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talonf4u
03-05-2019, 11:54 AM
In 2014, I sold my Moore 24 and migrated to the other coast. I never made it to Hawaii in the Moore--I think I sailed about five shorthanded races, total--but the idea was firmly planted.

Later this year I should complete an un-migration and return. I can't claim to be coming back a local, as I'll be stuck in northern NV, but the boat will live in SF Bay and I'm already plotting for 2020! I have a new weapon, a Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200, and she is thirsty for some Mai Tais.

I have a couple of questions I'd like to pitch to the audience.

I am not rightly sure what my employer thinks of these plans, but I am concerned I won't be able to be take enough time off to sail the boat home. I'd be obliged if anyone could give me a ballpark figure on what it would take to send her home on a ship. I would imagine it's a trip of close to three weeks on her own keel.

The boat's equipped with a twin rudder/twin tiller setup. When I did the Bermuda 1-2 in 2017, I met the emergency tiller requirement with the combination of having two of both-and showing I could keep the weather one in the water if the leeward one was gone- as well as having a backup plan of doing the old spin pole off the transom number. Would any of the kind folks who know about such things weigh in on whether or not that would meet the requirements of the SHTP?

Am I getting ahead of myself? When I can't sail, I like to plan for sailing!

Steve

Philpott
03-05-2019, 12:22 PM
I have a new weapon, a Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200, and she is thirsty for some Mai Tais.

Steve

Just to be clear, Steve: Is this what you seek? https://vimeo.com/280102650

talonf4u
03-05-2019, 12:27 PM
*mouth waters*

mike cunningham
03-05-2019, 07:47 PM
Well, I can't comment to the erud question but your post makes it perfectly clear that we need to start up the SHTP 2020 thread. We are only 16 months out.

The Mai Tais were pretty good too, what I can remember of them anyway.

solosailor
03-05-2019, 09:51 PM
You'll have to check with the race committee once it's formed but I do recall a dual rudder (& tiller) boat will already meet the emergency rudder rules.

As to shipping it won't be cheap. They charge for the "box" size and your boat is wide. My Azzura 310 (10ft x 31ft) I was quoted $8800 last year. Then you have to add in for the haul out, strapping, cradle since your not a trailer sailor, truck haul to the Matson yard, etc. $12-15k would be my guess.

DaveH
03-06-2019, 12:46 PM
You'll have to check with the race committee once it's formed but I do recall a dual rudder (& tiller) boat will already meet the emergency rudder rules.

As to shipping it won't be cheap. They charge for the "box" size and your boat is wide. My Azzura 310 (10ft x 31ft) I was quoted $8800 last year. Then you have to add in for the haul out, strapping, cradle since your not a trailer sailor, truck haul to the Matson yard, etc. $12-15k would be my guess.

Solo is correct regarding the e-rudder, at least under the 2018 rule set. Subject to change (as noted) when the new set is published. Here's the specific text of SER 3.29.1 from 2018:
A boat shall have an alternative method of steering the yacht in any sea condition in the event of rudder failure. The skipper shall have practiced one method of steering the boat with the rudder disabled and be prepared to demonstrate said method of steering both upwind and downwind. The Race Committee may require a demonstration. It is recommended that a cassette plus rudder be employed as they have been found to be the easiest system to install in a seaway.

FWIW... I would read that as twin rudders likely can fulfill the requirement provided you can demonstrate that the linkage can be undone so the disabled one can be isolated from the working one, and that you have a plan for a wholesale backup, as you mentioned.
Again, subject to revision and interpretation by the committee, when it's constituted.

He's also correct re the shipping costs; a couple things to add there... there are some tweaks between the 2 rates, depending on where you ship from... PacCup has a "deal" with Pasha from Honolulu that you may be able to horn in on, but you will have to sail to Honolulu first and deal with the noted haul out and other logistics there. I think that was where Solo's quote came from. They charge by the square of the boat (Length X width).
I was going to suggest that you could haul the boat with Larry Conklin's crane in Kauai, and then ship with Matson; with a light displacement of 7500lbs and 6'2" draft, that likely is not going to be an option however.
Or at least will be in the "iffy" range.
Matson charges cube weight (eg Length (sans mast) x Height x width) but at a lower per foot rate... it basically it all evens out, mostly.
I think that whichever way you look at it Solo's numbers are pretty sound.

Regardless, something else to consider is the overall height of the boat on the trailer with the rig stacked on top.
I know for a fact if that is over 13' Matson won't take it. Don't know about Pasha.

DH

talonf4u
03-06-2019, 08:07 PM
Awesome, thanks guys. That's more or less what I was thinking. I may, actually, have a trailer for it (depends on how I get it out there to begin with!) and I am mostly confident I can get under 13' vertically or else I'm going to have some problems getting it out there to begin with!

I think I'd really rather just get three weeks off and sail it back, but, ach! Tough sell right after taking three weeks off to sail the race! What's the latest in the year that doing the return under sail doesn't get super dicey?

Dave, great points about the linkage. It's super easy to get to in my boat but I'd never thought about going back there with anything less than a pair of bolt cutters. I should probably have a better plan as I would imagine with a bit of prep I could probably go down to one rudder with a few turns with the right wrench.

tboussie
03-08-2019, 02:46 PM
For reference, I had my boat hauled out in Kauai by Larry at a nominal weight of 7200 lbs. Seemed like it was not that much of a struggle for him.

Tom

sleddog
03-08-2019, 03:24 PM
I think I'd really rather just get three weeks off and sail it back, but, ach! Tough sell right after taking three weeks off to sail the race! What's the latest in the year that doing the return under sail doesn't get super dicey?


To be on safe side, recommend not leaving Kauai to sail to Mainland after third week in September. Before then, you might be delayed in departure by tropicals curving north of the Islands

BobJ
03-13-2019, 12:27 AM
From deep in the Archives:

"Why I want to do the Singlehanded Transpac

Reading through another bunch of notes elsewhere on the forum I started thinking that this may be a suitable time for us all to dredge up some of the reasons (real or imagined) on why we are putting ourselves through the excitement and anticipation - along with associated pain and suffering - of getting to the start line for this year's race.

Although I am certain there will be many who are more eloquent than myself, I will start off with a few submissions

1) I really like offshore sailing and this is a perfect excuse to go again, even if it is only for a couple of months.

2) Sailing from the mainland to Hawaii is truly one of the great passages of all. Following winds, following seas and every day is a bit better than the one before as the miles roll under the keel.

3) The experience of making landfall after a couple weeks at sea is one of life's special moments. And one that is reserved only for sailors.

4) I have seldom worked so hard, or been rewarded as much, as I have from sailing this race. You will be amazed at what you CAN do.

5) You will never again have to say 'I was thinking of doing it'.

6) I like the people I meet doing the race - although I have no idea what they are like in any other context apart from sailing - and count them as good friends.

7) Although everybody sails as well and as hard as they can, and each covets the thought of a 'win' at the finish, the level of pure sportsmanship displayed during the race is second to none. I think this becomes part of the rather special feeling of fellowship amongst the competitors that they go on about.


To all those first-timers considering whether or not to participate this year - There is the rest of your life to be spent doing the 'sensible thing' and only one chance to cross the start line in July.......Your life will be the richer for doing so."

Jim/Haulback
Last edited by haulback; 01-28-2008 at 11:36 AM.

talonf4u
03-14-2019, 05:00 PM
I am particularly terrible at talking about, or really even figuring out, why I'm so into this ridiculous, expensive, somewhat dangerous venture of singlehanding offshore.

I'm the kind of guy that likes things to go smoothly, and likes simple chains of causation when things do not go smoothly. When I'm singlehanding, I know just who to be proud of when things work, and exactly who to blame when things go sideways. That is crazy comforting to me.

Dolphins playing in your bow wave is magical. Dolphins playing in your bow wave at night, visible by the plankton they're activating, is life changing.

Setting your own schedule in all things is excellent.

A perfectly trimmed and balanced boat that doesn't really need you at all to make best speed is a source of satisfaction.

An anxiety, confronted and conquered alone, is better than any other kind.

Weirdly, the other soloists you encounter are easy to socialize with. Perhaps it's because you, a fellow soloist, are one of the few people that doesn't need to question their strange affection for the sport.

AZ Sailor
03-14-2019, 09:59 PM
I am particularly terrible at talking about . . . singlehanding offshore.


Doubt that. Because your written description is not terrible.

Gamayun
03-15-2019, 08:27 AM
Some things just defy reason for spending unholy amounts of time and money to pursue them. It's best not to think of the SHTP in rational terms. You'll just know it's right for you.

dolfinbill
03-15-2019, 06:12 PM
Perhaps it's because you, a fellow soloist, are one of the few people that doesn't need to question their strange affection for the sport.

So true. All of us "weirdos" may not fully understand why we spend so much time and money (and risk) for this race - we just know that we have to do it because it's there.

BobJ
03-15-2019, 08:11 PM
Besides, any Norbert can FLY to Hawaii - what's the the point of that?

Daydreamer
03-15-2019, 08:13 PM
There is a world that exists outside of human kinds control and manipulation.
For a short time we get to experience and exist in harmony with it.

People tell me I'm crazy, I just smile.

So many good comments, takes me right there.

nrdmao
03-16-2019, 09:49 PM
Has anyone ever sailed back via Alaska and the Aleutian Islands?

Gamayun
03-17-2019, 12:51 AM
Has anyone ever sailed back via Alaska and the Aleutian Islands?

I think Michael Jefferson (Mouton Noir) did it one year. I don't recall how far north he went though remember him saying that things shut down there around September. If Mike doesn't pipe up here directly, I'll send him a note.

Gamayun
03-25-2019, 01:48 PM
Steve, I hope I'm not hijacking your thread, but since the title is generic SHTP2020, I thought I'd post the following quote from Istvan Kopar who recently finished the GGR after a ton of difficulties. Latitude 38 reported that he said, "I think I’m done with sailing now and will take up gardening instead." Is anyone taking bets as to how long before he goes to sea again?

Curious who else is planning to go again on the SHTP? How does the Bermuda 1-2 compare? What if we were to create a SHTP 1-2? How crazy is that idea? Who's ready for the LongPac? Inquiring minds wanna know ;)

Oh, I forgot that I was going to ask Michael about his AK trip from Kauai. Will send him a text now...

talonf4u
03-25-2019, 06:36 PM
Thread hijacking? That's usually where the fun stuff starts.

Istvan, like many of us, probably suffers from extreme memory loss when it comes to offshore sailing. Funny how we remember the big air reaches and forget about the day and a half upwind into the teeth of it. I took a GoPro with me for my Bermuda race, and it was really interesting to review it a while after the event. At one point I had some jib issues and wasn't making my layline, and I get a little seasick when the boat is pounding upwind until I get used to it, and I just wasn't doing well at all... and I'd have totally forgotten how I felt in that moment if I hadn't videotaped myself whining about it. Or that time when I was so happy I got the kite down in the squall without breaking anything that I completely forgot to set any kind of balanced or efficient sail combination afterwards... my amnesia is publicly documented on my race video mashup: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5-ybx70KJA

Unfortunately the most entertaining parts of that video had to be edited out due to the combination of fatigue and my inherently foul mouth.

I'm interested in the SHTP 1-2 but I fear the inherent limitation is on how much time it would take. Coming back takes a while, especially if you don't get to use your engine.... but I think we could probably organize an informal return race, just for grins, and maybe have some funny rules like, "Each competitor gets 100hrs of motoring at 5kts...."

I wonder if folks here would be interested in doing a "Solotaire du California" on the off years? Like, a Longpac, then a race to Santa Barbra, then back a few days later? Or something to that effect. Informed by someone that actually knows something about West Coast weather, which isn't me.

AZ Sailor
03-26-2019, 05:42 AM
. . . What if we were to create a SHTP 1-2?

We had a pretty nice flotilla coming back in 2018 -- 8 racers as I recall, about half with crew and half single handed. Besides the SHTP boats we had Rob on Tiger Beetle, Mike and Angie on Madrone, and maybe another I am forgetting. Most had SSB and there was a roll call each morning and evening; almost everyone was in touch by email. It was a great time, and a really neat shared adventure. Why would you want to ruin that by turning it into a race? :-)

Daydreamer
03-26-2019, 08:22 AM
We had a pretty nice flotilla coming back in 2018 -- It was a great time, and a really neat shared adventure. Why would you want to ruin that by turning it into a race? :-)

I have to agree with Lee. The idea of turning the return into some kind of race crossed my mind, however, having the pressure of competition, even friendly, would have spoiled it.
I did not relish the idea of sailing back after the SHTP. I was pretty wiped out, but after I was halfway back, my wife said it best, I started to love my boat again. :)

Which brings us back to the original post. There is the option of getting someone / crew to sail her back for you.
Please don't open the insurance/liability can of worms, just say it's not an option if it isn't. There are other forums for that discussion.

Gamayun
03-28-2019, 07:30 PM
Nice video, Steve. Congrats on the great finish! Some of us have talked about a Channel Islands trip (solo or not).

Despite the suggestion, which was meant to be provocative, I agree with Lee and Greg about not creating a SHTP 1-2. I ran the engine almost exactly 100 hours at 5 knots and would have definitely not been up for a "race" back after the solo one. It was great to be part of the twice daily comms and the camaraderie with the return fleet, as well as knowing that Nightmare and Madrone were part of the roll call even though they couldn't talk directly to us. I heartily recommend a "formal" net instead on future returns....an all for one and one for all, kinda thing.

AlanH
03-29-2019, 03:59 PM
I remember....once upon a time...

a mess of racers, spouses, friends and all, around a fire in Hanalei...

and "Hanalei 1-2" SSS t-shirts.

sleddog
08-06-2019, 09:10 PM
With only 10 months left to go, this SHTP 2020! thread seems a bit lonely. BB is recruiting volunteers elsewhere on the Forum. But who's in the Race fleet? Are you discouraged your heavy duty cruiser is going to be left in the dust?

Here's less than an earthshaking idea...I ain't got no cat in this hunt.

I would suggest to the powers that be, the 2020 RC and/or the SSS Board of Directors, a modest amendment to the SHTP Race Rules and Conditions (RRC), section 15 Ratings, a new part 15.05 that would possibly encourage potential entrants.

This change would be to the SHTP ratings in an attempt to even things up.

My suggestion is creating RRC part 15.05 crediting 3 sec/mi of rating handicap to any entry who certifies his/her plans are for their vessel to leave Hawaii post-2020 SHTP on its own bottom. This credit is not available to anyone planning shipping home, leaving their boat in Hawaii, or with still uncertain plans on June 21, 2020.

The current SHTP situation favors smaller, often dry sailed boats that mostly get shipped home or are sold in Hawaii. Their bottoms, often without bottom paint, are smoother and faster, their boats are lighter as they are only sailing one way, and they generally get out of SF Bay and into the synoptic wind before the "heavies," thusly accordioning their leads.

This amendment would have no bearing on our "Barn Door", the Jack London Trophy, for fastest elapsed time. It probably won't have any bearing on the SHTP corrected time results at all. But it might, and that would be a good thing IMO.

Gamayun
08-06-2019, 10:56 PM
Nice idea, Skip. Unfortunately, I'm going to be doing the PacCup next year. It'll consist of a full crew of 4. Then rinse and repeat on the SF return again :)

brianb
08-07-2019, 09:05 AM
I am repeating this request here in hopes of raising some interest in assistance with managing the race.

Hello All,

Tentative dates for the race are a start date on or near July 3. I am making arrangements for the "Yellow" beach house once again and need to secure a reservation now.

The house will be open for business starting July 10th, late in the day through the 25th. We can tweak the start date / time a bit as needed. Likely the start would be on Friday, July 3 to avoid a weekend conflict at the Corinthian YC.

Volunteers for event are welcome to comment here or contact me directly. Our past team has been great but I fear some may want a break from the work load.

Areas where help is needed:

Pre race event planning. Hawaii and Calif.
Inspection coordinator.
Inspectors.
Communications coordinator (tracker setup and assignment).
USCG interface. Publish float plan and gain permit from USCG.
Day of race PRO and start team.
Weather services coordinator.
Finish line management - two people.
Crash boat coordinator / driver
Finish line set up.
Hawaii ship to shore communications organization.
Press liaison and web page coordination.

Regards,

Brian

Philpott
08-07-2019, 12:13 PM
I am repeating this request here in hopes of raising some interest in assistance with managing the race. Regards, Brian

Of course I would be delighted to help again. However, I have some caveats: my favorite parts were

1. swimming out to the Sea Squirrel in that warm water under the stars in the middle of the night;

2. laughing uproariously when the Sea Squirrel wouldn't start, listening to the Queen of the Sea Squirrel curse loudly;

4637

3. banging up against incoming boats and jumping aboard while the boats continued to sail because the sailors had forgotten how to stop;

4. Greeting blank-eyed, sleep deprived, hoarse sailors;

5. Being mistaken for a bag lady while carrying Cliff's laundry up from the beach.

4636

If I could do any or all of that again, I'm in.

JimQuanci
08-20-2019, 12:39 PM
In 2014, I sold my Moore 24 and migrated to the other coast. I never made it to Hawaii in the Moore--I think I sailed about five shorthanded races, total--but the idea was firmly planted.

Later this year I should complete an un-migration and return. I can't claim to be coming back a local, as I'll be stuck in northern NV, but the boat will live in SF Bay and I'm already plotting for 2020! I have a new weapon, a Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200, and she is thirsty for some Mai Tais.

I have a couple of questions I'd like to pitch to the audience.

I am not rightly sure what my employer thinks of these plans, but I am concerned I won't be able to be take enough time off to sail the boat home. I'd be obliged if anyone could give me a ballpark figure on what it would take to send her home on a ship. I would imagine it's a trip of close to three weeks on her own keel.

The boat's equipped with a twin rudder/twin tiller setup. When I did the Bermuda 1-2 in 2017, I met the emergency tiller requirement with the combination of having two of both-and showing I could keep the weather one in the water if the leeward one was gone- as well as having a backup plan of doing the old spin pole off the transom number. Would any of the kind folks who know about such things weigh in on whether or not that would meet the requirements of the SHTP?

Am I getting ahead of myself? When I can't sail, I like to plan for sailing!

Steve

Note there has been a few examples of twin rudder boats losing both rudders (the design or fabrication flaw that led to one rudder failing eventually led to the second rudder failing). So though the RC might say your having two rudders is "good enough", I suggest you still bring an appropriately sized "steering drogue" - so you can get to Hawaii in the eventuality you lose both rudders. Never mind if you have much cant to your rudders, it may prove impossible to steer the boat on one tack.

JimQuanci
08-20-2019, 12:41 PM
Note PacCup (first start) is June 29th... so there will be a good number of "probes" on the water we'll be able to learn from. :-)

JimQuanci
08-20-2019, 12:44 PM
I am repeating this request here in hopes of raising some interest in assistance with managing the race.

Hello All,

Tentative dates for the race are a start date on or near July 3. I am making arrangements for the "Yellow" beach house once again and need to secure a reservation now.

The house will be open for business starting July 10th, late in the day through the 25th. We can tweak the start date / time a bit as needed. Likely the start would be on Friday, July 3 to avoid a weekend conflict at the Corinthian YC.

Volunteers for event are welcome to comment here or contact me directly. Our past team has been great but I fear some may want a break from the work load.

Areas where help is needed:

Pre race event planning. Hawaii and Calif.
Inspection coordinator.
Inspectors.
Communications coordinator (tracker setup and assignment).
USCG interface. Publish float plan and gain permit from USCG.
Day of race PRO and start team.
Weather services coordinator.
Finish line management - two people.
Crash boat coordinator / driver
Finish line set up.
Hawaii ship to shore communications organization.
Press liaison and web page coordination.

Regards,

Brian

Inspector. Happy to help. Maybe even lead Inspectors. hmmm

JimQuanci
08-20-2019, 12:48 PM
With only 10 months left to go, this SHTP 2020! thread seems a bit lonely. BB is recruiting volunteers elsewhere on the Forum. But who's in the Race fleet? Are you discouraged your heavy duty cruiser is going to be left in the dust?

Here's less than an earthshaking idea...I ain't got no cat in this hunt.

I would suggest to the powers that be, the 2020 RC and/or the SSS Board of Directors, a modest amendment to the SHTP Race Rules and Conditions (RRC), section 15 Ratings, a new part 15.05 that would possibly encourage potential entrants.

This change would be to the SHTP ratings in an attempt to even things up.

My suggestion is creating RRC part 15.05 crediting 3 sec/mi of rating handicap to any entry who certifies his/her plans are for their vessel to leave Hawaii post-2020 SHTP on its own bottom. This credit is not available to anyone planning shipping home, leaving their boat in Hawaii, or with still uncertain plans on June 21, 2020.

The current SHTP situation favors smaller, often dry sailed boats that mostly get shipped home or are sold in Hawaii. Their bottoms, often without bottom paint, are smoother and faster, their boats are lighter as they are only sailing one way, and they generally get out of SF Bay and into the synoptic wind before the "heavies," thusly accordioning their leads.

This amendment would have no bearing on our "Barn Door", the Jack London Trophy, for fastest elapsed time. It probably won't have any bearing on the SHTP corrected time results at all. But it might, and that would be a good thing IMO.

hmmm
Don't the big boats that sail home already have an advantage over the small boats in that they sleep in warm dry bunks, eat good food, and can let the autopilot drive most of the way? Seems the small boats are at a disadvantage enough without them giving up 3 more seconds... :-)

JimQuanci
08-20-2019, 12:55 PM
Some things just defy reason for spending unholy amounts of time and money to pursue them. It's best not to think of the SHTP in rational terms. You'll just know it's right for you.

Unholy amounts of money... hmmm
Race to Hawaii with a crew... just the food bill... lodging for return crew... crew shirts... crew dinner or two... and so on. Doing it alone is relatively low cost (especially after the first time... yes this only makes financial sense if you do it a few times :-) ).

JimQuanci
08-20-2019, 12:56 PM
Besides, any Norbert can FLY to Hawaii - what's the the point of that?

Flew to Hawaii once... in 1990... learned my lesson... will never go to Hawaii on a plane again (though coming home on a plane from time to time is okay). :-)

JimQuanci
08-20-2019, 01:00 PM
Thread hijacking? That's usually where the fun stuff starts.

Istvan, like many of us, probably suffers from extreme memory loss when it comes to offshore sailing. Funny how we remember the big air reaches and forget about the day and a half upwind into the teeth of it. I took a GoPro with me for my Bermuda race, and it was really interesting to review it a while after the event. At one point I had some jib issues and wasn't making my layline, and I get a little seasick when the boat is pounding upwind until I get used to it, and I just wasn't doing well at all... and I'd have totally forgotten how I felt in that moment if I hadn't videotaped myself whining about it. Or that time when I was so happy I got the kite down in the squall without breaking anything that I completely forgot to set any kind of balanced or efficient sail combination afterwards... my amnesia is publicly documented on my race video mashup: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5-ybx70KJA

Unfortunately the most entertaining parts of that video had to be edited out due to the combination of fatigue and my inherently foul mouth.

I'm interested in the SHTP 1-2 but I fear the inherent limitation is on how much time it would take. Coming back takes a while, especially if you don't get to use your engine.... but I think we could probably organize an informal return race, just for grins, and maybe have some funny rules like, "Each competitor gets 100hrs of motoring at 5kts...."

I wonder if folks here would be interested in doing a "Solotaire du California" on the off years? Like, a Longpac, then a race to Santa Barbra, then back a few days later? Or something to that effect. Informed by someone that actually knows something about West Coast weather, which isn't me.

The delivery home is the best part of the race! Lets not ruin it by making the return a race. Reading, sleeping, fishing, going swimming, doing maintenance on the winches, gazing at the Milky Way... its the best part of the race (the non race trip home)!

Philpott
08-20-2019, 02:58 PM
Now that Green Buffalo has chimed in EIGHT TIMES, it must be time to start preparations for 2020. Here is a copy of the 2018 Seminars.

4685

Given the rudder and autopilot issues of this year's Transpac out of Long Beach and our own LongPac, I'm thinking that those topics should attract lots of attention. If you think another topic should be covered, post here.

And what have I learned myself this year? That this club is full of people who will loan you stuff, encourage you in many different ways, and come to your boat to help. So don't think that you have to fabricate your own emergency rudder in your driveway. Maybe you can buy one from someone who has already done that and won't do the race again. Maybe someone will help you make one in his or her workshop/garage/driveway.

Post here and request help. Come to the Skippers' and awards meetings, chat people up at dinner in Half Moon Bay and Vallejo, come to the Cruise Down November 16 and pick some brains, get ideas, ask for help. This is a great club full of generous people.

JimQuanci
08-20-2019, 03:10 PM
To be on safe side, recommend not leaving Kauai to sail to Mainland after third week in September. Before then, you might be delayed in departure by tropicals curving north of the Islands

Ideally folks should leave Kauai no later then the first week of August. When the first Hurricanes start to spin up to Hawaii. Even the remnants of a Hurricane are enough to avoid. And I am a bit conservative... want to be 'out of Dodge" before August 1. An example of a typical August Hurricane... https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/news/hurricane-tropical-storm-guillermo-pacific-hawaii

AZ Sailor
08-29-2019, 01:49 PM
We are now 309 days away from July 3, 2020, the tentative start date. The 2020 race needs its own topic on the opening main board of this forum. The 2018 race needs to vacate that space and join other past races in the archives. I won't be racing in 2020, but hope to be involved. So getting all things next SHTP onto its own space would be nice.

AZ Sailor
08-29-2019, 07:44 PM
We are now 309 days away from July 3, 2020, the tentative start date. The 2020 race needs its own topic on the opening main board of this forum. The 2018 race needs to vacate that space and join other past races in the archives. I won't be racing in 2020, but hope to be involved. So getting all things next SHTP onto its own space would be nice.

And I'll post my bid to host one of the prep seminars as soon as that happens.

BobJ
08-30-2019, 10:11 AM
We are now 309 days away from July 3, 2020, the tentative start date. The 2020 race needs its own topic on the opening main board of this forum. The 2018 race needs to vacate that space and join other past races in the archives. I won't be racing in 2020, but hope to be involved. So getting all things next SHTP onto its own space would be nice.

If someone with deeper forum magic wants to create the new sub-forum and move the old one, I can move the recent SHTP posts. That's the only part I know how to do.

tiger beetle
08-30-2019, 01:40 PM
If someone with deeper forum magic wants to create the new sub-forum and move the old one, I can move the recent SHTP posts. That's the only part I know how to do.

I can do the work, Carlianne is the web master and needs to OK any changes - I don't do anything without her approval.

Bob - want to ask her?

- rob/beetle

Gamayun
08-30-2019, 11:47 PM
I can do the work, Carlianne is the web master and needs to OK any changes - I don't do anything without her approval.

Bob - want to ask her?

- rob/beetle

I hereby annoint you all Grand Poobahs of the 2020 SHTP web site / forum / thingee majeeze. Let's make it happen :)

BobJ
08-31-2019, 08:14 AM
As Ronnie is known to say: "Make it so."

SSSForumAdmin
09-04-2019, 06:36 PM
Done.

- rob/beetle

Gamayun
09-04-2019, 07:15 PM
Done.

- rob/beetle

Criminy, that was easy :) Thank you, Rob!

MichaelJefferson
09-04-2019, 09:28 PM
Hello All,
Sorry I found this thread so late. I am hoping to do it in 2020.
Jim,
Although the date may be set and this too late, I would like to strongly urge that the start be 2 weeks earlier. Each year it seems that the hurricane season starts earlier. In 2016 there were several close calls, with one (tropical storm at that point) crossing the race course during the race. Getting caught in a hurricane or even dealing with the remnants from a close call is no joke. I just missed Iniki, in 1992. I had left 2 weeks earlier, but some of the racers were not so lucky. Danielle, in 1996 I think, just missed us on the return trip. Fortunately we were 600 miles north and going like hell, and it petered out as it went north of the islands. With the severity of storms seemingly increasing, sooner or later a bad one will either nail the course or the return. It makes sense to me that we get there and the hell out as early as practical. You have a world of experience, and may disagree with my (gloomy assessment). Starting earlier gives folks heading to the Pacific Northwest or Alaska a bit more flexibility.

Speaking of flexibility and going to Alaska, I did indeed return via Alaska in 2012. We made landfall in Sitka, and then did the Inside Passage to Neah Bay, then down the coast. Getting to Alaska was intense. The weather that year was weird, and instead of being able to sail a fast Great Circle course, we had to sail nearly to the Aleutians before turning east. We used Commander's Weather to help route us. They were VERY helpful in working us through the patchy and non-intuitive weather patterns. They kept routing us due North, and when they finally advised us to head directly east to Sitka and go as fast as we could, they were not kidding! There were the famous "onion rings of death" stacked up from the western end of the Aleutians to Japan, waiting for the high to break down and to pounce. We had two days of increasingly crappy weather as the wind shifted easterly, then northeasterly and torrential rains poured down. It was kind of close getting into Sitka. THe wind increased to about 35 knots and had hauled so far towards it that we had to motor sail to actually lay the entrance. For anyone contemplating going, Sitka is SPECTACULAR and fun, but I advise heading into the outer bay and channel to the harbor in daylight, with good visibility (hahahah!!!), and a lot of care. The entrance is a minefield of potential islands, rocks, and reefs that seems designed to wreck your boat. It is well marked, but not the sort of thing to take casually.

The rest of the Inside Passage was wonderful. We had to really book to get down, as the gates of winter were slamming shut behind us. We got home around Sept 15 (ish), and had pretty much dodged winter, but almost every marina we went into in about 1000 nm would tell us " So great to see you! You are our last guest this season, as we close down tomorrow". Really! Not the best place to singlehand, and most of it is very remote and isolated. There are very few harbors or marinas in Alaskan and northern Canadian waters, and the facilities of the few there are are kind of rough by SF Bay standards. Sailing is not an option a lot of the time, and if there is wind, it is usually dead aft or dead ahead. There are many Narrows, which can be very long and intricate. Tides are HUGE, and you literally live or die by the tide tables. Attempting to sail the Narrows (any of them) is very unrealistic, regardless of the Race to Alaska. Anyway, it was great fun, and if you prepare, with good charts, tide books, and cruising guides, it is very manageable. Highly recommended!!! I am happy to expand/elaborate or answer questions about it.

All the best,
Michael

AlanH
09-30-2019, 12:28 PM
If nobody has signed up to coordinate the Emergency Steering seminar, I'll do it.

Submarino
10-01-2019, 04:26 PM
I can help inspect boats.

-Archimedes

Philpott
11-19-2019, 10:52 PM
https://www.jibeset.net/JACKY000.php?RG=T007676287