News
July 22, 2019, 1500
Mother nature put on quite a display over the past 24 hr. We finally saw an amazing sunset. The clouds glowed orange sorbet, soft pink and mauve.
I think this was her apology for the recurring cloud bursts over the course of the day. We would go from bone dry to soaked to the bone in 10 minutes. At least it was warm rain.
At one point, there was a rainbow that made a complete circle around the sun. So much amazing beauty out here. Overnight the Milky came out in all of her glory complete with shooting stars; several bright enough to have a tail. They would last for seconds before they burned out.
The wind and sea state have been challenging but we were able to run the kite most of the day and night with of few hours of jib reaching in the wee hours of the night. The crew is very excited about the possibility of tackling the Molokai Channel and arriving in Honolulu tomorrow. Life is good.
v/r Dr. B
PS. Queso Libre tackled a fouled head, ripped into it's guts, pulled out the blockage (a facial tissue) and saved the day. Another conquest for the great Queso Libre.
July 20, 0530
We are in "send it" mode and heading south toward Hawai'i. It's nice to finally have the kite up for more than a couple of hours but I suspect that it might not last. The high clouds and changing barometric pressure may indicate a change in the weather. Squalls tonight . . . maybe?
Some rain clouds today. We decided these little clouds were like a 5 year old playing on the playground & the squalls ill be more like the playground bully.
There was a little excitement last evening when a pin halyard shackle popped open during the hoist. Our bowman Jake was hoisted up to retrieve it with Kai "Baby driver" was at the helm. Another first has fallen for Kai. Jake rocked the rocky hoist during a heavy sea state. It truly was an intense several minutes culminating in a perfect hoist
Today, Jake's speed record was matched by Steve. Did I mention that we are in "send it" mode. Life is good.
v/r Dr. B
Today was truly a TransPac day, blue skies, good winds, blue sea, emotions high, anticipation rising, knocking down the nm.
July 20, 0800
Finally, polars are tuned (this has been a 2 year project), gribs are aligning with actual, we should be pulling up an A4 with staysail today and starting to book with speed into HNL; if wind speed and direction hold. Our challenge this Transpac have been the rolling seas, winds and waves that are not favorable to our configuration, boat type/design . . . no hard chine to plane, too heavy to lift bow and hold a decent course; hey, it's a cruising boat but she is fun and for the most part comfortable.
Most of this race has been done under white sails (Main and Genoa). Due to the power of the new CF main, it has been reefed 90% of the trip mostly due to sea state, boat weight and design. Up until yesterday, overcast for most of the day . . . not the bright blue sky we encountered in 2017.
On the bright side, well ahead of 2017, estimating arrival on 23rd, late.
The stars came out last night and danced; a spectacular display beyond what words can describe. The moon also rose and raced across the sky chasing the stars and illuminating our path. I truly wish I had the photographic skills and equipment to share this with friends and family; truly spectacular.
July 19, 2019, 1630
The past day was busy. We got wind gusts to the low 30's at times. Overnight the cloud cover rolled in thick making for the darkest night we've had so far. The moon didn't even show a glimmer until nearly sunrise.
Morning watch today worked their tails off with kite up, kite down, kite up, kite down, and repeat. They are now down for a much needed and well deserved rest. They too have experienced the flying fish attach. I am sure there is more to come.
We are now sailing under blue bird skies and azure seas. Baby driver hit his personel speed record of 14.2 kts. Life is good.
v/r Dr. B
PS A bit of drama, we had to send Jake up the mast for a sky'ed halyard. Something I don't do unless absolutely necessary. The new A5 chewed up one of our forward halyards, we are down to one.
July 18, 2019, 1700
So, as sailing goes it is wash, rinse, repeat. The other watch seems to get all the sail change fun. My watch gets all the cool sights.
Overnight we had a brief light rain that felt wonderful. The moon was once again bright and beautiful. We were treated to a full moonbow; rainbow made from moonlight. I have no idea what the actual term for it is and Google is not exactly available out here so you are stuck with moonbow.
We are starting to see schools of flying fish which is really cool and increasing amounts of trash which is not so cool. There was a small squid that tried to make itself into calamari on the jacklines but he wasn't quite successful, poor little thing.
We are having a good time out here. Life is good.
PS There were some hurting puppies this morning from the 1/2 way celebration. When will they learn, when will they learn. Now starting to ration ibuprophen.
July 18, 2019, 0800
My 18YO Hawaiian Crew member was so excited about the "sick ranbomoon" (Hawaiian for pretty cool rainbow around the moon) a treat for the crew. We celebrated 1/2 with some red velvet cake, beer, wine spritzers, chocolate, dehydrated ice cream and yes Mescal from Mexico; some hurting puppies this morning. Special care was taken that the watch on-deck was dry.
July 17, 2019, 1430
About 2300 last night we officially crossed the 1/2 way mark. Our youngest crewmate, Kai, (A.K.A. Baby Driver; exceptional helm) was at the helm and rocked it. The entire crew celebrated it with an absolutely delicious home made red velvet cake complement of our skipper and his secret family recipe.
Although we have yet to see a proper sunrise or sunset, the moonrise's have been spectacular. We are seeing increasingly numbers of flying fish. It has been fun to see them cross the bow illuminated in the bow lights. Last night one miscalculated and hit me square in the back. We were able to rescue it and returned it to the ocean.
This little update ends with us sailing once again under the A2 with blue skies and sunshine. Perhaps tonight we will get the sunset we have been waiting for. Life is good.
v/r Dr. B
PS the party continues with Tropic of Thunder Lager, Strongbow spritzers,Montelobos Mescal (Don't ask), Red Velvet Cake.
July 17, 2019, 0730
Celebrated 1/2 way with Red Velvet Cake under a Blood Thunder Moon (kinda sounds like the title to a porn flick). Exceptionally tasty and well received. Not sure if loading up the crew with sugar at midnight was the best course, but we are making way.
Absolutely stunning moonrise last night. Sailing is a bit sporty but all the crew agree; there is no place that they would rasher be.
July 16, 2019, 1900
Well, folks, the past 24 hours have been very busy sailing in 4-6' waves in a very confused sea state. Yesterday afternoon started with the A2 flying but we switched to the A5 as the sun was setting on a mostly cloudy horizon. Then the fun began.
The 1st watch had several round ups accutuated by an unexpected skying of the butt end of the spin pole. Don't try this at home folks. The following watch did much better but as fate would allow and didn't want the second shift to be ignored... ditto (wash, rinse, repeat) with more excitement. All hands on deck, emergency kite douse and with rising winds, unfurl the genoa until the pole issue could be resolved.
We finished the eventful 24 hours with the genoa reaching in 20-24 kts of breeze with 8-10 kts boat speed under sunny skies as we near the 1/2 way point.
The speed record fell hard with Jake taking the crown at 14.5 kts surfing down a wave. Life is good today. Let's see what the next 24 hrs will bring.
July 15, 2019, 1630
Day 5 is in the books. We are fully in the trades and coming up on the halfway mark. Last night we go the total effect of the near full moon complete with moon shadows and beams, it was glorious. We were visited by a small pod of dolphins illuminated by bioluminecence (sp?) blowing and playing next to the boat. Flying fish are starting to show up as well. There are solitary ones that are 6" long and schools of little minnows with wings. We have also been surrounded [off and on] by blooms of these jelly creatures that look like little shiny spinnakers sailing in the oceans swells. One ended its sailing career on our bow; followed by a burial at sea.
This is our first day not seeing another boat. The topaz sea is all to ourselves. Life is good.
July 15, 2019, 1430
The saga of Queso Libre. Missing . . . Mexican Wrestler. Throwing caution to the wind he grabbed the mask he had hidden for o so many years. Finally he, Stevio, would be transformed on that fateful day. The legend of Queso Libre was born!
July 15, 2019, 1230
*** I'm not sure we will survive. Supplies are running low. Crew is on edge ***
Nah, just kidding. We are having a blast! Let's give you a speed dating version of events to date:
We had a decent start with a reasonable breeze that consistently built through the day. By sunset we were sailing with a reefed main and partially furled jib. That continued for a couple of days. It was the sail plan that kept the wheels on the road and the boat going fast. It was good to shake out the sails and even better to hoist the kite! The cloud cover set in before sunset on the on the first day and hung like a heavy blanket over us for the first four. When they finally broke it was glorious. More on that after our speed dating session.
We have been doing the opposite of starving here on Tropic Thunder; compliments of Chef Brian. Our dinners have been the likes of paella, chicken parmesan, chicken cordon bleu and even turkey dinner complete with stuffing, gravy and home made cranberry sauce!
Oddly enough, we have seen competitors everyday. The other watch had a drag race with another boat that ultimately took our transom, heated up and sailed away. After that, all of us got to experience a full day match race at a snail's pace with another boat. They heated up above us, bore off below us . . . it was a nail biter but we preserved and finally pulled ahead and lost them on the horizon. We never changed our heading, course or speed during the whole process.
So that ends our speed dating session. I hope we made a connection and can meet again.
v/r Dr. B
PS Our hearts and well wishes go out to the crew of OEX. Special thanks and recognition to Pyewacket and their team for assisting and recovering all; now retired with all aboard and heading back to safe harbor. Bravo!
July 15, 2019, 0800
Crew looking for 1/2 way . . . somewhat annoyed by the "are we there yet" questions. Working on creative answers like "we're 10 nm closer than the last time you asked" . . . not to the "If you don't settle down I'm going to turn this boat around" stage. Planning a scavenger hunt for the "International Date Line"; sadly, they're too smart for that joke.
Running too high . . . Dive, dive, dive. A little early to drop to South, but the Eastern High (weakish) is creeping down over our route; actually sitting it's fat butt on our route.
July 14, 2019, 1230
Into the 5th day, wind was lighter and flaky through the night. Very focused (A.K.A. tryptophan induced) driving with no stars . . . not quite the trades but getting there.
Amazed that we are in a huge ocean, yet one competitor crossed close enough to see the light from their chart plotter. Earlier in the day we were crossed by a cargo ship.
Tonight, change in menu, Chicken Cordon Bleu, paired with (you guessed it) NM Pinon Coffee with or without Chocolate or creamer (I'm guessing my crew did not read the nutritional briefing on the Transpac website), freshly desalinated sea water with a splash of Mio flavoring. The crew is asking when will it end . . . when will it end? Happily, there is more than enough food for the trip, end to end.
Foulies off, layers shed, shorts on, sunscreen out, tunes playing.
New today, reading of the 2019 Farmer's Almanac. Odd choice but entertaining. We can see the fast boats coming on the Eastern horizon. Sail on. Brian's blog edited and augmented by Capt. John. Later tonight, look forward to a Bridge Blog from Dr. B.
July 14, 2019, 0745
Not in Trades yet, but getting there. The after Turkey Dinner effect kicked in last night and on deck was quiet. Most of the crew got a good nights sleep. Shepherd's pie tonight. Yes, this is the "Feast of Royalty" Cruise lines. Most which was carried on the plane in coolers by two crew members from Annapolis. And yes, we are saving the Maryland Crab Cakes for the 1/2 way celebration. Eat your heart out competitors.
July 13, 2019, 1700
Spinnaker! Tropic Thunder found the wind shift we were promised and the colorful blue nylon is flying high. Sleep is easier, the helm is lighter and someday, someday maybe the clouds will part.
We have had a quick view and crossing of a freighter, the crew of which are probably having far less fun.
News reached us that another competitor dropped due to equipment issues. Best of luck and well wishes to those who are headed home.
Tonight is a Thanksgiving Dinner complete with turkey, dressing, green bean casserole, cranberry relish and turkey gravy. That is being paired with NM coffee and hot chocolate. Desert is provided by Hershey.
Great fun, crew is in great spirits and shedding the layers. Hot, hot, hot is on the way.
July 12, 2019, 1430
I'm not sure, but I believe that Tropic Thunder is the only s/v in Tranpac with two watch captains who are both women; both highly accomplished sailors, competent and well respected by their peers. Both Brenda van Fossen, MD and Ines Nandin have been part of the Tropic Thunder "Dream Team" since 2017. Dr. B. is a pediatrician up in Canada where when she is not practicing as a doctor she is sailing. She has completed 1 Transpac, 1 Pac Cup, 1 Vic Maui and is back for Transpac2019 and very active in the sailing scene up in the Pacific Northwest. Ines Nandin comes from a family of sailors; Father, four (4) brothers (I believe a few were on a top Rolex team in Argentina recently) and mom all who grew up on a sailboat, many vacations and memorable times. Originally from Buenos Aries, Ines has here own company that specializes in international marketing.
As Captain and owner of Tropic Thunder, I am proud of our team and consider myself fortunate to have such accomplished and talented leadership onboard.
July 12, 2019, 0830
Rolling into day 3 and we continue the journey. This morning we were disappointed to learn of the threes boat that retired [Nalu V, Aloha, Mayhem] with gear failure. Our hearts and well wishes go out to the teams and wish them speedy travel to safe harbor. The the water is now deep cyrilian (sp?) blue and we are sailing through thousands of what appear to be baby Man'o'war jellyfish. The boat is balanced, sails full and last nights disco dance party hosted by "Ine and the Blowfish" went well . . . don't ask!
Captain is pleased that the crew has not broken the boat . . . yet. Stars will be out tonight. Chicken parm over noodles for dinner paired with New Mexico Pinion Nut Coffee.
Sailing on.
#transpac2019 #transpac50th #tropicthunderteam #feartheflock
July 11, 2019
It's day 2 and we are hauling mail. The crisp new jet black carbon fiber sail is pulling like a freight train; even reefed. The tunes are cranking and Jake just yelled 10.4 kts from the helm. We passed two boats in the last 24 hours and the crew is happy and looking for speed. As the sun sets on the second day, the wind is building, temps dropping and things (A.K.A the crew) are looking forward to getting wet with some sporty driving. All agree, this is where the action is and would be nowhere else.
#transpac2019 #transpac50th #tropicthunderteam #feartheflock