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

Sounds like a great experience for you - glad it all went well.

I looked through the list of boats but did not see a West Wight Potter. I had one of those and would not do that trip if I was offered the $10,000 up front.

It is interesting that I know one of the participants. Mike Higgins is from the Bay Area and I have paddled with him in a club outing. I am not surprised that he was drawn to this event. Mike has paddled the entire west coast from Washington down and maybe all of Baja. That was done over a number of years. I would not be surprised if he finishes the trip, but I don't expect a win! (Sorry Mike).
 
The Tracker site is very interesting. You can pick a boat and replay the run and the time is displayed. Maybe everyone already knew this.

It looks like it took Mike's Kayak about 12 hours to get to Trial island where he made a stop before going on to Victoria.

Paddling 30 plus miles in one day is not for me, but I wish him luck.
 
Bob, Sorry, no summary that I know of. The closest, best to that would be the tracker page. It would be great if there was a central communication page with a daily log entry, but I don’t think that was ever put into place.
The number of boats for the rest of the race is about 29. I don’t expect it to go up, but until noon today, it is still possible for that to change before the start. The type of boat or which one will be the winner is up for grabs, but I agree, ability to be reasonably rested and still functioning at a highly competitive level is going to go to the larger boats, which are also structurally more likely to withstand the possible heavy abuse this race could present. That also gives better capability to run 24/7 to the finish. It will be “interesting” to say the least.

Dave, Thanks for that link. Those are some real tough guys, and I hope they finish well.

SeaSpray, The WWP was in the display at the beginning on Wed, but I think it went into the did not start group. I have to agree, I wouldn’t have tried it either. I used to sail with a group of WWP’s and Montgomery’s and it seemed like there was always something to fix there.

It’s going to be fun to watch this, and it would be fun to be along for the ride on the sweep boat, which by the way is a Cutwater 28.named “Cruise On”.

I was quite surprised and somewhat disappointed that there was almost no mention of this race, or coverage of it by any of the “local” TV news. Have to give credit to Fox, they had a brief mention, but nothing from the 3 Seattle area channels or the NorthWest Cable News channel. I do now that from my perspective it was really hard to get any photos that are of any consequence. It was a very busy day just holding on, steering and doing the radio comms, but it was a very worth while day.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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Harvey,

Do you think those larger sailboats will sail up the narrow parts of the Inside Passage in dead darkness? Wonder if they have radar. Would those solar panels have enough sustained power for that?

That six man outrigger places a crew member on the trampoline -- I suppose a really tough cookie could sleep out there ... not me!
 
Dave, Good question. I don't remember specifically looking for radar, but I would not be surprised. Lots of sailboats do, and I do remember seeing lots of solar panels. I looked back through my pictures but can't be sure. I do remember talking with one of the crew on one of the bigger cats and they were emphatic about running 24/7 to the end. If they can make it in 7 days, they will have good moonlight, and very short nights.

One of the equipment requirements was to have a radar reflector on board.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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Harvey, I join the others in thanking you for the "report". It made me wish I was 40 years younger...
Bob, I'm with you the those tri's will be tough to beat, but the Proas are my sentimental favorites.
Fair winds to the fleet...!!
 
15 minutes after the start and several boats are out of the harbor making 4 knots, and breeze shown as only about 5 knots. Going to be very interesting. So many factors in the strategy. as well as the weather, rest, food, number of people aboard etc.
 
The 6-paddle outrigger canoe is first out of the harbor. It can sail some, but once the multi-hulls hit the wind in this more southern portion of the race. . . Looks like high pressure with N winds for a while. Can't wait to see what happens in Johnstone Strait. It will be fascinating to see which boats choose which routes to the fist checkpoint at Seymour. The hunt for wind and current begins!
 
Sure would be fun to have some sort of video uplink (Think NASCAR) here with views from each of the boats for the next 10 days.

Don't forget to hit the refresh button on the tracker page. :lol:

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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Was there some horse race recently? Who cares! This is waaaaaaaay better. :thup :thup :thup
Thanks again, Harvey!

Bill
Formerly on NORO LIM
 
Tain't the Triple Crown for sure! But the boats have really spread out at about 6 1/2 hours into the race, and some of the lead sail boats are running at over 10 knots (part of that is current)--be nice to have current overlays, as well as wind!) But those sneaky Soggy Beavers, are still to be watched.

I ended up making a note book page with summary of the characteristics of each team/boat/crew, so I could keep it straight! The light winds are going to make it a more interesting race. It will also be interesting how the single handers do, as time goes by. Too bad, that there were not several classes, with one being single handers. But what a group of talented sailors and voyagers!
 
Following r2AK progress online took me down to Thieves' Bay breakwater (North Pender Island) at 1800. The part of the fleet that took Swanson Channel was there, seven or so boats, but too far offshore to see much. Most appeared to be multihulls under spinnaker and spanking right along. I thought one looked like it was turning into Otter Bay (maybe for overnights?) Only one boat had turned early to go up Sansum Narrows, west of Saltspring Island. Many of the rest took Boundary Pass south of South Pender Island.
When I got home I see that two of the early boats I had seen had turned into Captains' Passage, heading north of Prevost Island. All will end up in Trincomali Channel soon, with a number of overnight anchorages available on Prevost and Galiano.
One monohull, near shore, seemed to be doing well against the multihulls - until they dropped sail and motored into Thieves' Bay. Local boat. :?
This is kinda fun.
Rod
 
What a day :!: :!:

Can't imagine what those Soggy Beavers must feel like after 9 hours of paddling, well, yea, but not for another 10 days or more.

I agree, it would be nice to see the currents there too, and pix of the boats when you click on them too.

Glad you all are enjoying this.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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Looks like they've been at it all night. This morning they are facing 16 knots right on the nose with decreasing room to tack as they approach Seymour. Will be fun to watch, for sure.
 
I just checked with a friend in Comox and the 16 on the nose is the predicted low for the day. Looks like it will build to 25-35 through the day and into tonight. That is going to be really interesting as they get into those narrow passages. Bigger boats will be favored through most of the day and there will be some grouping at Seymore for the slack times ( 1030 this morning and 1630 this afternoon, 2330 tonight and 0545 tomorrow morning.

Not likely to have to deal with any fog with those breezes.

Prayers for safe travels, sane heads and sore muscles.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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Thanks for the link Harvey, I am enjoying their progress. It is starting to look like each team is in their own race. Spotted the lights of Team Elsie Piddock sailing by off Nanaimo at about 1am this morning. An amazing race!
Bill
 
Local favorites on Mail Order Bride , Wayne Gorrie and Janine Bell and team will love these conditions
They have optimized their trimaran for heavy air sailing
They are well known for driving hard and are my pick to win it, thier old F31 would routinely clock 25 knots plus in the strait, this new boat is likely quicker
The kayaks and small boats and rowers only will not like today and tonite
The proa should scoot today also
Lets all pray for everyone's safety and well being
George
 
George, Did you get to see the MOB crew in Naniamo this morning. Looked like they were close. Sorry I didn't get to meet them down here on the dock. Saw the boat. It looked ready and fit.

Those soggy Beavers are incredible, as are all these folks. Wish I was hanging around up at Seymour for a day or so. Could get a nice close look. Got that at the start but was kind of busy,, not much picture taking time.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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