Why is This Crew Smiling?

Why is this crew smiling? Because they’re headed to the sunny isles of Tahiti with the 2011 Pacific Puddle Jump fleet aboard the fast, comfy MacGregor 65 Braveheart.

You may have noticed that skipper Bob Callaway seems especially pleased. And no wonder, instead of recruiting a couple of big smelly guys to crew for him on the 3,000-mile passage, he shanghaiied Jennifer Martindale and Debbie Jahn, after the trio got acquainted during last fall’s Baja Ha-Ha rally.

If you followed our reports on that event, you’ll recall that Jen and Debbie were members of the wild and crazy crew of Moontide, a Long Beach-based Lagoon 470 cat. At the rally’s annual costume kickoff party, owner Bill Lilly took on the persona of Hugh Hefner, while Jen, Debbie and several others played the role of his bunnies — and they all had so much fun clowning around together that they stayed ‘in character’ throughout the trip. 

It remains to be seen whether or not Cap’n Bob will require his crew to wear clip-on bunny ears while watch-standing. But it’s a safe bet that this crew’s crossing will be as much fun as it is fast.

"They are both excellent crew," says Bob. "Jennifer is going to practice her skills as navigator — including practice with the sextant — while Debbie and I cook gourmet meals along the way. We are hoping that Braveheart will make the passage from La Cruz to Hiva Oa in 18 days."

We look forward to hearing all about it and sharing the highlights with you in our Puddle Jump Recap article later this summer. At this writing, many Puddle Jump boats are en route, and some have already arrived safely in the Marquesas. See the website for our complete fleet list.