Oregon Offshore 2014

It's that time of year again...Oregon Offshore.  Travis is currently en route from Victoria to Astoria, and the race starts later this week from Astoria.  Here's Travis' current update:

Travis - 22:00 May 3, 2014 - Just off Victoria BC

The trip down to Astoria started with a sunny "delivery" style commute to Victoria on Friday.  Leaving the dock in Vancouver at 9:30am was a great change from our original plan of a 5am departure.  We spend a fun night in Victoria, RVicYG.  Leaving RVYC at 8:50pm, we have started out to Astoria.  As usual, the weather has not materialized as forecasted and we are motoring towards Race Rocks as I type this.  With the delayed travel, Jason and Mackenzie were unable to make the trip, so we are at 5 currently on board.  The group has been fantastic.  Eric, found on the VicMaui crew bank, has been a fantastic find and has fit in exceptionally well with the group.  Hopefully we get some wind as I know everyone will be frustrated with continued motoring for the next 36 hours if it does not build.

It is typical boating as we leave the dock this evening.  The steering light is really dim and needs to be replaced at our earliest option, the starboard steering wheel has a slight squeak to it that needs tending to - hopefully we can resolve it in the light of day tomorrow.

That is all for now, but many more email updates to come as we have systems to test :)

Hanging out with Helly Hansen!

So we all needed foul weather gear, and the wonderful team at our local Helly Hansen store in Vancouver offered to host us for a private fitting!  What better way to spend a Monday evening than to gather downtown at the HH store!  They did say they'd provide some snacks and beverages, but in true Turnagain spirit we didn't want to show up empty handed or ill-prepared.  So off we went, cooler in tow :)

Darin and Travis with the cooler....turns out HH was already well stocked :)

The HH team was absolutely awesome...so friendly and helpful.  We had a great time (and by great time I mean we donned black base layers and tried out our ninja moves around the store) and outfitted ourselves in *matching* everything we could need :)  The guys settled on Salt Jackets (in Cobalt), Crew Midlayer Jacket (also in Cobalt, my personal favourite), and some handsome Coastal Trousers, plus base layers.  We can't wait for our gear to get shipped, and look forward to taking Leo (store manager), Kriz (who organized the evening), and the rest of the HH team out for a sail on Turnagain when the weather gets a bit nicer.

Group picture

Have crew and cooler?  Will travel.

Vic-Maui 2014 is coming full steam right at us

Vic-Maui 2014 is coming full steam right at us.  

Steve C and I have recently finished our Marine First Aid and boat documentation is coming together with many items getting checked off the to-do list.  The return crew is looking like it has rounded out to four currently with a possible 5^th coming, which has been a HUGE relief to finalize.  Jason and I have been working with Expedition on the PC and gathering weather data in efforts to have the process down to easy methods once we move offshore.  Darin and Steve C have been working through the meal planner and are getting a great document together that should prove helpful in future events and passages. 

Systems on the boat are continuously being tested and improved and final alternate systems are being installed. The Sat phone has just been installed, and alternate steering (drogue and bridal system) has been rigged and tested with a possibility of an upgrade to a vane system as well.

On the sailing front, the family went away for Family Day weekend to Elliott Bay. The weather was perfect, -5 to +10 ish and clear for the majority of the weekend.  It's a different experience to be there in the winter, with few boats around.  We were joined by Scott and Talia, but that's it.  The waterfall and meadow creek were both frozen so the kids took full advantage of slip-and-sliding down the ice.  We had a great time finding our own paths through the forest, collecting icicles, and roasting marshmallows in the cottage.  The boat was flawless in its functioning and it was great to have the time with the family.

This is February?

Turnagain...lone boat at the dock

Lower winter sun through the forest

Princess Sylvia of the forest

Icy slip-and-slide!

Tag you're it!

Roasting marshmallows

Breaking up the ice with broomsticks

Frozen Elliott Bay

Racing on Contagious has been good with mixed results, but a TON of fun.  There is some new video to edit (take out all the embarrassing mistakes made by the bow guy – ME!!) and I am starting to put together a complete series compilation for the video. 

Racing....not sure who to give this photo credit to!

Racing update - new PHRF rating.

We got our updated PHRF NW rating with the new big spinnaker.  Down from 105-99.  This does seem like quite a change, but the new kite does wonders downwind.  We can sail it a lot deeper and it should be a great addition to the Maui trip.

We are looking to add a Code-0 or another small kite before our trip.

New Logo

As you may have noticed, Turnagain has gotten itself a logo.  We have changed the top of the blog page,and will be getting swag ready in the coming months.  We found a great designer using 99designs and Catharine lead the charge.  We have a couple of options with the logo and will be putting different parts on different items (paperwork, hats, t-shirts etc).

Long Overdue Update

After sailing in the Swiftsure 2013 Light Ship Classic race from May 24-27 weekend, it was time to setup the boat for summer family cruising. The Swiftsure was a very light wind race, with much of the fleet not finishing the race.  After a trying trip out to the mark, the wind did pickup for the next 4-6 hours and allowed us to make it down towards Race Rocks before turning off again.  The crew stuck it out until there was absolutely no way for us to finish the race in the allotted time.  We called in and retired from the race about 4 miles west of Race Rocks.  Returning to Victoria, we cleaned up, dropped off crew  then Declan, Steve C and I started out for Vancouver. The wind came up to about 18kts from the south east and gave us great sailing almost out to Active Pass. After this the wind dropped and we motored the rest of the way.

Turnagain in Prideaux Haven

The summer consisted of many great days on the boat with the family. We got a couple of weeks in the early summer heat of July and made our way up to Desolation Sound. 

Anchored in Pendrell Sound

There were days in Pendrell Sound, Squirrel Cove, and Prideaux Haven with swimming, crabbing and exploring around. 

Sunset in Buccaneer Bay

Our next extended trip on the boat was mostly spent on the Sunshine Coast and Hornby Island.  There was the weekend in Secret Cove with the Sacre’s and Marchand’s, then three or four days in Buccaneer Bay with all of our GREAT friends there.  

Goofing around with SUPs

Morning Cocktails with friends

Travis and Steve

Then off to Hornby for 3 or 4 days with a surprise visit from Grandma and Grandpa in the Chris Craft. 

Sylvia catching jellies

Catharine up the mast

After Hornby, a quick night or two in Pender Harbour before heading back down to Secret Cove for another night.  We then wrapped up the holiday anchored in Buccaneer Bay.

Sylvia and Keelan at the Rendezvous

There were many weekend trips before, in between and after these extended trips which included the Beneteau Rendevouz at Thetis, Buccaneer Bay Sports day, Elliott Bay among others.

Callum at the Rendezvous, Thetis

Elliott Bay

Once the summer was wrapped up, it was time to start removing “family” gear and making the very long final push to VicMaui 2014.  We have stripped the bottom paint and repainted with VC Offshore, made changes to the SSB system, worked on routing software, made arrangements for “racing” cushions and had a few chances to have most of the crew out on the boat for some practicing.  The crew has not been finalized, but everyone is keen and eager to participate in the event.  Crew selection for the return trip looks to be more of a challenge, with currently only having one additional crew member having signed on. I hope to have 4-5 total for the return.

I hope to make more posts through the winter leading up to the VM and the prep races. As always, please check out our YouTube channel (turnagain50) for some videos of the boat and some of the family.  More will be posted as I edit and get them ready.

Travis

Overnight Sail

After some team gatherings in early October, we were able to plan an overnight practice session on Turnagain.  The night.. November 29.  The crew. Jason, Darin, Steve T, Declan, Karl, Ty, Dave (from the returning crew).  Steve C was unable to make it due to illness and Adam M had some family things to tend to.

 We finally all met at the Pier 7 dock in north van at 7:30 and promptly left for the night. Winds were forecast to build, but it did not look promising.  We motored out to about 2 miles west of Pt. Grey  bell buoy and had enough of a south east wind to start sailing. With the 140 Genoa and main, we reached across the straight for mid Gabriola Island. Half way across the wind had built to a steady 12-15 SE and we were running the lines for a spinnaker hoist.  The plan was to hoist the A3/4 with the forecasted 18-20Kt SE expected.  As we ran the lines and prepared for the hoist, the galley was busy preparing dinner.  We hoisted the spinnaker and beared off slightly to a 120 degree apparent wind angle in 10-14kts of wind.  Once the wind appeared to be building as forecast, the course was set for a “round Sangster” route.  Shortly after setting the spinnaker, a FANTASTIC lasagna (well… 3) was reheated and dished out with everyone stuffing themselves.   

The food was also a practice run for the big trip in July as we need to work on portions and prepared meals with enough healthy parts to keep us going. 

By 11 pm, the wind was steady 18 gusting up to 22-25 and the boat was rocking down to Sangster. With this kite up, the boat can do about 160 apparent if the wind is up to 20 ish kts and we were able to make great tracks towards our mark.  All crew had time on the wheel (except me, as I am hoping to get everyone very familiar with the boat before we head out for something more significant ;)).  By midnight the wind was steady over 20-22 and regularly gusting to 25 and a swell was starting to build. With Ty at the wheel and discussion of what to do if the boat starts to get over powered, Turnagain experienced its first “wipeout”.  We won’t hold this against Ty for too long, but after 7000 miles in not always calm conditions, it does take a certain skill to make this happen.  We douced the kite and sailed under white sails the rest of the way down wind to Sangster. At approximately 2:30 am, we rounded Sangster after picking our way through the reef waters and started to beat our way back up to Vancouver. The boat was doing well, although pounding a bit into the seas that had built.  

The group was fantastic and everyone did their part. We figured out a few short comings of the boat and of procedures, but things are coming together.  

I am looking forward to our next practice (unscheduled, but hopefully late January at the latest) and working with this group to get a machine running for the VicMaui 2014. 

Travis