We will be sailing from San Diego to Hawaii in early May of 2007. Would be interested in a convoy with other boats. Anyone planning such a trip?
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Les
Les, I see in the home address column that you own a Catalina 27. I'm curious, are you sailing a motified 27 to Hawaii? jack
Les, I see in the home address column that you own a Catalina 27. I'm curious, are you sailing a motified 27 to Hawaii? jack
Les
You will be sailing through a hurricane area. I know that it's before the season, but as we have seen this year and last year, they can pop up before the season starts. If at all possible, I would try to start a few weeks earlier. I plan on leaving Costa Rica for Hawaii in a 3-4 years from now and I'm plannning on leaving in early april.
You will be sailing through a hurricane area. I know that it's before the season, but as we have seen this year and last year, they can pop up before the season starts. If at all possible, I would try to start a few weeks earlier. I plan on leaving Costa Rica for Hawaii in a 3-4 years from now and I'm plannning on leaving in early april.
Hawaii Nei
Ahoy ! I am preparing to go in 2007. I was thinking of going 10 days ahead of the Transpac fleet. I figure I would have plently of folks coming up behind me if I needed help. The race is in early July. A description from a competitor in the 2005 race: "With a fluky breeze, the 2005 Transpac was a tough sail, "Very light [wind], practically no [rough] seas, a few squalls. The people who got low [south] and got low early did better." My dockmate went last May and said it was just like daysailing in Santa Monica Bay ... for a very long time. Any weather related comments or departure advice would be appreciated. Arrrgh ... aye.
Ahoy ! I am preparing to go in 2007. I was thinking of going 10 days ahead of the Transpac fleet. I figure I would have plently of folks coming up behind me if I needed help. The race is in early July. A description from a competitor in the 2005 race: "With a fluky breeze, the 2005 Transpac was a tough sail, "Very light [wind], practically no [rough] seas, a few squalls. The people who got low [south] and got low early did better." My dockmate went last May and said it was just like daysailing in Santa Monica Bay ... for a very long time. Any weather related comments or departure advice would be appreciated. Arrrgh ... aye.
My mistake
Seems all but 3 hurricances since 1979 have burned out before crossing a striaght line path from SD to Hawaii. If you go farther south or wait later in the year the odds increase. Below is a great link to see the paths of all historical storms. You can query by the year, the month, the size, and ocean. Pretty cool tool to use. It reconfirmed by belief that if leaving CR to Hawaii it's best to ride the tradewinds almost all the way to Hawaii before making headway north.
Seems all but 3 hurricances since 1979 have burned out before crossing a striaght line path from SD to Hawaii. If you go farther south or wait later in the year the odds increase. Below is a great link to see the paths of all historical storms. You can query by the year, the month, the size, and ocean. Pretty cool tool to use. It reconfirmed by belief that if leaving CR to Hawaii it's best to ride the tradewinds almost all the way to Hawaii before making headway north.
Be prepared...
I have done only one Transpac but have discussed this crossing with many others, one of whom has done over 20!!! What I learned first hand is how cold and very rough and wet it can be the first 2-3 days, beating to weather. I would not recommend a CAT 27 for the trip, but if lady luck is on your side and you have a gentle ride...???...two to three weeks of high stresses on your boat will take its toll on a lightly built production boat. The open ocean ain't no Texas lake sail. You might go to the Transpac web site and down load their safety gear requirements for starters. Good luck.
I have done only one Transpac but have discussed this crossing with many others, one of whom has done over 20!!! What I learned first hand is how cold and very rough and wet it can be the first 2-3 days, beating to weather. I would not recommend a CAT 27 for the trip, but if lady luck is on your side and you have a gentle ride...???...two to three weeks of high stresses on your boat will take its toll on a lightly built production boat. The open ocean ain't no Texas lake sail. You might go to the Transpac web site and down load their safety gear requirements for starters. Good luck.
Size of Catalina 27
Foamy, Yep, I would like to own a larger boat, but the 27 is it. Refering to John Vigor's book "Twenty Small Sailboats to Take You Anywhere," you will find the Catalina 27 listed as one which has successfully circumnavigated. Of course we are "beefing" her up for the trip as well. Also using the information in Jimmy Cornell's "World Cruising Routes" we plan to go in early Spring to avoid the likelihood of tropical storm problems. Thanks for your reply. I appreciate all the good advise we can get. Oh by the way - a 40 knotter on a Texas lake is an experience to be had!!
Foamy, Yep, I would like to own a larger boat, but the 27 is it. Refering to John Vigor's book "Twenty Small Sailboats to Take You Anywhere," you will find the Catalina 27 listed as one which has successfully circumnavigated. Of course we are "beefing" her up for the trip as well. Also using the information in Jimmy Cornell's "World Cruising Routes" we plan to go in early Spring to avoid the likelihood of tropical storm problems. Thanks for your reply. I appreciate all the good advise we can get. Oh by the way - a 40 knotter on a Texas lake is an experience to be had!!
NOAA link
Franklin, Great link for storm tracking. We have planned our trip in late April or early May to avoid the likelihood of tropical storms. Interestinly there are no records of serious weather (in excess of 35 knots) North of lattitude 20N over the longitutudal areas in which we will be sailing. Say a little prayer for us. Thanks for the info.
Franklin, Great link for storm tracking. We have planned our trip in late April or early May to avoid the likelihood of tropical storms. Interestinly there are no records of serious weather (in excess of 35 knots) North of lattitude 20N over the longitutudal areas in which we will be sailing. Say a little prayer for us. Thanks for the info.
Capt. McAllister
Capt. We had though about sailing in conjunction with the TansPac (by the way, notice that our local sailor, Scott Self won the TranPac last year; he is mentoring us on our trip). The problem with the TansPac is that the dates subject you to possible serious weather problems - which of course we want to avoid. Would love to have you sail along with us.
Capt. We had though about sailing in conjunction with the TansPac (by the way, notice that our local sailor, Scott Self won the TranPac last year; he is mentoring us on our trip). The problem with the TansPac is that the dates subject you to possible serious weather problems - which of course we want to avoid. Would love to have you sail along with us.
Modified Catalina 27
Jack, Yes we are modifying the Catalina 27 for blue water. Catalinadirect.com ha a number of "upgrades" including ss spreader bracket, u-bolt chain plates. We are also following the advice listed in John Vigor's "Twenty Sailboats ..." We have increased the standing rigging by one size, adding additional bulkheads under cabin storage areas, enlarging cockpit drainage, fabricating an emergency rudder/tiller, just to name a few. The boat has an inboard diesel which has all new fuel lines, polished fuel tank, added racor filter. We will carry spare water pump impellers, filters, belts, hose clamps, etc. along with many "backup" parts and sails: two main sails, two furling genoas, one gale sail, and an assymetric spinaker, also spare wire and rope shrouds/stays, as well as spare halyards. Will carry a 4 person life raft, inflatable dinghy, EPIRB, 3 GPRs, two sextants (my sailing buddy is an ex British Merchant Marine Navigator, Second Mate). We are planning on eating MREs and eaily stored food items, such as granola, powdered milk, cheese, foil packaged tuna, peanut butter, apples, oranges, etc. Will have daily multivitamins with extra vitamin C. Wiil be adding a small, gimbled propane stove with small bottles of fuel. For water will take all bottled to be stored in fresh water tank (with opening cut in top) As we finish each bottle it will be placed empty back in the tank to prevent movement of full bottles. (1 gallon/day with 50% more than expected need; same with food). Extensive med kits supplemented with prescription general antibiotics, epinephrene (sp?), and possibly IV saline solution to treat hypthermia. (Our friend physicain sailor will prescribe and instuct use). We have learned that an important matter is to keep the boat as light as possible, so other than what is really necessary, we will be very cognizant of weight. I sure that I've overlooked something; only to say that we have been planning the trip for over a year, and still have about 8 months to get her ready. Les
Jack, Yes we are modifying the Catalina 27 for blue water. Catalinadirect.com ha a number of "upgrades" including ss spreader bracket, u-bolt chain plates. We are also following the advice listed in John Vigor's "Twenty Sailboats ..." We have increased the standing rigging by one size, adding additional bulkheads under cabin storage areas, enlarging cockpit drainage, fabricating an emergency rudder/tiller, just to name a few. The boat has an inboard diesel which has all new fuel lines, polished fuel tank, added racor filter. We will carry spare water pump impellers, filters, belts, hose clamps, etc. along with many "backup" parts and sails: two main sails, two furling genoas, one gale sail, and an assymetric spinaker, also spare wire and rope shrouds/stays, as well as spare halyards. Will carry a 4 person life raft, inflatable dinghy, EPIRB, 3 GPRs, two sextants (my sailing buddy is an ex British Merchant Marine Navigator, Second Mate). We are planning on eating MREs and eaily stored food items, such as granola, powdered milk, cheese, foil packaged tuna, peanut butter, apples, oranges, etc. Will have daily multivitamins with extra vitamin C. Wiil be adding a small, gimbled propane stove with small bottles of fuel. For water will take all bottled to be stored in fresh water tank (with opening cut in top) As we finish each bottle it will be placed empty back in the tank to prevent movement of full bottles. (1 gallon/day with 50% more than expected need; same with food). Extensive med kits supplemented with prescription general antibiotics, epinephrene (sp?), and possibly IV saline solution to treat hypthermia. (Our friend physicain sailor will prescribe and instuct use). We have learned that an important matter is to keep the boat as light as possible, so other than what is really necessary, we will be very cognizant of weight. I sure that I've overlooked something; only to say that we have been planning the trip for over a year, and still have about 8 months to get her ready. Les
Beer to Hawaii
Greg, We will probably be ready for lots of beer after being at sea for nearly 21 days. Would love to have some of you folks come along with us in your boat(s) and we can enjoy some cold cerveza (remember I'm from Texas)in the islands. Thanks for the good wishes Les
Greg, We will probably be ready for lots of beer after being at sea for nearly 21 days. Would love to have some of you folks come along with us in your boat(s) and we can enjoy some cold cerveza (remember I'm from Texas)in the islands. Thanks for the good wishes Les
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