skipper
07/29/2010, 26 15.1'N:155 09.7'W, mahi Mahi for lunch

We finally broke through the clams and have been sailing at 7 plus kts for most of the day. The fishermen caught a Mahi Mahi late morning and we had it for lunch. A beautiful fish that I found hard to take from the sea. It was great tasting and very fresh.

We hope that there will be less squalls tonignt but that is probably wishful thinking.

Skipper

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skipper
07/28/2010, 25 31.1'N:156 07.7'W, Becalmed by Squalls

We are becalmed in the wake of squalls. We get 20 plus kts of wind for 20 minutes in the squall and then two hours of calm. We are going to ty to motor to the east of the squall line to see if we can get out of the calm area. Miserable movement of the boat in the confused seas with no way on.

Skipper JAM

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skipper
07/27/2010, 23 32.1'N:157 45.7'W, North of Hawaii

July 27, 2010 We departed Ko Olina yesterday at 11:00 am. The breeze was fairly light in the lee of Oahu so we did some practice reefing and cleared some fouled reef lines. The skipper decided to exit the western side of Oahu to give the crew some time to get adjusted. We sailed in light air until we cleared the western most tip of Oahu and then it was two reefs and a four jib in 20 plus kts. The wind did ease toward evening but we decided to keep the reefs in as this was the first night at sea. Mike Mechaelis is one watch captain with Andrew Marsters and Michael Marrone. Keith Seiders is the other watch Captain with Steve Case and Marc Derheim. It is now morning and we had a first squall. A very light one with only 16 kts of breeze. The forecast is for light trades so we will shake out all reefs at the watch change. All crew members are fine and only one had to clear his stomach but was fine after feeding King Neptune. It was very hot below as we had to close all hatches to avoid spray below. We may open some today as long as they are not over the skipperÂ's bunk. We slipped onto sea mode very quickly with the off watch getting rest while not on deck. We have not seen much bird or sea life so far but hope to be visited frequently.

Skipper JAM

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07/25/2010, Kaneohe YC

Some of the JAM support staff having fun at the Kaneohe YC.

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Skipper JAM
07/25/2010, Ko Olina Hawaii

July 24, 2010
JAM has been in Hawaii for six days prepping for the return. We took out the top of the pedestal on an errant jibe during the race and lost the engine controls. We had to anchor out in Kaneohe Bay for three nights until we replaced the throttle and gear shift cables. We then were able to motor out of the narrow Kaneohe Bay channel and sail around to Ko Olina on the leeward side of Oahu. There is a fine marina at Ko Olina and a first class resort. The resort has made the wives and girlfriends happy.
The throttle controls were air freighted to Hawaii and are now installed after one mishap. After tedious fiddling with bolts and screws in nearly inaccessible places the gear shift/throttle control was in place. The engine was started and the gear shift pushed to forward. Unfortunately the boat went backwards. When put into reverse the boat went forward. Backwards! So undo everything and get it right, another four hours in the sun. Finally it is fixed.
The crew and wives gathered at the Kaneohe YC for the Mt Gay Rum party and had a great time. The crew came in second in the limerick contest (after considerable editing as this was a family affair) and the skipper was awarded a Mt Gay shirt. Finally after three tries JAM won something.
The next night we gathered for the awards dinner and the JAM crew cheered the winners. The admiral has declared that this is the last time for JAM to cross the Pacific so no more tries for glory.
We are nearly ready for the return and our departure date is Monday July 26.

The picture is of the skipper on the last day of the race.

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Skipper JAM
07/20/2010, Kaneohe Bay

JAM July 19, 2010
JAM crossed the finish line at Kaneohe at 2:20 am on July 18. Our final approach was from ten miles out and we had a reach under spinnaker to the finish line.
The crew was tired but happy. We did the race in less than ten days. While we did not do as well in our class as hoped (6th out of 8) we sailed hard right to the finish. We finished with two of our five spinnakers intact.
We had to anchor out in Kaneohe Bay as there was little room at the dock for boats drawing ten feet. We are planning to sail JAM tomorrow to a marina at Ko Olina on the leeward side of Oahu where the prep for the return will be easier as we will be in a slip in a marina.
The crew is enjoying the warmth and sunshine of Hawaii. Some of the return crew has arrived and after a short vacation we plan to depart on July 26.
Skipper JAM

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