Day 3 Return Trip Evening report

Calming down somewhat this evening, winds 16 out of the east, we shook out both reefs, still clipping along at 8 knots to the north.  Judy made Matt's tuna, seaweed and whole grains tonight.  Matt also broke out the ipad for some stargazing.  We could see Mars and Saturn near each other, Altair (Hi Paul and Suzette)and lots other stars.  Pretty amazing app for us amateurs.  Just starting to see some more bits of plastic, line and styrofoam.  It could be the calmer waters allow for more sightings but in any case there is something at least for John to put down in his Marine debris survey report.  Hope all is well, Al

2000 HST position report  28 08N 157 04W  course 355M speed 8 knots wind 16 E dtf 1933

Day 3 morning

Variable was the word for last night, each watch had a little something, rain, calm, windy, stars and moon and clouds.  Steve had a little bout of seasickness but still did his watch.  Currently still heading north with the general trend towards lightening and lifting but too hard to predict exactly when.  Had a visit from what appeared to be shearwater trying to land aboard unsuccessfully but it might have been an immature brown boobie, hard to tell in the dark.  Crew is all healthy and trying to keep from getting fried by the tropical sun.  Al

0800 HST position  26 40N 157 12W course 000M speed 7 kt wind 5-25 east  DTF (flattery) 2004.

Day 2 Evening

Really nice day of sailing with 15-20 knots out of the east, double reefed main, lapper jib doing just under 8 knots.  We covered 180 miles in our first 24 hours which seems quite extraordinary while in cruising mode.  Matt fixed some of the mahi into a ceviche with fresh garlic, apples and reconstituted mangoes.  John is standing his first solo watch this evening.  Everyone seems to be adjusting quite well in spite of the somewhat bouncy ride.  It should ease a little over the next 24 hours though.  Al

Ahoy Everyone, John here:  What a place to be...these ocean swells, while not "heavy weather", are just spectacular, infinite varieties of landscapes...well, seascapes.  Don't pay attention and you get a wave in the face.  At approx. 24 Lat. and 157 Long. played Bach and Chausson Poeme for Judy aboard Kotuku...wondered if that was the first time ever Bach got a hearing there. On my evening watch spotted something on the horizon...turned out to be a US Survey Vessel, USNS Waters...radio contact ensued, very interesting that we're not completely alone out here.  My next watch at 4am...so can relax for now.  Besides friends on the mainland hopefully checking our blogs I know we have an audience far afield as Lisbon, England, Japan...Oahu as well...really happy about that. Ok all for now...oh yeah, the color of the ocean "Cobalt Blue" sailors call it...you wouldn't know it existed but by being here. John

2000 HST position  25 16N 157 26W  course 000M speed 7.5 distance to Cape Flattery 2076 miles  (now because we have to sail mostly north to start with because of the wind rotation in the NE pacific, the change in distance will not be near as great as the miles traveled, clear as mud?)

Day 2 update--Boobies Galore

Relatively peaceful first night for the crew, no sea sickness, a little bit of sleeplessness and a few squalls with some rain and wind.  We had one red-footed boobie reside on the bow pulpit all last night and another come join us for about 30 minutes early this morning on the stern pulpit.  Its always somewhat comical to watch them trying to land on a lurching sailboat.  They go round and round trying to find the proper rhythm to attain their perch.  They both left with the sunrise.  Still heading north in about 15 -18 knots true with a few splashes on deck.  Had oatmeal with craisins, honey and nuts while listening to some of John's classical guitar CD, Paul Bernard.

0900 HST position 23 52N  157 42W, course 350M  speed 7.5 kt

Had out first check-in with Valis at 2100 HST on 8A.  Seven boats checked in kind of spread across the ocean with Valis and Kotuku being the only boats currently headed to Puget Sound.  Everyone else is headed to some part of CA I believe.

Al

Return Trip Day 1 report

Aloha Friends and family,  Well the bird has left the nest of Kaneohe Yacht Club.  Kotuku departed around 1215 HST after a final Sunday brunch.  It took a little maneuvering to get clear of the spider web of lines and boats still tied to the bulkhead in front of the club. We motored down to the fuel pier and topped off our tank and two jerry cans with diesel.  Then we headed out and were quickly joined by Bill and Lori on their Beneteau 35 who gave us a nice escort to the end of the ship channel.  From there we are heading north in a mild 15 knot easterly tradewind.  Doing about 7.5 knot average on a close reach with the cruising 2.5 and full main.  Just before sunset the winds built a little to 25 and we threw in a reef, probably for the rest of the evening, as there are some squalls about.

The return crew consists of Matt, his mom Judy, John Weller, Steve Odom and myself Al.  First passage for Judy, John and Steve so we have hopes that the somewhat gentle start is good omen.  I should also extend much thanks and praise on both the PCYC and KYC for the amazing efforts of the clubs and volunteers towards a fantastic race environment and support.  My old sailing mate Bill and his wife Lori also made my first stay on Oahu very memorable.  I hadn't seen Bill since 1974 so there was heaps of catching up, reminiscing and beer consumption (Coconut Island brewery is a hidden gem).  Thanks also to Graeme and Janna for all their support and letting us take their boat home to Seattle.  Thanks to all the race crew who helped transition form race mode back to delivery mode while in Kaneohe, that's Alex, Nick, Eli and Emily.  Mahalo, Al

2000 position  22 18N 157 47W  350M  7.5 kt

Kotuku has flown the Nest

Just a brief note to say that the next phase of the adventure has begun.  Kotuku's delivery crew of Al, Matt, Judy, John, and Steve are underway.  When I spoke to Al this afternoon he said that the delivery was off to a great start, that they had fair winds and that they were sailing north.  He also said that so far no one was seasick, which means that they are off to a pleasant start indeed.  Godspeed Kotuku!  Catch lots of fish, and dodge debris effectively!

And we would like to say thank you once again to the fine folks at Kaneohe Yacht Club for hosting us, and to all the people who make the Pac Cup possible.  Mahalo!

PAC CUP WRAP UP

It has taken a day or two to collect our thoughts, let the flack over the ratings and standings settle, and find a computer.  But it's time to close the book on this race and get back to life again.  What a race.  What a finish!

Our last day was our fastest of the trip.  We averaged 9.5 knots for the last day, and came in under Savai's big red and grey kite to the finish.  When we sighted land about 20 miles out we let out a whoop, and then chewed away at the last few miles.  They seemed to take forever, in spite of our boat speed.  But finish we did, in 10 days, 23 hours, and with memories of the trip of our lives.

We were met at the finish by the Pac Cup escort boat, and by a powerboat loaded down with kids, family, and the nicest pilot you could ever meet, Thanks Kevin for taking everyone out to the finish.  It made it extra special to be able to share that with our family.

When we finished we thought we had won.  But it turns out we had miscalculated the time delta between us and Elan.  Those of you watching the tracker closely probably guessed that we might not be able to save our time on the last day--Janna was pretty sure we were in trouble.  But ignorance was bliss, and we were congratulated as champions.  Which made it doubly bitter when we woke up in the morning to find that after the final day's handicap was applied, we were second by 52 minutes. 

The team on Kotuku sailed an amazing race though and we are proud of our effort.  We drove hard when we could, sailed safely when necessary, and had a heck of a lot of fun in the process.  Rather than being sick of sailing and tired of our shipmates, we are already scheming about the next great adventure.  One of the first things we did was liberate a three sailing dinghies from the Kaneohe yacht club, and six of us had a spectacular battle up and down the bay to the delight of its inhabitants.  (Yes, I was the one who flipped the dinghy--sorry KYC!)

A big thanks to everyone who supported us, from the shore team (Janna, Talia, Savai, Amy, and an army of friends and family).  The folks in Kaneohe have been wonderful.  We were met with Leis and Mai Tais, we did a Jimmy Buffet Buffet last night, there is a Luau this week, and a Rum party where I will present the Commodore with a Sloop Tavern Yacht Club burgee.  About time the Sloop made its presence known in the islands.  

I am guessing the Bats and Sharks will be seated around the pool, scheming, dreaming,  scratching our heads about our rating.  An Express 37 weighs 50% less but has the same sail area as Kotuku but we owe them 8.6 hours, would love to get someone to explain that one to me some day.  But a bit of grumbling keeps us balanced, considering how much fun we are having!

And we might be working on some video too...stay tuned...Nick is threatening to publish both our high speed surfing and my wipeout-- both were, um, memorable...and should make for good entertainment.

Thanks again from all of us on Team Kotuku, Matt, Emily, Al, Alex, Eli, Nick and I feel honored to have had the chance to do this, and loved all of your comments, wishes, and support.  We feel like we did this with one great big family, and it was great fun to share our experience with you.