Tuesday July 15, 2008

Daily Check-In

Sparky
Time: 0900
Lat/Long: 37 37 N 125 17 W
Distance to finish: 1993
Speed: 4.3 knots

Sparky
Time: 2100
Lat/Long: 36 87 N 125 68 W
Distance to finish: 1960
Speed: 4.1 knots

After Ragtime! reported that "Sparky picked up a military-looking ball from the water. The General suggested he NOT pull the pin. Several assured him it was not a prized glass fishing float." The home crew asked him to share a little more information about the infamous "ball"...

Ruben reports:
He found the ball before this mornings check in and the whole fleet all had a good chuckle when he told them about it. He said the ball looks like a frog, so he named it "Kermit". He said he's enjoying talking to Kermit and Sparky, and it sounds like they are having some great conversations! He reports that he has also been singing. (Which is comforting to the home crew to hear since Ruben has a tendency to sing when he is happy and things are going well.)
The winds are steady now and he's moving at a good pace. Last night he got about 4 hours of sleep. He's really happy to have the Navik Windvane, as he has not had to steer at all. In fact, he says that the windvane is so reliable he has put away the autopilot completely. He spent the day today organizing his cabin. He says that he is missing his friends and family and today it dawned on him how much further he has to go! He is doing great and is really getting into the groove of things.


Fleet Reports:
(Feral) For the first time, Feral has finally had favorable winds for Hawaii. This has lasted several hours. For most of the day Feral and Sparky sailed very close to each other. It still doesn't feel like Hawaii weather; it is cold, drizzly and seas "lumpy". In fact, he said it felt much like sailing on the San Francisco Bay, except you are far out in the ocean.


-hc

Monday July 14, 2008

Daily Check-In

Sparky
Time: 0900
Lat/Long: 37 30 N 124 20 W
Distance to finish: 2035
Speed: 3.3 knots

Sparky
Time: 2100
Lat/Long: 37 25 N 124 67 W
Distance to finish: 2013
Speed: 1.5 knots

Ruben reports:
"Winds are fluky but I'm having a great time. I'm so excited to be out here. So far all I've seen is Jellyfish. Today the seas were like a mirror with no wind."


Fleet Reports:
(Feral) At night you can see the lights of competitor boats and they have all frequently communicated with each other... Earlier, Sparky came up almost next to the Feral.


-hc

Sunday July 13, 2008

Daily Check-In

Sparky
Time: 0900
Lat/Long: 37 57 N 123 37 W
Distance to finish: 2078
Speed: 4.0 knots

Sparky
Time: 2100
Lat/Long: 37 43 N 123 97 W
Distance to finish: 2048
Speed: 1.7 knots

Ruben reports that there is no wind and that there are really big jellyfish everywhere! He enjoyed the Curry Chicken he had for dinner. He is having so much fun listening to the fleet on the SSB. He said that Ken "The General" Roper (Harrier) is hilarious and has kept them laughing all day.


-hc

Saturday July 12, 2008

Evening Check-In

Sparky
Time: 2100
Lat/Long: 37 62 N 122 80 W
Distance to finish: 2106
Speed: 3.1 knots


Fleet Report:
Lots of marine life around the islands with many sightings of humpbacks, sea lions, seals, seabirds and near the main ship channel a lot of very large jellyfish. - Dogbark

Forecast for tomorrow: Light winds

-hc

Saturday July 12, 2008

And He’s Off!

He did it! Ruben set sail at 12:15 pm today and has successfully started the 2008 Singlehanded Transpac! The day was both emotional and exciting for Ruben. As what up until now had just been a dream, suddenly became reality.

The race got started in mild winds off the Corinthian Yacht Club race deck as scheduled. Bagpipes played as each boat was towed out to the start. The gun was fired, and before long, Sparky and the 21 other boats in the fleet had worked their way out past the Golden Gate Bridge and were officially on their way to Hanalei!

-hc

Friday July 11, 2008

The Eve of the Race

After attending the Skippers Meeting, Ruben spent a majority of the afternoon attending to last minute details and final adjustments. Loading and stowing all his food, water and other supplies into Sparky’s already cramped cabin required careful planning and strategy. Two members of Ruben’s “home crew” drove out to say hello and were able to lend a hand by running errands to pick up a few last minute supplies.

Tomorrow is the big day…

-hc

June 1, 2008

Following My Dreams

Hanalei Bay, Kauai is my favorite place on earth (no joke), and to have an opportunity to arrive by sail via a sailboat race is too amazing! That said, the reality of wanting to participate in this event has been about the preparation, as just wanting to go is not enough. This process is proving to be an incredible life changing experience, and the race hasn’t even started yet…or has it?

Thankfully, I’m sailing a humble good old boat that keeps things simple. The boat was built for midget offshore racing back in 1962. Yes, the boat has been around longer than me, but she is strong, capable, beautiful, and an absolute joy to sail! I believe I may be the “slowest rated” boat in the fleet, but with new Pineapple sails and a sprayed racing bottom, I’ll sail Sparky as fast as I possibly can - watch out Chris Humann! In all seriousness, I am very much looking forward to having this sailing/life experience knowing that I am following my dreams, wherever they may take me.

-Ruben