Cruising

2023 STAPYs (Sailish.com Totally Arbitrary Performance of the Year Awards)

Kurt Hoehne Community, Cruising, PNW sailors around the world, Racing, STAPYs 0 Comment

It must be said that the sailing and racing seems to have come up a notch in the Pacific Northwest in 2023. There’s a little more participation and a little more anticipation in the air before races. There are plenty of season champions and boats of the year out there, and I’d love to cover them all. Or at least a bunch. But time being in short supply, here are my STAPYs for 2023.

I’ve invited others to name their favorites, and now I’m inviting all the readers to chime in. Surely you can think of someone deserving of a Totally Arbitrary award. Remember, as a STAPY it doesn’t have to be a race winner or an expedition cruiser type. It could (and should) be someone who supports the sport or their fellow mariners, sets an example or provides inspiration.

Justin and Christina Wolff

The Wolffs have put an amazing program for the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3300 Red Ruby they own with Jonathan McKee. Perhaps their most jaw-dropping achievement was finishing second OVERALL in the 600+ mile Rolex Middle Sea Race. The first place boat? The 93’ fully crewed Wally Bullitt. The time difference? 24, count ’em 24, seconds. Here’s a little video of the couple after the finish:

In what seems to be an irreversible trend, doublehanded racing is gaining momentum. McKee and Peter Isler won the ORC doublehanded championships in Barcelona, Spain. Maybe Red Ruby will help as a springboard to the already growing doublehanded racing community in the PNW.

Adam, Daniela, Gunner (8) and Teddy (4) Lawrence

Easy Day under spinnaker for the first time.

You probably haven’t heard of Adam Lawrence. I certainly hadn’t when he inquired about my Swiftsure Yachts listing, the Swan 46 Freya. The cruising world was new to him. But true to his US Navy background, he approached it methodically and thoroughly. Adam recognized Freya’s solid construction and appreciated the pilothouse that Swan Fans wrinkled their noses at. That unique feature, Adam knew, would be a great place for his boys.

From overhauling the plumbing to renaming the Swan Easy Day, Adam and his team set an example I will point cruiser wannabes to for years to come.

Here’s the first of what I hope will be many videos.

Dan Falk 

Dan Falk

Dan won the RS Aero Worlds (9 rig) in Sardinia this year. It’s the second year in a row he’s done it. (Last year was on the Columbia River Gorge) He did it while sick and dehydrated, overcoming those issues plus a collision that knocked him out of a race.

That’s only one reason for the STAPY. He remains the mainstay of the Seattle RS Aero fleet, which is premier RS Aero fleet in North America. It also must make the rest of the world sit up (again) and wonder just what it is about the salmon we eat that makes the pointy end of the Seattle dinghy fleets so tough. During CYC’s PSSC Awards dinner, he bent over backward to applaud his training partner Keith Hammer for a well-earned victory. Dan is the kind of sailor that drives this sport. He sails hard, gives back and looks out for his fellow competitors.

Blue Water Medal Goes to PNW Sailors

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Blue Water Medal Goes to PNW Sailors

Ed. Note: This was news 3 months ago, but it’s still news. Cruising, after all, is timeless. Furthermore, this is one of sailing’s great honors and we as Northwesterners can be proud and impressed by the Niemans’ achievements. This is the press release from the one and only CCA. -KH

Ginger and Peter Niemann have been named winners of the 2021 Blue Water Medal by the Cruising Club of America for two sailing circumnavigations that took them to the high latitudes, north and south. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the second trip around the world included rigorous non-stop passages while returning home to Washington state.  

The Niemanns exemplify the spirit of adventure and determination represented by the Blue Water Medal, which has been awarded regularly since 1923 to “reward meritorious seamanship and adventure upon the sea displayed by amateur sailors of all nationalities, that might otherwise go unrecognized.” Past winners have ranged from Eric Tabarly and Sir Francis Chichester to Rod Stephens, Webb Chiles and Eric and Susan Hiscock.

The Niemanns’ first voyaging boat was Marcy, a 47-foot sloop they converted from a schooner. From 2006 to 2010, Marcy took them west-about from Seattle almost 50,000 miles around the world, including rounding the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Horn.

In 2017, they departed Washington State on Irene, a 52-foot fiberglass ketch. Taking the opposite direction, east-about, through the Northwest Passage and staying in the northern hemisphere, they never crossed their first track around. Becoming the 30th U.S.-flagged vessel to complete the Northwest Passage transit, Irene touched Greenland, Newfoundland, and the U.S. East Coast before crossing the Atlantic to Ireland.

After touring the U.K., Atlantic Europe, and the Mediterranean, they found themselves suddenly stranded in Turkey when the COVID-19 pandemic began. Like international cruisers everywhere, they were stopped in their tracks, previous plans irrelevant. Unwilling to leave Irene, they considered staying in Turkey; sailing back home across the Atlantic; or heading home to the Pacific Northwest through the Suez Canal. They chose the third option, negotiating a landfall in distant Batam, Indonesia. Their of-necessity-non-stop voyage across the Indian Ocean during the monsoon to Indonesia required extraordinary perseverance. It was rough, as they had expected, but at least their worries didn’t include pirates, who were unlikely to be out and about in the challenging weather.

Two non-stop months and nearly 6,000 miles later, the Niemanns arrived in Batam, only to find that their permission to stay in Indonesia had been revoked. Nearby Singapore let them stay but they couldn’t leave the boat. They lived onboard at the Changi Sailing Club for five months. In all, they spent nearly 300 days aboard, unable to go ashore in any country. On February 2, 2021, they departed on the long cruise home via Japan and the Aleutians.

Despite the truly unique challenges posed by the pandemic, Peter and Ginger persevered, cheerfully adapting to a seemingly endless onboard quarantine and making lengthy passages in extremely difficult conditions.

They have coped with challenges posed by wind and weather, taken on the high latitudes in the Arctic and Patagonia, and found a way to successfully navigate the pandemic to complete a second circumnavigation in extraordinary circumstances. Their teamwork, courage, good humor, flexibility, and innovative spirit are evidence of their exceptional personal and sailing mettle. During these uncertain and difficult times, their persistence and ingenuity is truly inspiring, and the Cruising Club of America is proud to present them with the 2021 Blue Water Medal.

Yet Another Paradise

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Yet Another Paradise

Here’s another pic of a PNW sailor out there at anchor in yet another paradise. Thanks for allowing us to share!

Bill and Kathi Cuffel’s Jarana at anchor at Ormos Atherinos on Meganisi Island, Greece.

Haley Llahmon CCA Video

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Haley Llahmon CCA Video

The Cruising Club of America is a remarkable organization, promoting safe and adventurous cruising – and the Bermuda Race – among other things. Here they recognize one of the PNW’s own, Haley Llahmon. Here’s Scuttlebutt’s written piece. And here’s CCA’s video:

Offshore Cruising Seminar+ by John and Amanda Swan-Neal March 23-24

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Offshore Cruising Seminar+ by John and Amanda Swan-Neal March 23-24
John and Amanda aboard their Hallberg Rassy
John and Amanda, not in the Northwest.

John Neal and Amanda Swan have been teaching, writing about and actually cruising for decades through their Mahina Expeditions. In March, a dream of theirs is coming true with the Mahina Cruisers College Workshop. It combines their usual offshore Cruising Seminar with hands-on diesel engine maintenance, marine electrics, sail repair, canvas construction and splicing.

Significantly, this seminar represents offshore sailors working together with the Skagit Valley College marine technical program. John Neal explains, “It started coming together when Mike Beemer, program chairman of Skagit Valley College’s marine tech program, invited us to present our normal seminar at the center last March. From that, the idea to present a two-day program came. It’s almost here now!”

  • Images from a previous workshop.

One can feel the excitement. For cruisers thinking about the big cruise to experienced offshore sailors looking to bone up on their skills, it’s a great opportunity. “Anacortes is a great location as there is moorage next to the tech center at Cap Sante, there are very reasonable hotels within walking distance and there is a great pizza place three blocks away that gives us the entire upstairs for pizza, beer and music Saturday night. We are hoping to get the same group of Celtic musicians again this year,” says John.

Pete McGonagle, who has presented alongside Neal and Swan, for the last 15 years, will also be presenting. McGonagle is a principal at Swiftsure Yachts, one of Sailish’s sponsors. Swiftsure specializes in high quality blue water yachts.

Here is a pdf with all the info, including the schedule.

Jeanne Socrates Circumnavigating Again at Age 76

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Jeanne Socrates Circumnavigating Again at Age 76

She’s got nothing to prove, and I really don’t think that’s why Jeanne Socrates is sailing around the world solo, nonstop, again at age 76. I’ve had the good fortune to speak with and correspond with Jeanne, and while she’s proud of her accomplishments it’s pretty clear her offshore voyaging is much more organic than that. She likes to see the world, and she apparently loves being offshore, so it seems natural. If she succeeds, she’ll be the oldest person (any gender) to sail solo around the world. Currently she’s the oldest woman to have done it at age 70.

She left the dock at Victoria on October 3 on her Najad 380 Nereida.

Everyone from the youngest Opti sailor to the oldest offshore cruiser should take heart from her spirit. She’s optimistic and indefatigable, having had to turn back twice in 2016 because of extreme weather and having to cancel last year’s attempt due to broken bones. All healed and out of her neck brace, Socrates was ready for casting off last week.

There’s a good Times Colonist (Victoria) article here. I’ll check in on her progress periodically. You can check on her current position here. The keepers of her website have already increased capacity to keep up with the demand. It seems everyone’s pulling for her – and should!

New Cascadia Cruising Rally – First Meeting tonight!

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New Cascadia Cruising Rally – First Meeting tonight!

Now here’s an idea for you cruisers. You do cruise, too, right?

There are cruising rallies around just about everything. Going to California, crossing the Atlantic, cruising to Baja, trekking to Alaska and just about everything in between. Well, Joe and the gang at 48 North Magazine thought, why not a simple cruise-in-company to the San Juans and Gulf Islands? Like racing, rendezvous tend to be the impetus for casting off. After all, that’s what we all need to do more of, cast off!

Tonight is the first informational meeting. If you’re thinking of cruising this summer, it’s definitely worth popping by the 48 North offices near Shilshole Bay Marina to get the lowdown. Details can be found on the Facebook page here. Basically, it starts at 6:30pm at 6327 Seaview Ave NW.

Here are editor Joe Cline’s thoughts on the matter, from the pages (with permission) of 48 North.

CASCADIA CRUISING RALLY

We’re Going Cruising, Come With Us!

One of the reasons we love the boat show is the chance to connect with so many sailing buddies that we don’t see on a daily basis. In chatting with these great folks, sometimes we talk shop, sometimes we just catch up,  and every so often we cook up something that might actually be a big idea!

Well, this year’s great notion is something that we couldn’t be more excited about. 48° North is starting a cruising rally. Credit is due to Chuck Skewes of Ullman Sails who helped develop the idea, and  Ullman will be the presenting sponsor!

We want you to go cruising with friends, new and old, and we can’t wait to be part of it. There is no shortage of sailing events in our area, but we think there’s nothing quite like this. Our goal is to provide a safe and fun experience for everyone from salty dogs to yacht club cruising groups to sailing school cruising courses. All are welcome, and we’re trying to set this up with the fewest possible barriers to entry.

We will start and end in Anacortes, and will dip into the Gulf Islands for a few nights. Here are a few things about which we’re excited:

  • There are a lot of cruisers that have spent time in the San Juans, but haven’t sailed across the border before. We’ll go together and make the customs process easy for first timers.
  • In an effort to keep costs down and to facilitate cruising skill development, we will be encouraging everyone to anchor as much as they are comfortable. This is one reason we’re headed to the Gulf Islands – there will be some less busy anchorages that can better accommodate 25 boats in August. We will run an anchoring chalk talk before departure, and we’ll be there to support you (and poke fun) if you need a little anchoring guidance!
  • There is safety in numbers, but there’s even more safety when other attendees are industry pros. Among the rally sponsors are a sailmaker, Ullman Sails, as well as a diver and mechanic. If you have some trouble with your boat or gear during the rally, help will be close at hand.
  • Activities abound! We are already planning a bunch of great stuff, from scavenger hunts to blindfolded dinghy races, from tug-of-war to volleyball. We even think we’ll have some sailor musicians along for some entertainment.
  • There will be a mix of travel days and layover days. Rally-goers have the chance to both see some new territory and explore a particular area. Scheduled functions and parties will take place on layover days, so there’s not time pressure on travel days (that way you can sail more!).

Mainly, this is a thrilling opportunity for a community celebration of sailing and cruising and merry-making. In other words, this is sailor-folk doing what we love most. In this first annual running of the rally, we are planning to limit participation to 25 boats, so you’ll want to book your spot ASAP.

WHAT: The First Annual Cascadia Cruising Rally

WHEN: August 5 – 11, 2018

WHERE: Beginning and ending in Anacortes, headed north!

HOW: Check out www.48north.com/rally and contact joe@48north.com

HOW MUCH: $250

NEXT STEPS: Please join us for an informational meeting at 6:30pm on Tuesday March 13, 2018 at the 48° North office. We’ll discuss potential itineraries, logistics, and (hopefully) answer a bunch of your questions!

Wet Wednesday Videos

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Wet Wednesday Videos

Apparently the sailish.com racers were too busy racing to take any video from the Duwamish Head Race on Saturday (good for you!). But that doesn’t mean it’s not a Wet Wednesday. So, for a change of pace, check out a couple interesting non-racing videos.

My friend Andy Cross of Threesheetsnw is wintering ashore in Alaska right now with his wife Jill and sons Magnus and Porter while his Grand Soleil 39 Yahtzee gets some attention. But here’s his video of part of his cruise to Alaska. I particularly like the idea of sitting on the foredeck reading to the boys. Perfect.


By the way, Andy will be giving presentations at the Seattle Boat Show; “An Unconventional Route to SE Alaska and Beyond” on February 2 and “Living the Dream: How to Get Your Boating and Cruising Stories Published” on February 3. I’m sure both will be good.

A Three-hour Tour

And in the following video that Cliff Mass unearthed, the passengers on the Norwegian cruise ship Breakaway recorded an extraordinary passage from the Bahamas to New York over New Years. As Mass is quick to point out, the meteorologists clearly predicted this storm and the captain decided to sail right into the most dangerous part anyway. As some commentators pointed out, other than some serious discomfort to the 4000 passengers, some wet floors and no doubt some water damage, it wasn’t a disaster. As top-heavy as those cruise ships look, apparently they have sufficient stability. Go figure.

My take on it is that the captain has to factor in the real possibility of breakdowns. It’s all nothing more serious than mal de mer until there’s some kind of breakdown. Lose an engine or have an electronics meltdown in this stuff and all off a sudden it’s a different situation entirely.

 

Wet Wednesday Video, Eternity Only Inches Away

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Wet Wednesday Video, Eternity Only Inches Away

As I don’t have any local videos to show, this week’s Wet Wednesday video comes from the Indian Ocean courtesy of Webb Chiles. And instead of green water pouring aft for jaw dropping visual effects, we see how a cruiser in a 24′ boat handles big conditions. A couple of things to note: Chiles’ Moore 24 is often heralded as the original ultralight, and the fleet in Seattle is very active. Chiles, now in his 70s, is an unstoppable sailing adventurer whose exploits span several decades. The Moore fleet would be a great boat, and crowd, to race on and against. Secondly, as you’re watching this video, check out his sheet to tiller self-steering setup. No autopilot, no windvane, just smarts. If any alert reader can explain this setup or relate some experience with it, please contact me and I’ll put it up on sailish.com. If you have 4 minutes, it’s worth listening to Chiles describe crawling up on the foredeck at night in big conditions. “I certainly was aware that eternity was only inches away,” he says… Check out Chiles’ blog. Much more on Chiles’ adventures on Sailing Anarchy and the Moore 24 Class Association site. (Also, check out the post script following the video)

 

Post Script: A couple of alert readers have answered the call on this sheet-to-tiller approach:

I have absolutely no experience with such a setup, but I have read about it in the past, this was the best description I found, still somewhat confusing.

http://www.jsward.com/steering/

-Matt Cohen

Scott Malone, who has cruised the Pacific as a child and both to Alaska and to and from New Zealand as skipper, called in his experience with the sheet-to-tiller system. Here’s Scott:

Oh boy this takes me back.

 My father home-built a windvane before our big family Pacific cruise. On the way down the California coast, it wasn’t working and he pitched it overboard. So for the rest of the cruise, including ocean crossings, my sister and I were basically hand steering for all the day watches.

 As a 10-year old I tried every imaginable sheet/tiller/bungee combination in an effort to get out of all that steering.

 The sheet-to-the-windward side works, but depending on the boat not too well. Once you get it set up, if you head up and the sheet loads up, the boat bears off. If the sheet gets too slack, you head up. But you have to be in cruise mode. You’ll find yourself 25 degrees to low and just tell yourself ‘in 4 minutes we’ll be 25 degrees high so it’s all good.’

 It seemed to work best broad reaching and didn’t work well at all beating. If you get way off course, for instance if your jib is luffing, there’s no way for the boat to find its way back to course.

Go to the Antarctic via Bellingham Tonight

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Go to the Antarctic via Bellingham Tonight

Mike Powell, a professional photographer and damn fine big and small boat sailor, will be presenting UHURU 65 Degrees South or How I Learnt to Sail tonight at the Bellingham Yacht Club. It’s his tale of an epic cruise to the Antarctic. Powell’s also the BYC Youth Fleet Captain and suggests a $5 donation to the program. Mike is very entertaining, and an extremely talented photographer, so it would be a great way to spend a Wednesday evening. Here’s a description of the program:

In 2011 Mike Powell a landlubber with a camera went aboard his brothers boat UHURU, an Oyster 62, for two months and headed South from the Falkland Islands, across the Drake Passage to the Antarctic peninsula, around the Horn and up into Chilean Patagonia. During the trip the crew used all their toys, great sailing, scuba, ice climbing up mountains, skiing down them and fly fishing in Chile via horseback

This is the story that has been shown multiple times before, to multiple sailors and yacht clubs both in the USA and UK and featured on the cover of UK’s Yachting Magazine. If you missed it last time please come and watch it this time or come again.

Bellingham Yacht Club, Dec. 13th at 6.30pm. Suggested $5 donation at the door goes towards local youth sailing.