Race to Alaska Escort Boat Service: PT to Victoria 6/4/15

thataway · Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2015 4:59 pm Post subject:

Finished--don't know the exact time, but some were about 1:55 PM PDT.

When I linked the photo the boat was just entering the yacht basin. By the time I finished typing, the boat is tied up to the dock--just by the crowd at the end of the float!

What a tribute to man's ability--and about 18 boats still underway--each story will be as exciting as these three. Plus the boats which have withdrawn all have even more impressive stories. Dismasted, not able to make way, good judgement calls!

ghone · Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2015 5:40 pm Post subject:

Jaw dropping performance! Small boat, 750 miles mostly upwind in fresh to strong breeze, current passes, rocks! Tight channels, open sea and in 5 and a bit days, totally outstanding,
George

thataway · Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2015 11:28 pm Post subject:

My apology, it appears that I did not post a static photo, but the image for that address will update about every 2 minutes, so the winning boat will not appear there.

It looks as if the #2 and #3 boats are going to rest for the night--and the only ones moving (at 2.6 knots) are the paddling canoe, "Team Soggy Beavers". They will probably be the first (and maybe only paddlers to finish, in the time limit. A sweep boat leaves Port Townsend on June 24, and arrives in Ketchikan on July 4--if the competitor is passed by the sweep boat they are DSQ--race is over.

AstoriaDave · Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2015 2:10 pm Post subject:

It's worthwhile to check out the June 12 update. The author certainly captures my scan on this race. I hope they do it again next year.

http://r2ak.com/daily-updates-2/june-12/

ghone · Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2015 2:41 pm Post subject:

Yes it's refreshing, low budget regular guys just blowing everyone's ecpectations! Just like the early days of solo transatlantics, or transpacs
Por Favor is being chased hard by Team Mob,
I have a feeling MOB is partly disabled as thier sppeds have been so low
Up to 6.2 now but for an up to the second custom Tri and that crew, its very slow
They are not quiters and even if they were severly banged up they'd continue
Wonderful stuff!
George

thataway · Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2015 6:45 pm Post subject:

Dave, point well made. It also subtly touches on the bond which is between sailors/adventurers who compete in these races or adventures. (and there are other team adventures/competitions which have the same bonds) Unless you have done it--or something like it, it is hard to understand.

Here is an audio clip from one of the crew shortly after finishing the race, which captures the essence of the race--concern for those who are still racing.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/race-to-alaska-winner-1.3112226

AstoriaDave · Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2015 10:15 pm Post subject:

Another audio clip, from one of the crew of the Elsie Piddock, in Ketchican, via cbc radio.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/race-to-alaska-winner-1.3112226

Resonates with sone of Dr. Bob's words.

hardee · Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2015 6:53 pm Post subject:

This has been an incredible race. Against incredible odds. And with incredible effort. I'm glad I was able to see some of it at the beginning, and follow along occasionally. I had a previous engagement that took me a way from i-net access for some time and I missed being able to follow closely each day.

The weather really took a toll on some of the equipment, and it is just a testament to the crews skill and fitness for this challenge that there were no serious injuries or worse.

It was a tough start, and it maintained for a week with conditions that were not very conducive to being on the water for most of the size of boats that were in the race.

It has been a great race. Thanks for all the interesting posts, and links that were posted. I'm going back now and following up on the parts I missed out on. Some really cool additions. Thanks again, for all the participation.

The race is still on, and the Winners are waiting to congratulate the finishers. How fine.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

thataway · Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2015 7:26 pm Post subject:

A big thanks to Harvey for bringing this to our attention and being part of the race crew who made it such a success!

The race is not at all over. Earlier today, PorFavor (PFHobie 33 mono hull) was about 60 miles ahead of Mail Order Bride Mentality (MOB--a Farrier F85SR Trimaran)
https://www.facebook.com/mailorderbrideracing
It is ironic in some ways the more "modern" F8.5 was developed as the super racer, and is going to be several days behind the winning boat, which was also a 20 plus year old Farrier design: F25C . Not to detract from the crew of MOB (who are also VanIsle race veterans) but I have to believe that the experience and dedication of EP (the winner) was what made the difference. The boats can be very similar in speed under the same conditions. MOB has taken a couple of rest periods, and as I remember almost one day off when it was really sloppy. But in the last few hours, I guess those second place "Steak Kinives" look petty good. Can a F 8.55 beat a Hobie 33?

Right now the boats are about only 8 miles apart (by latitude only).

Also MOB has a DeLorme tracker aboard--which allows them to send the 160 character text messages. I wish that all of the boats had this.

By the way, Mail Order Bride, was found in the Philippines!
http://www.f-boat.com/pages/News2/F-85SRconcept.html

She is the only example built of the F8.5 SR--and is "for experienced sailors only"--and these guys are not putting on a show!

One thing to remember is that none of these vessels have generators aboard. Battery charging has to be solar, if any. They do (should) have navigation lights --but I would not be surprised if an LED masthead combo light was the norm,

ghone · Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2015 7:45 pm Post subject:

This is so cool, it's now a drag race between the Hobie Por Favor and F28 MOB! They're in the last miles to the finish with MOB showing some 3 knots faster over the Hobie 8.6 to 5.7
Will the breeze hold long enough for MOB to overhaul Pr Favor? After a week of being close hauled everyone will be tired, they will also be flogging these boats for every 1/4 knot tweaking for speed, this evening will be intersting

thataway · Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2015 10:21 pm Post subject:

And now only a half mile lead by Por Favor, and surely in sight of each for several hours. We don't know if either of these boats has any shore communication for certain. But we do know that MOB has a Delorme InReach capable of messages. You have to think that they have been informed of the narrowing gap, as they worked North, and are making it a drag race intentionally. They are on the same tack, with MOB to leeward, pointing slightly higher, and moving 0.4 knots faster (as per the specific data at that moment).

Interesting race between a fast monohull, and an ultra fast tri.

olsurfdog · Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2015 12:46 am Post subject:

This is great fun!! I'm at the tracker every 15-20 mins, plays hell with getting stuff done! A match race with a tacking duel. How cool is that?!!The edge certainly goes the tri-hard to beat a faster boat but not impossible especially if it continues to get lighter. Will tides come into play? Are there tidal currents of consequence in these Alaskan fiords?? I know nothing about sailing in Alaska! Will it continue to lighten ? Will it become a rowing race? Or anchoring? This fun- I'll have to check SailFlow.
Being from Monterey Bay(home of the ULDB in the'70s) I'm not a big fan of the Hobie 33 (parochial prejudice ??) but I'm rooting for them now. It will take all their skills and some luck to pull it out! Got to luv an underdog!
I'm with Bob in thanking Harvey for his participation and bringing this race to our attention!! It wasn't on my radar.
Bye--gotta go check the tracker!

thataway · Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2015 3:10 am Post subject:

Yes the tides can be significant, but not like in the passes of BC. The currents are gong to be less, but still enough that they may be able to row against. As I recollect, they will have a fair current, until the Morning from now. But when it switches, they may not be able have enough speed under oars. I have anchored within site of finish lines on several occasions. Up there it is going to be deep, and they will work back eddies, and probably row/paddle. The Tri can raise the board and rudder, so the advantage to MOB.

thataway · Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2015 8:43 am Post subject:

MOB won the steak knives! They pulled ahead about 8 hours before the finish, and were neck and neck for several hours. MOB hugged the North Channel, PV took the south. Both were rowing at least the last 2 hours. P F at least 15 minutes behind--still at the head of the Island when I posted this. Great race by both.

olsurfdog · Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2015 1:43 pm Post subject:

......and the funs not over. Looks like an interesting race for 4th- two cats and another tri. The one cat is a beach cat with only two aboard! Can't imagine trying to sleep on that! Amazing guys & gals all!! Then there's the race for 7th and on. The outrigger canoe is currently the 7th and moving well the last days. Still lots of good stuff to follow!! Even the race to avoid the "sweep" boat!
I'm still lovin it!!