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Up Date from Sailors Run. 10/04/1

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

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

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

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

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

Jeff Hartjoy

11800 Marquette Ave. NE.

Albuquerque, NM. 87123

                                         Your Amigos Jeff& Debbie

New book: NO TURNING BACK

 

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

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

 

Shore Leave For the Jefe’ 8/16/2018

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The jefe’ building fence in Albuquerque.

Time to poor some mud.

Debbie at Clayton Lake NM. looking for dinosaur tracks.

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

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

 

The Jefe’ and Daniel heading out to Washington State.

Debbie found some great dinosaur tracks at Clayton Lake

Grandson Brayden with tomatoes from Grandpa’s garden.

Brayden harvesting squash.

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

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

Debbie outside of Oklahoma

Debbie and I on the road again.

Debbie loves her weeping cherry tree.

 

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

Great Grandpa and Camy

Great Grandpa with Camy and Orlando.

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

Son Daniel on his 650 KLR Kawasaki motorcycle.


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Marshall Islands Voyage Days 25-26-27.

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

Marshall Islands Voyage Days 22-23-24.

Miles sailed last 3-days= 474nm.
Total miles sailed so far=3315 nm.
Aprox. Miles left to go =1676 nm.
Top speed so far 12.2 Kts.
Day-22
  Pos 14*56′ N. Long.150*27′ W.
  24hr.Run=176 nm.
  Weather: Wind 15-20kts.NE. Seas NE at 6-8ft. Bar.=1009mb. Cabin Temp.= 80*-84*
  New top speed = 12.2 kts.
The Rest of The Story.
  Wow! the days have become much more exciting as the waves are much larger now, enabling Sailors Run to surf the face of some of them and we are cooking along.
  This evening I climbed out into the cockpit to have a look around before dark and was pleasantly surprised to see a beautiful gold and green Dorado surfing along behind the boat with our lure in his mouth. He looked small at about 30″ but I needed fish so I recklessly pulled him in and up out of the water not using the gaff. I figured it would give him a chance to shake the hook, that didn’t happen and now I have 5 nice Dorado dinners to look forward to.
  By the end of today we should be within 360 nm. of the Big Island of Hawaii.
  You know, I must conserve water, and I do some of that by only doing dishes every three days, and I think I just figured something out here. If I put the dishes in the shower with me I can multitask and wouldn’t that just be so “politically correct.” Hmmmmm.
                          On An “E” ticket ride to the Marshall’s the Jefe’
Day-23.
  Pos. Lat.15*31 N. Long. 153*00’W.
  24hr.Run=164nm.
  Weather: Wind NE-E. 14-16kts. Seas NE. at 5-7ft. Bar.= 1011mb. Cabin Temp 80*-82*.
The Rest of the Story:
  Today starts out rather strange as it is 100% overcast and there are smattering’s of rain falling here and there. Not enough rain to rinse the rig or sails, let alone think of collecting any.
  By mid-afternoon the sky’s have turned blue and it’s another sunny day on the Pacific.
  My shoulder that I pulled real good has returned almost to normal making it so much easier to hang on with two hands.
  I  was rattled out of my bunk about 5:30 am by the sails popping around up on deck. I realized the winds are shifting, and it is time once again to gybe to the SW. Now we were just 230 nm. from the big island of Hawaii and need to make some progress to the SW. once again. I thought of Debbie and my friends in the Hawaiian Islands and gave a little wave as we peeled off on to the new course.
  I enjoyed a real nice Dorado dinner last night. Now I’m already starting to feel that I’m closing in on my destination, I mean it is only 2000 NM. away.
A quote from my son Dan “The only way to have a good life is to live one”.
                                                  Leaning the other way now, the Jefe’
Day-24.
  Pos. Lat. 14*01′ N. Long. 154* 31′ W.
  24hr.Run=134nm.
  Weather: Wind E. at 7-14kts. Seas E. 4-5ft. Bar.=1004mb. Cabin Temp= 80*-84*.
The Rest of the Story:
  We slowed down today as the winds have dropped significantly.
  I was out on deck peering off over the horizon when a large flock of small birds appeared circling above the wave tops. There had to be a hundred of them and then as rapidly as they had appeared they disappeared right back into the ocean where they came from. Yep faked out again, more flying fish.
  Last evening there was panic aboard the Sailors Run and yep, you guessed it, I was freaking out just a bit. The problem was it was my favorite time of the day as I was pulling my emails and communicating with friends and family. Well I was trying but the computer would hook up to the land based station and sounded like it was communicating yet nothing showed on my computer screen. It was a half hour after hooking up with several different stations, and getting all the same results that I gave up.
  Now this is a really big problem as everybody including my wife, Debbie are going to wonder what happened to the Jefe’. I climbed into my bunk knowing there would be no way my mind would let go of this and sleep would come.
  As I lay there I devised a plan of action, if the SSB radio still functioned properly in the morning I would contact someone on there and have them email Debbie that I was OK and will call her in 2-weeks or so from The Marshall Islands. If that did not work I would try calling the Coast Guard on VHF channel-16, if no luck there then watch for a ship to appear on the AIS and call them asking to send an email.
  I laid there mulling all of this over when I remembered twice before over the past 19-years that the cord from the Pactor Modem and the computer had failed. I wondered if possibly I had an old cord that was still good. It was then that I realized I just put a new cord from the computer to the old cord that goes into the modem and this new cord was quite long and possibly might plug directly into the modem there by removing the suspect cord out of the circuit.
  It was 3am when I tried this, and ‘bingo” the cord plugged in fine, and low and be hold I had communication once again. The other thing that I would have lost is my weather info that I pull from Sailmail and that would have had me flying blind out here.
  Something to remember systems can and do fail. if you quite hearing from me and become concerned write Debbie at <sailorsrun01@yahoo.com>
  In the event of tragic mishap I hope to be able to set off my “Epirb” locating device. If the Epirb has not gone off you can be easily assured I’m still sailing along or swimming for an Island somewhere.
  Very early in the morning before it was light I went on deck for a look around, and discovered what looked like a quite severe electrical storm happening astern of Sailors Run. The strikes were happening every second and this went on for as long as I wanted to watch it. The good thing  was I could not hear it and it was moving north away from us.
                      Plodding along in the Pacific, the jefe’

Marshall Islands Voyage days 19-20-21.

Total miles sailed last 3-days= 384 nm.
Total miles sailed so far=2841 nm.
Aprox distance left to go=2150 nm.
Top speed for voyage= New high=10.2 kts.
Day-19.
   Pos. Lat. 14*08′ N. Long. 142*58′ W.
  24hr.Run 91nm.
  Weather: Wind=ENE at 5-8 kts. Seas= ENE. 3-4 ft. Barometer=1007 mb.       Cabin Temp. 80*
The Rest of the Story.
  As you can see today was the least miles traveled so far on the voyage, sailing in very light to nearly non existent winds.
  On this day I tossed out the fishing line with little confidence for success, because of the low boat speed.
  Days like this are perfect for lots of reading-reading, and more reading.
  Good things are taking place aboard the Sailors Run. Last night I crawled into my sea berth for a few winks of sleep, before I would no doubt have to get up to “pee” in 1.5 hrs maximum.
 I awoke to the sound of sails popping and snapping on deck. I crawled out to see what was up. Curious about the hour I snapped on the cabin light illuminating the clock over my bunk.”Holly Shit” I had been out for 6-hrs. After a quick look about top sides and scanning the radar, I set about adjusting our course to get the sails back drawing once again. Once back below I went to my berth to see if possibly I wet the bed, because this seemed so strange. No the bed was dry and a sense of relief came over me as I realized I’m rapidly getting back to normal.
  I have been on the sulfur drugs for 6-days now and they are definitely working. I will continue on with them for another 6-days as these urinary types of infections can be stubborn to rid yourself of. “Hal-a-Lu-Ya Praise the Lord”.
  The strange thing about this sudden improvement in my health is last night I broke down and ate a package of “Chips Ahoy” cookies before going to bed. The cookies are thought to be one of the causes of me having to get up so often. Hmmmm.
                    Thinking about that “rum drink’ and setting a new single handed sleeping record.
                                            Looking for wind the Jefe’
Day-20.
   Pos. Lat. 13*45′ N. Long. 144*47′ W.
  24hr.Run=124nm.
  Weather: Wind 7-14 kts. NE. Seas-4-5ft. NE. Bar.=1004mb. Cabin Temp. 80*-87*.
The Rest of the Story.
    I passed over the Marquess’s Islands just 1500 miles to the south of me yesterday and should come within about 300nm. of Palmyra Island, before to much longer
  I must stay north of 10* N. to take advantage of the Northern Equatorial Current it runs at about 1/2 kt. Below the 10* N. is the Equatorial counter current doing the same thing back the other way. Once beyond 165* west longitude I can drop down as so does the current.
  Fishing again this day but hold out little hope as we are going to slow for the lure to work.
  With the light winds and small seas I don’t get squid or flying fish onboard. I remember when Debbie and I were sailing to the Marquess’s back in 2001, I got hit in the chest with a 12″ flying fish and it not only hurt but I thought I had been shot. Lucky for me it did not hit my eye.
  The winds started building overnight so it looks like good sailing for several days to come.
                                Lets have a 160nm. day, come on baby.
                                          The Jefe’
Day-21.
   Pos. Lat.14*09’N Long. 147*37′. W.
  24hr.Run= 169nm.
  Weather: Wind NE. 15-18kts. Seas NE. 6-7ft. Bar.=1005mb. Cabin Temp. 80*-84*
The Rest of the Story.
  Today is the best day of sailing so far covering 169 nm. going fast and hoping for a fish. Today also seen us pass the half way point in the Voyage.
  Now with bigger seas and occasional rogue waves that slam us on the side I must be very careful not to get injured as things happen fast and often. Of course this makes sleeping much more difficult and I find myself continually evaluating the sea state and wind strength to determine if a sail reduction is needed. Its nice to at last be going fast but there is still along ways to go and we don’t want to break.
  Towards evening in building winds I took the Mizzen sail down and lashed it to the boom. By doing this I move the center of effort further forward on our sail plan making maintaining steering control while surfing waves much easier. Next move will be a reef in the main if the wind starts exceeding 20kts.
  The veggies ae still holding out so eating lots of salads and stir fry’s.
            Come on “Fish” where are you?
                  The Jefe’ just trying to hook up in the Pacific.

Voyage to the Marshall Islands Days 16-17-18.

Total miles sailed so far=2,456nm.
Miles left to go aprox.= 2,54 4nm.
Miles sailed last three days=404 nm.
Top speed so far 10.1 kts.
Day-16.
  Pos. Lat.16*52′ N. Long. 138* 13′ W.
  24hr.Run=149 nm.
  Weather: Wind 10-14kts ENE. Seas= 5-6ft. ENE. Bar.=1011mb. Cabin Temp 78*
The Rest of the Story.
  Winds have lightened a bit but still moving along nicely aboard Sailors Run a 40ft. Bob Perry designed ketch a definite take you anywhere you want to go boat, and that’s a good thing for me, for I would have perished a long time ago. “Thanks Bob”
  I found my way into the shower I believe a day late of my every 3 day schedule, and exited feeling a whole lot more refreshed and everything just somehow seems nicer, smells better to.
  Once again as I scratch the days off on the calendar, it seems strange, just how fast the days are flying by. It must be like the runner’s “high” where your endorfins kick in and your pain level rises and you go for miles and miles effortlessly.
  Here are some interesting thoughts from the Pacific. I have a friend that is an electrical engineer that builds solar farms in Texas. A typical site is 100-acres of panels that power 2,500 homes in the area.
  Now you realize lots of people are all hyped up about the electric car, Teslar etc.
   I worked in the power distribution industry as a lineman and am aware that we have cities in the US that are already suffering from “brown outs”[not enough power to meet the demand].
  Think about this the average large gas station fuels 10,000 cars a day, average time at the fuel stop 15-minutes and you have a clean window when you drive out.
  A comparable charging station would have to have 600 high capacity charges requiring 30-Megawatt’s of power to charge 10,000 electric cars. That is enough power to supply 25,000 homes. These stations are estimated to cost 20-million dollars each to build and each one will have to have a substation size transformer near the site to run the chargers, and that 15-minutes will now be one to one and a half hours to charge your car.
  Oh you will charge your car or cars at home. Well the same amount of power will be needed, and most likely your service to your house will need a major up grade as these batteries in these cars require considerably more power than an I-phone.
    The building of Electric cars is currently being subsidized by our government. This will soon end and you will most likely find out that your electric car will cost twice as much as a conventual car that will no longer be allowed on the roads and most likely they will cost twice as much to operate.
    Where will all this power come from not solar farms as each charging station would need 1000 acres of panels. We can only assume that there will have to be more generation produced from Hydroelectric, nuclear, coal and oil. To me this sounds like a pretty good way to make sure we use up our fossil fuels just as fast as we can.
    Where will all these precious metals come from to build these batteries?
                Just some thoughts from “My Pacific High” The Jefe’
Day -17.
  Pos. Lat. 15* 42′ N. Long. 140*04′ W.
  24hr.Run=135nm.
  Weather: Wind 8-13kts E. Seas-4-5ft. Bar.= 1007mb. Cabin Temp 78*.
The Rest of the Story.
  It has become clear to me that I have one problem with this route to the Marshall Islands and that is the wind is right on my back so sailing the course line is very difficult. If I had my old spinnaker that was much smaller than the one I have now I could fly it and do just fine,but there is just enough wind that it is just to risky to fly the big chute so I’m forced to Gybe back and forth across the course line taking advantage of wind shifts to get there but adding extra miles.
  Today seen a ship pass within 16 miles of me and was visited by a pod of dolphins.
  The lettuce was gone two days ago so now using cabbage in the salads. No more oranges a good thing as I should not eat them anyway, and I have apples for about 15 more days, they are small and don’t seem to bother me.
  Along towards evening the sky’s clouded over and some of the clouds were very tall showing signs of vertical instability so I kept a sharp eye on my radar for a squall to appear. The funny thing was two hours after it was dark all the clouds disappeared and the sky’s overhead were filled with sparkling diamonds.
  I messed up pretty good on this day when I grabbed the Mizzen sheet to yank the mizzen out from behind the upper shroud it was just barely hung up on. Much to my surprise when I yanked, it did not move but instead my shoulder went “Pop-Pop” and now hurts like hell when I move it certain ways. I should have used the winch to winch it out. Oh well it will just make things a little more challenging and me a true single hander.
                          Taken care of my only good arm left the Jefe’
Day-18.
  Pos.Lat. 15*45′ N Long. 141*45’W.
  24hr. Run=120nm.
  Weather: Wind:8-10kts.  ESE. Seas 4-5ft.E. Bar. 1007mb. Cabin Temp.= 80*
  Total miles sailed so far=2456nm.
  Miles left to go aprox.2,544nm.
  Miles sailed last three days=404nm.
  top speed so far 10.1 kts.
The Rest of the Story.
  Seen another ship and this one was much closer at just 6nm. and visible to the naked eye. Winds much lighter today slowing us somewhat. The good thing was there was a wind shift that allowed us to sail the course line for much of the day. Tomorrow the fishing line goes in as today there were lots of dolphins around, so one must think there might be fish once they leave. A nice Dorado or Tuna would be a real treat at this time.
  After 18-days we are still not quite at the half way point. We can only hope the second half will be faster.
  Debbie writes everyday and is doing well back in Albuquerque baby sitting the three grand kids during the week as needed. Her and two of the neighbor hood women get together to play Mexican trains on Sundays, and it sounds like they are having good “girl time”.
                Just trying to survive the “Pee-Pea” issues in the Pacific.
                                      The Jefe’
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