[eggtimer]

25 boats ranging in size from 21 ft. (mini transat zero) to 49 ft. will start the LongPac race tomorrow just a bit after 1100 out of SF bay. This is a 400 nautical mile singlehanded/doublehanded offshore race that is a qualifier for the Singlehanded Transpac, as well as a shakedown for those sailors prepping for the Pacific Cup in 2010. Racers will sail out to any point at 126.40 west and back - start and finish is at the Golden Gate Yacht Club. All the boats will have transponders so that we can follow their progress, and Trunk Monkey, a Farr 30, will carry a SPOT satellite messenger device. Visit www.sfbaysss.org for position updates and more information.

Wishing all the racers a safe trip.

[Travieso]

To track:
http://onltr.magnatr...o.php?fid=10349

[War Dog]

To watch the start:

http://cams.exploratorium.edu:8010


Or the other tread:

http://forums.sailin...showtopic=93775

[Travieso]

Uh Oh, you can see the fleet gathering on the cam

[War Dog]

:D

Travieso, on Jul 29 2009, 10:43 AM, said:

Uh Oh, you can see the fleet gathering on the cam

[French Cowboy]

And they are all off.
Good luck to all and best speed.

[NoStrings]

Poco Loco!!!

[War Dog]

I just got a call from one of the racers………………….good wind at the start just outside the gate wind picked up and put a reef in an hour latter the reef was shook out and now on port tack heading to 126°40' West under comfortable conditions.

[Giorgio Piordgio]

I just wish they had boat type on the Info bubble for each racer - like Coastal Cup.

[Mr Moab]

Go Trunk Monkey!

[Beau.Vrolyk]

I watched the start from the StFYC bar, nice day for it. Whomever picked the start time relative to the tied and wind was very nice to the racers. So many of these races beat the tar out of the racers beating out the Gate in a flood tied, nice to see them get away clean and easy. They'll have enough to do outside.

B

[Travieso]

Giorgio Piordgio, on Jul 29 2009, 03:51 PM, said:

I just wish they had boat type on the Info bubble for each racer - like Coastal Cup.

https://event-manage...ist.do?eid=1324

[eggtimer]

Trunk Monkey did start the race. They do not have a transponder on board, but are carrying a SPOT satellite messenger. As soon as they press the "OK" button, I'll post their location.

[ULDBGuy]

eggtimer, on Jul 29 2009, 06:17 PM, said:

Trunk Monkey did start the race. They do not have a transponder on board, but are carrying a SPOT satellite messenger. As soon as they press the "OK" button, I'll post their location.

As an official entry?

As of a couple days ago they hadn't had their boat inspection - they must have squeaked in under the wire.

[deep6]

War Dog, on Jul 29 2009, 01:07 PM, said:

I just got a call from one of the racers………………….good wind at the start just outside the gate wind picked up and put a reef in an hour latter the reef was shook out and now on port tack heading to 126°40' West under comfortable conditions.

Looks like they have great conditions if the wind holds...

[eggtimer]

Yes, Trunk Monkey had their inspection Sunday evening at SFYC...and passed. Trunk Monkey and Bar-ba-loot (Moore 24) had inspections performed within this past week.

[Giorgio Piordgio]

Thanks, Dan. I know most of the boats, but just saying for the out-of-towner it may be nice to have the boat type in the pop-up. I'm glad to see this system being used this year.

[Beau.Vrolyk]

Giorgio Piordgio, on Jul 29 2009, 08:09 PM, said:

Thanks, Dan. I know most of the boats, but just saying for the out-of-towner it may be nice to have the boat type in the pop-up. I'm glad to see this system being used this year.

I know it's not auto-magic-pop-up, but you can read all about the boats here:

https://event-manage...ist.do?eid=1324

[eggtimer]

The transponders are proving to be a big help...not only from a race committee perspective, but as an observer, and now, the Coast Guard. The Coasties --who by the way have been great to work with-- require 4 hour check-ins during the event, and after checking in this morning, they too are monitoring the racers via the website. 4 hour check-in's are interrupting my sleep pattern, but I've been through worse, so no big deal; race committee duties require sacrfices for the enjoyment and experience of others, right :unsure: Anyhow, the tracks are really interesting, and what's going on with Second Verse going south and Rainbow going north?

[eggtimer]

Also looks like a few of the transponders are not sending out current position updates...

Trunk Monkey is not pressing the OK button on their SPOT device, as we haven't received any reports, but I'm sure they're in the top third of the fleet position wise...fast boat and experience on board.

[ULDBGuy]

Rainbow is a cruising cat and apparently doesn't point well. Second Verse is pretty heavy too and got off to a slow start - maybe he decided to bag it and sail down to Monterey.

There are at least two tag-alongs who plan to get at least 100 miles offshore and sail their 400 miles (to qualify for the SH TransPac), ending up in Monterey. The Coasties probably don't know about them.

[French Cowboy]

My girlfriend is on Great White and it's awesome to be able to look at hers and others' track. I just wish the times recorded where synchronized...
What happened to Velocious, it looks like he turned around. Hope he is doing OK.
Last I looked it seemed as though a low was going to find itself near the turn around Long. Is that perhaps why some are going south; to ride the south westerlies back home????
Poco Loco sure is slow, it'll be interesting to see if they can make up time and distance coming back, that is if they can put up their big kite.

[French Cowboy]

Uhmm, looks like the low may not form as early as I thought, so maybe no Southwesterlies. Depends light it will be and how slow the boats are.

[eggtimer]

George (Velocious) is okay and back in Richmond. Seasickness, lack of wind, and frustration set in and he decided to retire. We're glad he's okay and back safe.

[French Cowboy]

Yes, good to hear it is nothing serious, although he must be really bummed out.