Tough Times for Some

As the sun rises on Sunday, we see that the lead fleets have made it past the band of light wind, while the faster, later starters are just entering it. On some boats, however, wind is the last concern.

An important part of seamanship is the decision to turn back. Damage, bad weather, no wind, too much wind, all of these and others can be excellent reasons to terminate or call off a voyage.

In our first few days, we got word of a number of issues on boats.

Two turned back. Some of Pimu’s mast track pulled off.  Not a dangerous situation, but significantly impacts sailing ability with a compromised mainsail. They’re heading back to San Diego. 

Free Bowl of Soup noticed, very shortly after the start, that an upper diagonal shroud, that helps support the mast, had come loose. On some points of sail, that could lead to mast damage or loss, so they headed back to Sausalito, performed some repairs, and headed back out, restarting, a few hours later.

A few boats have reported minor engine difficulties, one with the classic problem of a boisterous sea churning up the guck on the bottom of the tank clogging things up. The other with a loose fanbelt, quickly isolated and replaced. 

Given the rather, ahem, sporty winds the first few days, several boats experienced sail damage, even with their small “J4” jibs. Whether torn, or even pulled out of the sail track (gotta keep that halyard tight, guys!), this kind of damage is par for the course. Most boats carry a small arsenal of sails and can switch to another smaller or larger sail as the conditions warrant. No doubt many boats are working to effect repairs with tape, thread, and glue. We’ll be hearing stories about these at the bar. Nota Bene is in the process of replacing one of their twin rudders, fortunately with a spare, not a jury-rig.

Offshore sailors relish the resourcefulness they are called upon to exercise, far from any source of outside assistance. Racing rule 41 forbidding outside assistance seems a bit redundant when a thousand miles offshore. We would not have it any other way!