Good evening,
This is the summary report of the 0200 UTC net on 6.227 MHz for the returning SHTP fleet. There was good reception all around. I will continue with the next net control at 1700 on 4.021 MHz and then Cliff/Rainbow will take over with Rob/Tiger Beetle relaying the summary report via email.
Position reports:
Kynntana 33 14’N x 154 45’W 003T @ 4.0k, wind 13-14k seas 2-4′
Rainbow 36 19’N x 154 51’W 066M @ 4.6k under motor, wind 9-11k seas 2-4′
Nightmare 32 59’N x 156 56’W (as reported received approx 4 hours ago)
Tiger Beetle 32 53’N x 158 05’W 356T @ 6.4k, wind 141-16k seas 4-5′
Jacqueline – report below via email –
Dolfin 28 58’N x 157 29’W 105M @ 6.0k, seas 4-6′
Morning Star 25 53’N x 157 29’W 355T @ 5.0k, wind 14-18k seas 4-6′ plus wind waves
Madrone 27 18’N x 158 56’W (no course/speed reported), wind 18-22k seas choppy 4-6′
All is going well with those of us on SSB and we had a nice long discussion this evening about many topics including when debris is seen in the gyres, weather prognostications, what a Crazy Ivan looks like and nautical terms. Additional info below.
Kynntana had slow sailing today but was seeing some pretty good Eastward lifts before the squalls would push us back a bit. Carliane and crew (Dan and Greg) have been discussing how to get the main sail hoisted back up since it is difficult to move with a baggy, half-dropped sail in 13-14 knots of wind with swell. We are considering a “Purrelly” (??) set-up that Rob had suggested.
Rainbow is working on a theory that if he motor sails with a heading toward Southeast Farallon Islands he might be able to catch some southeast winds that might be at 35N x 150W by Thursday according to the 96-hour wind forecast. In the 1/2 hour before our net, he also began seeing a little nudge to the north so he might also be able to sail soon rather than motor. We wish him all the best on this and will be watching his progress with some envy 😉
Nightmare reports via email that he is very tired with not much sleep and a lot of pounding. He had also tried texting Riff Rider but got no response. (Hang in there, Greg. We are with you!)
Tiger Beetle reports pleasant sailing and was seeing about a 6 degree lift before the net. He is not trying to beat to weather. However, the boats furthest to the west (and Tiger Beetle is the furthest one) are waiting for a pressure wave to cross the group. Those to the east will pick it up first. Rob might need to sail into the bottom edge of the ridge until he starts to see a southeast shift.
Jacqueline reports via e-mail:
Pos: 29. 19n. 159. 31 w, Speed: 6kts, Course: 340M (drat!!), wind: 12-15 kts, Seas 4-5 feet
Having a hell of a time with losing easting. I am now slightly west of kauai and trending further west. Not much to be done but sail as close to wind as possible.
Looking forward the wind appears to be easing in about 24 hours. Given relatively calm sea state i may attempt to motor sail at a very high angle to get some easting back and to try to catch the southerly slot above the mini high at about 31n 156w.
If i can get up there i would take an offramp east at some workable point.
Dolfin did a Crazy Ivan right turn today to try to get east as quickly as possible. He is liking what he sees in the GRIBS.
Morning Star thanks Cliff for all the helpful advice on his standing rigging. He has tuned both sides and reports that all looks good.
That’s it for the fleet.