NY to SFO the hard way

[ProaSailor]

Wind lost its NE component where Ryan is and returned to E 9 knots gusting to 15 knots.  Northerly fills in Monday night, Tuesday and especially Wednesday.

Ryan Finn
Apr 10, 2022   11:06:30 AM (PDT)
Speed: 12.91 mph    Course: NW
Lat: 14.682370    Lon: -108.935601

• 11:06:30 AM PDT | 14.682370,-108.935601 | 5.365 NM / 0.5 hours = 10.7 knots | heading 309°
  
• 10:36:30 AM PDT | 14.626471,-108.863418
  

https://www.windy.com/?18.620,-112.028,7,m:d3Fac7u

Facebook message from Ryan:

https://www.facebook.com/2oceans1rock/posts/462918765627615

"On schedule last night lots of light wind until the early AM hours when I was able to gybe back to starboard in better wind, 7-9 knots. Jzerro loves that wind speed in flat water and was flying all morning. I've now changed down to the J1 (Genoa) to sail closer to the wind to maintain rumbline.  It's cloudy and there are Boobies everywhere. I saw one yesterday flying inches from the water's surface at very high speed, and it casually dove in and out of the water, still gliding when it exited. That's a pretty cool skill to have! As I get closer my supplies are dwindling. I have enough honey for one more tea. Three dried apricots and 12 almonds. Half a bag of trail mix and two tablespoons of Nutella. I took my last vitamin today. Fortunately I have plenty of freeze dried meals left and powdered shake mixes, but essentially snack time is about to end for this trip.   It's looking quite windy ahead as well, so in a few days it's just going to be a matter of nursing Jzerro upwind to San Francisco and taking lots of care in this final stage of this voyage. I-10 Longitude! Lordsburg, New Mexico. When I actually have to drive through here with all of Jzerro's cruising equipment, which is currently scattered across the country, I will be sure and stop for something good to eat in Lordsburg."

 

[ProaSailor]

Ryan Finn
Apr 10, 2022   4:06:30 PM (PDT)
Speed: 13.60 mph    Course: WNW
Lat: 15.248530    Lon: -109.693551

Last half hour:

• 4:06:30 PM PDT | 15.248530,-109.693551 | 5.551 NM / 0.5 hours = 11.1 knots | heading 303°
  
• 3:36:30 PM PDT | 15.197921,-109.613300
  

https://www.windy.com/?20.530,-115.225,5,m:d4Aac6k

Wind NE 11 knots gusting to 15 knots, Waves W 6 feet at 11 secs., Current flowing W 0.4 knots, Temp 78 F, light rain



Arizona?

 

[ProaSailor]

Ryan Finn
Apr 11, 2022   6:06:45 AM (PDT)
Speed: 7.56 mph    Course: NW
Lat: 16.327765    Lon: -111.504191

Last half hour:

• 6:06:45 AM PDT | 16.327765,-111.504191 | 3.702 NM / 0.5 hours = 7.4 knots | heading 308°
  
• 5:36:45 AM PDT | 16.289656,-111.453616
  

https://www.windy.com/?19.005,-112.104,7,m:d6lac3k

Wind NE 8 knots gusting to 14 knots, Waves SW 6 feet at 12 secs., Current flowing W 0.5 knots, Temp 76 F, Clouds 41%

Forecast: North wind continues to fill in, closing that wind hole that was so much bigger two days ago.

 

[Ovakus]

Sailing Day 63 (Apr 10) 24 hr DMG to SF was 184 nm with DOG of 186 nm @ 7.8 knots of average boatspeed.

Sailing Day 64 (Apr 11) 24 hr DMG to SF was 201 nm with DOG of 231 nm @ 9.6 knots of average boatspeed. Summary of the daily log attached.

View attachment NYC2SF 2022.docx

 

[Wess]

Ryan on FB:

Before sunset I was caught by a very large thunderstorm. It poured rain for hours and I took advantage of that by going on deck for a full shower. Shampoo and body wash! Felt quite nice to get clean. A lot of sail changes back and forth between the J-0 and Genoa. The wind is trying to finalize it's shift against me, but occasionally swings aft still. I'm routed to pass quite close to Isla Clarion, and really hope I get to pass close by in day light. I think of you have the chance to see an island that very few have, you should. I-10 Longitude: Phoenix, AZ! Not to brag, but I have family there.

 

[ProaSailor]

Ryan Finn
Apr 11, 2022   2:07:00 PM (PDT)
Speed: 8.21 mph    Course: NW
Lat: 17.109703    Lon: -112.385351

Last half hour:

• 2:37 PM PDT | 17.161278,-112.437171 | 4.285 NM / 0.5 hours = 8.6 knots | heading 316°
  
• 2:07 PM PDT | 17.109703,-112.385351 | 4.291 NM / 0.5 hours = 8.6 knots | heading 320°
  
• 1:37 PM PDT | 17.054998,-112.336986
  

https://www.windy.com/?19.596,-110.413,7,m:d7Fac1k

Wind NE 8 knots gusting to 11 knots, Waves W 7 feet at 13 secs., Current flowing NW 0.2 knots, Temp 76 F, Clouds 28%

Forecast: That wind hole is still there... the price of heading east instead of west at the equator a week ago.  Looks better on Tuesday as the northerly fills into the area, allowing him to head west (but not straight to San Francisco, ~1,371 NM away bearing 338°).

 

[ProaSailor]

Ryan Finn
Apr 12, 2022   5:07:30 AM (PDT)
Speed: 8.86 mph    Course: WNW
Lat: 18.248806    Lon: -114.161338

Last half hour:

• 5:07:30 AM PDT | 18.248806,-114.161338 | 3.822 NM / 0.5 hours = 7.6 knots | heading 303°
  
• 4:37:30 AM PDT | 18.214086,-114.105141 | 4.267 NM / 0.5 hours = 8.5 knots | heading 304°
  
• 4:07:30 AM PDT | 18.174090,-114.043256
  

https://www.windy.com/?21.069,-113.500,7,m:ebAacYS

Wind NNE 11 knots gusting to 15 knots, Waves NW 8 feet at 12 secs., Current flowing S 0.6 knots, Temp 72 F

NOTE: Ryan is 29 NM east of Clarion Island, bearing 281°.  Technically, he has crossed the California border at its easternmost point.  North wind has brought slightly larger swell and lower temperature.

 

[Wess]

Just a long upwind slog to go. Keep it together Mon!  Bash softly LOL!!

 

[Ovakus]

Sailing Day 65 (Apr 12) 24 hr DMG to SF was 164 nm with DOG of 197 nm @ 8.2 knots of average boatspeed. Summary of the daily log attached.

View attachment NYC2SF 2022.docx

 

[ProaSailor]

Ryan is 3.55 NM from Clarion Island and likely to get a little closer.

• 9:07:30 AM PDT | 18.426165,-114.708510 | 4.325 NM / 0.5 hours = 8.7 knots | heading 292°
  
• 8:37:30 AM PDT | 18.399450,-114.638063 | 5.049 NM / 0.5 hours = 10 knots | heading 275°
  
• 8:07:30 AM PDT | 18.392175,-114.549895
  

NOTES FROM CLARION ISLAND
by WILLIAM T. EVERETT, Department of Birds and Mammals, San Diego Natural History Museum
https://sora-dev.unm.edu/sites/default/files/journals/condor/v090n02/p0512-p0513.pdf

The commander of the Mexican Navy garrison on the island graciously allowed me to come ashore, and for 2 days I explored much of the highland portion of the island.

The garrison was established in 1979 to support a weather station at Bahia Sulphur, on the south side of the island. The settlement consists of a building for living quarters, a nearby electric generating plant, and an approximately 500-m aircraft runway parallel to the beach east of Bahia Sulphur. The garrison consisted of 11 men.
[...]
Shortly after establishment of the weather station, domestic pigs and hares were released as a source of food; both have multiplied and now occur everywhere from the shoreline to the highest elevations. Residents estimate pig numbers at 800 to 1,000. Evidence of rooting and destruction of vegetation was widespread, especially on the western half of the island. Chickens and goats were also released, but the chickens remain in the immediate vicinity of the settlement and no live goats were seen.
[...]
Harvesting by humans and predation by pigs may reduce the small population of green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) which nest at Bahia Sulphur (Awbrey et al. 1984). Ground-nesting birds such as Townsend’s Shearwater and Masked Booby are especially vulnerable to predation by pigs. Massive reduction of vegetation by the fire and rooting by pigs has dramatically reduced habitat for the endemic landbird fauna.

 

[ProaSailor]

Facebook post from Ryan: https://www.facebook.com/2oceans1rock/posts/464256938827131

"I just had a pleasant experience. I sailed past Isla Clarion, where I saw a large power boat and made brief vhf contact. I then hove to and switched the larger jibe for the smaller J2. it was beautiful with the sun out and Clarion to leeward, and gorgeous blue water. I almost didn't want to start moving again. It's just nice to be on deck and feel how calm it can be in the ocean when you're not racing across it, throwing spray everywhere and bouncing around on deck or down below. I could do that for a cruise. Boat as an island, all sails down. In other news, my cellphone screen has gone completely black. it still turns on, because I can hear it talking when I squeeze buttons, but no visual. It's the only mobile device on board with solitaire, which has been a crutch for much of the Pacific. No snacks, books or solitaire now.  It's time to wrap this up. Upon arrival I have a place at St. Francis Yacht Club if I arrive prior to April 23rd. After that I must find another place to dock.
I'm looking for somewhere to keep Jzerro for up to a month while I go around the country and gather all of her cruising amenities, such as an engine and a bed, etc... Once gathered I'll drive back out to SF and move her to her permanent location where she will be listed for sale to the right owner, should they come forward. I just don't know where that permanent location is yet, and I don't want to jump into a marina contract days after arriving. I-10 Longitude anyone? As far as I can tell, middle of nowhere CA, past Blythe. "

Suggestion: Napa Valley Marina
https://www.napavalleymarina.com/
https://goo.gl/maps/tgVgcQnJENXo6e44A

• 12:37:30 PM PDT | 18.658970,-115.086336 | 2.64 NM / 0.5 hours = 5.3 knots | heading 305°
  
• 12:07:30 PM PDT | 18.633466,-115.048506 | 3.474 NM / 0.5 hours = 6.9 knots | heading 305°
  
• 11:37:30 AM PDT | 18.600315,-114.998423
  

https://www.windy.com/?19.389,-114.192,7,m:ecgacXu

Wind N 12 knots gusting to 18 knots, Waves NW 8 feet at 11 secs., Current flowing S 0.3 knots, Temp 71 F, Clouds 57%

 

[Sidecar]

“I'm looking for somewhere to keep Jzerro for up to a month while I go around the country and gather all of her cruising amenities, such as an engine and a bed, etc... Once gathered I'll drive back out to SF and move her to her permanent location where she will be listed for sale to the right owner, should they come forward.”

Hard act to follow after the previous owners?

 

[ProaSailor]

Ryan Finn
Apr 13, 2022   4:38:00 AM (PDT)
Speed: 10.19 mph    Course: NNW
Lat: 20.275376    Lon: -116.368003

Last half hour:

• 5:08:00 AM PDT | 20.324396,-116.401605 | 3.49 NM / 0.5 hours = 7 knots | heading 327°
  
• 4:38:00 AM PDT | 20.275376,-116.368003 | 3.5 NM / 0.5 hours = 7 knots | heading 333°
  
• 4:07:45 AM PDT | 20.223448,-116.339356
  

Great circle distance to San Francisco:  1,097 NM | heading 344°

https://www.windy.com/?24.667,-112.456,5,m:eeWacU6

Wind NNE 15 knots gusting to 19 knots, Waves NW 8 feet at 10 secs., Current flowing S 0.6 knots, Temp 67 F

Forecast: Wind increasing slightly this afternoon, similar conditions for the next two days.

NOTE: Ryan is at the same latitude as the Big Island, Hawaii.

 

[Ovakus]

Sailing Day 66 (Apr 13) 24 hr DMG to SF was 161 nm with DOG of 177 nm @ 7.4 knots of average boatspeed. Summary of the daily log attached.

View attachment NYC2SF 2022.docx

 

[Wess]

Hard act to follow after the previous owners?

You got that right.

Can't imagine there are many out there that could do right by that boat's design, build, and sailing history. 

But who knows.  Maybe some young couple picks her up and heads to the South Pacific.  Can't think of a better place for her to go. 

I have always found it hard to sell and let go of a boat that took good care of me/the family.  They grow on ya.  In one case I had to watch the next owner kill it.  That hurt...

 

[Mark Morwood]

Hard act to follow after the previous owners?

For us watchers maybe.  But all the previous owners seem to be humble enough that I'm guessing they'd be happy for the next owners to do whatever they liked with the boat as long as they enjoyed sailing it.

 

[ProaSailor]

Ryan Finn
Apr 13, 2022   3:11:30 PM (PDT)
Speed: 9.52 mph    Course: NW
Lat: 21.332241    Lon: -117.387565

• 3:11:30 PM PDT | 21.332241,-117.387565 | 4.037 NM / 0.5 hours = 8 knots | heading 317°
  
• 2:41:30 PM PDT | 21.282910,-117.338361 | 3.981 NM / 0.5 hours = 8 knots | heading 317°
  
• 2:11:30 PM PDT | 21.234223,-117.289910
  

To San Francisco: 1021 NM | heading 346°  (6.3 days at 6.7 knots VMG)

https://www.windy.com/?29.056,-121.509,5,m:egJacTu

Wind N 19 knots gusting to 24 knots, Waves N 8 feet at 9 secs., Current flowing S 0.3 knots, Temp 65 F, Clouds 43%



By the way, landing at the St. Francis YC will make it difficult for visitors to reach the boat since you have to go through the club to get to the docks.  Somewhere with public access might be better?

 

[ProaSailor]

Facebook post from Ryan: https://www.facebook.com/2oceans1rock/posts/464948432091315

"Yesterday was quite nice, last night, all night, was less so. Smashing away upwind in a short close sea state, with the wind direction oscillating 65 degrees between 335 and 40 compass, accompanied by lulls as low as 3 knots and gusts to 21, isn't my idea of pleasure sailing. Choosing a sail plan for that  scenario is a losing game. You're either way over powered in the gusts, laying the boat over hard on the leeward "pod" or underpowered in the lulls and not pointing well. I ended up sailing with the ama ballast nearly full and the mainsail reefed or even double reefed at times, until 5 am when things seemed to have stabilized enough to sail normally upwind. An awkward transition? Maybe, but the barometer remained stable the whole time.  I keep forgetting to mention this, but I am not the person managing my Facebook page. I just send these to an admin and they post them for me, so I cannot see people's messages or responses. So I'm not ignoring y'all, I just have to wait until landfall to respond. Weather ahead looks very complicated, so I'm no longer venturing to guess my arrival time. I'll wait to do that when the weather ahead is more set in stone. The models have been changing vastly from day to day for my final approach. I-10 Longitude! Just past Cathedral City, CA. What is that, like a cathedral dealership? It better be loaded with cathedrals when I drive through it."

 

[AnotherSailor]

By the way, landing at the St. Francis YC will make it difficult for visitors to reach the boat since you have to go through the club to get to the docks.  Somewhere with public access might be better?

Nope, the docks are on the other side. Through the club you get to the seawall right on the bay. Access to the docks is surprisingly public.

St. Fancy has other issues, but this is not one of them.

 

[unShirley]

A friend of mine pointed out on an aerial shot during the SailGP regatta that they have quit dredging the channel into StFYC.  Ryan may be the most competent sailor I have ever seen, but, I don't think he will be able to shunt in there.  Perhaps he has an RIB lined up to tug him in?