S/V Maitreya

Lazy days in Ensenada

noreply@blogger.com (Corine) — Fri, 17 Apr 2015 22:30:00 +0000

Maitreya and her captain and crew are enjoying lazy days in Ensenada. The trip down was uneventful and unfortunately no wind although we had a forecast of a nice breeze around 10 knots. We left the Police Dock a little after 5 am and motored for about 10 hours, catching a bit of kelp in the shallow waters around Enseneda before we reached Marina Coral. A big luxury yacht was speeding by us and on the AIS we noticed they got into the same marina, which made it a bit easier to find exactly where the entrance of the breakwater is. The Mexican Navy was patrolling as well but apparently we were of no interest to them.

The marina staff is as friendly as we remembered and the facilities including the pool are lovely as ever. Unfortunately the little white crew member is not allowed in the hotel area so we're taking turns enjoying the pool before our showers. The spa is being renovated and all live-aboards and cruisers are awaiting the time when it reopens so we can use their showers again. Life is hard....:-)

Piper is exploring the neighborhood happily and is making sure all folks around are greeted properly.

Last weekend, we had the good fortune to enjoy some of the best Baja Californian wines and great seafood, right in our back yard. Together with our new neighbors we enjoyed the 25 year anniversary Festival de las Conchas y Vino Nuevo. Great fun with great new friends!

Hotel Marina Coral

noreply@blogger.com (Jak) — Sun, 12 Apr 2015 14:17:00 +0000

https://www.google.com/maps/views/view/115077494868953019748/gphoto/6136854916440669762

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Marina Coral Morning

noreply@blogger.com (Jak) — Sun, 12 Apr 2015 14:15:00 +0000

https://www.google.com/maps/views/view/115077494868953019748/gphoto/6136855576845147986

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The supervisor on the premises

noreply@blogger.com (Corine) — Fri, 03 Apr 2015 21:01:00 +0000

He surely likes the sun! Also figured out how to get off the boat under the lifeline netting and tried to catch a seal (second time around); we'll see how that works in real time....

Still hanging in SoCal....

noreply@blogger.com (Corine) — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 15:13:00 +0000

Maitreya and her captain and crew are still in San Diego upgrading and fixing stuff on the boat and now waiting for repair of the SSB radio that had to be sent back to Icom. Ahhh, the cruising life.....but there are certainly worst places in the world to work on your boat :-) We're enjoying the lovely weather, company of close friends, the hospitality of the Southwestern Yacht Club now for the second time and anchored last weekend in La Playa Cove where we were able to dock our new dinghy at the San Diego Yacht Club. Previously we were able to enjoy the full benefit and amenities of the San Diego Yacht Club but unfortunately our little white crew member is not allowed on Maitreya at their docks.

We also stayed for a few days at the Police Dock, which is pretty much deserted after the City increased the fee to yacht club level daily charges ($1/ft). There is a beautiful little park that is built by a non-profit organization called the Pacific Rim Park Project. From their website:

The parks are designed and built by architecture students under the artistic supervision of leading artists, architects and urban planners. The students come from the countries of the Pacific Rim. They transcend their language and cultural differences through a shared vision to design and build a park within a time frame of 30 days. After a new park is completed, it is given as a gift to the citizens of the Pacific and to the sponsoring organization or institution in the host city. All parks are for the public, and are directly connected to the Pacific Ocean.

Sunrise in Shelter Island

noreply@blogger.com (Jak) — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 14:48:00 +0000

https://www.google.com/maps/views/view/115077494868953019748/gphoto/6130913866812446994

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The prettiest girl from Port Townsend

noreply@blogger.com (Corine) — Sat, 21 Mar 2015 18:16:00 +0000

Schooner Martha docked 15 minutes after us last Friday at the Southwestern Yacht Club in San Diego. What a small sailing world :-)

http://www.schoonermartha.org/

Still There?

noreply@blogger.com (Jak) — Sat, 21 Mar 2015 02:11:00 +0000

Berkeley to San Diego

noreply@blogger.com (Corine) — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 17:04:00 +0000

Long time no blogging.....we arrived at the Southwestern Yacht Club in San Diego last Friday March 13 at 5.13 am and all of us (Captain Jak, Admirals LaVonne and Corine and boat dog Piper) happy to be there. We celebrated our arrival and Jak's birthday with a well deserved glass of scotch before we woke up John, Priscilla and Bo for a great reunion at their house.

Quiet an adventurous trip with first good wind but choppy seas at frequent intervals bashing into the the beam (lots of bumps and bruises) and then no wind. The autopilot was not working so besides the fact that it was very special for us to have LaVonne who build Maitreya with Bill in the 70's on board, we were very happy to be able to share the continuous 2 hour watches of hand steering with her for the next 3 days. We got a little more very slow sailing in the last day.

Piper was a serious trooper and now officially Maitreya's boat dog. I can't say he liked it too much, got seasick a bit the first day or two, and was able to train his bladder and bowels to see who could win but then decided to do his business on the foredeck. He had a few nice Titanic moments where he needed to check out the smells under him at the bow, the one part we don't have any lifeline netting. On a positive note, snuggling up in one of the 3 available bunks was a nice feature (and I truly enjoyed sleeping with the little munchkin for one of the very rare moment in our lives).

Now it's back to fixing things that broke on Maitreya before we head further South. Just never a dull moment on a boat..... Surely nice to do that in the San Diego sun close to our dear friends up the hill!

Preparing to Get Underway

noreply@blogger.com (Jak) — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 21:53:00 +0000

Planning on leaving Berkeley tomorrow and making the afternoon tide. Headed to Mexico via San Diego.

I have been working on a prototype tiller pilot to Monitor wind vane connection for steering while motoring. Hacked together a bracket with a hand saw and epoxy.

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//WL2K Elisibeth Anne Return Trip - Day 12

noreply@blogger.com (Jak) — Sat, 02 Aug 2014 01:10:00 +0000

It has been a fairly slow trip so far. We are currently at 37.16N, 137.13W.

The first couple days were rough. We left Kauai a day after a minor tropical storm passed south of the islands. The seas were very confused and the boat bounced about, but mostly to the North.

We next had a few days of variable 8 to 15 knot winds. Again, it was moderatley slow progress to the North.

3 other boats had left near our departure. Galaxsea sailed for a day or two and then started to motor up the rumb line for the Gate. Rainbow, a cat, headed northeast and made good time across the chop. Lightspeed took our basic route, but gained more easting and also out ran us. We were talking to them on the SSB every night. Last night, the PacCup boats started hogging our appointed frequency.

Lightspeed did report a near collision with a capsize 30 foot powerboat. This was most likely tsunami debris.

The last few days have been very light winds. We have been motor sailing NE to try to pick up some southerly wind from a small Low. Those winds have started to arrive and we are sailin a broad reach NE at 5 knots. Wind still 6 to 9 knots, but should increase to 10-15 later.

We are going to stay along the 38N line for a while to ride the Low. There is still is some question about where the High will be in 5 or 6 days. It is currently starting to squeeze south, but may get joined by a new high from the north.

Currently 968 NM from Kauai, shouth we have sailed more than 1100. About 1400 to Brookings.

Listening to the Tom Tom Club.

Lawai International Center

noreply@blogger.com (Jak) — Fri, 18 Jul 2014 07:24:00 +0000

Photographs of the Lawai International Center.

See all of the photos here.

Hanalei to Brookings, Oregon

noreply@blogger.com (Jak) — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 22:44:00 +0000

Starting next week the Adventures of Maitreya will temporarily become the Adventures of Elizabeth Ann. I will be sailing back to the mainland with Gary Burton on his Westsail 32. Watch this space for reports on our progress.

Maris Arrival

noreply@blogger.com (Jak) — Wed, 16 Jul 2014 22:15:00 +0000

Way more pictures here

Elizabeth Ann Arrival

noreply@blogger.com (Jak) — Wed, 16 Jul 2014 22:04:00 +0000

Way more pictures here

The General Comes Ashore

noreply@blogger.com (Jak) — Wed, 16 Jul 2014 21:52:00 +0000

A few more pictures are here

Maitreya Leaving Port Townsend

noreply@blogger.com (Jak) — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 01:50:00 +0000

SHTP 2014 Start Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Jak) — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 20:59:00 +0000

Nine Hours to Nowhere

noreply@blogger.com (Jak) — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 17:10:00 +0000

I got the sail track fixed and improved it due to some nice support from Tides Marine. Talked with DMK about electronics. They said they would ship a replacement anywhere I wanted but not for a day. Went back to handheld GPS that got me to Hawaii last time. No AIS or advanced sailing numbers in cockpit.

I shoved off from BYC about noon. Jackie had sailed out and was giving encouragement on the dock and over VHF. It ways a typical summer day here - 20 to 25 knots, short chop and wet on deck. Could not have been much fun for Jackie.

Motor sailed to lee of Angel Island where it was easier to get main up. I was early for the slack, so I slowly tacked up Raccoon Strait in fluky winds and current. Recrossed the line about 1500. Made pretty good progress under staysail and reefed main. The wind picked back up to 20 or so. Cleared the North Tower about 4:30. Immediately outside the Gate, the wind dropped to 15. Around Mile Rock it went to 10 and variable. Got full sail up and did around 6 knots. Across the bar, wind dropped again. Wind was still from the south west as it had been all day. My choice of headings was SE towards Ocean Beach or W into traffic circle. I believe I heard a warning from VTS about loitering. Fog came in and wind dropped further.

I started to feel cold and very alone. Having been out 6 hours, tired as well. My willpower began to lag and I felt that I did not want to spend the night bobbing in shipping. Gribs had shown 20 to 25 knots NW out by the the Farrallones, but that was a long way tacking at under three knots. I cranked over the engine, hid my tail and headed back.

I could not see the bridge until well inside Mile Rock. Wind powered up at South Tower and I dodged a couple ships. Got back to Berkeley after 2100.

Feeling very bad about the whole thing. I had hoped to be in the fleet this time for fun and motivation. I probably over reached on my and the boat's abilities. Current weather pattern may hold for a few days, so going again soon does not look good.

I have not read the site for a couple days. Corine said there were some encouraging comments, which I appreciate. I had received a lot of nice messages from friends and strangers. I wish I had the fortitude of others, especially Kevin Jones.

Don't know what my plans are yet. Perhaps Gary Burton still needs crew back. Not sure how to contact him. Corine still has reservations in Kauai.

Thanks for all the support. Sorry I was not able to hold up my end.

Jak

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Disaster Report

noreply@blogger.com (Jak) — Sun, 29 Jun 2014 22:48:00 +0000

Yesterday was quite a trial for the combination of skipper, boat and conditions.

I am back in Berkeley trying to fix stuff.

When I got on the boat right before the start, the wireless instruments were dead. They had worked for weeks with only one minor glitch. Now the box looks completely dead after I have checked all connections and fuses. I cable tied a handheld GPS in the cockpit and left the dock. Could not see AIS outside anymore. Turned out fog did not look like as issue.

At the start, the main track broke away from the base of the mast. The StrongTrack slid down to the boom causing an ugly belly in the main. Did not have time to try to go forward and mess with the Cunningham.

My tacks were very sloppy and I lost ground on every one. I was getting overrides almost every tack on the Yankee winches. It would take a minute or so to clear them while counting my fingers. The two jibs and hand steering are a hand full and I quickly started tiring.

I was in last as I approached the Gate, but still near Gary on Elizabeth Ann. I had tacked up the Marin side and then across near Chrissy Field. Gary went this way as well. I lined up a tack as close to the South Tower as possible. We were near max flood and a predicted 4 knot current. I was planning on getting around the South Tower and going behind Mile Rock where there might be a back ebb. At one point I was beating hard with the rail in the water and the boat doing .9 knots. The wind had shifted to the south west over night. I was getting seriously headed and shoved into the center of the Gate. I tried to tack back south and then back west a couple times. The boat would come through the eye and then stall. Putting the tiller back across did no good the boat swept back to 100 degrees off the wind before I had enough sail power to start forward again and come back up. This happened two or three times. On my last attempt to windward the boat spun out and I was headed downwind with sails in tight. Tried throwing off the sheets. Got the Yankee in on the roller after struggle and barreling downwind for the St. Francis. The staysail had wrapped and it's sheet tangled on the pin rail. Could not balance the boat enough to get the Monitor to steer downwind with tangled sail. Ran forward and staysail would only come down a few feet. Then I would run back to keep from gybing. Noticed stay sail had about a 4 foot rip parallel to the leach.

Totally exhausted at this point, at this point I fell off towards Alcatraz. Gary had made it through the Gate fine on the same general path. Wind finally dropped enough to get stay sail unjammed and down. Fell off further towards Berkeley and called Corine and Lucie. At this point. It seemed like a pleasant Saturday afternoon sail.

Ben, Corine and my friend Bill met me at BYC. Slept for 12 hours.

Corine has fixed the staysail. I have contacted the sail track and electronics manufacture and awaiting information. Thinking about shoving off again but have missed afternoon slack/ebb.

Would like to leave with boat in order since competition is not an issue. Paul Kaman was trying to sell me on the Pac Cup and Ben just about shoved him off the dock. Mexico is an option, though Corine may not be that welcome after today's futbol match

Time will tell.

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Morning of the Start

noreply@blogger.com (Jak) — Sat, 28 Jun 2014 13:41:00 +0000

Left the boat last night an retreated to room off site. Friday night races were in full swing and Piper did not appreciate all the shotgun blasts.

The boat seems ready after all the repairs. There was still quite a bit of activity on some boats.

Jim Quanci gave a briefing at the skippers meeting about escaping the bay during max flood. The fast way along the northern side involves an estimated 22 tacks. The slower way across near Chrissie Field and around South Tower was estimated at 11 tacks. Out in the middle a full 4 knots of current.

Expecting 10 to 16 knots of wind in the Bay. 15 to 20 rising to 26 outside. Quite a bit of fog outside the Gate the last few days. Hoping it will burn off, though I may be south of the shipping circle after sneaking behind Mile Rock.

Thanks to everybody who has been supporting the effort and helping me get ready, especially Corine and Piper.

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Libra Surfing Low Tide

noreply@blogger.com (Jak) — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 14:46:00 +0000

Fairly low tide this morning at the Corinthian Yacht Club.

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Latest Division Splits Boat Ratings

noreply@blogger.com (Jak) — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 17:02:00 +0000

http://sfbaysss.net/shtp/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/PHRFCalcs.jpg

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Sailmaker Onboard

noreply@blogger.com (Jak) — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 16:56:00 +0000

Corine has been working hard to fix some damaged sail hanks on the staysail.

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Tiller Repair

noreply@blogger.com (Jak) — Sun, 22 Jun 2014 20:17:00 +0000

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