Hello Westward Fans!
It's been a pretty active two days for Westward and her crew of Bells. With Monday morning came the expected pre-race chaos and the unexpectedly large send-off crew. By about 11:30 we were off the dock and headed toward the race course. Our first adventure was just outside the Angels Gate Light when the engine alarm went off to let us know that we had lost oil pressure. Quick work by Sam and the rest of the crew had us up and moving again in no time. We made it to the start line, checked in, talked starting strategy, got our sails up, and were in sequence. We started just to leeward of the other classic, Dorade (whose restoration story is chronicled on a website that you should search for if you have a moment--we tried to Google it for you, but neither our wifi nor our iPhones' Siris are working this morning). We got off the line well and in great wind conditions for Westward. We approached Catalina right about Parson's Landing, tacked up the Island, and were around the West End by 1600.
Around the West End, we cracked off onto a close reach and sailed for about 36 hours in 18-28 knots of apparent wind. We were pretty wet and cold, but happy to be headed to Hawaii. Last night, we had a few masthead lights in our sights, which provided great entertainment for the late night watches. Our other late night entertainment was the watch change sail change. All four cousins were up on the bow wrestling with hanks and dacron and working as a team their grandfather would be proud of. Wet, cold, exhausted, and totally happy. Early this morning, a brief squall blew through (our first of the trip!) and we saw our highest boat speeds.
The most exciting news to report is the sail change that came this morning! Skipper Sam and Navigator Willie have been itching to throw up one of our asymmetrical spinnaker and we did that this morning. We are reaching along and a pretty good clip under a full main, staysail, and asymmetrical chute. We are pretty happy with our position reports. Boat and crew are performing well and are happy to be headed to Honolulu. Even though we've gotten warmer, we're looking forward to putting our foulies away permanently.
Aloha!
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Amazing. We're gleefully living vicariously through you.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Following closely here as well! Don't always know what we are looking at, but using our Alli lessons and stories to muster thru. No doubt your grandfather is beaming with excitement for you all - my heart is swollen just thinking about it. xo
ReplyDeleteNothing like that day when you get to square the pole. Happy miles.
ReplyDeleteGo Westward, GO! The Moo Crew is excited for you. Good, Great, Wonderful! (Alli will explain that one)
ReplyDeleteWe don't know what any of that means, you may as well be speaking Thai! But were having a beer in your honor! I hope the winds blow in your favor...
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff. Very envious!
ReplyDeleteThat was my boat's name, long story. Mike Fulmor here, cheering you on from Yachats, Oregon, checking position reports all day and trying to imagine what a great ride, flying along at 8+ most of the time. Hope it gets warm and tropical for you soon, and the wind keeps just as you like it. Thanks for the update, keep on truckin'!
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