600 miles and counting!
22 July 2012 | 33.25N 135.52 W
Javier
Yes that's right: 600 miles offshore and counting. This is absolutely the farthest I've been offshore in a boat, actually my previous
record was only 30 miles to the Farallone Islands. For some of you reading this 600 ain't doodidly squat but for me its a big deal. And
to think every mile is a new personal record until we hit the half way mark at 1035 miles.
Last night was the first night under spinnaker. We had a pretty good run of 196 miles. Spellbound is handling great and it is an
awesome feeling surfing down the Pacific swells. We're far enough south that we're now sailing in shorts and light shirts. At night it
cools down some but all you need is a light base layer to stay comfortable. If you're on watch you still need to put on your foul
weather gear since squalls do come thru at night. As bad as it may sound we kind look forward to the squalls since it makes the boat go
faster, if you don't wipe out, and we did a couple of times, nonetheless it's quite fun blasting down a wave in the dark!
At 5:00 pm every day there is a a radio call where the race fleet standings are given and then everyone chats about what's been happening
on their boat. A bunch of boats have caught fish but we haven't yet. Today there was also a lymrick contest. There were a couple of good
ones and here's my submission:
Meager rations and sleep deprived If you have to ask, you don't know why.
Point your bow down the wave, If the need for speed is what you crave!
Gotta a ticket Hawaii bound, on the freight train that is Spellbound.
The fleet seemed to like it hope you do too. Tomorrow's contest is to finish the sentence " you know you're an ocean racer if..."
Gotta go now and cook dinner for the crew.
Javier
ps please forward to friends and family.