My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on April 18, 2007

Those of you paying attention several of my past posts will recognize that I’ve enjoyed SlingMedia’s “Slingbox’ and the ability to send a home video signal out over a broadband connection. The home video feed (TV, Tivo, DVR, etc) is then received by a Slingplayer equipped device. Pretty cool technology that works amazingly well.

A couple weeks ago I tested the beta release of the Slingplayer on my Palm Treo 700p and was impressed at how well the Sprint EV-DO network worked while driving in Ohio. Instead of using the mobile phone for a player this week, I decided to tether it to my Windows Vista OS Gateway notebook and see how well it ran. Amazing results — I managed to keep the connection going all the way from Cincinnati to Columbus Ohio with only 2 glitches in between. They were pauses … more than likely handoffs between cell towers … and as much as we all gripe about our cellphone service and dropped calls, my hat off to Sprint. Oddly though, while driving through Columbus, the connection would not hold?

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Posted By RichC on April 17, 2007

Sorry readers, but my heart is telling me to share the ongoing ordeal that solo sailing Donna Lange continues to face. Her log posts shares and amazing story of seawomanship, strength and courage. (with a few miles of experience to help her through) I’ll preface her recent log entry with heavy weather sailing practices that many small sailing vessel use to survive vicious winds and waves.

First, it is near impossible for a single handed sailor to stay on deck and manages seaway by sailing; fatigue is too great. Self-steering gear is usually overwhelmed by the waves and can’t maintain course on it own … that’s if it is not damage by powerful movement of wind and water. The wheel steering (or tiller in Donna’s case) and connected rudder also face unbelievable forces stressing even the best construction and require a ‘wise’ hand at the helm to preserve both the boat and the gear. For this reason small vessels resort to dragging ‘warps,’ drogue or a sea anchor to slow forward progress and keep from taking waves on the side of the boat. (diagram above shows one of many type of sea anchors)

With that introduction, I’ll quote Donna and let her finish the story … might want to check yesterday’s post (or the Google Earth Community plots) so the follow makes more sense?

0151UTC 2151local EST 1451NZ
Apr16th update: so much for the sea Anchor!!!
long story…

I had just finished all the updates and log, made
team calls just so everyone could hear that I was
alright, after the incredible storm last night…I
was looking forward to the day of resting and reflecting
abit, while not concentrating on the GPs or steering.
I took a hard hit to the beam, and i knew immediately
that something was wrong on deck. Since the anchor
was set, I hadn’t had any hits as hard as that…i
must be in a different orientation to the wind
and seas…Sure enough, as soon as my head popped
out the companionway, I looked to the sea anchor
and saw no tension on the line attached to the
boat….It was gone and I was just freely wallowing
as all the sails were down…Trouble. I was a sitting
duck for another wave to topple me..In moments
I had to assess how to make the transition to sitting
on the anchor to sailing while there was still
a horrendous storm screaming, gusts to 60+, dangerous
seas. I was so relieved toknow I wasn’t going
to try to deal with it but now I was forced to
sail underconditions I already decided were too
dangerous. I wasn’t dressed..the boat wallowing,
i made a quick duck for more clothes, hauled the
jib and set us off on a broad reach.. The day
was beyond any concept I had of a storm I would
ever sail. Truly it had escalated since thenight
before and the squall lines were massive and dark…
on after another, the boat continuosly a submarine,
I was drenched shortly and needed to go back in
to really donne all my gear.. I was already getting
cold. somehow i stablized the boa enough to get
downstairs. I was having trouble with the steering
vane. It seemed to be working but still was always
falling into the wind and I woould have to rescue
us from certain demise. I was going to have
to be on deck…I needed clothes. I got back on
deck. Very shortly it was obvious that there was
something wrong with the vane. It would be holding
course and then the rudder would go lax…something
not connecting right inside or something…it would
do fine at times but was completely unreliable…Inwardly
I am starting to panic. memories of the crossing
to Ireland flood my nervous system with terror
and hurt. Why was it so hard? How could this
be happening? the storm was just massive….The
squalls went from horrors to nightmare as I struggled
hour by hour to keep courses and stable in pummeling
rain storms, winds shrieking near hurricane force.
my face pricked like with pins by the small rain,
but I had to shelter my face from the torrents.
It was too painful..hail..one narly cloud after
another with no breaks.. Yes there was beauty too
as the sun poked through with warmth everyonce
in a while… as sunset approached, the sky deepend
with black clouds and walls of rain….It occured
to me that this storm was taking the form of the
big storms elsewhere in my trip. 6hours build
up, and a huge storm, then the winds clock and
the real storm begins, but usually along dusk,
the next shift occurs and the storm begins to abate….
It brought hope that maybe these would be the final
gusts..nearly 0visibility, horizontal rain. I
was not just wet but drenched to the point of puddles
in my clothes as the rain had found it’s way into
my collar and puddled in my clothes.. I was wetter
than the night before after the swim. Fear was
truly getting the best of me… I was cold and
I know what hypoothermia can do. I just couldn’t
afford to get that cold,but how was I going to
get away from the till? … I decided to try hoving
to one mnore time, chancing putting the main up
as it was just too much sail in these conditions.
I managed to get it set up and flying but still
found that no matter how I adjusted the main,
I was still falling to beam and just too vulnerable
to a roll. But as I did a fast dash to get the
main down once I turned the boat around, I suddenly
recalled an old trick. In the cross to Ireland,
I would simply put the boat on a closehaul, perfectly
balance with right amount of sail and it wouldnt’
need any tiller at all, it would jst balance perfect
as long as there wasn’t any huge gusts…it was
then I realized that the seas ‘had’ taken a new
shape and that the storm may truly be winding down..
Once the main was down and tucked away, I simply
trimmed the jib closehauled and let go of the tiller.
Sure enough, she balanced perfect and was still
on a course close enough to the wind that the seas
did not break on her side… I had to hve just
the right amount of sail and she was sailin on
her own. I have never been so ready for a cup
of tea in my iife. a reprieve…I would tnink
about some of the other tactics I used to use when
the vane was gone and see if I couldn’t get us
on a better courese tomorrow. Close hauled I was
going SW. I didn’t care as long as the boat was
safe and I wasn’t in the cockpit, cold and saoked
to the bone. I truly had been through all the
emotions considering having to steer all night…
and 2 more days…I was beside myself distaught
and then I would talk myself to a calm. During
the 60-70kn rains and gust, i sang ‘peace still
the raging storm’.. (ouch, just took a big hit.,
the change to a lose beam is really too close to
beam and the seas are breaking on us. luckily,
the storm and seas are waning.) I feel safe from
a roll or capsize at this point…The steering
vane may work with less challengin conditions.
It is somewhere slipping past a spot so that no
longer does the movement of the vane above, move
the little linkage that makes the servo rudder
move. The lines inside are fine. I climbed in
to look. It is in the vane itself…The hardest
point of sail to balance is downwind and that is
our course to Bermuda. Did I say, that once Ihad
to go back to sailing the boat, I decided to head
to Bermuda and get off the sea as quick as possible.
there is a storm heading for BErmuda and only unfavorable
winds ahead. “I GIVE UP.” I can’t make it north
in these conditions and then there is the gulf
stream to deal with. George from Commander weather
has been helpful with information and helping me
decide…My fear is that once in Bermuda, it will
be quite a long time til I will get favorable winds
to sail east… they are rare and certainly, now
a days, non existent…but I really have no other
choices but to go back to the carib…BErmuda is
expensive …. lovely…shoot. If I will be delayed
there long, Will has said the gang would get me
home and then I would return when the conditions
are right. I don’t know anything about how it
will all work out. I really can’t concern with
that now… truly, the sea is in a tizzy… and
I need to get off safely.. I really have had
a rough time, but I must say it has been incredible…
the sights, the intensity, the creative solutions…
it is a culmination of all I have been doing these
last years. And I am safe… It isn’t very far
to Bermuda, as even on the sea anchor I was drifting
that way. I am going in circles but getting a
bit closer. Only 2 1/2 degrees east and a few
south. HOwever, even with laying off a bit, I
am only sailing south. so in lieu of having to
get back out there tonight, I will accept a few
extra miles south and then tomorrow I will till
on course then hopefully rig a better point for
the night…But I should be in Bermuda by the 18th,
I am exhausted and will get some rest.. The wind
is really calming and the skies relatively clear
accept for a gusty cloud here and there.. I may
get a bit of sleep and if I get motivated, get
out there tongith to keep a better course. But
if it is raining and to rough., I will wait til
morn…all safe….phew. The seas really became
breaking mountains today.. I have been on the edge
of my seat and the tilling took alot of leverage…I
should sleep well, well for all of an hour or so
at a time that i get…. Here comes another big
gust.. Just a bit ago, the jib did tack itself
so too big a gust is a problem still… Here is
a big gust….shoot. goin on deck is surely a wet
experience….got to go . BAck. God, it is cold
and wet out there. Iam shaking cold after just
2 min. but hopefully the jib is better… The cabin
is pretty warm. Really, it wasn’t too cold today
or I couldn’t have been that wet that long… but
it is cold now. No matter what, one way of anoher,
the boat is goin to have to tend itself… Sleep.
my eyes are jsut too heavy. I haven’t eaten much
today, but it will wait til I get some rest…Iknow
of a 24 hour kitchen local… thank you so deeply
for your prayers. the worst of this situation
should be over now…. muchlove and biggest hugs….
xoxoxox d.

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Posted By RichC on April 16, 2007

Donna Lange, the solo circumnavigating sailor, has faced some challenging weather in her voyage around the world, and although she is closing in on home, the ocean is not finished with her yet. Today’s log entry is about as hair raising as it can get as she detailed last nights wicked wind and waves. I’ll include her entry as it was posted.

1010UTC 0610est
Apr 16, 2007 Monday madness hugs!!!
update: AS I said, Alls well that ends well…I
am safe and sound…yet I have had a historically
rough night. The storm escalated to tropical storm
height..I was just in awe as the storm did not
go through but just intensified and intensified.
It was a brilliant ride and I was truly soaking
up the whole magnificence. I had been on deck
from the very beginning of the stronger winds around
2000UTC, but it went too far…It was after the
Commander weather router’s suggested 0400UTC, when
the storm should pass and turn west, that it began
to deepen…Finally to where I was barepoled and
working with the steering vane, struggling to steer
a course with each stronger gust that came. the
godsend was that it was warm. I was soaked for
hours..We had taken many ‘hits’, the norm for growing
seas, engulfed stern, I had a bucket to help to
bail the cockpit, often literally filled above
the seats. The down below floor was being flooded
with water with each of these full hits as the
outer lockers still manage to lift with that much
water and it pours in. It was around 0600 that
we took more than a hit. A huge wave broke completely
over the port stern quarter, turned us fully on
our side, I was literally holding my breathe fully
underwater, holding onto the dodger frame with
all my life. It was only a few seconds and II
righted herself. Another wave crashed into the
stern.. It was time to stop… and get secured.
With so much wind and having been unsuccessful
with hoving to, I didn’t want to chance trying
to raise the main and do the hove to dance. So
I turned to the sea anchor and got her rigged to
go. but unfortunately, i wasn’t thorough in my
set up and once the parachute inflated, the force
on the line was tremendous,the line managed to
get snarled as it payed out despite my attempts.
I should have wrapped it around the winch so I
had control of the force of the water in the chute…I
dare say, the line out was only a small amount
of the 150′ line. Ihad secured the bitter end.
but once the chute was out, there was no way to
add a line. I did use a cinch knot on the line
and was able to free up the tension on the cleat
but still found the knot too tight and the cinch
let go..I had rigged a bridle but was not able
to use the extension rope as I say. Realizing
that the shorter rhode seemed to be working, I
let it go. the lines were strewn. The dodger flapping
in the wind as the whole bottom edge had come apart
and could no longer be secured. I am concerned
that with all the forces on the steering vane with
my attempts to ‘help her’, I may have damaged the
mechanism that transfers the energy from the vane
to the inner quadrant. that will be a big question
when I get going this morn. Once I had the anchor
set, I headed below. Exhausted from 10 hours on
deck, dealing with the conditions… the boat
was a shambles. I had not really thought about
what the essential knock down, or capsize had done
below. All the big stuff was secure but every
little bit that was in any other thing, was all
over. It was quite funny to see where things landed.
There was so much force, it flung powdered milk
across the whole boat and onto the ceiling handrail.
There is milk powder every where. But no harm
done. An hour later, all the bits and pieces were
in some home. and I was getting out of my soaked
clothes. Drinkin a hot tea. and stil just quiet
inwardly. I had been through the whole night.
I just kept moving and doing what needed to be
done.. I have resisted questioning my judgment,
and beatiing myself up for being so persistent
towards wanting to go home…The storm intensity
was not expected by the routers either, at least
not for the length of time…they suggested gusts
to 70kn but not sustained winds that high. And
Iam sure they were that high. they are still screaming
at nearly 50 and the seas 25 feet, but not really
breaking. but the other factor is the cold. With
the shift to west wind, the temp dropped drastically
to nearer the 55*mark and is nearly 50* this morning.
It will be a different day out there today. Iam
procrastinating only long enough to do the log,
yet as I speak a huge gust just came up that is
still in the 50+ maybe 60kn range. It is wild…I
may not be able to get underway. I need to get
the anchor retrieved if I can. I will need to
sail or drive up onto it as the line I normally
used for a trip line managed to not be with it..It
is formidable out there. Once moving it may be
better, but I am not sure I can even fly sail…
As this gust comes up I am questioning.. I may
just have to lay here a bit longer. We have been
safe though the movement is harsh rolly. There
are blue patches of sky. Maybe once the sun is
up, it will settle down and warm up. I got 2 sets
of clothes wet yesterday…But the hardest is that
my bed got soaked. When we rolled on the side,
water does make its way through the wood slats
and top companionway hatch…Overall, all is fine
if the wind steering hasn’t been damaged. It will
take a bit to get the deck cleaned up. i did lose
2 jugs of water, bt I have plenty.

I listened to Herb give a forecast for the coast
yesterday afternoon and there are 4 back to back
fronts still coming off the coast this next 10
days. there will be little easing to the conditions.
It is winter…sooo…Yes I have cried. I just
want to go home…Now I am a sentimental woman…I
have had enough, but have only hard sailing ahead.
But I will get home…One moment at a time.

I tried to update the Bermuda Rescue but their
phone did not work…I will email them with this
log…Again, all is safe. the boat is secure and
hanging nicely on the sea anchor. it is not too
rough. My mom is putting more minutes on my phone.
At this point I will be looking for input. I
will do a grib file… look for some direction
to go. Or just wait here until the conditions
moderate. If I do, I will have to find a way to
reinforce the anchor..I doubt the seastate will
become any more dangerous though it is not subsiding..so..I
don’t have a phone number for the commander weather
fellow, george. If he calls I will get his input
on what is going on…

as I said earlier, they are going to have to name
all the D tropical storms after me after this one….April…

I will update again this afternoon. Again, the
working of the steering vane is paramount to my
existence out here. without it, Iwill be at the
till until I get home…we’ll hope.

Thank you all so so for your prayers. I trust
all for all that has happened. I am certainly
not the person who left RI 1 1/2years ago. but
some things don’t change, like that old stubborn
streak. I am happy and still thrilled ot be experiencing
all that seems to be my path. One of these days
life will not seem to push so hard. I will find
out my options at this point. No worries and maybe
no hurries this morn…it is really wild..

biggest hugs to all. oxoxoxo d

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Posted By RichC on April 16, 2007

Thankfully for some of us procrastinators, the April 15th tax day has been extended two extra days this year … whew! In the right sidebar I’ve posted an audio interview from the San Jose Mercury News with personal finance reporter Mark Schwanhausser talking with Bert DuMars, the director of Electronic Tax Administration for the Internal Revenue Service. They address several tips from the confusing date to file taxes –April 17th — to the Long Distance tax refund check box deduction for most of us. Its simple deduction that most are eligible for if LD excise tax was paid in the last 3 years … about 98 percent of American households.

As you might imagine, Mr. DuMars stresses electronic filing of taxes which makes sense and really streamlines work for the IRS and accuracy for the filer. E-filed returns have lower error rates (1% or less) and since the Internal Revenue Service has work closely with all the software companies many of the common glitches are prevented. Paper returns have significantly higher error rates (about 20% of the returns), partially because of filer mistakes and partially because their paper returns at the ‘tingle table,’ some because the paper returns have to be entered into electronic form by IRS employees and often even in the final editing.

The best advice for self filers is to consider using computer software and electronically file of your return. (also remember … if you just can’t get your paperwork in that you can file an extension without penalty so as long you are owed a refund, otherwise you better send in part of what is due — worth calling them.)

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Posted By RichC on April 15, 2007

Closing out the week with a family photo and post after a safe flight home; it was a great week of ‘just’ family. I’ve been heavy on the personal memories this week, but I did want to archive a family photo the good time we had. For three us it was just the sunshine, relaxation, beach and ocean … but for my son it was ‘surf’ (he prefers the waves and surfboard — we had few) or ‘skimboarding.’ He had fun giving lessons to young and old (60+ grandpa types) on skidding along where the waves meet the sand (see video clip below). I did notice a couple teenage girls inching there way down to talk with him … oh to be young again.
🙂

One of the more interesting moments was watching a school of small fish get pushed to shore by a 3-4 foot ‘jack’ and the scraps being snatch by a small shark a few feet from shore. Amazingly fast and obvious why they could easily take a quick bite out of a swimmer and dash off.

Palm Treo 700p smartphone Skimboarding clip

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Tags: beach, delray, florida, skimboard, surfing

Posted By RichC on April 14, 2007

An Atlantic storm has put Donna Lange‘s landfall on April 21st; April 28th is now her official homecoming in Bristol Rhode Island. The northern hemisphere has brought a final gale and severe weather her way and her 28 foot sailboat Insanity Island is receiving one final battering. Although she has proven herself a capable sailor she could use a few prayers for her safety in this final storm. Check DonnaLange.com for daily updates on her landfall or view plots (and log entries) here — mouse over the plot point.

1200UTC 0800local EST 0100NZ
April 13,2007 Happy Friday!! hugs!!
“A gale still to marvel in….”
position: 3057N 6923W
winds: WNW 15-20kn
sp: 4kn COG:352 seas:3′
point of sail:closehauled (close reach over night)
sails; one reef main, genny with a reef
miles sailed: 100nm
miles to go: 645nm to Bristol
forecast: The next 2 days will be NW winds 15kn
and then lightening up and going more SW. By the
15th S winds 15kn. Early morn on the 16th a gale
will come through with up to 50kn gusts but by
nightfall winds should ease to 35kn. The real
issue is my position to the gulf stream which is
a very powerful warm water river in the sea which
creates a challenge to cross in normal conditions.
Depending on how the storm moves, I can have SW-NW
winds following the gale. If I can get close enought
to the gulf stream so that I can cross it near
after the storm, the winds should be SW -W and
make a good crossing even if a bit wild as the
winds are going to be 35kn. But if it takes too
long for me to get there, the winds may have turned
NW-N which will make an ugly crossing. I have
a really good peace about the whole storm and we
will no doubt keep pace and get to the stream with
good winds to cross. It is interesting that when
I was writing the song ‘Just a LIttle Bit Farther”
and the lines came ‘A gale to marvel in , power
and unity, …” I had an intuition that I would
do one more gale and sure enough. The storm is
moving quickly but there is a front following that
is lingering off Cape May which is what will also
effect my stream crossing especially if I get there
more than a day after the storm moves through.
So I am sailing hard trying to make as much progress
north and west as I can to position my self just
NW of the storm centers expected path. NOw keep
in mind, I have not seen the Grib files for today
and these storms develope and change constantly.
It is an obsessive mind torrent for me when a
gale is approaching as I constantly rework the
‘plan’ according to new information. Between the
last 2 days, the high wind center decreased and
moved east. Unfortunatly I usually get my gribs
after doing this log. But it wil reflect in tomorrows
update. I have to say that the adrenalin boost
is doing me good. I do well in a ‘fight’ and have
been existing in that space for a long time. Though
I plan on living a more balanced life, a little
excitement gets me going. I am getting as much
rest as possible while diligently maning the course
and sails. Skies are beautifully blue. It is the
winds today and tomorrow that will determine if
I can get north and postioned well. The NW winds
will be in my face and then the light winds will
slow me. So I am praying for the winds to go more
west and hang in there till saturday when they
are to become favorably 15kn from the S. Finally,
Herb Hilgenberg of the Radio net and I have contact
and good transmissions so we discussed all the
options as a way to handle this storm. He is concerned
about the winds for the gulf stream the most as
I am. But it will be great to be able to check
in with him in the midst. In any storm, the seas
are the real challenge. The wind can blow 100
and it may tear up my old dodger, but won’t sink
me. It is the sea conditions that create the greatest
challenge. Tom OUtman is also back on board with
information and he will be able to give me more
information on the seastates. I always have options
and if the conditions get too crazy on the stream,
I just turn tail and run. Obvious, my boat is
built to handle heavy sea states… my big kayak.
Yes, I could go to Bermuda. It would be 3 days
due east. Then I would have to wait for favorable
winds as I can not make the 6*westing to RI without
the right winds. Herb said that it would be at
least next wed before I could leave. And then
it is 600 tough miles still to RI. At this point,
friends, I am just not up to another week long
delay. It isn’t about the welcome party… it is
about finishing this trip. The chances of another
storm following this one are good..I can do this
storm. I will be fine. The sea promised me that
she would ‘get me to the church on time” and I
feel very good about that. Keepin on Keepin on.
I’ll know by Monday my sched to the stream and
through and if I will be delayed. I have managed
to retain 2 days of fudge time…we may use it..But
if I continue with good progress each day, I will
be in the BAy Friday evening. Just keep that positive
energy flowin…gang… No worries.

I did have to troubleshoot an electrical problem.
The wind generator was not charging the batteries.
Turns out, it was putting out too much voltage,
as the regulator wasn’t working. Plenty of amps.
I wiggled and fiddled and lo and behold…13V.
Thanks Jeff for all your help troubleshooting.
Need new regulator..
conditions: 75* on board. BAr 1010; All good.
I am feeling better. mega dosing vitamins and
colloidal silver. Looking forward with all my
heart to the hugs and welcome of good friends.
You have all been so patient. Please continue
to keep Stu in your prayers as he deals with the
injury to his eye. Mom thanks so much for all
you do. Biggest hugs and all my love to you xoxoxo
d

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Posted By RichC on April 13, 2007

Earthrace is ripping and roaring … they are in Hawaii and off again. Here’s a segment from Captain Pete Bethune:

There’s my star. I’ve seen him the last three nights on my shift from 2-4am. He’s brighter than all the rest around him. Maybe he’s that star which is only a few light years from earth. He keeps going in and out of view behind the massive carbon mullions that support the windscreen. It’s an unusual windscreen on Earthrace I think to myself. More like a racecar than a boat. It is small, wrapping around you, only offering small sections to see through. But also like a small cocoon keeping us safe from the destructive seas just a few feet away.

The windscreen is actually designed to go up to 7m underwater with a factor of safety of 3. “So at 21m underwater it all implodes on you”, Craig Loomes had said to me with a glint in his eye at one of our meetings. In sea trials around New Zealand we experienced 5m of wave on top of the windscreen, as we went through some enormous 12m waves. It was one of the scariest experiences of my life, and something I never want to repeat. So bugger 7m underwater I think to myself. Or 21m for that matter.

It’s now 2:30am and everyone else is asleep. Time for the few jobs I have at night. I scurry down to the engine bay and check the bank of Racor filters. All close to zero. Sweet. Next I check the fuel levels in our main and day tanks. We’re slightly down on fuel, which surprises me. Not sure why, but I’ll figure it out in the morning I tell myself, as I pop back into the drivers seat. I look out to starboard and my star is there, waiting for me.

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Posted By RichC on April 12, 2007

The Volkswagen special performance edition R32 is available for orders and should show up in American toward the end of summer 2007. (mentioned before) The current email indicates a new website for those who may have previously shown an interest. Although it is most likely overpriced, the limited edition specialty vehicle would be a pretty nice vehicle for those enjoying small pocket rocket Vee-Dubs. If you want one … you might try to get an order in soon as I’m guessing that all 5000 will be spoken for???

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Posted By RichC on April 11, 2007

My posts have gone 100% personal as about all I’m thinking about is heading to the beach, lazing around waiting to fix dinner and visiting with my mother and father-in-law. We’re having a wonderful time of relaxation and rejuvenation.

I did receive a note that Donna Lange is becalmed and running under Iron Genny in the Atlantic … although still on target for her April 21st homecoming in Rhode Island. (down to single digit days at sea)

Earthrace, the biodiesel powered around the world project is ‘vibrating’ slightly toward Hawaii … getting close now. They are having good weather and making good time.

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Posted By RichC on April 10, 2007

Earthrace Press Release from April 9th:

Earthrace has now left San Diego and is continuing on her round-the-world speed record attempt. The unique wavepiercing vessel was involved in a collision off the coast of Guatemala with an unlit fishing skiff, resulting in considerable damage that has been mostly repaired in San Diego. She is now 800 nautical miles off the coast of California en-route to Hawaii, the next refueling stop on her global circumnavigation.

According to Earthrace Captain Pete Bethune, the repairs were much more extensive than initially anticipated. The gearbox and engine mounts were replaced first, however there remained a series of vibrations from various sources. The engine was realigned, the propeller shaft straightened, and the Hytorq propeller rebalanced. Bethune says “the hardest part was getting the driveshaft in and out of Earthrace while she remained in the water. It was an extremely challenging exercise that thankfully went well”. The 3-inch diameter shaft is 15ft long and weighs close to 400 pounds, so handling it requires a team of people.

Earthrace Engineer Scott Fratcher says, “there is now a single vibration left that we believe to be the Propflex coupling, which joins the gearbox to the propeller shaft”. This was found to be off-centre by 10/1000 of an inch. The plan is to swap this for a new coupling as soon as Earthrace reaches Maalaia, in Hawaii.

Meanwhile Earthrace continues her voyage across the Pacific with the vibration ever present, but the crew believes it will be fine at least until Hawaii. Earthrace is expected to reach Maalaia late on Thursday night this week, local time.

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