July 8th - 28th, 2011 from Ko Olina Marina in Honolulu HI to San Francisco CA
20 days 6 hours; approx. 2700 nmTamara Lee Ann, a Celestial 48 sailboat - Captain Doug Thorne
Crew Mates - Jason and Dennis
Photos posted here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/114745983068697533979/July4282011HonoluluToSanFrancisco
Summary of trip: (SPOT messages and meals served at the end)
We left the Ko Olina Marina in Honolulu on July 6th around 2:30 pm.We filled up with fuel and filled a cooler with ice on the way out and headed SE around the east side of Oahu. Then after spending several hours bashing into waves, taking a lot of water over the bow, and too much of it was getting into the boat - not good........ we turned around and went back to the marina; arriving about 12 hours after departure. We spent the 7th eliminating the areas where water could get into the boat, mostly from the anchor locker; washing bedding; and a couple other minor boat projects. Oh, and the main 200 gallon water tank had been contaminated with salt water, yuck, from the overflow vent on deck. So the tank was emptied and refilled with fresh water.
Then we thought we deserved a break and spent a short time at a beach and lagoon nearby, then showered up and had a great dinner at a restaurant. Chris from Sonsie joined us for dinner. The boat Sonsie went to Mexico the same year I did, 2007, although with previous owners. Chris just happened to be at the marina checking on her and doing a few projects.
Then we thought we deserved a break and spent a short time at a beach and lagoon nearby, then showered up and had a great dinner at a restaurant. Chris from Sonsie joined us for dinner. The boat Sonsie went to Mexico the same year I did, 2007, although with previous owners. Chris just happened to be at the marina checking on her and doing a few projects.
We left again on July 8th - yup, it was a Friday and we were further pushing our luck, because we also had bananas on board (I didn’t know this was bad luck until then, really?), an umbrella (Jason’s), and a woman (that would be me)………… So each of us had a bit of bad luck contribution; sure glad it all turned out well! We took a different route and went up the west coast of Oahu on the second departure. It was still kind of rough waters for a while around the islands, but not as bad as the first night and it definitely smoothed out later, although it was still a beat into the wind and waves.
The night watch schedule on TLA was as follows, with each of us having a 2 hr 15 min watch each night, always in the same sequence (Doug – Barb – Jason – Dennis):
1st Watch - 10 pm - 12:15 2nd Watch - 12:15 - 2:30 am
3rd Watch - 2:30 - 4:45 am 4th Watch - 4:45 – 7:00 am
3rd Watch - 2:30 - 4:45 am 4th Watch - 4:45 – 7:00 am
We rotated forward each night, e.g., first night I had 2nd watch, 2nd night I had 3rd watch, etc. The 3rd watch seemed to be the least favorite, but for me they all were about the same. I love night watches actually, and took the time to write in my journal, and enjoying the quiet time and serenity of the experience. It was especially nice when the moon or stars were out; boy is it dark when they are not! (only a couple nights was it hard to see the horizon)
Commander's weather was used for weather information and they recommended we go to Latitude 40 and then check in with them again. We hoped the Pacific high would be that low, but by the time we got there, it wasn't. However, we made our right turn east around Lat 40 and set a waypoint just outside San Francisco Bay. But for the most part we had consistent winds, however we were on a port tack now, winds from the north. We had a couple of light wind days and did some motoring during that time.
The captain did more than half of the cooking because he liked to and he made some great meals! Jason and I took turns with other meals, and Dennis was always ready to clean up the galley after we made meals (and a big galley mess....). I did some baking along the way also, including muffins, shortbread, cherry cake, apple crisp, biscuits, garlic cheese flatbread, and brownies. Some of these went well with our afternoon french press coffee!
The watermaker stopped working about day 6 and we had about 100 gallons for the remainder of the trip. This was plenty for drinking water and some cooking, but this meant a no full fresh water showers status. We started using salt water for washing dishes and we also started flushing with salt water (yup, the boat's heads are plumbed to use fresh water to reduce odors in the head).
On July 18th, day 11, after 5 days without a full shower, we were contacted by the Robert C. Seamans tall ship with a friendly ‘hello, we are both out here in the middle of the Pacific, where are you all from?". I chatted with them for a while. Later Doug thought it couldn’t hurt to ask them if they could help us with our water situation. Turns out they could and seemed happy to do so. They had two watermakers on board that each make 70 gallons an hour! So they suggested a plan and they motor sailed over to us. They launched a dinghy with two people, Erin and Tom (their engineer) who brought a 150 foot hose over to us and began to fill our tanks. It was a little tricky trying to keep in a good position related to the Seamans ship. Fortunately the seas and winds were fairly moderate at the time and this wasn't too challenging. Doug started this process, but after their engineer came on board to see if he could troubleshoot and fix our watermaker, Doug turned the helm over to me. It took about an hour to fill the tanks. Tom couldn’t find anything to ‘fix’ with the watermaker, but after he left it worked the rest of the trip. We think he must have had the “magic touch”. Doug, Dennis and Jason had been reading and trying everything they could to get it to work, and supposedly Tom didn’t ‘do’ anything. What a unique opportunity - Water delivery in the middle of the pacific ocean – Lat/Long - N40.442 Long 151.019
Other ships: We saw many more ships on AIS than we did visually. Most of these were not passing anywhere close, but a few were within a few miles. There was a closest point of approach (CPA) calculated by the Coastal Navigator navigation and AIS software that was very helpful to know how close they would be so we wouldn't have to guess or calculate.
Wind conditions varied throughout the passage from next to nothing, to maybe 35 knots. The seas varied from long smooth swells (no wind ripples at all) to confused 15-20 foot seas (maybe more?).
Weather in general was good; we went through some weather ‘systems’ with more wind or some rain, but we only had rain maybe 4-5 days out of the 20. Sometimes rain is actually welcome because it washes off the salt dried on the boat……….
Temps were warm/hot the first week; chillier later, but not NW cold.
We saw very few actual sunsets. The sun was usually behind the clouds and we saw what Doug called the "Charleton Heston, Ten Commandments" type sunsets. There was often clouds all around us during the day but not directly over us. We could see 'systems' or 'cells' with more wind or rain as they approached, or rather we were sailing into them.
Wildlife: We saw birds off and on, mostly albatrosses, but also some other birds, usually just one or two at a time, dolphins only once (on the 22nd), and whales only as we approached San Francisco.
Nothing was scary, but we always needed to be safety conscious. The skipper had said early on "preserve the people" and "preserve the boat". There were definitely things that broke on the boat, and almost all could be fixed along the way. The skipper knew his boat very well and had extra parts, etc. when necessary. Any possible issues we just kept an eye on them to prevent further damage, etc.
A bit about the boat - 48 foot Celestial, sloop rigged sailboat with roller furling headsail and roller furler mainsail; center cockpit; large aft cabin; generator, watermaker, large refrigerator and freezer, 3 burner propane stove/oven.
Thank goodness for the dodger and bimini, although there were times where waves found a way to get us all soaking wet anyway!
Miscellaneous systems/things broke along the way and for the most part they were either fixable or were not critical systems and we could obviously continue without them, what other choice did we have really..... We had many things on board that some boats do not, i.e., electric coffee grinder, coffeepot, toaster, microwave. There was tons of storage in the refrigerator and freezer and they were packed when we left Honolulu, although the selection was getting pretty slim when we arrived in CA.
Sleeping was sometimes challenging depending on what tack we were on. And for the skipper it was just as much of a challenge because his bed was actually meant to be slept in with his head in the stern, and the sides were not well supported. So he usually slept crossways in the bed, and one night we were heeling so much that he couldn't even hang on! (we all laugh when we visualize what this must have been like for him)
Favorite saying: "Same Ship - Different Day"
We arrived at the St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco around 5:30 pm on Thursday, July 28th – 20.5 days after departure. It was great to get in this day because it was the captain’s (Doug’s) birthday! We were greeted by the captain’s wife, Tammy, and his daughtor, Taylor; Jason’s wife, Julie; and the outbound crew, Lorraine, Poul, and Richard.
We visited some, telling stories, etc. on the boat, and then went into the club for dinner and more celebration.
Some other notes about the trip:
I can no longer say I don’t get seasick; yup, the night of the first departure was not pleasant for me. When we left the second time, I took some Stugeron I had and either that seemed to do the trick or else I had enough water motion before that the seas didn’t bother me like the first time.
I didn’t wear makeup the entire trip and my skin felt great – must have been the salt air.
I didn’t wear jewelry either.
I wore my Tevas the entire time. I had boots but it never seemed cold enough to warrant putting them on.
All the guys grew beards and none of their spouses liked that when we returned! Personally I like beards on men, but obviously what I thought isn’t what was important.
I didn’t shave my legs either; but you probably didn’t need to know that.
There are more stories, but I don't know if I'll get them written up. Here are a few phrases, if you want to know more about them, please ask; probably easier to tell in person than to write them up here.........
- moving about the boat, always hanging on; from one hand hold to the next
- lots of bruises
- Barb hit by flying TV - no serious injury
- Skipper hanging on while sleeping
- Smoke/Fire drill - yikes, didn't last long
- Energy usage on board
- Did not use the heater or air conditioner
Our spot messages were:
Latitude:21.2669 Longitude:-158.08884 GPS location Date/Time:07/06/2011 18:28:28 PDT Message:LinesIn.FendersUp.AlohaHawaii
Latitude:21.38577 Longitude:-158.19611 GPS location Date/Time:07/08/2011 12:11:20 PDT Message:Let's try again. Aloha Hawaii.Version 2.0
Latitude:23.80369 Longitude:-158.19519 GPS location Date/Time:07/09/2011 15:35:18 PDT Message:SeasStable.WindDownTo15-20kts.FishingTime
Latitude:26.63054 Longitude:-158.4778 GPS location Date/Time:07/10/2011 16:44:02 PDT Message:Vichyssoise a la doug for lunch. Yummy
Latitude:27.29611 Longitude:-158.55484 GPS location Date/Time:07/10/2011 22:54:09 PDT Message:RisottoAndSwissChoc.AndNiceWinds&Progress
Latitude:29.19375 Longitude:-158.38472 GPS location Date/Time:07/11/2011 16:46:22 PDT Message:SameShipDiffDay.Sunny87deg7.4SOG.MildSeas
Latitude:29.7943 Longitude:-158.53838 GPS location Date/Time:07/11/2011 22:33:23 PDT Message:PastaW/Prosciutto&CrmSauce.Calm'gWind&Sea
Latitude:31.87406 Longitude:-159.03671 GPS location Date/Time:07/12/2011 18:37:27 PDT Message:JasonCaughtMahiMahi.FishTostadasTonight!
Latitude:33.40694 Longitude:-159.03149 GPS location Date/Time:07/13/2011 11:08:06 PDT Message:ExcitingDay.WeTacked.HeadingIn2StormySeas
Latitude:34.43983 Longitude:-158.89934 GPS location Date/Time:07/13/2011 22:10:47 PDT Message:WatermakerBroken. EveryoneSalty&Stinky.
Latitude:35.92957 Longitude:-158.54387 GPS location Date/Time:07/14/2011 14:42:42 PDT Message:DennisIsNow"TheDoradoKiller".HgBeDammed!
Latitude:37.53232 Longitude:-158.18594 GPS location Date/Time:07/15/2011 05:51:28 PDT Message:WavingHelloToSanFrancisco.1700nmDueWest
Latitude:40.09273 Longitude:-157.10065 GPS location Date/Time:07/16/2011 09:05:26 PDT Message:1500nmOffHumboltStartingVerySlowTurnEast
Latitude:40.43277 Longitude:-155.97571 GPS location Date/Time:07/16/2011 19:33:48 PDT Message:EntringPacHiLrgestWave=OurWakeIronGinnyUp
Latitude:40.61248 Longitude:-153.01694 GPS location Date/Time:07/17/2011 20:12:54 PDT Message:WeAreHalfWayHome&DennisCaughtAnAlbatross
Latitude:40.52222 Longitude:-152.1881 GPS location Date/Time:07/18/2011 03:20:16 PDT Message:TwoShipsOnTheHorizon.ItsLikeATrafficJam!
Latitude:40.51123 Longitude:-151.24202 GPS location Date/Time:07/18/2011 11:19:21 PDT Message:RacingTallShip"Robert Seamans"OffOurPort
Latitude:40.44258 Longitude:-151.01917 GPS location Date/Time:07/18/2011 14:41:37 PDT Message:TallShipGaveUsWater.FullTanks&Showers!
Latitude:40.07242 Longitude:-148.30692 GPS location Date/Time:07/19/2011 20:56:53 PDT Message:SunnySkies.ChickenCurry.CrummyWinds.Slow
Latitude:40.29862 Longitude:-149.1152 GPS location Date/Time:07/19/2011 13:04:22 PDT Message:DennisGot2ndAlbatrossNotSureHeGetsFishing
Latitude:38.59848 Longitude:-145.72832 GPS location Date/Time:07/21/2011 01:41:16 PDT Message:PassIngOver15000ftSeaMountain"Kermit R."
Latitude:38.1585 Longitude:-144.57529 GPS location Date/Time:07/21/2011 12:44:39 PDT Message:Milestone:1000nmToGo&DennisGotActualFish
Latitude:38.06287 Longitude:-144.10126 GPS location Date/Time:07/21/2011 16:37:52 PDT Message:ItsIncredibleHowMuchCanBreakOnABoat
Latitude:38.14204 Longitude:-141.56342 GPS location Date/Time:07/22/2011 12:09:53 PDT Message:Stk&eggs4bfast.GoodWindsGloomyWeather
Latitude:38.22713 Longitude:-140.35939 GPS location Date/Time:07/22/2011 20:37:31 PDT Message:800nm2GoDolphinEscortsMahiMahiWeaver2Eat
Latitude:38.47686 Longitude:-138.20876 GPS location Date/Time:07/23/2011 13:36:57 PDT Message:CaughtAlbacoreFinallyOnCloseReach700nm2Go
Latitude:38.47502 Longitude:-137.64442 GPS location Date/Time:07/23/2011 18:47:48 PDT Message:TunaCevicheCalmSeasWind<3kts.U/WSpinnaker
Latitude:38.18659 Longitude:-133.62962 GPS location Date/Time:07/25/2011 08:58:45 PDT Message:WndsReturn.LowOnCoffeeMustBeGetti
Latitude:38.15488 Longitude:-133.04745 GPS location Date/Time:07/25/2011 14:32:06 PDT Message:500nm2Go!10ktWinds.(FreshCaught)TunaMelts
Latitude:38.15745 Longitude:-132.33049 GPS location Date/Time:07/25/2011 19:35:27 PDT Message:GuessOurETAandWinAPrize.SubmitByMIDNIGHT!
Latitude:38.04935 Longitude:-128.91425 GPS location Date/Time:07/26/2011 18:33:20 PDT Message:300nm2Go!Beating@8kts."HaulingTheFreight"
Latitude:37.90363 Longitude:-127.45413 GPS location Date/Time:07/27/2011 04:02:19 PDT Message:ItISADarkAndStormyNight...Winds30-40kts
Latitude:37.83816 Longitude:-126.29704 GPS location Date/Time:07/27/2011 11:53:31 PDT Message:GnarlyWaves.2Rough2Eat&Sleep.JustHanginOn
Latitude:37.77871 Longitude:-123.51015 GPS location Date/Time:07/28/2011 09:51:37 PDT Message:LowFuelNoWind.Prey4EarlyHannakuhMiracle!
Latitude:37.78439 Longitude:-122.76196 GPS location Date/Time:07/28/2011 15:10:49 PDT Message:Land Ho! Despite fog spotting Bolinas
Latitude:37.7859 Longitude:-122.61255 GPS location Date/Time:07/28/2011 16:20:24 PDT Message:GoldenGateBridgeInSight&DolphinsEscorting
Latitude:37.80655 Longitude:-122.44611 GPS location Date/Time:07/28/2011 18:18:15 PDT Message:We've arrived at St. Francis. Alls well.
Meals aboard the SV Tamara Lee Ann - Honolulu to San Francisco
Meals aboard the SV Tamara Lee Ann - Honolulu to San Francisco
Date | Breakfast – cereal usually if not listed, I’m not a big breakfast eater | Lunch | Snacks | Dinner |
6th | Sandwiches | Coconut chicken chili | ||
7th | Sausage, muffins, eggs | ?? | restaurant | |
8th | Sandwiches & chips | Crackers & cantaloupe; clam chowder for Jason | ||
9th | Sandwiches & papaya | Salads, leftover chicken chili | ||
10th | Vichysoisse | Veggie risotto | ||
11th | Chicken curry salad, tomato soup | Pico de gallo & chips | Proscuitto Bowtie pasta | |
12th | Sandwiches, cottage cheese, pineapple | Fish tostadas | ||
13th | Crackers & cheese, left over risotto | Tuna sandwiches | ||
14th | Hamburgers on English muffins, chips, fruit | Short ribs, potatoes, green beans | ||
15th | Cranberry muffins | Hotlinks & chips for guys Yogurt & papaya for BEE | Fish, rice, broccoli | |
16th | Late - English muffins, sausage, eggs | Quesadillas (sorry Jason, you were sleeping) | Seafood chowder | |
17th | Sandwiches, cole slaw, baked beans | Apple cinnamon muffins | Butternut squash soup & grilled cheese sandwiches | |
18th | Bacon and pancakes | Zatarains Jambalaya beans mix with hot links | Cherry cake w/walnuts | Seafood chowder w/shrimp Peanut butter & crackers for BEE |
19th | Sandwiches | Chicken curry rice | ||
20th | Leftover soups | Chocolate chip muffins | Chili | |
21st | Fish tacos | Tenderloin Steak, potatoes, broccoli | ||
22nd | Tenderloin Steak and eggs | Greek orzo salad | Apple crisp | Dorado weaver and peas |
23rd | Tuna melts and tomato soup | Ceviche, chips & salsa | Beef stroganoff and brussel sprouts | |
24th | Bacon, eggs, hashbrowns | Zatarains beans/rice mix with hot links | Blueberry muffins | Spaghetti and garlic parmesan cheese flat bread |
25th | Pancakes and bacon | Chicken noodle soup & tuna melts | Shortbread | Chicken marsala & brown butter penne pasta w/sun-dried tomatoes |
26th | popovers | SOS – hamburger gravy on fresh made biscuits | Pot roast with potatoes, mushroom sauce, corn; Sandwich for Jason (mushroom allergy) | |
27th | Cheese & crackers, chips | Lasagna | ||
28th | Cinnamon biscuits | Beef tacos | Brownie muffins | DINNER at the St. Francis Yacht Club |
