1100 PDT, 24.54.995N, 132.55.370W, Distance 5 hours 46.2nm, DTF 1389.8nm DTF 1389.8nm.
They are perking along out there now well into an area where the only wind predicted is from the east, or slightly north of east, between 15 and 20 knots - so perfect.
I thought we would have some stats today.
As of 0600PDT they have been sailing 185 hours. In that time they have covered 926nm for an average sailing speed of 5 knots. That sailing distance got them 789 nm down the course for an average speed on course of 4.25 knots. That distance covered by distance on course is about 85 percent efficiency and considering the choices they were faced with when they left and what they have endured for those dark days in the calm that ain't bad.
July 3rd was there worst day for distance covered at 69nm (2.9 knots average) and their worst day for distance on course was actually the day before, while they were clawing well east of course, at only 51nm (2.1 knots)!
Since then things, and spirits onboard, are much improved.
They started to get going for real on Sunday afternoon and Monday looks like it was a great day to be going to Hawaii in a sailboat. For a high efficiency rating Gold Star they managed to squeeze 201nm (8.4 knots) down course out of only 207nm (8.6 knots) sailed!
At 0600 this morning Diamond Head lies 1436nm ahead bearing 253T.
And I can tell you I am looking for an even better distance day tomorrow!
In the last 7 hours (1300PDT) they have clicked off another 65 miles on course (9.30 knots). If they are maintaining their previous down course conversion efficiency (!!) that works out to 9.6 knots average straight line speed. A 223nm on course day is implied if they can keep that up through the night. It should be noted here that the best ever Transpac Day on the Baby Dart was 240nm down course - looks like that benchmark could be in jeopardy if things continue at this pace!
To give you the flavour of what I am putting up with back here in the office, in the rain, this from Evil at around 1445PDT:
Aloha Grinder!
We’re voting Chuggy for helmsman of the year. He started off the race with the best start of his career (his first one too) and now he’s world class steering down wind in twenty knots! I guess when you’re thrown to the sharks you’ve gotta learn to swim.
Weather:
Apparently when the grib files say 5 they mean zero and when they say 15 they mean 20. Last night DCB and I had a great sail with full rags up 2A and main with flattening reef in it. We were averaging 12s and you couldn’t wipe the ear to ear grin off DCB’s face when in the 16s. When we got near the end of Doug and my shift, at 2am, it was a little windier, burying the nose quite often so we peeled down to the 3a and full main for Rosco and Chuggy’s shift. Save the rig.
When daylight came around we decided you can’t win a race being a
The baby dart is sailing her little heart out for us and we’re having one hell of a ride.
Chuggy described it best:
Its like going down the coquihalla in a budget truck with no brakes!
Looks like tomorrow at happy hour will be our halfway point (in miles not time).
Raytech says 5d 23h to go!
Cheers from the pacific
I have the July 13th at 1800 slot on the Finish Time Pool. Because Evil's (just all too entirely possible) ETA has them arriving off Diamond Head around lunchtime on that day I will be asking them to throttle back about a third of a knot. I don't know how much luck I will have with that they are only pushing faster - last (1800/1400 hrs.) update said 10.3 knots. In the time I have been on this they have covered another 10 miles down the course and have now closed to within 10 miles of Bloodhound (8.7 knots) the next boat ahead in their division - and very nearby on the water too.
Ben Smith (that Barefoot Skier and Narrow Escape Long Beach Sponsor) has just contacted me about putting the Lawndart Video up on his Facebook Wall. I am going to make the command decision in your absence and tell him to go ahead and do that. I am a little worried however that for at least some of you there will now be some photographic evidence that the authorities (and Merica's Most Wanted) could use to track you down after all the revelry that is coming soon to the Aloha State. Not the least of my worries is that my picture also appears in that clip and I sure would not want to confuse the police and have them come knocking on my door! On the other hand all the receptions in your honour and the girls and the accolades would not be so hard to take.
Speaking of "The Girls" they are getting out of Dodge (Nanaimo) tomorrow and the next day to be on the dock when you arrive. High excitement abounds among them!
I will update you about the onboard shenanigans relating to the half way party as I receive them!
Blogmeister
Hello to all you Narrow Escape supporters,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed hosting Narrow Escape this year. In fact, I am already looking forward to hosting the guys again in 2011. It was even better when they invited me to join them on their “test run” the day before their start. So how could I refuse when they presented me with the opportunity to go water skiing? How many people can say they have skied behind a sail boat? I don’t want to sound ungrateful, but I would like to use a tow rope next time. Those life lines are hard on the ribs!
California Ben