Hawaii is getting ready

Large article, evidently the first in a series, about the TransPac in today's Star Bulletin which mentions, if only in passing, that Bill Myers' "Cirrus" is among the racers. Bill said there were several interviews so there may be additional mentions as the week goes on. See: http://starbulletin.com/2007/07/08/sports/story01.html
Training and shift assignments are under way for the support staff in Hawaii. I will be working communications this year as I have done for the Pacific Cup for several of the past races.
They start at 1PM PDT tomorrow. So, dear friends of Cirrus, time to start to focus the winds on a good, steady shot from Long Beach to Waikiki.
Valerie

Role Reversal

How many mothers can in their wildest dreams imagine themselves taking orders from their daughter in physically stressful, maybe even life threatening, situations. Well, it seems to work for these two.

Cirrus is in good hands.

Bill

Hey! Fuzz!

A new spinnaker provided by our sponsor, Transpacific Mortgage Group, arrived and was formally presented to us by "Fuzz" Foster of North Sails Hawaii. Fuzz is here in connection with providing sails for Pyewacket.

Friday, 5 July 2007

Donna and Lindsey did some serious Costco yesterday and Cirrus is sitting much lower in the water. Lindsey went up the mast and fixed the erratic masthead light, checked halyards, lubed some blocks and gave everything aloft an inspection.

Then. As if they don't have enough to do, they threw a party in the evening for just about everyone who has been helpful to us since we got here. I get tired just observing the level of activity.

Status - July 3

Nothing like a hot shower, a good meal that you didn't have to eat on your lap and a good night's sleep to make the world look better.
Based on Richard's recommendation they replaced a small fuel filter on the engine(way down line from the major "much better" fuel filter), "bled the line" (got the air out) and wonder of wonders the engine started up and is running like a top. The main sail has been removed and is going to the sail maker to get new slugs (they run in a track on the mast to raise, lower and hold the main in place - some had broken and some pulled out.) All is falling into place as it should.
I find that my shoulders have lowered about 2" and I slept wonderfully all night. Such a fine thing to have our special people safe and comfortable again.
Next report will be when there is anything to report.
Aloha for now.
Valerie

ENDLICH!!

7:40 AM HST = 10:40 AM PDT Cirrus safely had lines over and secured to the dock.
The came into the harbor via the Los Angeles entrance because they were fogged in solid and almost missed it! With about 50' visibility they went along the breakwater. About half-way along someone from the marina gave them a tow. They were passed off to a couple of "professionals" who finished the tow and tucked them into their slip. Lindsey is handling the paperwork with the harbor master and, wonder of wonders, shore power is on its way.
CONGRATULATIONS you hardy and tenacious crew!!
Aloha nui,
Valerie

Update 4 AM HST

Cirrus has arrived at Pt. Furhman flopping around in very light air and the morning mist. They are working their way in the last five miles but it is difficult to really steer in the light air. Paul Imire, their "host" in Long Beach is going to check in at his office and anticipates being able to come out in his Zodiac and bring them in.
That's it for now...back to sleep.
Valerie

Update 6:45PM HST

Cell phone call from Bill. They are off Palos Verdes headed towards Pt. Furhman but it is very light air and they are lucky to make 2 kn. boat speed. First goal is to get across the shipping channel. Next goal is covering the 13.6 mi. to Pt. Furhman and another 5 to the mooring site.
From being so cold last night that they thought they were going to die to being on deck in shorts and t-shirts now has been quite a transition. As we spoke the moon had just broken the horizon so they will have plenty of light and the harbor itself is, reportedly, lit up completely.
Contact with Ric Saunders (Harbor Master) has yielded information about mooring in a slip next to Pyewacket. Ric told them that if they aren't in on their own by 10 AM he will send out a tow for them. Unless the wind dies completely they should make it sometime in the wee small hours.
Because he is not able to charge the phone, it has been turned off but Bill promised to keep me posted as I will, in turn, promise you, dear readers.
Aloha,
Valerie

Update 8:15 AM

Couple of things -
Both Agnes and I think they must have meant 14 hours, not 24 (when we do the math anyway) - we'll see.
And the second thing is that Bill and I are celebrating 7 years of marriage today. Those of you who know him know how lucky I am. I just received a lovely arrangement of flowers and who knows how he knew to do this but this picture was e-mailed 2 days ago for posting today.
Happy day - Valerie

Update 7 AM HST

Southern tip of Catalina Island is 50 miles away, Point Furman (sp?) - the start line for the TransPac is 72 miles away at 060 magnetic. Happily, Cirrus is on target heading 060. Lat. 33 deg. 23 min. N, 119 deg, 41 min. W.
Last night was very rough with high winds and 12-15 foot breaking waves. No jib and a double reef. Everyone is licking their proverbial wounds this morning but the wind is now lighter and they are making 5 kn. and anticipate putting the jib out and shaking out the reef. At the current pace, they should make Pt. Furman in about 24 hours.
They have several possible people to call to help with getting into the slip. There's good old reliable Joel. In addition, TransPac has assigned a host who lives near the harbor and there is also the possibility of aid from the harbor master.
That's it for now. I'll keep you posted.
Aloha,
Valerie

Latest word from Cirrus 4:30PM HST

Received via e-mail:
"Hello everyone,

I just wanted to let you know that we have lost our engine. We are sailing along fine, and we have lots of wind, but we have decided to eliminate all unnecessary electronics to conserve our batteries. So this is our last email for now. We expect to be in cell phone range by about 6:00 pm PDT tomorrow, so we'll try and resume normal communication then. We may also try the satphone again before then.

In the meantime, with no engine, our fuel shortage is not an issue and we will not be putting in to Two Harbors, but going on directly to Long Beach, Rainbow Marina. Once we are close, we'll call TowBoatUS for help getting unto our slip. We are leaving our VHF on, monitoring channel 16.

Current position at 4:15 pm HST: 33N24.362 121W30.420, Course: 085 true at 6 knots
Distance to the west end of Catalina Island: 145 Nm
Distance to Long Beach: 166 Nm"

.......
I will update blog as soon as I hear anything new.
Valerie

Navigator Bill sensing the position of the planets

I always wondered how you measure interaction of celestial bodies with simple earthly tools - now I know!
Ulli

That's what I'm talkin' about!

Last night, during my watch before midnight, we saw a peak boat speed of 8.5 knots. The true wind had built to 12 knots and was heading for 16. So, when Bill came on watch, we did an "all hands" exercise to furl the jib and put a reef in the main. Even with this drastically reduced sail, we were still doing over 6 knots in fairly smooth seas. This morning, it's more of the same, still doing 6+ knots, but the seas have gotten lumpy. The weather conditions are gorgeous, clear skies, bright full moon last night, and sunny skies today. At sunset, Donna saw TWO green flashes.

Bill spent much of the night chasing a stray engine alarm signal. It's a very weak buzz, probably not indicative of an engine problem; more likely a chafed or corroded sensor wire. He continues to puzzle over it, investigating various ideas as they come to him.

Position at 7:45 AM HST: 33N24.4 122W29.9, course 080 true at 6.5 knots. Distance to go to West End of Catalina 195 N miles.
- Chris

Thank you, wind dancers.

I awoke this morning to find the other members of the crew discussing the fact that the wind was freshening and moving forward, so it was time to switch from the spinnaker to the big jib. But first, run the engine to charge the batteries and clean the barnacles off the propeller. I was gonna say cobwebs, but what sense would that make?

But yes, the wind has freshened, to about 8 knots, and clocked to the NW. After we turned off the engine, we were able to make a steady 5 knots, with bursts to 6, with full main and full jib. So, a big thank you to Valerie, and the other members of this worldwide virtual wind-dancing coven, for all your help.

In case Bill didn't mention it, we have used up all of our bottled water and are now drinking from the big blue jerry cans. Not literally; we pour a jerry can, about 6 gallons, into the fresh water tank, and then use that until it's gone. And we have lots more jerry cans. But the jerry cans contain hose water, eminently drinkable, but not as tasty is the bottled stuff. So we really appreciate the fact that Donna provided a huge stash of orange Crystal Light, specifically for the purpose of masking the "tank water" taste. That's about all we drink now.

Trash report: We passed a huge kelp stalk and root, about 3 inches in diameter and about 12 feet long. It was hanging down in the water and you could clearly see the entire length. The water is that clear here.

We have now decided that our first planned port of call in California will be Two Harbors, Catalina Island, rather than Long Beach. We expect to be able to refuel there, possible get a burger and a beer, and (in Bill's fantasy) a shower. It also allows us to time our arrival into the LB shipping channel during daylight hours. The idea is to hang out at Two Harbors and then depart at the right time so as to arrive in the shipping channels with daylight to spare. We are specifically not discussing ETA because of the possible negative karma. However, you can draw your own conclusions from our position report which follows below.

Current position at 1300 HST: 33N21.3 124W58.6, Course 085 true at 5.5 knots, 324 miles to go to Two Harbors.

That's all for now. -Chris