Trip log

03:55Z May 22, position:

21º 51’N 110º 49’W; 211º T at 6.5 knots; wind WNW at 14 SWELLS WNW at 10’ Clear, 1011mb

May 22,

07:25	Engine ON (TACH 940.4; Hobbs 418.8)
	Very rough night last night beating with winds up to 25 knots, seas to 12’ had the Genoa partly furled and the staysail down. The main was up all the way. The boat handle very well the overpowering conditions doing 6 to 7 knots. This morning we have rough seas with lighter winds 13 to 15 knots. Seas to 12’ and confused – it is like a washing machine!
08:55	Engine OFF (TACH 941.9)
09:10	More comfortable now. Wind WNW at 14 and seas to 8’ – I am going to trim the sails.
10:45	Main and staysail are up all the way. Genoa furled 30% doing 7.5 knots in comfort!
19:00	Took two reefs on the main – Engine ON
20:20	Engine OFF – seas very confused an 15 knots of wind
	03:40Z May 23, position: 20º 58’N 112º 50’W; 240º T at 3.0 knots wind NW at 10 Seas confused NW 6-8’; 50% clouds, 1,012 mb

May 23,

07:00	Engine ON for fridge – good sailing morning doing 6 to 8 knots
13:00	The pin holding the Genoa’s down hold, broke
14:00	Pin repaired and back to doing 7 to 8 knots
	Repairing the pin in the bow of the boat was sort of fun. The bow would go up and down and the waves would hit at every down swing. I got dredged! anyway, it was actually fun! - Getting wet by the ocean while working on getting the gib fixed. It was not cold. It gets cold at night.
18:45	Engine ON (Tach 945.2 Hobbs: 423.5) very light wind (less than 10 knots)
	Engine OFF (TACH 947.2)
	03:30Z May 24, position:
	20º 54’N 115º W; 261º T at 4 knots Wind: NW at 10 to 12 kts. Seas NE at 1’ 100% clouds; 1,013 mb

NOTES: Well, had to motor just about all the way from San Carlos to Cabo San Lucas - Made a 2am approach - interesting approach light system, just like with the airplanes... Anchored at the entrance and in the morning went in for fuel - burned 71 gallons in 71 hours at 1100 to 1200 RPM - that makes it easy! - Departed Cabo at 8:30am. The seas were 6 to 8 feet and the wind out of the West at 15 to 20 - I had the main and staysail up and was doing 6 knots for a while then seas increases and I saw the wind hit up to 25 knots - another boat reported gusts to 30 knots - Renegade handle very well and we were beating doing 7 knots - some times a bit more. But it became the washing machine and I had to change course for a more comfortable ride, however, I’m East of my desired position. At 21 degrees of latitude, I was cold last night - I am not sure what I am going to do when I get up north. Well, the ride is more comfortable now, doing 5 knots in moderate seas - 8 to 10 feet, the wind is 13 knots out of the NNW.

May 24, The indicated boat time is actually Pacific Standard Time

06:00	Engine ON Tach 947.2 Hobbs 425.5
	Last night was a nice sailing night with small seas and 10 to 12 knots wind. The boat doing 5 to 6 knots with the main and staysail up – I went to bed from 9pm to midnight, then, after taking a look outside, I slept another three hours, got up again and all was well so I went to bed for another three hours! – I needed the rest - I had the radar on with the alarm set to 8 miles so it would warned me if there is a ship within 8 miles of Renegade. Also, I had the autopilot remote control right next to my head while in bed and if it gets off for any reason, it would beep, so I did sleep well. The night was very nice, smooth sailing with the main and the staysail doing about 6 knots the whole time!
	The wind instrument that I installed in San Carlos is not working. I can't make it calibrate so it has been going in circles since we left. I checked my connections over and over...maybe something is interfering with its signal.. I don't want to even bother with it. The rest of the systems are working fine.
	Sailing at about 7 knots in 12 or 13 knots of wind! – very nice and smooth sailing
	03:30Z May 25, position: 21º 04’N 117º 30’W; 280º T at 7 kts; Wind: NW at 10-12 knots Seas NW at 2-3’; 60% clouds; 1,014 mb

May 25,

06:00	Engine ON (TACH 950.0) - Sailed all night with all sails up doing about 6 knots
	Yesterday, the fridge did not show any cooling after running for 1 hour. The compressor was not working indicating high side pressure close to 300. The system was emptied of gas and this morning evacuated for about 1 hour – no leaks – then charged. The initial charge was 20 minutes ago. The system still has some bubbles but I am going to wait until the plates are cold before I add any more Freon. The high side shows about 100 psi.
09:50	Engine OFF (TACH 954.4) - Batteries are charged and fridge is working
	Compressor running at 800 or 1000 engine RPM. Low side –20 psi; high side 200 psi, increasing from 150 psi. There is no cold on the low(suction) side (it used to get very cold). However, the cold plate is frozen… I think the compressor stopped working… high side 215 psi. No bubbles. After shut down the engine, the low and high sides maintained the same pressure. I took all the food out and put it in the portable fridge and the icemaker.
	So far my weather information is ok. Except that I am not getting weather faxes. I get the GRIB (three day forecast) wind files daily, which are pretty much in agreement with what I am getting actually.
	My plan is to continue westward to about 21N 120W then up to 25N 130W (about 600nm), from there to about 35N 140W (that is an 800nm leg, then North to 40N 140W and then pretty much straight to San Juan de Fuca 40.5N 125W (another 800 nm plus) then to Victoria. I modify my heading according to actual winds and used forecast to plan ahead - so far is working just as planned.
	I planned that way by using the pilot charts for May-June. Also, the program Visual Planner helped me determine that general navigation plan. Also, I wanted to get further West than most people do on the clipper route so I can go to sleep at night and not worry too much about traffic. Last night, it was great, all sails up, almost full moon, doing 7 knots in 2-3 feet swells. Can't get much better - comfort and speed.
	03:30Z May 26; Pos: 21º 08’N 120º 08’W; 281º T at 5 kts. Wind NW at 10 seas NW at less than 1m. 60% Clouds, 1,016 mb

May 26,

02:00	Nice morning, wind less than 5 knots, Engine ON
	Hurricane ALMA is at 10ºN 107ºW going W at 8 knots. Winds are 50 knots at 50 miles from the center
	03:30Z May 27, POS: 21º 44’º 122º 07’W; 300º T at 5 kts. Wind NW at 5 kts, Seas CALM; 90% clouds; 1,017 mb

May 27,

06:00	Motored all night – no wind
07:00	Wind NW at 12 to 14 kts. Boat 281º T at 6.5 knots
14:00	No wind. Engine ON
15:00	Sailing again – Closed hauled at 6.6 knots
	03:40Z May 28 POS: 22º 32’N 123º 54’W; 310º at 5.5 kts. Wind N@10 kts; Seas N@2’ 90% CC 1017

May 28,

03:45	I covered the galley sinks with a hose going from one drain to the other (same hose). I secure it with duck tape and all was ok. Last night, the supports came off and flooded the galley. All is clean now.
12:30	Under sail most of the day doing 7-8 knots. POS 23º 32’N 125º 29’W. 1,331nm logged!
	01:00Z SHIP 16C Ed of “siesta” (el es cubano) WCO4907; Don of “summer passage” WBH476 They are helping a few boats on their way to Hawaii Hurricane ALMA is at 12ºN 114ºW moving W NW at 10 kts
	03:30Z May 29, POS: 23º 54’N 126º 09’W; 290º T at 8 kts. Wind N at 20kts Seas NW 3’ 100% CC 1,018 mb

May 29,

04:00	Engine ON
06:50	Sent position report: 24º 28’N 127º 09W (1442nm logged)
11:00	ALMA at 14º N 115º W
	03:30Z May 30 POS: 25º 08’N 128º 23’W 290º to 295º at 7 kts. Wind N 15 to 20 kts SEAS N 3’ to 6’ 80% CC 1016 mb
	Right know Renegade is doing 7 to 8 knots in 23 knots of wind - all sails out - I hope this continues for another week at least - I rather have the light winds since we make more progress in comfort.
	I get to take many short naps - I do not expect any heavy weather but if and when it comes, I will deal with the problem then. I turn on the radar alarm on 8 miles and with the almost full moon, I have been getting plenty of sleep right on the cockpit.

May 30,

04:30	Checked Xmission oil – added some – Engine ON charging batteries. Going 310ºT 4.5 kts.
06:31	Watermaker ON
08:30	Watermaker OFF
10:00	Engine OFF (TACH 986.5)
	03:30Z May 31, POS: 26º 33’N 130º 08’W; 320ºT-330ºT at 5 kts. Wind N at 15 kts, Seas N at 6’-8’ confused 100% clouds 1,016mb

May 31,

06:00	Run engine to charge batteries for 1 hour – TACH now is 988.5
	Email to friends: …for some reason, I can't make my weather fax programs to work - I have 2 - but I guess I don't know how to use either one. Anyway, the last couple of days have been a little wild - felt like I was on a backing horse at times - my boat is not very water tight and I am getting leaks here and there - not a real problem but a pain. The anchor locker drain hole gets the full force of the waves and water gets in there and I am finding it in the floor of the forward cabin. Also, the large hatch in the front has a leaky handle which drips all the time - I am thinking I should be going south... but maybe going north will help me find ALL the leaks so I can then fix them - I really want a dry boat - is there such a thing?…. I never asked anyone what was the best route to take to go up north so I used the pilot charts and a couple of navigation programs. I selected what was the best wind compromise for the shortest route. My plan is to continue NW until about 35N and about 137W. From there I would motor to 40N and then straight to Vancouver. However, there is this guy name Don on the boat Summer Passage. His call sign is N6HG. He gives weather info to the different nets and he is telling me that I should not go further than 135W but to tack to the NE, towards San Diego for a day and then to tack back to the NW for another day and so on... He said that is the way most people do it. He was kind of surprise that I went so far West before turning NW, but I tell you that so far, my plotted course is right on the money with my planned course - from the start - perhaps the pilot charts are better than many think! If the winds make sense to me for my intended course, I will tack as long as I make Northward progress.
	03:30Z June 1 POS: 28º 12’N 131º 29’W; 310ºT at 5 kts Wind N at 15 SEAS N at 8’; 70% CC 1018 mb– logged 1777nm
	…I had about 20 knots "on the nose" (airplane talk) all day - pounding a little less since I took the gib down - now doing about 4 - 5 knots. The waves are from N NW to N NE and the wind is mostly N. The autopilot does not like this type of sailing so I turned it of and trimmed the staysail and main so it maintains a steady course - I also locked the wheel on that course - it is interesting how the boat goes to weather on the gusts and then it backs off as the sail lose power...What I don't like is the pounding - but I want to keep this course - around 320 degrees true now - Hey thanks for the "reinforcement" on my navigation. I do believe on statistical weather data - However, I don't have that much experience in this kind of offshore sailing - I am adjusting to the wind changes as we go keeping in my overall sailplan. The GRIB wind files that I get via email agree with your info regarding the location of the HIGH as well as the wind intensity. However, the same GRIB files show wind of only 10 knots where I am right now but I am in 20 knots with gusts to 25. As long as it continues from the N NE we are ok - I hope to make it to 35N lat and 135W - 138W in a few days, then I will drive North to 40N even if I have to motor.

June 1,

04:45	Low Battery Engine ON to charge. Turned off icemaker, autopilot, inverter, etc
	… making progress as we beat into the wind at about 6 knots average. This is a bumpy ride. For three days now, the waves have been very confused from the NW to the NE with winds from 10 knots to 25 knots from the same directions. The pin holding one of the main sail sheet blocks busted this morning. Got it fixed right away because the sheet going from the traveler to the winch was putting pressure on one of the tie down of the center cockpit awning. Not a big deal. The big deal is that having 8 to 12 feet waves for three days, water is finding many ways to get into Renegade. One of these places, I think, is the drain whole on the anchor locker - anyway, also the front hatch handle leaks as well as a little water gets in now and then via the mast. The front cabin - aft of the V berth - has some water on the floor – this, I think, is from the anchor locker - The salon is fairly dry unless we hit a big one and then one of the windows drips a little. The aft is dry.
	Having the autopilot working all the time as well as all the other electrical devices is hard on the batteries. I run the motor one hour in the morning and in the eve but that is not sufficient to keep the batteries charged - rather than increasing the motor runs, I decided to shut down the inverter.
05:23	Position 28º 49’N 132º 10’W – heading 320º T at 6.5 kts. Under power (1000 rpm) logged 1828nm
	03:30Z June 2, Pos: 30º 01’N 133º 08’W; 315ºT 7.5 kts Wind N at 15, SEAS N at 8’ 50% CC 1022mb

June 2,

06:00	Run engine all night and continuing. We are about 2 days from 35N 138W and there we should have winds from the SW… the HIGH is moving East of our track
	I received the latest Wind forecast and it shows that the Pacific High Pressure Center is moving to the East of our track and in a couple of days the winds will be SW at 35N 138W so I decided to motor-sail so we can take this window and have a good run from 35N to 40N - after 40N, we should continue with SW winds and/or pick up the westerlies so it should be a straight shot to Victoria - I am guessing that we could be there June 13 - mas o menos. Current position is 31N 134.4W, speed is 6+ knots with a true course of 320.
11:00	Watermaker ON – air pressure 1,025 mb wind 5 kts ENE
	Ed from “siesta” lives in Marathon (the Florida Keys)
	03:30Z June 3; POS: 32º00’N 135º 13’W heading 320º T at 7 kts – Wind NE at 5 kts; SEAS NE 2’ Clear, 1025mb

June 3,

06:30	No wind all night – smooth motoring – we are crossing the “shipping lanes”
07:00	= 15:00Z Position 32º 58’N 136º05’W 320ºT at 6 kts. No clouds, 1016 mb
08:00	Fuel estimate: Full in Cabo TACH 937.6 (Hobbs 415.6) Today, TACH 1034.5 (Hobbs 511.6) Tachometer and Hobbs indicate 97 gallons used. Usable fuel is 160 gals – 97 = 63 gals + 20 gals in jerry cans = 83 gals left. Fuel flow meter shows 102 used gallons Usable fuel is 160 gal – 102 = 58 + 20 gal in jerry cans = 78 gals
	03:30Z June 4, POS: 33º 54’N 136º 42’W; 325ºT at 5.5 kts. Wind W at 10 kts, 1028 mb

June 4,

08:00	Engine OFF TACH 1058.6; HOBBS 535.4 Position 35º 12.6’N 136º 46.5’W 360º T at 6 kts Wind W at 10 pressure 1028mb

	03:30Z June 5 POS:36º 19’N 136º 49’W 360º T at 7 Knots wind WNW at 12 kts SEAS W at 3’ 100% clouds 1028 mb in fog and light precipitation

June 5,

01:00	Engine ON TACH 1058.6 Hobbs 535.4
	Engine OFF TACH 1060.1 Hobbs 536.9
07:00	The wind has been from the N at 15 to 20 kts for most of the night – BAR at 1030.5 now
	Tacked twice. Current position is 37 08’N 136 52’W doing 3 kts on a 325 T course.
	The forecast indicates that the wind will veer to the NE sometime today
10:00	The BAR is now 1032 mb
13:30	The BAR is now 1033.5 mb
	03:30Z June 6, POS: 38º 05’N 137º 24’W 330ºT at 5 kts. Wind N NE at 12 SEAS NNE 3’ CLEAR, 1033mb
22:00	BAR at 1034 mb Wind NE 10-12 kts

June 6,

02:30	Engine ON, TACH 1060.1
	The engine has been fluctuating RPM on its own all day. I think it is fuel related. Either dirty fuel or contaminated fuel
17:08	Engine off for a few minutes. Moving N at 2.5 kts in 6 kts of wind from the NE. Waiting for wind.
	03:30Z June 7 POS: 40º 06’N 137º 56’W heading 345ºT at 4 kts Wind NE at 8 kts SEAS NW at 3’ 20% CC 1033 mb

June 7,

06:00	Sailed 33 miles in the last 12 hours. The wind should pick up later today.The pressure started to come down. It is now 1032 mb Wind is E at 5 kts. Position 40 33’N 138 00’W going 351 T at 3 kts
06:30	Engine ON TACH 1074.9 Hobbs 551.5
07:30	Engine OFF TACH 1076.0
10:00	Doing about 4 kts WING on WING set up. Had to rolled the Genoa a bit because the winds are very light – 5 kts. Position now 40 46’N 138 02’W the log shows 2,644nm traveled
13:30	Heading 021 deg T at 6 kts. Wind E SE at 10. Very nice sailing conditions
	03:30Z June 8 POS: 41º 25’N 137º 47’W; Heading 030ºT at 5 knots. Wind SE at 10 SEAS SE 3’ 1032mb

June 8,

08:00	Had a very nice run last night with a WING on WING set up in light winds averaging 5 kts.
	Position now 42 08’N 136 59’W heading 036T at 5.5 kts. Logged 2,743 nm
	It is cloudy, the BAR is 1033mb up 1 again. The HIGH is forecast to move E SE later today
16:00	BAR 1034 wind from SW 5 to 8 kts. Heading 45 deg. At 4 kts
18:00	Engine ON TACH 1076
18:50	Engine OFF TACH 1077.1 HOBBS 553.6
19:00	BAR 1034 wind from SW at less than 5 kts
	03:30Z June 9, POS: 42º 40’N 136º09’W heading 052º at 2 kts. Wind SW at 3 kts SEAS SW at 1’ – clam seas. Clear skies and 1034 mb
	06:00Z BAR 1034mb pointing NE at 2 kts

June 9,

07:00	(15:00Z) still no wind
17:30	Wind picked up – 20 to 25 kts from the NW – it is a very fresh wind
	Engine ON to take a reef TACH 1077.1
18:00	Fresh wind still 20-25 kts - Took another reef on the main, and took the Genoa and stay sails down.
	Charging batteries
	POS 43 34’N 134 43’W 052T at 5 kts – Wind out of the N NW now
	Engine off TACH 1078.0
	Staysail UP – doing 5.5 kts now.
19:00	Wind veering. Now out of the N at 20-25 kts
	03:30Z June 10 POS: 43º 40’N 134º 34’W heading 050ºT at 5.5 kts to 6 kts. Wind N at 20-25 kts SEAS confused N NW 4’ to 6’. 100% CC BAR 1030 mb
22:00	Wind 20-25 gusting 28 kts. Heading 051T at 5 to 6 kts. BAR 1031 mb
	Very close hauled – the wind is about 45 to 50 from the bow. Staysail is up and 2 reefs on the main
	06:01Z: 43º49’N 134º19’W miles logged: 2,890 – miles to go: 548
23:05	(07:05Z) Wind continues 20-25 with gusts 27-28 kts. Heading 051T doing 5-6 kts

June 10,

01:05	Wind N 20-25 gusts to 30 kts. Heading 050T @ 5 kts
01:10	POS 44N 133.59W; Wind 25-30 gusting 34 kts
02:30	I had to lower the staysail. It is too windy. Now going at about 4-5 kts
04:50	Had to hand steer for most of the night. The waves are large and the autopilot gets confuse. Wind continues at 25 gusting 30 kts
07:00	POS 44 11’N 133 29’W Heading 65T at 4 kts. Wind N at 25; waves at 12’ from the NW, from the N and NNE. Very confused but mostly from NW and N
	03:40Z June 11 POS: 44º 31’N 132º 05’W Heading 070º T at 5 kts Wind N 25-30 SEAS N NW 8 to 12’ 100% CC BAR 1027mb

June 11,

	Determined that with these winds we are not going to make it to the Straight of Juan de Fuca
	Decided to head for Newport, Oregon
	Called and advised the Coast Guard of the change in destination. Amazing that we could talk in VHF so far away
	03:40Z June 12 POS: 44º 58’N 129º 16’W Heading 090º T at 6.5 kts Wind N 24-32 SEAS N 10 to 15’ confused 50% CC BAR 1022mb

June 12,

	03:30Z June 13 POS: 44º 40’N 126º 12’W Heading 090º T at 6 kts
	Maintaining radio watch with the Coast Guard - checking every hour
23:00	The wind died at around 11pm. Told the Coast Guard that I was going to sleep until the wind comes up

June 13,

07:00	Slept until about 6:45, calm all night. The wind is blowing at about 15 knots out of the South
	Called the Coast Guard and advised them that my engine was not working and that I may need a tow from the entrance of Newport
08:45	The wind is about 25 knots out of the South but the seas are flat - doing about 7 to 8 knots
11:00	Doing about 9.5 knots for over 1 hour the Genoa leach separated from the rest of the sail. Collected all the parts and rolled the rest.
03:30	Arrived at Newport, OR. Got tow from CG to the fuel dock – the engine would not start.
	The Coast Guard did a fantastic job with the tow. Upon arrival at the fuel dock my friends Gary and Elise were there, what a surprise! They had been following my progress via YOTREPS and decided to meet me when they saw that I was headed for Newport, OR. After tying up to the dock, a different Coast Guard boat came to inspect Renegade. They found everything properly. After that, we went to dinner and returned to Renegade for a well deserved rest.

June 14,

	The engine problem was the electric fuel pump that I installed a few years ago failed and sent junk up to the primary fuel filter clogging it. After removing the pump and changing the fuel filter, the Perkins perked like always. The fuel in the tanks was checked for contamination and there was none.
	Refueled with 122.4 gallons of diesel. Fuel used since Cabo 122.4 + 20 = 146.4 gals
	Newport TACH is 1089.2 Hobbs is 565.0
	Used 151.7 hours of engine (TACH) time or 149.4 Hobbs hours
	146.4 gallons used in 151 hours or approximately 1 gallon per hour
	Had 170 gallons usable fuel – 122.4 gallons used = 47.6 gallons left

June 16,

08:00	(16:00Z) Departed from Newport
09:00	Motor sailing

June 17

07:00	Engine OFF TACH 1112.4
07:12	46 57.4’N 124 48.1’W heading N at 7 kts. Wind S SE at 15-20 kts in rain

18:40	Arrived at Neah Bay in the eve. Spent the night anchored there.

June 18

08:30	Departed for Victoria
16:00	Arrived at Victoria in the afternoon.

June 20,

08:30	Departed Victoria for Vancouver
20:00	Arrived at Vancouver. Anchored downtown but had to move because too close to other boats. Rafted to another boat.

June 25

07:00	Engine ON
07:30	Left Vancouver
03:30	Arrived at Semiahmoo Marina

05:45	Engine start time TACH 875.0 hours
06:30	Underway, position: 27º 55.6N 111º 03.25W performed wind instrument calibration –
	NOTE wind instrument doesn't appear to work properly
09:25	Water maker ON – Unpressurized – small intake 5micron filter leak –
11:00	Leak problem corrected - Watermaker pressurized – discarding water
12:00	Making water - Made about 25 gallons of water
	Departed this morning with calm seas. No wind all day. Motoring for the last 10 hours.
	Seafarer’s net: 14.131 MHz and 14.300 MHz.
	Yotreps Report 03:55Z May 19, Position:
	26º 56’N 110º 40’W; 160º T at 6.4 knots Wind SE at 2, swells SE at 1m clouds: clear, bar: 1,008mb

03:10	Engine accelerated to 1,500 RPM by itself, upon power reduction, engine quit
	No external visual causes are evident and none of the alarms sounded.
	Changed the 30micron RACOR filter.
	Also, changed the plug on the bottom of the other RACOR filter because it was leaking (not in use at the time)
	Purged engine and started OK
	Engine working fine – Packing gland dripping ok
	Yotreps Report 04:00Z May 20, position:
	24º 56’N 109º 52’W; 160º T 6 knots Wind SSE at 10 SWELLS S at 1m 50% clouds 1,010mb

03:30	Anchored in front of Cabot San Lucas entrance
06:30	Arrived at Cabo San Lucas at 2am in the morning – I made an “instrument approach” using the approach light system.
	I anchored at the entrance of the marinas and waited until the morning. There is a large powerboat with a Helicopter on the stern, anchored next to me. I slept well even having lots of noise from the large yacht.
	When I awoke at 6am, there were about 100 sport fishing boats surrounding Renegade ready to go to a tournament - what a seen!
	The anchor was stuck and had to drive the boat back and forth a few times. Got the anchor to release by 7:30 am and went to fuel dock.
	REFUELING: TACH 937.5; put in 269 liters of Diesel – 71.13 gallons
	Fuel used: 71.13 gallons in 71 TACH time hours at 1100 to 1200 RPM or 1 gallon per hour
08:30	Departed Cabo San Lucas