Pacific
Ocean WeatherJune 27 - Pacific Ocean
Does it look calm out there or what? Perfect for a slow but
calm sail to Hawaii.
Click here to see enlarged graphic.
University of Hawaii Meteorology Graphic
June 27 - Pacific Ocean
If there is any record set for this year's SSS TransPac, it will
be for the easiest start. After three days, the conditions are
still light and at least one boat reports having yet to take a
drop of water on deck. Here's more from Mike Jefferson aboard
the Yamaha 33 'Foxfire':
"The fleet is gradually getting better wind. The consensus
is that the wind is improving with distance offshore. Last night
many skippers got a good rest, as the wind was reasonably stable
and had moved aft far enough that reaching courses were possible.
'Tawodi' was flying 2,000 square feet of asymmetrical kite earlier
today, but the wind went forward and he is now reaching with a
jib. Anna on 'Sundowner' reports that her tack fitting for her
asymmetrical kite was ripped off by the tow to the start. She
will attempt to jury rig something, but says her options are limited.
Tree Champagne on 'Fisheye' reports getting 7 hours sleep last
night while her boat tracked like it was on rails. Then this morning
she discovered that the autopilot was disconnected!
"It has been pretty cold and dank out here. We are all longing
for sunny warm weather. The sea is that deep blue/cobalt color
you only see offshore. Swell is a few feet, very gentle. I have
not yet taken any water onboard! We have been handled gently on
this trip so far, discounting the light airs."
For more info, visit www.sfbaysss.org.
Photo Latitude/Richard
Singlehanded TransPac Profile:
A longtime sailor and shorthander, Tree has been keeping an
eye on the Solo TransPac for a long time, but it wasn't until
she read the 'bug theory' that she knew she really wanted to do
the race. What's the bug theory? An observation SSS TransPac veteran
Greg Morris made a few years back: "This race is a bug light
for weirdos."
"That was all I needed to hear!" says Tree.
'Fisheye', one of few sailboats designed and built by noted Pacific
Northwest powerboat designer Joe Trumbly, was not her first choice
as a racing platform. But the Singlehanded TransPac has always
been a 'race what you have' event, and she really liked the way
the boat had behaved on a trip up the coast last year. So she
signed up for the 2000 event, rolled up her sleeves and . . .
started signing checks. "I had no idea the amount of time
and effort it would take to get ready for this race," says
Tree (short for Terese), echoing a common lament of first-timers.
"It will be a great relief to start racing so I can finally
relax!"
Depending on conditions, either the Monitor windvane or autopilot
will do most of the cross-country driving. Tree plans to sleep
in 20-minute spurts mostly during the day. "I'm looking forward
to seeing the stars at night," she says. They should put
on a brilliant show, especially considering much of this year's
race will take place under a new moon.
Unlike most competitors, Tree has not decided when or how she'll
get the boat home. She may turn right around and sail it here;
then again, she may leave it in Hawaii and make plans to go farther
west next summer. "At the moment," she says, "I
have no plans beyond just getting there."
Boat: 'Fisheye - Trumbly 31 (1977)
PHRF rating: 183
Yacht Club: Santa Rosa Sailing Club
Homeport: Sausalito
Occupation: Technical Support Engineer
Age: 'Low 50s'
Navigation: Raytheon GPS chart plotter, Raytheon handheld. Steering:
primary: Monitor windvane; secondary: old Autohelm 3000 autopilot.
Food: Alpine Air self-heating meals. "They're great. I'm
never eating another boiled meal. They even come with a fork and
napkin!" Special thanks to: "Ron Blair Signs, Eric Olson
of Nordland, my son, Dillon, my daughter, Magdelena, and numerous
other friends who have contributed abundant time, energy and support."
June 27 - San Francisco Bay
The Catnip Cup, a fun sail for cruising catamarans from the Gate
to Vallejo and back, was held on June 10-11. Approximately 20
boats participated. Because the wind was light and multihulls
don't show speed well in photos, this isn't the most exciting
gallery in the world. But you've got to 'sail with the wind you've
got'.
 Allan & Lynn Miller's Polycon 37, 'Cat-A-Tonic' |
 Chuck & Ellie Longenecker's Catana 42, 'Cat Ballou' |
 Marc Roth's Venezia 42, 'Callisto' |
 Blair and Joan Grinols' Custom 46, 'Capricorn Cat' |
 Colin McLane's Tabago 35, 'Angel' |
 Jack London Aquatic Center's Gemini 105, 'Nauticat' |
 Michael & Joyce French's Atlantic 42, 'Mango Mi' |
 Gary Helms' Seawind 1000, 'Seawind' |
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