Monday July 28, 2008 - PM Update

PM Update

7/28/08 22:30
Longitude: N26.46 minutes (26.7667)
Latitude: W-149.33 minutes (-149.55)
Average speed: 2.3 knots
Course: 235
DTF: 608 nm

Ruben will be in Hanalei Bay and will finish this race. Today he was able to rest, regroup, eat, and regain his determination. His current rigging is moving him in a steady course with an average of about 2.5 knots and hopefully 50 plus miles a day. At this rate we’re hoping to reach Hanalei bay within 12 days or better.

With the hope of increasing his speed, tomorrow he plans to replace the current jury rig with the larger portion of his mast which is approximately 12 feet high. He’s feeling better and his spirits are high.

This afternoon he was able to regain communication with his friend, Chris Humann which was encouraging and, as always, Chris was unselfishly supportive. Chris and Ruben have worked out a communication schedule via the SAT phone until the SSB antenna is stabilized. He also hopes to speak to Ken Roper (The General) this evening, who also lost his rig in 2004 and finished the race. He’s commented many times on the inspiration that Ken brings, and is looking forward to the conversation, encouragement, and the amazing amount of experience that Ken can advise him with. He also has heard the love and support from the fleet, friends and family which has meant so much to him and is providing him strength and energy to keep going.

He has plenty of food and water, the only concern is the fuel for his generator. His solar panel is charging the battery, but he’s using the generator for the SAT phone. So he plans to try and conserve the fuel and will limit communication to just reporting coordinates and hopefully short log reports.

Thank you for everyone’s support! His father said the following about Ruben during his qualifier -
“Ruben is tough as nails and when he makes up his mind about doing something, he will do it”.