I'm going to break the debrief of our odyssey into many parts so hopefully it'll be more digestible and less boring. Keep coming back, because our crewmember and most excellent Navigator Mark Carpenter will be editing all our footage into a fun filled film.
The overview- we made it there, we made it back, the tracks will continue to be archived on the iboattrack website for your post-race analysis and discussion. We had to make the unfortunate decision to engage the motor for propulsion in the hopes of getting the crew back in time for their flights, and thereby disqualified ourselves from the race. Out of 9 boats in our division, only 3 actually made it all the way down under sail. Out of the fleet of 24, only 20 made it to Isla Mujeres. One, enroute from New Orleans to Mobile prior to the race (read our account as well) ran aground, suffering damage to the keel, and had to limp to the dock where it was promptly struck by lightning. Two withdrew for mechanical problems, and one unfortunately dismasted and lost the whole rig shortly after the start of the race. So considering that, we did well.
Look for Part 2 - Pre-Race Transit in a day or so
29 May 2008
21 May 2008
WE MADE IT
Just a quicknote. We made it safely. I¨m in a internet cafe on tropical Isla Mujeres. Much to come on the post race debrief.
09 May 2008
Call Me the Breeze
Well, it's that time. Mary and I are casting off at civil daylight tomorrow morning to make the transit from New Orleans to Pensacola, so this may well be the last blog until the race is over.
It'll take us about 16-18 hours to get to Pensacola, where we'll tie up at the Pensacola Yacht Club. Then we'll do our provisioning, do some odds and ends, get our dodger back on the boat, and make last minute preparations. Monday night our crew: Anjula, Erica, and Mark will join us, and we'll spend the better part of Tuesday doing the fun and necessary business of safety orientation, watchstander training, and man overboard drills. Then off to the skipper's meeting and to bed to await the exciting days to follow.
We're close enough to race time that we can look at the weather forceasts with confidence. You can too, click here, then scroll down til you see the Gulf and click the big middle portion. The wind is going to start building out of the South, by Thursday up to 30 knots or more. And since the wind doesn't like to travel alone, she'll be bringing somewhere between 5-16 ft seas, to be determined. And the best part is that we get to head straight into it. For four days.
The Coronas are going to taste especially sabrosa upon our arrival. At a minimum we will publish a post notifying everyone of our safe arrival, and don't forget to chart our progress here:
http://charthorizon.com/races/2008_pensacola_islamujeres/htdocs
It'll take us about 16-18 hours to get to Pensacola, where we'll tie up at the Pensacola Yacht Club. Then we'll do our provisioning, do some odds and ends, get our dodger back on the boat, and make last minute preparations. Monday night our crew: Anjula, Erica, and Mark will join us, and we'll spend the better part of Tuesday doing the fun and necessary business of safety orientation, watchstander training, and man overboard drills. Then off to the skipper's meeting and to bed to await the exciting days to follow.
We're close enough to race time that we can look at the weather forceasts with confidence. You can too, click here, then scroll down til you see the Gulf and click the big middle portion. The wind is going to start building out of the South, by Thursday up to 30 knots or more. And since the wind doesn't like to travel alone, she'll be bringing somewhere between 5-16 ft seas, to be determined. And the best part is that we get to head straight into it. For four days.
The Coronas are going to taste especially sabrosa upon our arrival. At a minimum we will publish a post notifying everyone of our safe arrival, and don't forget to chart our progress here:
http://charthorizon.com/races/2008_pensacola_islamujeres/htdocs
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