FROM THE
RACERS
READ THIS before sending messages
to any of the racers!
Messages are posted at the top of the page as they are received. When the 2001 race begins we will be posting messages from the fleet on this page. Check out the emails received during TransPac '99.
Messages to the boats will now be posted on a seperate page called: Messages to the boats The messages to the boats which were on this page, have been moved to the Messages to the boats page. Messages to the boats should now be sent to lisa@gold.chem.hawaii.edu and will be posted as soon as possible. Messages from the boats will be posted bellow. They will be posted as time allows. Remember, after the race starts there are many things to do to maintain this site. Messages sent need to be formatted and downloaded. This is not like the normal email systems that run on your computer. We apologize in advance for the delays we know we will experience in getting these messages up in a timely manner.
From: BONAIRE
Wed. June 27 at 30-42N 122-14W about 270 miles out with 1996 left to go.Winds were very light at start taking the fleet about one-half hour to cross the starting line. We reached the West End at 1715 about an hour behind Shanakee which was first to round at 1615. Winds increased during the night up to 25 kts giving us 9.5 kts. Things got a little rough, we took on a little water and things flew around the cabin. Only damage was to Commodore Eddy's TV/VCR which is currently under repair??? (Picture attached) Tues AM found us North of the fleet and afforded us a first in class that morning. Winds lightened throughout the day with bright blue skys. Tues night overcast skys move in as we anticipated more wind. Tues AM we are still North of the rest of the fleet but lost first in class to Shanakee which is 54 miles south of us. Now zero wind as we await this giant high pressure system to move on. Food is great and in very sufficient quantity. All system are go, Marcus, except of course for the TV/VCR.
More later….LS
6/27/01
From: BONAIRE
Fri. June 29 at 29-18N 128-55W about 605 miles out with 1637 left to go.
Winds have held fairly constant at 10-12 kts. Set a reaching chut yesterday at noon and
made 199 miles noon to noon as of today. We are averaging 8+ peaking out at 9+. All
systems are still go…food is great and plentiful…and lots of laughs and insults. Wine is
supurb.
Caption: Navigator takes an LAN sight.
More later….LS
6/29/01
From BONARIE
First albacore cuaght 1600 on Friday the 29th at 29-12N 129-13W. 6
pounds in 68.2 deg water.From: BONAIRE
From BONAIRE on Sat. June 30 at 28-35N 131-50W about 760 miles out with 1478 left to go. Winds have lightened this AM. Took down the reaching chute to set a runner and head a little south. Making only 6-7 kts now. Pix (below) is of the Starboard(fast) watch at dinner last night.
More later...LS
6/30/01
From BONAIRE
Sun. July 1 at 28-02N 135-23W about 942 miles out with 1289 left to go.
Winds continue light. Have squared back to head a little south. The capt has set his
mizzen spinnaker and we are looking for more wind to the south. Park Eddy took this pix
from aloft.
More later….LS
6/30/01
From BONAIRE
Sun. July 1 at 28-02N 135-23W about 942 miles out with 1289 left to go.
Eddy family celabrate Zack Eddy's(not aboard) birthday.7/01/01
From UPROARIOUS
Tue. July 3, 2001
Hello from the western Pacific form Uproarious, as we blast along in 20+ kt winds and 8 foot seas on our way to Oahu. Iyt is now about 1640 on day 3, 2 July, and we have had the bounciest ride in recent years, with this goofy High weather structure so far. The crew is great, with good spirits, and good skills, and we have been favored with pleasant windy days since the very slow start on Saturday. It is, of course, cold, wet and very jumpy down below, and in the cockpit, and impossible to get anything much done but survive and drive the boat, but that is why we are here, doing TransPac. You have to be a little bit crazy to like this stuff, but then the rest of the world that doesn't seems odd to us, too!
Cheers from Uproarious, Robert Bussard (Doc)
From BONAIRE
Tue. July 3 at 27-40N 140-12W about 1185 miles out with 1037 left to
go…over half way!! Winds picking up finally…15-18 kts. Don't pay attention to Transpac's
ETA for us. We're in Sunday afternoon. Pix is S/C Pallette with latest ahi. Morale is
high…harassment abounds. Baby Eddy wishes he were on Chance and frequently climbs the mast
looking for her More later….LS
From UPROARIOUS
Wed. July 4, 2001
Day 5 approaches in this longest-reaching race of the TransPac. We still have winds from 00M and are running with a broad reaching rig, TRYING to get to the supposed Trades - which seem to be ever-receding into the West. We are wondering why the Wind Gods have frowned on us all! Sail changes to try to out think the winds, but to minor avail. We are desperately wishing to find the Trades, but begin to think that they will not be there this trip. We shall see.
Still, we are trucking along at a good clip. The crew is great and having a grand time; though sometimes wet and wild and very bouncy over the past few days. Food is great - we are living on New Mexico Green Chili Stew and other frozen goodies from the crew's kitchens.
Yesterday a sea bird flew over us for about 10 minutes, thinking about landing but gave it up. Today, an Albatross off the port side; it, too, flew on. It is now 1000 on 4 July - A Happy Fourth to All. We are having a ball and glad to be here, and wish the same to the rest of you out there.
Cheers, RWB/Doc from Uproarious
From UPROARIOUS
Thr. July 5, 2001
Day 5 approaches in this longest-reaching race of the TransPac. We still have winds from 00M and are running with a broad reaching rig, TRYING to get to the supposed Trades - which seem to be ever-receding into the West. We are wondering why the Wind Gods have frowned on us all! Sail changes to try to out think the winds, but to minor avail. We are desperately wishing to find the Trades, but begin to think that they will not be there this trip. We shall see.
Still, we are trucking along at a good clip. The crew is great and having a grand time; though sometimes wet and wild and very bouncy over the past few days. Food is great - we are living on New Mexico Green Chili Stew and other frozen goodies from the crew's kitchens.
Yesterday a sea bird flew over us for about 10 minutes, thinking about landing but gave it up. Today, an Albatross off the port side; it, too, flew on. It is now 1000 on 4 July - A Happy Fourth to All. We are having a ball and glad to be here, and wish the same to the rest of you out there.
Cheers, RWB/Doc from Uproarious
From UPROARIOUS
Sat. July 7, 2001
Aloha from UPRORIOUS
Friday we trufcked on Westward in the good winds and roly seas, with the big spin up all day, switching to the slightly smaller UK spin for nightfall - on the premise that things would pick up at night, we'd have squalls, etc. None of this happened and we rolled all night incross seas that pitched the boat heavily, but winds up to 25 kts. Good time, but not sure in the right direction!!
Still we have kept up even with Bull, gained on Watercolors, and kept up with Ouch, as well. The first 3-4 days hurt us, as this great boat does not as well in heavy beating weather as in down wind running, which it likes to do in high winds and steady swells. Runs like an Uproarious rabbit!
Nice moon off and on lasyt evening - not quite poetic nor romantic, but really big and bright and lovely anyway, between clouds and bits of mist. No squalls last night, but about 6 the prior night. Mini squalls with little rain and wind shifts and higher winds, as usual. Maybe we'll get to the more reliable trades today - we keep hoping for these. As of last evening we crossed the half-way point and changed form 5 guys and 1 girl on the edge, to 5 haoles and 1 wahine on the edge!
All is well, and home is always in our thoughts, too. See you all in Honolulu!
Cheers, RWB/Doc (Uproarious)
From UPROARIOUS
Mon. July 9, 2001
Aloha to all!
Uproarious here, still rolling along on the crossed seas and low winds of this year's TransPac. Another 200+ nm day in spite of everything, including a couple of true TranPsac moments last night.
Big wind shifts at about 0100 continued to 0200 so we decided to gybe from starboard pole to port pole. Conditions were such that the skipper decided to douse first, then rehoist, to avoid potential disaster in the bouncy sea conditions and then-22 kt winds. With only three people on deck at 0230, the douse went fine until a swell caught the port clew of the spinnaker and dragged it into the water. A few minutes later we had fished it out, but moments were lost! Down the foredeck hatch, and up with the new spin to replace it. Meanwhile Reed discovered that the recently fixed (3 days ago) broken running backstay had been incorrectly led down forward of the first spreader, and had to be reled to use it. So, up the mast went Reed, in the dark, with light mist falling and the boat jumping like a flea on gas, fixed the running back, and then back down. THEN we could continue with the hoist, put up the new spin and be on our way on a new and better tack! Moon came and went through many clouds and it was all over by 0310. Time to go off watch and get some sleep until the next call!
We keep looking for those big regular swells that TransPac provides, but none here yet. And for 26+ kt winds to drive us down these missing swells! Maybe by Monday?
Aloha from the crew of Uproarious.
Cheers, RWB/Doc
From UPROARIOUS
Wed. July 11, 2001
Aloha All:
As we close on the 100 nm checkpoint we look at this race with happiness. It has been a good, but slow ride, terrible weather in first 4-5 days, but finally Hawaiian sunny and blue these last few days. We will arrive tomorrow AM at Ala Wai, and then finally get to see loved ones, have a real bath, bed, sheets, and some good Island food!
Then to fix up the boat for its ride home! Always something gets lost or broken on these trips - that is TransPac sailing!
As we close, we are in a horse race with Ouch, trying to make up 2+ hours to catch them - maybe will and maybe not. It doesn't really matter; the joy of this is doing it.
We are delighted that Bull has taken it all - good for Seth and his crew, but especially Seth who has worked long and hard for such a result. He has joined the elite group of 40 footers (including our boat) who have, in the past, stuck it to the big sled guys! Great boat, and good sailing. Nothing like a flat bottom and a deep keel to dampo those pesky swell-driven rolls of the boat that depower the spinnakers on all our boats. His Syd40Turbo design ought to set a new direction for fast boat design. Congratulations to all, and especially for beating the sleds.
Time to close and get down the roadway to Ilio Point light, and onwards. We'll see you in Honolulu!
Cheers, RWB/Doc (Uproarious)
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