| June 13–19 | Great American II - 2004 |
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13
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After
a spectacularly fast night, hitting 18.4 knots on one occasion, the morning slowed and
became an exercise in fine-tuning the sails to get absolutely as deep into the edge of the
high pressure system as possible before the wind failed completely. I'd spent considerable
time looking at weather maps, both static and dynamic, to come up with a plan. It seemed
that the high pressure system, as it expanded its ridge axis northeast, would then in fact
start to rotate that axis to the ENE. In addition, the entire system would move slowly
east. So two movements across wherever we were would help us get to the other side. Also,
if one got a bit south before being enveloped, the wind on the other side would have a bit
more S in it to help getting the course to Boston. So off we went, and slowly lost the wind, and we lost the angle as what wind there was headed us. I had put up the reacher, our light air genoa, but then decided against it. It really is a reacher, and if you're trying to go upwind in any wind at all, the jib is better. We crept along at 0.5 knots for a while, then a bit of a catspaw showed on the water, and over time it grew to a couple of knots. We tacked and headed NW and hoped for lift. Over time it came, with some strength coming back. The forecasts suggested we weren't out of the woods yet, though, and the barograph is level at a very high reading, so we're not on the west side yet. Since our main halyard problem, I've been a bit concerned with what is happening aloft. The eye splice that was put in around the thimble was loose, and it was decided that instead of putting the thimble in (if it got loose, it could cut the line), we'd leave it out. Also the eye was just of the core, and didn't include the outside chafe sleeve. So, I'd been thinking that if I had the chance, and knowing that we're do for lots of wind coming into Boston, I should go aloft for a look. When the breeze came back a bit it offered the chance. So the harness went on, the spinnaker halyard was run to the base of the mast and tightened, the jumar went on the halyard, and the helmet went on me. Even in the calm, we were pitching somewhat, so the climb was not straightforward. I wore the big fisherman gloves because my hands hurt so much now that I can't open the plastic lid on a container of raisins without using a knife to pry it off. I made it to the top, saw that some of the strands had chafed through, but there was still probably 90% of the core there, and that would likely be good for another two days. Coming down was more problematic, as I had to maneuver the jumar to allow for descent. Horrifyingly, it came off the line at one point, and it took a concerted left-handed effort to get it back on. I discovered later a simpler way to descend with it, but that didn't help when I was 60-feet up. I should have practiced more! Anyway, I made it down safely, but my right hand that was doing most of the holding was pretty fatigued. Over the next hours, the wind built a bit and lifted us enticingly to the course to Boston, but then, after a series of cluster-naps, it did the opposite and headed us off the course and slowed in velocity. Nonetheless, a beautiful night topped by a near green flash, and our traditional Sunday evening toast to King Neptune. |
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| 14 Top |
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| 15 Top |
At 1319 GMT, Rich Wilson and Great American II crossed the finish line in Boston Harbor, completing the Transat 2004 race across the North Atlantic Ocean. Rich completed the route in 15 days, 00 hours, 19 minutes, and 40 seconds. With this time, Rich claims second place in the multi-50 class of boats. To see pictures of Rich's arrival, go to http://www.sitesalive.com/ocl4/finish.html |
