Author: philpott
The Importance of Being Margie
July 5 at 5 pm
headed more south now as the barometer rises a tad. big reach today surfing big swells. still making good way. I’m feeling better and finding a rhythm now.
July 5 at 7 am
cold grey morn. still moving well but the swells are killing me. haunani is like a hobby horse and it’s hard to even walk around. all is well though as am I
July 4 at 6:38pm
we’ve done over 200 miles so far. it’s still a bit rough but gorgeous and moody. chilly morning! too rough for coffee yest. lets see if I can do it today!
July 4 at 3:55pm 路
we are doing great out here. it’s clear and beautiful. big swells and nice wind. we are moving along at 8 knots on a reach right now. it’s surreal!!! 鉀碉笍
July 3 at 9:53pm 路
first sun of the trip yielded a gorgeous sunset and now I can see Venus. it’s nice to have visibility! still a bit rough but we are cruising along well!!
July 3 at 4:35pm 路
all is well here. we are hauling ass in 22+ knots and huge seas. it’s so exhilarating but I’ll be ready for a calmer ride soon. feeling very positive though!
July 3 at 5:58am 路
very rough and windy night with a nav light issue but haunani and I are well. everything. is wet and cold and it’s hard to maneuver around in these seas
July 2 at 5:09pm 路
5 hours out after a fun and tiring sail out of the bay. saw a whale under the gg bridge. a good omen . it’s chilly but we are moving and I’m feeling good
Haute Cuisine for Ventus
A few years ago I came across the YouTube videos of Ronnie Simpson in his Moore 24 Hope for the Warriors. I was impressed by his story. …. Very inspirational
I also remember seeing him eat and drive the boat with kite up at same time.聽聽聽 I thought I want to do that ……. I still want to. Well done.聽聽 I’ll be eating smashed crackers and deck cheese tonight
C
How are you doing, Temerity?
OK thanks — the position reporting seems a bit irregular.
I set my ‘shy kite’ at 11 AM after about 10 sweaty trips to the bow, and it is actually pretty managable up to low 20s kts.聽 聽It also has reduced shoulders so should be less likely to wrap.聽 I guess we will see how many hours per day I can keep it up.聽 This is a very different experience from LongPac
Cushion working great, a real life saver, thank you again.
D.
May I borrow some Grey Poupon?
Today Taz and Fast Lane were near and got together on VHF to discuss the merits of camaraderie through total isolation. Additionally they carried on about trackers and their value. Both are proceeding in fine shape towards the finish line.
Fast Lane as of 1:20 PDT: 34 04’N聽 130 03’W聽 speed: 8.25 knots聽 Heading: 238 Mag
Nav Station: Sitting room only on Ventus
For me one of the hardest parts is managing other people’s expectations leading up to the trip or managing what I think they except.
I have always loved sailing the feel of the invisible force propelling a boat forward.聽 I love a boat that balances out and feels good to drive.聽聽 I ended up with a j/88 because I made the mistake of trying it and loved the feel and responsiveness.聽聽 I didnt purchase the boat because I want to race or necessarily go fast聽聽聽 There is always someone going much faster.聽聽 One of my fond memories was sailing with a friend on sf bay going 4 knots in a j/24 and being passed by and AC boat ygoing 40 (ish)
I know many people look at my boat and think fast and assume I am trying to race.聽聽 I am not.聽聽 I am trying to learn about myself and have this experience and it is the boat I have now.聽 I am in the middle of my life (perhaps it is the classic midlife crisis) but I am trying to sort some things out.
I have been fortunate to have had contact with some excellent sailors who helped guide me through the myriad of decisions.聽 Sails electronics n electrical systems and on and on.聽聽 Because of their background most of the stuff and decision most things are go fast oriented.
So far the boat is performing beautiful. And I am managing.聽聽 I have found I enjoy the open water but miss the company of other people both for problem solving and just companionship.聽聽 It is probably a good thing for all of us to develop some comfort with being alone.聽 And this is one of my challenges for this passage.
I saw the tropical storms predicted to cross our paths and thought hard about diverting to Santa Barbara.
Kite’s up on Ventus!
What’s in Your oven?
Fourth of July on Tortuga
More from Ventus on July 4
Glucose trying to figure out plan for rest of race.Despite having a fast boat and lots of input from very very good racers my goal has always been a fun sail.聽 聽I am juggling the usual rhumb lines vs what expedition (routing software) tells me.聽 So far I have basically been sailing comfortable angles towards Hawaii.聽 聽Ihave been below Polars in part because I have no crew and probably not sailing to max. I see a couple tropical storms in the future and have some concerns about them.聽 聽It appears I should be able to get in ahead of them.