Stupidest Races
Hi Jim,
I have an E 35 Mk II. Its a 1971 and I've had her for 13 years now. My girl friend and I sailed her to Mexico From San Fransisco in 99, complete with bar-b-q, Dingy outboard, full livaboard stuff and a cat. By the way she was my home for the first seven years I had her.
The first time I took her out of the slip by my self meaning single handed, I just took her just outside the marina and then back to the slip. It was a graet feeling of achievement. I took baby steps single handing more and more from then on. There is a group in the SF area called the Single Handed Sailing Society SSS. They sponser about 7-8 races in and around the Bay each year. I decided I wanted to do the single handed Farallones race in April 97. The Farallones are 28 miles straight out the Golden Gate in the Gulf of the Farallones.
I did the race and won my non spinnaker division. I never thought I would win, it was my first time alone in the ocean. It really felt great to have done the race win or lose. I have done the race every year since and have never got first again, but it still feels great.
The SSS sponsers the Single Handed Transpac every other year.
In 2000 I did it and so did a vintage Ericson 32 called Bettina.
Niether of us got firts place but we sure had a time to remember.
The SSS puts on a series of seminars before each Trans Pac, These cover subjects such as : emergency steering, self steering, electrical systems, radio systems, medical, sails and rigging. weather, sleep managment and more. All usefull to more than just racers.
After sailing home in 2000 (with a friend on board ) I said I would never do it agian. But you know what, I am this comming June. Its just some thing you cant forget, the feeling of accomplishment.
This year it looks like there will be three E-35s. Two 30+ years old and one newer.
I invite you to take a look at the SSS websit @
www.sfbaysss.org
and go to the discussion forum. There is much to be learned there.
Single handing for long ocean crossings is dangerous, and I believe illegal. You cannot maintian a watch when you are asleep. But so is cruising with two onboard dangerous. You cant tell me that with two or even three people onboard some one is allways allert to whats out there, I've done it and thats not what hapends.
So please don't knock it if you havn't done it. And I know you havn't because you would feel differently.
Fair winds.
Phil