Log: Mexico to Hawaii: Preparations & Maintenance
30 April 2017 | 21 03'N:148 29'W, Day 15 - Preparations & Maintenance
Wheytogo Crew
We have received a number of emails from friends inquiring about our planning and preparations for this adventure. I have modified one of our postings to 'bring you aboard' our process.
Preparations and Maintenance for an offshore Pacific passage are significantly different than a coastal cruising adventure where you are never far from the next port for fuel, spares, provisions or simply maintain contact with 'the world'. On a coastal adventure If the weather does not look ok or there is a weather system running down the coast - you simply don't leave port until the conditions improve. If already on the way and the weather turns against you - head into the next port or safe anchorage and wait it out. Whilst many planning aspects, the on-board systems and general safety or emergency requirements are similar, the detail, planning and contingency coverage are significantly different.
On an ocean passage, there are no 'Shell shops' to pick up the 'missing' item, to add fuel or purchase more milk or beers.
Planning and preparations for an offshore adventure are critical. There are many publications and Cruising guides which outline a generic approach i.e. to learn from others experiences, however one needs to adopt a process that is 'owned' by us, for our boat, our needs, our safety and that of our crew [if applicable]
This is our approach and the guide systems we have set in place:
Review the various applicable guides and publications, noting the salient points applicable, potential weather conditions en-route, where is the Pacific high, best timing of the passage etc
Route Plan: We use both Predictwind & Sailflow on-line applications that have been developed to assist us cruisers make our departure and route plan decisions. We have developed a 'Kiwi' excel application that details our route plan, way-points, distances, bearing and respective timings associated with each WP step. Once complete we document a formal 'Route Plan' and file with Lauren [Sharon's daughter] which provides specific boat information, planned route, emergency contacts, on-board persons, and importantly target contact times. This document also provides a guide for Lauren in case of emergency or in the event of 'no contact/gone missing'
We have further developed a 'Wheytogo Sailing Guide' applicable to each of us on board, that documents all our planned on-board procedures, location & use of safety devices, responsibilities, 24 hr watch schedules, external communication plan and other relevant 'live aboard' considerations.
Boat and systems: Review the checklist covering all specific servicing requirements for safe cruising, engines, generator, life raft, communication systems, rigging, shackles, lines, sails, overboard 'abandon ship' requirements, EPIRB, life jackets, safety lines etc., water making & storage, additional fuel & storage. Check & review all backup systems and communications, [portable VHF, GPS etc].
Food & General provisioning: Meal planning for the anticipated duration plus contingency days, ingredients, fresh foods, storage foods, cooling of foods, chilling systems for beer, wine, coke, rum!!, potable water.
With many storage places on board complete an inventory of item and location.
Clothing: Prepare clothing and/or take out of storage the clothing items likely required given the off-shore weather, temperature, 24 hr. watch, wet weather gear etc.
En-route recording logs: It is critical to know where you are at any given point, accordingly we have developed excel applications that are recorded every 6 hours that records, distance traveled, SOG averages, fuel used, fuel remaining, GPS location, distance traveled, predicted arrival date & time. If engines are used, running temps, oil pressure, hours run, fuel statistics etc.
Communications: We have on-board the usual cruising systems, VHF [typically short range - ship to ship, ship to shore] & SSB radio for longer range communications. In addition, we have an Iridium Extreme satellite phone that enables, voice, email and en-route weather downloads.
For this passage, we have established a daily 4:00pm [nominal] communication blog, that is posted for all interested- family and friends to monitor our progress, share our stories and experiences and importantly convey "all is good on our adventure'
A backup communication "Spot Locator" system is on-board run by Fernando which is activated twice daily. We on board Wheytogo will on future travels, have a similar texting based backup system in place.
Weather: Obviously, weather along our route is a critical process to manage to ensure a safe and enjoyable passage. Typically, a forecast established before departing covers approx. 14 days with accuracy deteriorating as the days extend out therefore downloads during our passage, every few days is important, particularly with regard to the Pacific high location, winds and swells. For this passage, we were fortunate in also combining our on-board reviews with those undertaken by our friend Denis Michoud based in Hawaii. Denis, on land with access to a wider range of weather forecast systems would email his weather take daily and offer route change advice as necessary. This became particularly important as we got closer to Hawaii and the daily changing weather systems impacting the island chain.
There are many facets of cruising that we have adjusted to adopting as we progress across this vast Pacific Ocean. The duties vary to those necessary on a daily basis to sustain our well-being and of course those tasks and checks on the 'good health' of our SV Wheytogo. Other agenda must do tasks on a semi regular basis and those that are emergency 'must do now' maintenance or repair items.
For me as Capn there are always the continuing route, navigation adjustments, weather assessments and report downloads, current location against plan etc. The readiness checks on all the systems that 'we may need to deploy' as we go along. House battery health, when to run the generator to top up whilst at the same time ensure we have hot water and sufficient power systems available to run the galley, high electrical load cooking appliances and other such vital food preparation demands.
For all of us... the frequent 'walk about' - look, touch, check - sails, rigging, halyards, sheets, lines, shackles etc. As reported on our day blogs we had to execute repairs for chaffed reef lines, work around contingencies for alternate wing on wing sailing configuration, repairing sat phone connectivity etc with each instance, testing our planning, our contingency preparations and our 'teamwork'
The team, our Wheytogo crew, each undertook duties and functions necessary to assist our smooth sailing adventure even during times of stress, varied sea conditions. Preparing a dinner meal whilst 'riding a 27000lb surfboard' at times was an adventure in itself.
Tis 4:00pm...the Capn's happy hour, a period of time to regroup and realize what an amazing adventure, an experience that has enriched each of us to appreciate the wild Pacific, the sunsets, sunrises a place of serenity a place where dreams are made and dreams fulfilled.