Surprise, we're leaving today

From Chris Doutre: To all my friends in Santa Cruz who wondered why I left town so suddenly, here's an update. When Captain Lindsey called me in LA on Friday afternoon, I got the idea that she had a crew spot open for some vague future date and wanted to know if I knew anyone available. Well, one thing about me, I'm usually pretty slow, so I told her no, sorry, but I'll ask around, goodbye. After a few minutes of mentally re-decoding her message, I saw the light and I called her back and said I was available, but for when? Bottom line: Agnes and I drove home from LA on Sunday, a day sooner than planned, and I flew out to Honolulu early on Monday morning. At this point I was still thinking Cirrus might depart for Long Beach on Tuesday or Wednesday. Nope; my plane touched down at 11:00, Lindsey and Donna picked me up and we left the airport at 12:00, Lindsey's boyfriend Derrick Ontiveros met us at the boat with takeout Chinese for lunch at 1:00, and after some brief goodbye's with Derrick, and Kim and Lou Ickler, and race-crew Caroline Heinrich, plus Mister O'opu (black beast) we shoved off before 2:00. My cell phone log shows that I talked to Agnes at 1:58 pm and that was from the middle of Kaneohe Bay. There's lots more to the story, but that's enough for now. Fair winds ...

Valerie - Day 1

Two missed calls and finally connected with Bill at 9 AM HST. The engine has been turned off, sailing under main with single reef and jib. It is a little bumpy but "not bad" and the skies are beautifully blue. Although the GPS is now telling them they could make it in 13 days we aren't holding that thought too tightly as they may, given weather predictions, have to turn more north over the next two days or so.
Unfortunately, it is really too wet to leave the dorade vents in. They lost one, flooded Lindsey's bunk and decided to put the covers on. Too bad because it makes it stuffier below decks but it makes sense to do this.
All crew doing very well and appreciate the well wishers.
More tomorrow.

Day One

As of 0600, this morning, Tuesday, June 12th, 2007, we are about 100 miles out, with 2123 miles more to go. Our position is 22N50, 157W04. Course is 040M. Not aimed at Long Beach exactly, but better than going to the North Pole. Speed 5.8 knots. We are motor sailing, with only a reefed main up. We are close hauled into the wind at 040 relative and about 10 knots.

It was a beautiful night, clear most of the time. Looking aft, the constellation Scorpio fills the whole sky, with the "Teapot" right behind. Bright object in Scorpio must be Jupiter (can someone check that). The wispy cloud up over the top, from horizon to horizon, turned out to be the Milky Way.

We spoke to Richard, also underway, on 8A at 1730, but were unable to raise Lou Ickler a little later.

Sun just popped up. Donna and Lindsey just unfurled the jib and the boat speed went up to 6.9 knots. At this rate we should be in Long Beach in 14 days.

(Photos - Donna, Lindsey, Chris and Bill and the Cirrus leaving Makani Kai to, with any luck at all, make it to Long Beach - courtesy of Kim Ickler)

I think we've got all the bugs out.

Well, we have successfully completed our second shakedown cruise and other than the alternator that went up in a puff of smoke, most of the things that need to be fixed are rather minor. Of course, we did not think it was a shakedown cruise when we set out. We thought we were on our way to Long Beach. But alternator failure is serious. So, we are back at the dock for the second time. Replaced the alternator yesterday and now we're topping off the tanks, adding some provisions and getting underway, yet again, for Long Beach on Saturday. Wish us luck this time.

(This time with a new alternator and a spare.)






FLASH!! JUST IN!!! - Nancy will not be able to do the delivery with us because of the delay and additional time involved . Chris Doutre from Santa Cruz, who handled communications for us last year during the delivery to San Francisco, is flying in to take her place. That will delay our departure until Monday. It's getting a little close.

Tuesday, June 5

8 AM HST Report from Bill via Valerie. Latitude 24, 27. Longitude 156, 53
Cirrus is well under way in 13-15 kn of wind. They are not motoring any more and are sailing with one reef and a portion of the jib unfurled. Course is still, essentially, North and seas are still very bumpy. The weather system appears to be very stable so they will probably be on this course "for days" with the trip taking a good 3 weeks.
I chided Bill about thinking about the book, the beer and the cat and he made a gracious recovery. I asked if they were fishing and the report is that they have enough excitement and aren't looking for more...basically in survival mode. Your intrepid reporter can't imagine being at sea in those conditions and Bill laughed and said "You couldn't pay me to do this, it has to be a volunteer activity!"
There is some seasickness still among the women but all are coping and doing well.
More tomorrow. Aloha - Valerie

Not what we expected

What with all the advance planning we were not surprised at the 10-15 knot winds from the west. What we didn't expect was the huge squalls during the first night and bumpy confused seas. We are pushing our way north through 10-14 ft. waves, mostly from ahead, but from all directions. A wave goes over the boat every 5 minutes.

We started out just motoring when the wind was lighter, then motor sailing to get through the bumps, now on reefed main and partly furled jib. Our heading isn't as good, but it sure is nice to have some quiet.

When I think I could be home with a cold beer, a good book and the cat snuggled up beside me!!!!!!!!

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Monday, June 4

As we had arranged, Bill called me (Valerie) via Satellite phone at 8AM HST. Their position is Lat. 22 deg. 40 min. N, Lon. 157 deg. 18 min W. Motor-sailing virtually straight north in very rough and bumpy seas, launching off the top of waves and crashing down the other side. In order to stabilize the boat, they put up the main sail. The wind then went up to 17 kn. and they have just finished putting in a reef. ("Thank God for an all women crew. They are 10 times tougher than I am." - Bill Myers) By keeping the course due north for now, they anticipate getting to somewhat lighter winds which will make sailing "up wind" a lot more comfortable.
Last night around sunset, the motor alarm started to "chirp" - Upon opening the engine compartment all systems (water, oil etc.) seemed to be in order. Bill proceeded to check the wiring diagram and found a single wire that didn't serve any purpose. This wire went into a cable and over the motor mount and he found that vibration had caused it to wear a microscopic hole in the insulation. This has now been taped and the chirp silenced.
During the night they saw (but were not directly hit by) several squalls. In the moonlight Bill was reminded of the pictures of the A-Bomb tests where there was a huge tower of water and enormous clouds glowing in the light. Except, of course, the water was coming down instead of going up. Very dramatic. The squalls set up very large waves and kept everyone on their toes. All are well and happy.
That's the report for today.
Aloha,
Valerie (still in Michigan until 6/14)

On our way (again).

SO far so good. It is about 1830 HST, on Sunday the 3rd of June. Sunset is not too far away. We are about 25 miles out, at 21N50, 157w34. We are motoring into 3-4 knots of wind with no sails up, on a course of 025M and making about 5.2 knots over the ground. It is slowly getting more bumpy as the wind speed creeps up.

It was great good luck that we found a new water pump on Sunday morning. Mike Rush and Charlie Bellman at the Ali Wai Marine actually dropped what they were doing and opened up the store to search for the pump in their stock. There apparently was one in "Will Call" that had not yet been picked up. Awesum! . The two old pumps will serve as spares.

That's about it for today. Everyone is pretty wiped out from the rush to get underway. Lots of naps going on. Hope the news remains good and maybe we'll have more to say as the trip progresses.

Bill

Another beautiful day, another start!

Donna was successful at finding a brand new water pump which has been installed and the trusty delivery gang is off again. Bill called when they had cleared the Sampan channel and reported beautiful clear skies, a little more breeze than yesterday and lots of positive feelings all around. They left again at about 2PM HST.
Weather reports suggest that they will have to go North for awhile before they can pick up more wind and head for Long Beach.
(submitted by Valerie from Michigan)
(Picture credit: Kim Ickler)

Delivery commenced on schedule but...

Cirrus departed for Long Beach as scheduled at about 2PM HST. A cheerful group of supporters saw Lindsey, Donna, Nancy and Bill off under sunny skies, light winds and calm seas.
Unfortunately, they had not cleared the channel by much more than an hour when the cooling alarm sounded. The water pump had failed and, given the light winds, motor-sailing was a necessity. Bill was pleased that he had a replacement pump on board and that was quickly installed. Nope - it was faulty. So, they are turning back to Kaneohe while the land support "crew" scrambles to find another pump. As soon as one is found, it will be installed and they will be off again.
More information as updates available!
(Posted by Valerie in Michigan---6 hours later than HST)
(Photo credit Dana Ritchie Fujikake)

Thanking our Sponsor

Logo items featuring our sponsor, Transpacific Mortgage Group, on a spinnaker can now be purchased! Check it out! http://www.cafepress.com/cirrussponsor

MORE MEDIA

As our delivery departure gets closer (Saturday, June 2nd) we are getting a lot of very nice media recognition:

Honolulu Advertiser
Kaneohe Yacht Club
Transpac Website

Cirrus Crew Photo - Transpac2007

Nancy, Donna, Christin, Caroline, Lindsey, Bill
.

Ready to go again.

"Skipper" the Cirrus mascot is joining the crew for both the delivery and race. We think "Skipper" has at least eight crossings under her belt so far. So, this will be numbers 9 and 10. Originally added to the crew for good luck she has subsequently turned out to be a solid team player and significant morale booster.