1st ocean race in preparation for PacCup

This past weekend 3 or our 4 crew participated in the OYRA Lightship race. This ocean race is about 25.2nm from the St. Francis YC out to the SF approach buoy and back. Conditions were lumpy to say the least due to high offshore winds leading up to the weekend. Winds for the day were 7-10 kts at the start building to about 12 kts as we approached the buoy. As the sea breeze filled in, winds built to mid-teens, and then low 20's as we came under the Golden Gate Bridge. The weather couldn't have been nicer and we had a nice ebb to help us on the way out and a flood to bring us back. This was perfect practice for PacCup because it also starts at StFYC and takes us out the Gate and along the approach channel. We also had a nice longish spinnaker run back (which we'll be doing a lot of on PacCup).

You can see the video of the race here:  https://youtu.be/cK-d0oEDGok

Next month's practice race will be the Duxship Race: StFYC start, out the gate, up to Duxbury Reef mark, over to the SF approach buoy, and back.  At 32nm, a bit longer than last weekend's race and another opportunity to fine-tune our crew. Our final practice race will be the Farallones race (58nm) in early June and then it's what we've been waiting for: PacCup (2,070nm) in early July!  

PacCup 2022 Inspection Complete!

This past Saturday we completed our Pacific Cup Equipment Requirements inspection - and passed (of course).  For those that aren't familiar, the race has a long list of safety related equipment requirements. The good news is that we had to get all this stuff for the 2018 race so it was mostly a matter of digging it all out of my shed at home and taking it to the boat. Setting up all the safety equipment on the boat was a good exercise, especially for our two new crew members.

                                                                        Storm sails

Alternate means of displaying sail number

Reviewing the list with our inspector

PFDs, tethers, knives, flashlights, re-arm kits

The whole process with our inspector took about 45 minutes. It's nice to have this required activity checked off the list. We spent the rest of the afternoon out on the water practicing person overboard recoveries and testing out the emergency rudder.  Videos of these activities can be found on YouTube. Next up John and I will overhauling our steering system cables and then it's ocean races the next three months (one/month) leading up to the start of the Pacific Cup the week of July 4th.  Three months away!!