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’