the sea, but she will always be traveling with me in my mind and heart, not to mention encouraging me anyway she can from afar.

  Check out Blog for photos at www.sailorsrun.com.
                                                                                               Thanks, Your Amigos Jeff & Debbie

0 Sailors Run Alive and Well In Ecuador. June 28 2015

Sailors Run Alive and Well In Ecuador. June 28 2015

I promised to let you know how the 6-k race went with Chino the 25 year old employee at Puerto Amistad.

This time Chino showed up as he had ducked me once before. The race started at 5pm in front of the yacht club. Other employees seen us off and we were close together for the first hundred yards, then I realized I was over my head and backed off to a sustainable pace. Chino kept up the rapid pace and had about 100 yards on me by the time we went under the bridge. I arrived under the bridge expecting to see Chino on the ramp going up to the bridge, but NO Chino!

I ran on looking far out on to the bridge and no Chino; something was up. I ran on with the pedal down just in case he was still in the race. 2-k later as I was exiting the bridge, here come’s Chino, and he was indicating to me that I needed to run another 2-k before turning around I said “No Way”.

I knew he had cheated somehow, I was very much discouraged and ran on to complete the course but my heart was no longer in it. When I returned to the yacht club the employees thought I had lost and I said no way! he cheated! Luckily another cruiser had taken an interest in the competition and he said that he watched both of us go under the bridge but only I ran up the ramp and Chino disappeared. It turned out Chino had his motorcycle stashed under the bridge and jumped on it to race across the bridge and dump it off, and come running back when he seen me. He finally admitted it and all is “cool with Chino” now.

You might wonder what this has to do with cruising. The answer would be that it is important to be strong and have good endurance if you should think you might want to take on the Southern Ocean alone.

I recently ran a 10-K here in Bahia Caraquez, and finished in the middle of the pack and felt pretty good about it.

On a more serious note I’m sadden to say that the sailing vessel Sailfisher that left from Bahia in June headed for the Marquesas was dismasted some 700 miles SW of the Galapagos Islands, and was abandoned when Ale and Yvette were rescued by a cargo ship headed to Brazil via the “Horn”.

I want to mention that I will be a guest speaker in San Francisco the evening of (August 5th) at the CYC Yacht Club at Tiburon,
Here is the description and location address, and if any of you can make it Debbie and I would love seeing you.

Corinthian Yacht club of San Francisco
43 Main Street Tiburon, California
Office- 415 435 4771
If coming by car it is located at the south tip of Corinthian Island on the border between Tiburon and Belvedere in Marin County
By Boat vhf channel 68 or Harbor master 415 302 5083
For any information or map go to WWW.CYC.ORG/HOME

Solo (Truly Alone) Around the Horn

If you’re in need of inspiration or maybe an awesome story or two, come hear Jeff Hartjoy speak on Wednesday August 5.

At age 69 Jeff has logged 85,000 ocean miles, and cruised with his wife Debbie for 16 years on their 1980 Baba 40 ketch, Sailor’s Run. In 2009 he single-handed around Cape Horn, not without “attendant difficulties.” Let’s not forget that he also wrote a book in his spare time: Cape Horn: Ahead or Behind Forever on My Mind. Never one to rest on his laurels, Jeff is now preparing to leave Ecuador this fall for a solo nonstop circumnavigation of the Southern Oceans.

Introduced to us by Staff Commodore Bruce Powell, Jeff will, no doubt, have many entertaining (!) stories to tell. Don’t miss Jeff on August 5.

To study up on Jeff please check out WWW.Sailorsrun.com.
Free and open to all, Sailors Loft Bar opens at 6:30 and Jeff will start at 7 pm. invite your friends… and start preparing for your own southern oceans run.

(Be sure and check out blog site for New Photos)

Let me wrap this up with a little poem I have written: Your Amigos Jeff& Debbie

Sailing Free

It is the freedom of the wind that truly makes sailing great!
Time is short so one must not wait!
The wind is free upon that we must agree!
So hoist that sail and bury that starboard rail!
As life upon the sea is far greater than you or me!
By Jeffrey R. Hartjoy

Picture’s of Carts and Motos of how the people get around in the quiet town of Bahia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0 Sailors Run’s Bahia Caraquez Up Date. 6/1/15

Sailors Run’s Bahia Caraquez Up Date. 6/1/15

Things are moving along at a good clip as far as getting Sailors Run ready to go for the Around the World Voyage. The two new sails are ordered and should be delivered in about 6-weeks to my address in the states. I’m currently hunting down all rusty hose clamps and changing them. I have retuned the rig and feel pretty good about that.

Sailors Run had a pretty good write up in a local newspaper and every since the day that was released, I now have a new friend Victor, who wanted to meet someone that was crazy enough to try a trip like I’m doing.

I again was interviewed by Latitude 38 out of San Francisco by phone,can go to

                http://www.latitude38.com/lectronic/lectronicday.lasso?date=2015-05-29#.VW5j5URnPNY.mailto

 

 

Victor is this great little older guy that shows up periodically bringing gifts and loves taking me around town taking pictures and introducing me to all his friends and relatives.  This wasn’t so bad when Debbie was here, but now with my Spanish being poor and Victor speaking only Spanish that is very loud and rapid and I’m left at a loss for understanding, but what can one do when this is your #1 fan.

My running training is coming along well, and in about two days I have a race with “Chino” a 25-year old Ecuadorian that works here at Puerto Amistad. We are racing at 5pm and the distance is about 6-kilometers, I will let you know how the old man does in the next update.

Debbie is doing fine back in Albuquerque, New Mexico with her son and Grandson as well as her family I miss her greatly and things do get a little boring for me at times, but in the end it will all be worth it, to be able to take on such a great adventure

Your Amigos Jeff & Debbie S/V Sailors Run

0 Sailors Run reporting in from Bahia Caraquez, Ecuador. May-2015

Sailors Run reporting in from Bahia Caraquez, Ecuador. May-2015

Debbie and I are happy to report that the moorings here at Puerto Amistad have been holding the boats in place without any problems and we have been experiencing large tide changes that amplify the normal current running down the Rio Chone, especially this time of year when there is more rain in the mountains.

On security issues here we have had no incidences of theft since we have arrived, and are very pleased with the regular cruise patrol that the security guard does around the boats many times each night.

The good old Sailors Run has been getting lots of TLC in preparation for the “Adventure”. The wind generator is happy to be spinning silently on new bearings and a new set of blades. All the winches are greased and ready to go.

The decision has been made to replace both the Mizzen sail and the Main sail as they are 7- years old as I fear they would most likely be blown out in the Southern Ocean, and I don’t like sewing all that much in confined spaces and heavy weather.

The Sailors Run is on a diet and she is shedding pounds daily and the locals are benefitting as we get rid of things that have not been used in the last year.

Debbie is packing up and taking all her valuables with her “Just In case”, actually I cannot blame her. I must admit it gives me a sickening, sinking feeling, deep down inside, as I watch her pack up and I must ask myself is she seeing something I’m missing. I can only hope she is just being cautious and I will surely be keeping my senses tuned into the little details before departure.

The other part of pulling this adventure off , is that the skipper has to be up to the many challenges he will surely encounter along the way. The only way I can do that is to get in the best possible shape I can over the next 5.5 months. Debbie and I have found a great running course out across the Rio Chone River across the bridge and back, and have met some great people while out on our runs like the four guys from the capital of Quito, and we had them out to the boat to check it out.

I have also signed up for a local 10-k run that goes off at the end of June, this will give me something to further motivate me. Oh yea! I have to drop 10lbs. as speed comes with weight loss as well as endurance, one of the key ingredients to having a successful passage, especially when it is a tremendously challenging one and endurance often times can make the critical difference.

 

 

Your Amigos Jeff & Debbie on S/V Sailors Run.

0 The Wrap up, on Sailors Run’s Mexico to Ecuador Passage, April 2015.

The Wrap up, on Sailors Run’s Mexico to Ecuador Passage, April 2015.

Debbie and I sailed the last 15 miles down to the waiting area, where we hung out and waited for our pilot and the high tide. We had requested Pedro as our pilot and were just a little taken back when Arioso a young new pilot came to guide us in. We remembered Arioso from several years ago when we were here and it was a nice reunion. We could only hope he could read the conditions at the bar.

Off we went and had a perfect crossing of the bar and were very pleased with our new pilot. It was later that things became a little more clear why Pedro was not our pilot, see Pedro is the security guard at Puerto Amistad and one night, sometime before our arrival Pedro was doing a night patrol on the boats moored there when he and his panga were commandeered by four-masked men with guns in another panga and he was later deposited on a beach and they took off with the panga. It was actually the 75hp. Motor they were after and later Pedro got his panga back less the engine. Now Pedro patrols in a much smaller vessel and we are not sure if he will be doing piloting in the future, possibly not until a suitable motor is found.
We however feel quiet safe here on the moorings and as far as we can tell the moorings seem to be standing up to the high spring tides and run-off from the mountains that flows down the Rio Chone River.

Tripp and Maje welcomed us to Puerto Amistad where I had a rather laid back birthday party with a few friends and more old friends just keep showing up all the time. Debbie had ordered a cake thru email while we were sailing to the marina and they came through with even my name on it, yummy 

 

Prices are severely on the rise here. Now it is $180 dollars to check in and that gives you only 90-days and if you want an extension of 6-months that is available for another four-hundred dollars, more or less.

Debbie and I were shocked when we went to the new Mall and a “Boogie board”, that short Styrofoam board that you ride the waves with, cost 378-US Dollars. In the states they cost forty-five dollars at Costco and they are better boards. We also heard that the local Ecuadorians put their high heels on lay a way. It would appear that the government is making huge money grabs on any and all imported goods. Now those money grabs are sad, as the poor people must deal with these outrages prices, forcing them to stay down and little chance of moving up. This is Big Government looking out for the People. USA please take note, as you can learn from this report.

Now getting back to putting Sailors Run right entailed getting the refrigeration fixed. We got the most well known local guys out to the boat and after two days and lots of head scratching the reefer is functioning once again. We are not sure what was the actual problem other than some blockage in the lines and they cleaned them all out and it seems to be working fine. The repairman will be back in two days to check it out and his bill was reasonable. With Refrigerant and new filter total cost to us 125 dollars, now if this repair lasts it was a bargain as the import tax on a new system would most likely be 100% of the total cost.

Making the most of Ecuador, Your amigo’s- Jeff and Debbie

 

0 Sailors Run’s Passage from Mexico to Ecuador. Days- 13-14-15-April-2015.

Sailors Run’s Passage from Mexico to Ecuador. Days- 13-14-15-April-2015.

Day-13-24hr,Run=86NM. Weather: Wind SSE-SSW 5-14kts. Seas: 3-ft. from the south.
Position: Lat. 01*44’N Long. 81* 25’W.

Day-14-24hr. Run=115NM. Weather: Wind: S to SSW. 8-15kts. Seas-South at 4ft.
Position: lat. 00*15’N Long. 080*40’W.

Day-15-10hr. Run=42NM. Wind from South to SW 8-10kts. Seas less than 3′ from the South.
Position; Anchor down at Cabo Pasado Anchorage fifteen miles north of destination. Lat.00*21’S Long. 80*28’W.
Anchored for the night as the protection here is better than off Bahia Caraquez.

Top speed so far=9.3kts.

Distance sailed so far=1373NM.

Distance to go 15NM.

The Rest of the Story:

Day-13.

Debbie and I think we have finally sailed clear of the caldron where all the Hurricanes that pound Hawaii and the Mexican coast are brewed up during Hurricane season. This our third trip through the area and has been the lightest most inconsistent winds we have ever experienced. We think this must be the result of it being an El Nino year.
I also made my second “sv Freedom” bread using all beer and no water and cut the salt to ½ a teaspoon and the bread was totally “yummy”.
I also appreciate the many food tips that are coming in as they are very helpful for planning an extended stay at sea.

Day-14.

We sailed along with a nice light breeze throughout the day encountering at least 6-long liner fisherman operating out of panga’s out here 80 miles off shore. We had one with 3 men aboard pull up alongside, as he was concerned that we were sailing towards his long line that was stretched across our path. Debbie explained to him that we had a full keel with nothing that would catch on his long line and that it would simply go smoothly under our boat. The three men in the panga watched as we smoothly skimmed over their long line and seemed pleased as they fell off and went about their work.

Day-15.

This day is an eventful day as at 2 pm Debbie & I crossed the Equator for our 11th time :

I suppose when you sail 85,000 miles out on these oceans,as we have your bound to have to cross the equator many times

It is exciting to get ready for this event as the time clicks off on the GPS,we had our message in a bottle and we pulled out our Best Tequila to give to King Neptune for a safe passage as well as some good wind.

At exactly 00’00.00 we took the tequila bottle poured plenty into the sea ,thanked King Neptune and then we both had tequila shots and threw our message in the bottle. What was amazing as we prepared to do all this many Dolphins arrived for the ceremony,they were 7ft long,grey with black spots and were jumping all around the boat, as if they knew this event was happening. They were beautiful and brought tears to our eyes and we took many pictures for our blog,so you all will be able to share the event in a few days

About the message in the bottle for the 11th time,in all the times we have thrown our messages, only 1 bottle was found. We had crossed the equator for the very first time in 2001 sailing to the Marquesas, after our bottle had bobbed around for 17 months it arrived at Savaii Island, Western Samoa 2002. A gentleman from Auckland, New Zealand was swimming behind the reef by his hotel and the bottle popped up into his hand. He found the note and wrote to our email and said when we get to New Zealand to look him up. What was amazing when he contacted us we were anchored on the next island from him at Apia, Western Samoa. So needless to say our bottle was 40 miles ahead of us. We tried to call the gentleman but we were not able to hook up while in New Zealand, but we know now that messages in a bottle are found

We now have this passage down to the short hairs and with just 50 miles to go and the winds light out of the SW we are able to sail the course.

We had to schedule our pilot for Friday the 17th as we were unsure of when we could get there so played it safe. As night was approaching we decided to anchor at Cabo Pasado for the night to get a good night’s sleep in a more protected anchorage allowing lots of time the next morning to sail down to Bahia Caraquez for our 3pm bar crossing.

The bar crossing is very challenging and requires a pilot that you pay 30-dollars for; a truly good investment for safety sake. We will let you know how this goes with a final installment to this adventure to come in a couple of days.

Happy to be here ,Your Amigos -Jeff & Debbie

P.S APRIL 17TH, FRIDAY WILL BE MY 69TH BIRTHDAY AND MY BEST PRESENT EVER IS DOING WHAT I LOVE-SAILING

I also share my Birthday Day with 4 other friends a Anniversary as well

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES TO: SHERRI ON SV REFLECTIONS, CLIFF ON SV ICICLE, LESTER FROM HAWAII AND JOHN PIERRE IN ISLA ROATAN.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO OUR NIECE & HER HUSBAND- MATT AND JESSICA

0 Sailors Run’s Passage from Mexico to Ecuador. Days-10 11-12. April 2015.

Sailors Run’s Passage from Mexico to Ecuador. Days-10 11-12. April 2015.

Day-10-24hr. Run=61NM. Weather: Wind 0-10kts.SSE. Seas 3-ft from the South. Temperature 87-94*.
Position: Lat. 04*36’N Long.84*25’W.

Day-11-24hr. Run=91NM. Weather: Wind 0-14kts. All directions. Temp.85-90*.
Position: Lat.03*54’N Long.83*11’W.

Day-12-24hr.Run=92NM. Weather: Wind 7-25kts with some higher gusts going from SSE to NE then back to SSW. Temperature 84*-87*

Position: Lat.02*45’N Long.83*20’W

Top speed so far 9.3kts.

Distance sailed so far= 1074NM.

Distance left to go=226NM.

The Rest of the Story

Day=10:

Today was a very rainy one with little wind to report. We fired up the diesel and just putted along at times to maintain steerage.
The really good thing about today is I tried out David & Aliason’s Bread recipe,that they suggested would be easy for my trip and whom are our friends off the yacht Freedom.
This is a stove top recipe that is quick and simple; it also includes beer as part of the catalyst.

Basically you mix 1.5 cups of flour -1 teaspoon salt, ¼ tsp. yeast,mix all together than add 5 tablespoons beer and 4 tablespoons of water. Knead bread lightly put in covered bowl overnight.
Next day lightly knead bread and place in frying pan with 1 tablespoon of oil in it; flip bread over so both sides have oil on them and leave to rise for 1-2 hrs. Next turn burner to high heat for a minute then to low heat for 5-7 minutes, when bread is lightly browned flip over for 5-7 minutes. Be sure the pan is covered when baking.

Mine turned out a little salty so less salt next time, yet this bread was a lot better than the other breads we have on board and I am now considered on Sailors run a great bread maker,thanks to sv freedom

 

Day-11:

This day began with large squalls in our general vicinity that were kicking up 3-ft. wind waves from opposing directions not to mention the already 3ft. swell running out of the south. This combination created some of the most uncomfortable conditions to try and sail in that Debbie and I have ever encountered. Sailors Run does not normally hobby horse but on this day she was a “Bucking Champion”.
It was after 3-hours of bucking Debbie & I were totally frustrated as we had ever been on a passage together. The winds were light and we were forced to tap our remaining twenty gallons of fuel once again to maintain steerage as we bashed into square waves for another 3-hours, before the seas settled down and the winds filled in from the SSW and we were off on a most appreciated wondrous sail.

Day-12:

The winds remained steady and it appeared a great day of sailing was in order. It was when Debbie and I were playing our daily card game below decks when the sky darkened and it appeared night fall was coming about 3-hrs. early!
Once we were up on deck it was obvious that we were being overran by a huge squall about 20-miles in length. This squall looked very threatening and we watched intently for any signs of waterspout development. Another strange thing about this weather was that it was coming in against the prevailing winds.

We fired the diesel and tried to out run the system as we appeared to be near one end of it. After just short of 10-minutes, the first gusts of wind from the opposite direction were hitting us and I hurried to furl the head sail all the way in, and even with having done that we still charged along with just main and reefed mizzen at 7-knots.
The squall lasted for over two hours and at one point the wind and rain were so intense that it appeared like a white squall as it came upon us but in the end the wind was 30kts or less and the rain just gave us another thorough cleansing.

We are hoping to get into Bahia Caraquez,Ecuador on Thursday if we can just find the wind.

I thought I should mention that on my upcoming “World Record Attempt” at rounding the world nonstop, solo, via the 5-great southern Capes, I will be doing everything to document it including carrying a spot locator, documenting the start and finish as well as entering the northern hemisphere just above Bahia Caraquez before diving south towards Cape Horn going West to East around.

I know Dodge Morgan from the USA did it in a 60 footer in 150 days. If my dreams come true I will do it in Sailors Run my forty footer in 150-days or possibly considerably longer.

What I really would like to know is how many Americans have done it and on what size boat?

I’m pretty sure I will set the record for the Baba 40-Ketch as I believe there are only two of them and the other one isn’t going yet. I will also be 69 years old when I start out and possibly 70 by the time I get back.

Please let me know anything you know about prior US, solo, nonstop circumnavigators south of the 5-great Capes?

Your Amigos, Jeff & Debbie -Still anxiously Hanging in there

0 Sailor’s Runs Mexico to Ecuador Passage-Days-7-8-9-April-2015.

Sailor’s Runs Mexico to Ecuador Passage-Days-7-8-9-April-2015.

Day-7: 24hr. Run=67 NM. Weather: Light winds from the South 0-8kts. Seas: Low 3ft. swell from the south.
Position: Lat: 06*10’N Long:86*23’W.

Day-8: 24hr. Run=44 NM. Weather: Light Winds from North East 0-8knts. Low 3ft. swell from South.
Position: Lat: 05*42N Long: 85*49’W.

Day-9:24hr. Run=63 NM. Weather: Light winds from South East 0-10kts. Seas: Low swell 2ft. from the South. Position: Lat: 05*17’N Long: 85*08’W

Top speed for trip: 9.3 kts.

Total miles sailed so far: 830 nautical miles

Miles left to go to Ecuador:447 nautical miles

The rest of the Story:

Day-7   was yet another day of light winds that truly tested our patience as sailors. The light and fluky winds are even more elusive for us, considering our wind-X at the top of the mast [A big arrow that points in the direction the wind is coming from.] is no longer operational thanks to frigate birds in Acapulco that took up roosting on it at night. I have tied yarn onto many of the shrouds holding the mast up to be able to see what the wind direction is and that works well in the daylight, but at night they become almost invisible, because the only yarn I had was “black”.

This trip is to be my last shake down passage before the trip around the world, and I had planned on looking for things that could be changed to make things safer and easier for a single handler. The one thing that has become all too obvious is that since I’m sailing unassisted around the world meaning “no engine” that my weather routing that I intend to do myself is going to have to be spot on to accomplish this passage in 5-6 months, as the old Sailors Run needs 7 knots of breeze to sail effectively against adverse currents, and to actually avoid getting caught in the center of a high pressure system somewhere.

Just to keep things interesting our refrigeration system has died on us, and Debbie had to cook up all the meat in the freezer and now we must keep making ice twice a day with our ice maker that “thank God”! we have to keep the meat from spoiling until we can eat it all up. We were disappointed that the system failed as it is only 4-years old and it seems the pump is froze up and our last system made by the same company lasted 11-years in the same harsh environment. I had a spare control model and swapped that out, and nothing changed as it is still flashing a red light three times in a row meaning problems with the compressor. We will find out what they can come up with in Ecuador before attempting to get a replacement unit sent down.

Day-8 Finds us drift sailing along, and thank God the current is with us at about one half of a knot so at least we continually move towards our destination. Today was a very relaxing day as I think there is little left that will likely fail on this passage. The winds can’t diminish much more as they are practically nonexistent at present.
Debbie and I played BA-HA Rummy a card game and I actually beat her twice in a row something that seldom ever happens. So that was eventful

Day-9 things have become more difficult as the winds have decided to blow from the direction we want to go, and also the current that was once with us is now against us, all part of that equatorial current scheme of things. Now if the wind is less than 4 -knots, we can no longer move towards our destination under sail and with our fuel down to the last 20-gallons we are praying the wind Gods will smile upon us and keep that wind up in the 10kt range.

Debbie redeemed herself at rummy, handing me a severe loss on this day.

Reporting on the vessel that I mentioned last time: Sv Nirvana Now, with Randy & Mona was scuttled . It had lost its rudder and makeshift rudder as well as it’s forestay due to wave action. They were ¾ of the way to Hiva Oha,Marquesas. The crew was picked up by another vessel SV Continuum and are now heading to the French Polynesia. The 203 ft schooner came as well to rescue them, but decided to just stay on the vessel that rescued them. The couple is well known thru out the sailing community and we all are very sad for their loss, but thankful they are safe

I’m so happy to report that it appears the foul weather gear issue has been resolved in a wonderful way. Our good friends Brent and Susan off the boat SV Akauahelo ,that we did the BA-HA-HA with back in 1999 are donating a set that Brent has never used and realizes a friend can put them to good use.

“Thanks Brent & Susan you’re the best”.

Hanging in there sailing the “Rum” line, Your amigos ,Jeff& Debbie

0 Sailors Run’s Passage from Chiapas,Mexico to Bahia Caraquez,Ecuador. Days-4-5-6, April 2015.

Sailors Run’s Passage from Chiapas,Mexico to Bahia Caraquez,Ecuador. Days-4-5-6, April 2015.

Day-4-24hr. Run= 147 NM. Weather, wind- ESE 15-25kts. Seas 8-10ft. Cabin temp 78*-91*.

Day-5-24hr. Run=136 NM. Weather, wind- ENE 5-15kts. Seas 5-6ft.Cabin temp 78*-88*.

Day-6-2hr.Run=63NM. Weather-Wind -0-12kts. Seas 3ft. Swell from the South. Cabin Temp,-88*-95*

Top speed for the trip so far=9.3kts.

Total distance sailed so far=676NM.

The Rest of the story:

Day -4 Brought us our strongest winds and sea conditions so far, and consequently our best mileage day so far as well. We were joined by hundreds of spinner dolphins that were putting on quite a show for us in the turbulent seas that surrounded us aboard Sailors Run as we were reefing the main. The night time temperatures are much lower now dropping to 78* at night.

 

Day-5 The winds dropped down a bit and we had our nicest sail of the passage so far. A couple of interesting things happened on this day; one was a swallow that kept trying to land on our boat that finally came to roost under the dodger on my tennis shoe. The swallow looked totally exhausted and had no problem with me holding a cap full of water up to him so he could have a drink; I was surprised when he declined my offer as it seemed that possibly he needed something much stronger. Soon the bird had ruffled up his plumage and was sound asleep, seeming never to be the slightest bit concerned as Debbie and I passed within twelve inches of him every time we entered or exited the boat.

The next day I noticed the swallow looked much more alert and had straightened out his plumage and was obviously readying his self for flight. I gathered up a larger bowl of water that he once more declined and then without so much as a peep he flew out from under the dodger on a bee-line for China not even doing a fly-by or appearing to look back. I can only hope he can refuel in flight or finds a freighter heading his way before he drops from the sky.

The second interesting thing was our encounter with a huge ship during the night. We now have AIS.(A collision avoidance system on board] The AIS shows all vessels that have an AIS transmitter and gives there course speed and usually the name of the ship and how close it will come to you, as well as its size and in some cases its destination,
Debbie spotted the ship 37-miles out and noted that our courses were converging and alerted me. I was not very concerned as he was far away and would see that I was under sail. I became a little more concerned when at 10-miles he was still bearing down on Sailors Run. When he was at 6-miles and still bearing down on us I put out a” Security, Security” call stating the name of our vessel, our position course and speed. I also stated his position course and speed and explained that we needed to talk, but I had no ships name.
After about 3-calls like this suddenly lots more info about the ship shows on the AIS including the name. So I transmit the fourth call calling Glory-One and at last there is an answer. The person running the ship asks how he can help? I say can you see us and what are your intentions are? He assures me that he will stay clear of me and asks if I want to pass port to port or starboard to starboard, I choose Port to Port as that makes it easy for me to fall off the wind a little helping us to clear each other.
I thanked him and was much relived when I seen him alter course a few degrees to give us a miss as Debbie really wasn’t really in the mood for company or abandoning ship!

Day-6  found us becalmed and motoring for awhile during the day. I had had an encounter with a pair of “Boobies” on our first day out and not only were they showing up frequently but now 5-days later I was still not comfortable about the way they had affected my serenity, and the love of sailing, but also conditions were right to once again assume the position and shake the tangle out of my baggy wrinkle.
Did I mention the pair of “Boobies” were a couple of sea birds that were trying to land on my spreaders and when one did, I took the spinnaker halyard and gave him a snap on the rear end that set him immediately into flight. I thought I had won until the slack in the halyard went out past the spreaders and took a double wrap around two of my “baggy wrinkles” above the spreader and locked itself into the stay. “Shit”.!!

 

Now on day six Debbie hoisted me up the mast in rolling seas to free the entangled halyard using the anchor winch to hoist me up. Soon the halyard was cleared and we would be able to hoist the much needed spinnaker on that side of the boat.
I made out with just a few bruises and looked very much forward to an ice cold drink to quench my thirst. Deb got some great pictures as well which we will put on the blog later

We hoisted the spinnaker and ran it through the night in the weakest of winds doing from 0.7kts to 4kts. Debbie showed her spinnaker trimming skills as she babysat the spinnaker tightening and slacking it as need be, just to try and get it to fill, after three hours of that you are definitely ready to be spelled from watch,as your neck hurts from looking up for hrs.

It is truly wonderful to have our SSB Radio to communicate everyday our position, etc to Nets that can hear us as far away as Puerto Vallarta,Panama, Hawaii as well as chat with our sailing friends for conversation.
We also heard that a sailing vessel sailing to the South Pacific 1,000 miles out had lost its forestay, and had sent out a Mayday, they have put out there sea anchor to keep them in place and now there is a sailing schooner 203 ft called Althos of London to rescue them, we heard everyone on board is doing fine, and were hoping that somehow the boat can get fixed to continue their journey

I thought of something else that someone might be able to help me find. I’m looking for some good foul weather gear for my upcoming Round the World Voyage and it seems like the cheapest decent stuff I see out there costs about 600 dollars on up. It would seem there must be a web site somewhere that sells decent gear for less; any info would be greatly appreciated. “Thanks”

You’re Amigos,(on a Slow Boat to Ecuador)-Jeff & Debbie