The first time Ed asked for time off from his career as a technical program manager to do the 1996 Singlehanded TransPac, the lab director thought he was brave. "This time," quips Ed, "he thought I was stupid."
Four years ago, English sailed the first Orange Blossom Special then a Beneteau 35s7 to second in Division II. He's hoping to better that performance with the bigger Beneteau this go-around. As with last time, Ed will likely stay in the 'fast lane' between 1016 and 1020 mb.
Orange Blossom Special is the newest boat in the fleet, built just last year. (She is also the sixth and largest keelboat Ed has owned in 32 years of sailing.) She is also probably the most 'stock' competitor; the only additions Ed has made are added battery capacity and solar panels to augment his engine charging system.
Entertainment-wise, English will bring along an eclectic selection of music (country, opera and classic rock), whatever O'Brian novels he's up to by departure time and a few novels of the 'intellectual Ex Lax' genre easy reads that entertain. As he did in '96, most of Ed's sleep time will take place during the day, when he sleeps below in 45-minute periods, awakened by a kitchen timer and/or radar alerts. During the night, Ed only allows himself 20-minute naps in a beanbag in the cockpit.
Ed's main motivations for doing the race again are to get away from the pressure of work, and to experience shorthanding a big boat before he and wife Judy take off for a protracted cruise when he retires.
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Navigation: Raytheon and Garmin GPSs. Steering: primary: Raytheon Autohelm 7000 (linear drive); secondary: Monitor windvane (primary steering when wind is forward of the beam). Food: High protein, low carbohydrate frozen meals; peanut butter and jelly on tortillas and an offshore favorite: hot chicken soup. Special thanks to: "My wife, Judy."
Boat: Orange Blossom Special
Beneteau 42s7 (1999)
PHRF rating: 75
Yacht Club: Richmond YC
Homeport: Danville
Occupation: Technical Program Manager
Age: 60
Last update June 19, 2000