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Mutiny at Dawn - Transpac Race 2013

253K views 1K replies 138 participants last post by  chall03 
#1 ·
My crewing/captaining luck finally ran out on me, I was shaken but not broken. I need reinvent my luck to continue to sail the great ocean ours.

Here is my daily log while on board a 2002 Jeanneau 43 DS on on route from Long Beach, CA to Diamond Head, Honolulu, HI during the 2013 Transpac Race.

I changed the names of the people involved for now.

Me - rockDawg or RD. as on-board navigator
Jake – Near coastal USCG licensed Captain. Serve as a crew.
Harry - Skipper/Owner – A Japanese national owns a Sushi Restaurant in LA, long time old traditional sailor, but no off shore or long passage experience. Serve as a skipper
Jane – Partner of Harry, co-owner of the Sushi Restaurant. Has no sailing experience. Serve a watch crew as needed
Sheryl – Mother of Jane, 86 yo. No official duty.
Jeanneau 43 – Corporation owned sailing vessel

==========================
Arrived LAX Friday July 5.
Skipper Harry picked us up at the airport. He looks older than his age and on a heavy side, but nevertheless, a kind and humble gentleman. A number of close calls on the way to the marina, he veered off into other lanes on the highway a few times. I hope Harry sails better than he drives, :) but I did not say anything and just sat quietly so he could concentrate on the road.
When we got the marina, Harry had a hard time to find a parking space. Coming from as an exNYC cabbie, he does not how to drive. We were late for the 'First Time Racer' party. The kitchen at the yacht club was closed but Jane, Harry's business partner bribed the kitchen, and they made us a chicken sandwich for each of us. Actually I would have preferred go to Sam Woo to dinner. Oh well, the guests did not have the choice.

-Day 2, Sat, July 6
Clear sunny sky in Long Beach. Oh boy, I really have a hard time understanding Harry's English. We need to develop some sign language. He apologized to us all the time about his language , but this is ridiculous. He has been in this Country for 16 years……hahaha. We leave his marina and head to Long beach. He had me on the helm until we entered Long Beach since I have no idea when I am going. At time I have to rely on my iPhone. His chart plotter on the helm sucks, it is B/W and the screen has no contrast, impossible to read. We moved the boat to Pine Ave Pier, where the race official marina was.

There were other boats there on the pier. Because of space we were docked stern in with dropping anchor at bow. I was not able to convey my idea to Harry, so I drew pictures to show him my suggestion. He agreed and we docked successfully.

I saw lots of big boy toys in the race with professional crews. Our Jeanneau 43 just did not fit in the race. But whet the hell, we are here.
We had the skipper meeting in the late afternoon. I recorded the meeting so that I wouldn’t miss anything. I had zero local knowledge and was not familiar with the local names, so it was hard for me to follow what they were saying without a chart/map.

Obviously the meeting was not geared towards newbies like us. After the meeting was the party. Good food and good entertainment but one has to buy your own drinks in the party. Jake bought me a coke for the evening.

-Day 1, Sunday, July 7:
A bit disorganized, lots of things to do were found not done. We tried to help as much as we could. I found out the provisioning was not done as planned. Sat phone and other safety equipment not installed done. Harry refused to buy a pair jack lines from West Marine. He insisted to use an old 3/8” round sheeting rope. Some of the re-inspection from the race committee was not just a joke. Just a check in the box deal. Totally unfocused, Jane hauled in a wind generator she obtained from eBay and asked me to install for the trip. Are you serious? I asked in my head.

We canceled our trial spinnaker run with Sam of Norht Sail in San Diego because Harry needed to go shopping for our food. Sam was a 17-time TransPac veteran. It was good that I could at least meet him in person. I tried to pick his brain as much as I could for the race. He gave me a lot of local knowledge. Jake and I wrote down as much as we could. I felt much better as I had sometime to study the chart and the weather report. It seemed to all come together well and scientifically made sense to follow the 1020 isobar.

Rocky start at the top: not sure what was going on, but there must have been big fight between Jane and Harry. Harry barred Jane from boarding the boat until 2 hours before the race started. I got a text message from Harry that was intended for Jane to read. Things were not looking good, I felt uneasy. I finally intervened and made both shake hand and start the team again.

Jake was also having second thoughts and considered backing out. I sacrificed so much for this race/voyage, I felt like I was being let down. Jake asked me what to do. I told him that I was committed to this trip and if he and Jane wanted to back out, I was comfortable sailing the boat alone with Harry. I told him I know Jeanneau well. We would be fine if Jake backed out.

Day 0, Monday, July 8: Race Day.
An unexpected and totally unnecessary event. Harry blew up over the coffee filter left on the coffee maker by Jake. It was a half hour rage and total shut down all operation. My goodness, the man needs an anger management course badly. He threw things all over and around him. He was insulting Jake and everyone else claiming this is his house,….. blah, bah.
I don’t think it was a big deal. The filter was still warm and he should have given Jake a chance to clean up. After all, we were being pulled all different directions for the last two days by two bosses. Well…. I didn’t care, I just want to sail the Pacific and nothing can stop me know.
{Edited: Never knew this was just the beginning of an ordeal that I have never expected}.

When my daughter was in her second grade, I think she had a better organization skills than that of Harry and Jane. We rushed and rushed in a totally disorganized way, I didn’t really have time to think. Somehow, I thought we would have plenty of time to work out the details once the rush is over when on route to Hawaii. Jake reminded Harry to top off the water tanks but he left the dock anyway to head to the starting point. Both Harry and Jane were equally controlling.

We were 20 min late to the start of the race, but I was happy to see that we were underway; at least I was thinking we will have time to learn or adapt Harry’s style. As I often said to other on the net. It is his boat, his house/castle, his rules unless my life is endangered.

Day 1 and 2, Tuesday and Wednesday, July 9 and 10:
I am totally confused with this trip. Stress and fatigue were high. We were pulled into different directions at all time, like working with two bosses. We were being watched at all time. Micromanagement is too mild a word on this boat. How about nano- or pico-management?

And how about constantly remind you:
1. You don't know and thing!!!
2. You are a very bad crew!!!
3. You are a crew and an employee, We don’t need your opinion, You should do what you are told.

Day 3, Thursday, July 11
Calling it quits.
Harry exploded with his temper. We had no idea what the hell he was screaming and jumping up and down and stomping his feet like a five year old. He does not use sentences to communicate, just a single words. He continued screaming at you louder and louder with the same mispronounced word. No one knew what he meant, including his partner for 13 years.

Day 4, Friday July 12
Weather is getting warmer. Water temp went up to 71 degree from 68. Partial sun is out for the first time. Our jib was tore and need to be repaired. Although it was a bit too early and we were far from the trades wind, at 2 pm. We flew the spinnaker with heading toward HI and wind was on 160 degree. Doing 6 to 8 knots. Argh, finally we got the speed that I was hope for.

Day 5, July 12.
Too upset and too exhausted to enter daily log. Micromanagement and constant yelling finally wore me down.

Day 6, July 13:
Conditions were not getting better despite Jane talking to Harry. There was a significant mistrust towards Jake and I. We were not allowed to talk to each other and not permitted to sit at the navigation table and must stay in our berth, per Jane orders. In despair, Jake contacted a military ship “HS V2 Swift” nearby for rescue, claiming unsafe environment. Unfortunately Harry and Jane refused to let us leave the boat. The captain of Swift talked on the radio that they would monitor for 3 hours. They took away the VHF radio and sent Swift away. We were officially their prisoners.

Without any hope of getting off the boat and still has at least 2 weeks of sailing, I tried to repair the jib and the jib track on jib furler. Jake hoisted me up to the forestay to repair the tract and lower down the jib. I ended up being hoisted 4 times. It was no fun and impossible to hold on. The bosun chair was so poorly made, it cut out my circulation from the waist down.

I was starting to put a doubt on this voyage what would if this bad situation continues. The boat was doing about 4 knots, and every day there are about 2 to 4 hour of yelling and the boat moved less than 3 knots. We are going to run out of food before seeing land.

Day 7, July 14:
Things seem getting better since I raised hell or should I say I exploded. Jake and I stopped working, Harry apologized to me telling me that he did not properly maintain his boat for this trip. The forestay track came apart because the loosen allen screws. He thanked me to go up the forestay to fix the track. Otherwise, we have to return to Long Beach.

I warned him that I made no apology of my behavior of rising hell if he ever endangers my life again. He ordered me to go on the dock immediately to take the spinnaker down with my harrass. At the moment of his rage, I obliged and went on the deck with Jake to take the spinnaker down. That was stupid of me.

Day 8, July 15:
Cloudy again
Since I was ordered to stay in my berth, I did not do any watch. When I was up, I was informed the spinnaker was down, Harry claimed it was a wild gybe or should I say he was not good enough to sail at night with the spinnaker. I told him to use autohelm if needed to control the sudden wind changes. But he avoids and claim that autohelm is dangerous.

The repaired jib at least held up. But we were moving very slowly again.

Conditions are getting worse. Blame games begins. It is apparent that it is their boat, it is their decision. They don't care how long it takes to get to Hawaii. Both Jake and I want to get out this situation as soon as possible.
Jake and I set up the spinnaker again. We were doing quite well and got the speed up. A few hours later, one of the snap shackles came loose and caused the spinnaker fly like a kite. We carefully got spinnaker safely on deck and just used the jib and main sail. Wind was good and we are doing about 6 to 7 knots.

Day 9, July 16:
Every day seems like just another explosion. Life on this boat sucks big time. They think we are here to be their servants. Constantly being humiliated, we can't even trim the sails until we are asked. WTF!!!
Jake and I sewed and repair the bottom part of the spinnaker so that it won't rip further up the sail. We have no control where we are heading where the wind is. Harry just take to rhumb line 243 degree, But we worked all day.

Jane took away the sat phone preventing Jake from downloading the weather grib file. Harry has a problem controlling his temper and totally lacks people skills, but Harry is not a bad person. Jane is an evil, manipulative, and controlling liar. She appears she controls Harry until he blows up.

Day 10, July 17
Got up early in the morning and found out Harry took us directly north for almost 45 nm. WTF. Now we need to spend a whole day sailing back south. Wind died again.

We saw a j40 passing us. They did not even look at us or wave. They depart 2 days behind us. We are hardly moving.

Day 11, July 18:
Jake and I stayed watch from 10 to 4 am. We had a good run with the spinnaker doing 6 to 7.5 knots at all time, we use the autohelm to get us through some hairly situation. It was the best we had for this trip. After more than 7 hrs, Harry came to relieve us. Less than 5 min at the helm. He lost control of the spinnaker and it suffered a total system collapse. We rush back on deck with total disbelief. We knew it would require 5 to 6 hours of me and Jake working hard to get the spinnaker up again to sail in decent speed.

Both me and Jake worked franticly to prevent any further damage to the spinnaker under a total darkness with 17 plus wind. I almost killed myself and I decided I must quit in the dangerous situation. Jake and I want back to the cockpit and told Jane we could not work under this condition. In less than two hours, it would be dawn. We would try again to fix the fouled spinnaker.

At day break, Jake woke me up and get ready to rescue the spinnaker that was stuck permanently on the forestay. After 3 hours, fight with the wind we got it down and fly the spinnaker again.
The rest of the day, we sailed ok. Me and jake tried to dominate at helm as much as we could. Because we don’t want harry at the helm to fuuk thing up. If things fuuked up, it is me and Jake to fix the problem.

Day 12, Friday, July 19:
Mutiny at dawn
Got 2 hours sleep in 24 hours, me and Jakeues were on the helm all night until 4 am. Handed the helm to Harry and within 30 min the emergency whistle blew and rushed to deck with my half naked body and harness. The spinnaker collapsed and fouled. The guy line fell. WTF!!!
Jake and I fought like hell and battled 15 knots wind with huge sail of the spinnaker, and tried to save the spinnaker. We finally reattached the guy and cleared the fouled lines went back down to sleep. We were very lucky this time.

Must be less than 5 mins, the whistle was blew again, what the **** now. I bet my blood pressure went through the roof. The spinnaker was hopeless wrapped on the forestry. After 2 hours, Jake and I took down the damaged, torn spinnaker.

Mutiny is the only way to survive. I begged Harry to use the autohelm to control the spinnaker or we quit. We gladly put our lives on the line so many times (6) and we were only half way to Hawaii. We could not do this anymore. Like all the other times, they refused to use autohelm. I instructed Jake to use my satphone to call Dave Cort (Race Committee) The boat's satphone was no Longer accessible to us. I spoke to Dave begging him to help us to resolve the problem. He refused and claimed that is not their problem and we must resolve ourselves. I told him that this had become a safety issue for the crew members. I asked him to contact the CG for us and have the CG to call the owner. He hung up on me.

Because of poor reception, we moved up to cockpit to call the CG. Harry came behind and attacked Jake and use his arm around his neck and tried to get our sat phone and throw it over board. I struggled with him and he turned around and picked up the winch handle trying to strike Jake's head. I blocked his arm from hitting Jake. I dared him to strike me. But I was in a combat mode to block and struck his nose. He hesitated for a second and I grabbed and threw the handle away. Jane jumped in the midst of this for our phone, I grabbed her hands and pushed her to the starboard side of the cockpit and sat still. I told Jake to escape into the v-berth with the phone.
I shouted both of them with fouled language that they were no match with my strength and speed. 'Don't be stupid'!!!

I went to the v-berth after Jake and locked ourselves in. Harry stepped on the hatch, preventing us from opening the hatch for air and better reception.

I had my iPhone with me and CG number. We contacted the Norfolk region and worked ourselves to west coast region. I asked Jake to call CG, since he speaks perfect English with un-detectable Jewish New Yorker accent.

After explaining the situation to CG, the remaining question was to ask CG for advice on how to take control of the boat legally. Under what situation we must follow to get us safely to Hawaii.

If we don’t take control for the boat and sail her properly, our sails will suffer more damage and water supply will become an issue. We would be in trouble. We were totally out of CG Helo range. The wild gybe that Harry causes because his inability to sail at night, put me and Jake a greater danger.

Our water is dangerously low. Jake only given 1.5 L bottle of water to drink each day. And we are carrying an 86 year old lady who has no idea what is going on around her.

The CG informed us to deescalate the situation best I know how while he seeks legal advice. Lt. Daniel Han asked us to call back in an hour.
=======================

I will download the rest from my iPhone later.
 
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#555 · (Edited)
Any idiot that believes that everything written in yelp is totally accurate deserves to spend his life eating at Mickey Ds.

Smackers is trying to revise history by ignoring what RD originally set to pen, and is applying his own interpretation of what occurred based upon the simple fact that everyone arrived alive.

So why don't we agree upon this: NOTHING AT ALL WORTH TALKING ABOUT happened on this voyage.

Seriously, it works for me.
 
#557 ·
Chef,

As far as I know I'm the only person with postings in this thread who has also eaten at the sushi joint in question. It wasn't that great. I don't recall the service being terrible, but the sushi was mediocre (at best). The best thing I can say about the food is that I've had worse. It's basically a tourist/semi-fast-food sort of place. If one really enjoys sushi, this place was pretty forgettable. The ONLY reason we ate there was because my brother-in-law wanted to check out the Farmers Market and we decided to get a bite while we were there. I suspect that is how they get most of their business, they have a great location.
 
#560 ·
Smack.... C2S accused you of being personal? I hate when his childish crud gets quoted, because its the one thing ignore doesn't work on. I've noticed several push backs on his personal attacks in this thread and the likes pour all over them. Do the mods care? It's his M.O. That I'm sure they know.

I will bet, as usual, he has simply repeated himself, called the OP names, denigrated the OPs abilities, exaggerated his position and then when called on it, suggests his opposition is being personal against him. Am I right? How many times are we going to see this show?

This OP went through a personally terrifying experience on a 43 ft boat in the middle of an ocean. Lots of fault to go around, but who in good taste just repeatedly kicks someone like this in the groin, without knowing they're getting very personal. Karma is not mystical. Those around you that are disgusted by your mistreatment of another will lay in wait until you make a mistake, as everyone eventually does, and then get on you like white on rice. I'll bet he didn't get that in my very early post here on Karma.

I can imagine him and a few others above visiting a VA hospital and repeatedly telling all the wounded warriors how stupid they were to get injured. Many of them made mistakes too.

The discussion can constructively be about the epic story, how it could be avoided by others, technique to diffuse, fly a spin at night, even get all OCD over the technical definition of mutiny or the NORs, if you must. I have no beef with identifying what went wrong. A little sympathy for someone who lived their mistake already would be humane.

Continually telling an OP how stupid he was, incompetent, etc, is pretty brutal.
 
#568 ·
Continually telling an OP how stupid he was, incompetent, etc, is pretty brutal.
Not only that but it quite agravating to read all the back and fourth and it makes the thread hard to read by trying to see which post is worth reading and which posts are just people arguing with each other. Really should just start your own thread to bicker with each other.
 
#561 · (Edited)
Sal- the story you related is of even more concern then the RD saga. Seems your friend was a diligent, thoughtful person and the initial event sounds like it would fall in the "act of god" category to my way of thinking but obviously not seen that way in tort.. One can imagine the details and his being held responsible for a failed fitting with presumption of injury due to neglected maintenance making him responsible once the lawyers got a hold of it. Still, sounds like something that could happen to any of us boat owner/captains. Makes you wonder if we should have all crew sign "held harmless" contracts before boarding our boats. Have no legal background. Would be interested in opinion of legal eagles reading this post.
 
#562 ·
Seems like the pot calling the kettle black.
So putting me on ignore was not enough. You come out of the shadows to attack. Defending myself is not usually necessary , but seriously you need to just stop reafingy posts since they bother you so much. They don't bother everyone.

My opinions are just that my opinions. I have directed at both Rockdawg as well as the Captain. No one has ruined anyone's rep here. I have not used their actual names even though I have them all. I haven't disclosed any personal information either about anyone concerned. When Rockdawg posted on a public forum it leads to comments. No one required him to do so. With public comments come differing opinions. If you notice I have the same opinions basically as other posters in some ways. You may not like my style or tone sometimes, but that's too bad . Yours isn't so great either in many people's opinion, bit no one is trying to censor you.

The problem Minnie is you want the mods to shut me up and just allow optinpns which only agree with your point of view.

This is not germane to the topic and should be handled in PM not burdening others with your personal feelings or outbursts. If the mods neleibe that I need to tone down or cross a line, they will let me know that way also and I will respect that as in the past.

You don't need to be the SN police. That wouldn't happen anyone because you lack the objectivity.

If you don't agree with what I say just read by it . If you want to respond it and do so without the personal sarcastic reflexes. See this isn't a plane you are the Captain of and can shut everyone up like you are used to. Peaople have different opinions here. Just because they are minority views or different than yours doesn'tean they need to be censored.

Let's keep to the subject here, which is not me.
 
#563 ·
The problem Minnie is you want the mods to shut me up
Its not just Minnie.

You really come across as an A Grade jerk to other people. Its so unnecessary because you have good ideas and can write well and obviously enjoy your time here.

But the Mods here are too lax feeling that adults will even themselves out.

It really just will take a mod to correct your immature behaviour and then we can have you back posting your usual intelligent stuff instead of your petulant childish drivel.

Mark :)
 
#567 ·
Warning, foodie digression. Apologies in advance.

I've been to the best steak houses all over the country and the Wagyu at Cut in Las Vegas not withstanding, Luger's is one of the best, tastiest, porterhouse in the country. Pedestrian? HAH!
They dry age well, but they don't sous-vide their steaks, and as such, have to depend on fat marbling to provide tenderness. Fat doesn't actually add any flavor. Instead if one cooks at 53-56c for 8 to 72 hours (depending on cut) in an immersion circulating water bath then sear with oxyacetylene, one can gelatinize even tough gristle, getting equal tenderness but with more flavor. They also use corn-fed midwest beef which I find is surpassed by many others, Maesawa/Matsusaka/Wagyu.

Japan has the best steaks I find (DONS de la NATURE, etc.,), although you can make incredible steaks on a yacht using sous-vide techniques. High end cuisine is about great steaks, but also the pairing and presentation.
Peter Luger definitely hasn't mastered the latter part in my humble opinion.
 
#575 ·
Warning, foodie digression. Apologies in advance.

They dry age well, but they don't sous-vide their steaks, and as such, have to depend on fat marbling to provide tenderness. Fat doesn't actually add any flavor. Instead if one cooks at 53-56c for 8 to 72 hours (depending on cut) in an immersion circulating water bath then sear with oxyacetylene, one can gelatinize even tough gristle, getting equal tenderness but with more flavor. They also use corn-fed midwest beef which I find is surpassed by many others, Maesawa/Matsusaka/Wagyu.

Japan has the best steaks I find (DONS de la NATURE, etc.,), although you can make incredible steaks on a yacht using sous-vide techniques. High end cuisine is about great steaks, but also the pairing and presentation.
Peter Luger definitely hasn't mastered the latter part in my humble opinion.
Dude - do you want to crew on the next Transpac? If you can pull a steak like that off the rail-mounted Magma, I'll bet even grumpy old SalNich would take you along!
 
#573 · (Edited)
On the subject of Chef, let me just say one thing...I personally don't expect or want the mods to do anything...unless, of course, he seriously crosses a line or breaks a clear rule. And I haven't seen that. Yes, the dude can be insanely annoying...but...

When I first started posting on this forum 5 years ago in the FightClub thread, there must have been 10-20 long-time members that pestered the mods to ban me (even though the thread was all about fighting for crying out loud and I was just a lot better at it than they were). Well, to their absolute credit, the mods didn't ban me...despite the pressure...because I didn't cross the line. I think that's a good thing.

I can pretty easily not read anyone's posts if I want...though I've never had a single person "on ignore". I like to have very spirited debates about ideas and facts. But, I never take myself or some chucklehead's comments all that seriously.

So, rail on Chef, my man! At the same time, pay attention to what people are saying. Minne's right about Karma.
 
#574 ·
On the subject of Chef, let me just say one thing...I personally don't expect or want the mods to do anything...unless, of course, he seriously crosses a line or breaks a clear rule. And I haven't seen that. Yes, the dude can be insanely annoying...but...

When I first started posting on this forum 5 years ago in the FightClub thread, there must have been 10-20 guys that pestered the mods to ban me (even though the thread was all about fighting for crying out loud and I was just a lot better at it than they were). Well, to their absolute credit, the mods didn't ban me...despite the pressure...because I didn't cross the line. I think that's a good thing.

I can pretty easily not read anyone's posts if I want...though I've never had a single person "on ignore". I like to have very spirited debates about ideas and facts. But, I never take myself or some chucklehead's comments all that seriously.

So, rail on Chef, my man! At the same time, pay attention to what people are saying. Minne's right about Karma.
We haven't banned you... yet! Personally, I feel a good banning coming on. Goes well with coffee in the morning.

Brian
 
This post has been deleted
#578 ·
FROM A PAST CREW LEADER ON HARRY'S BOAT…………….

THIS HAS BEEN A GREAT and by all accounts; a very popular thread. I, and my friends who have or know most of the characters in this tread are enjoying the post. In fact it is very strange, the feelings we have and are experiencing by this post by RD..

It is side-busting funny!!! In the way it was written.. (note: any writer takes liberty with his or her description at the moment of their incerpts, and as we should all know the words and expletives chosen at the time of the writings are injected with an array of word descriptive that of course cannot be taken so seriously as to think their intent is as exactly as written ( ex. 'I should have fed him to the sharks!! (note; made this ex. up, but the thought could be anything written about anything done… although, we all know; words and actions not carried out are just that)) . We all know that this is venting anger or frustration and it should be viewed just as that. When you hear the words 'mutiny', etc. it is oblivious to most everyone reading that this is an 'in the moment verbal descriptive' and should be taken as such without 'overanalyzing the intent of the story… Samuel Clemens was a master of 'colorful' descriptive.

Having known some of the characters in this event and in humorous conversations with many of my friends who have read these events all realize that in the absolutely funny account of this incident that many problems did arise from the way this event transpired and concluded. It is obvious to all of us that this was a disaster in the making and the boat should have never left the dock.

We are enjoying the humor in the description by the poster of this story and are having countless moments among friends of some of these people, yacht racers who were in this years race as well as those who have raced this event in the past, plus other racers, cruisers, part-time sailors and an array of others who are amused by what had transpired.
Please note: This is because this' ship of fools' made the journey and all arrived (in Hilo …lol) safe and otherwise unharmed (other than ego, financial, exhaustion, hangover and hurt and bruised feelings and relationships)

A funny story though (and this is what bothers me) is in the heat of this controversy; OTHERS IN THIS THREAD HAVE USED THE POPULARITY OF THIS POST TO COMMANDEER IT AS THEIR OWN PLATFORM. There is good and bad in this but, it is somewhat like (ex. A speaker who has secured and engagement after working so hard to learn his topic, commit his time and encounter all difficulty in experiencing, gathering, preparing for and finally presenting his or her account is being or trying to be upstaged by others in the audience who have opinions, accounts, suggestions or needs for interaction…. This, at first is not bad because the speaker must know that there will be reactions to the topic of what he or she is bringing up. As a reader or onlooker it is easy to want to get involved, but the problem is when the reader or audience starts creating his or her own platform off the coat-tails the person who had initiated the post because of his or her experience, then you need to look at that or those persons and wonder if they would be receiving so much attention if they created their own threads and posts. I believe that I am not only speaking for myself, but for others who are amused and as well concerned by the great story originally posted.
For those that seem to be riding the 'coat-tails' of the original person who posted, please allow the story(s) to transpire to afford allot of us to enjoy this thread without the sub-performances. And please, do not get me wrong, because some of the posts made by this select few have indeed lend to the 'colorfulness' of the original account, but there are just to many pages cluttering this 'very strange' account of ones exploits at sea.
And by all means, for those select few who have found a fertile platform on which to express your opinion please label and start a separate thread from this one and I, at least will be one of who know how many will read your opinions and resolves. As well, do not stop posting on this thread some of your contributions as I and I am sure others do enjoy your opinions on someone else's topic.

Lastly, as I have sailed with Harry and Jane on other occasions and have compiled my logs, and statements from others who have sailed with them, known them from the marinas, consider them friends, rivals, or a love-hate opinion. I will post this information in intervals, if needed or if the occasion arises as soon as the thread revolves back to the original poster and those interested in his and other (crew, caption, owners, 86 yr. Old plus anyone else venturing forth a comment or tow or three).

Plus, I have kept the phone conversations with Jane and Harry as well as the text messages between myself and Harry and Jane and may be willing to post them if they are to be received in a constructive way. I also have records and statements from other past crewmembers and from the original crew, which declined before the race.

And mind all of you, I have both respect and des-respect for Jane and Harry and of course I have an opinion about those two (semi-experienced and obviously un-prepared) last minute replacement crew. I think the boat was ill-prepared (they decided to enter TransPac a little over a month before the race. (All my friends, crewing, skippering this race this year and in the past years plan for this event at least a year or two before). All the red-flags were up and this boat in all honestly, should never have left the dock, or at the very least they should have divulged that this was more of a cruise than a race. I do though; have respect for anyone (owners and crew and a 86yr. old woman) for having the courage, adventuresome spirit and frankly, the 'balls' to attempt such a feat.

And Jane, with all her in-experience (though, she had made the return trip from HI several years back on one of this years racer's boat, and had cruised and raced extensively in Mexico), unfortunately, she is in way over her head and finds herself resorting to manipulative tactics to get her way. She is very strong-willed and in her willingness to prove herself she has at times created some very dangerous conceptions. But, if she would ever concede to really learning the basic foundation of sailing she would be a 'positive' force to be reckoned with. (some people, it seems believe too much in the Hollywood version of sailing, adventure and skill… the 'Whomper').

I have heard through other sources that Jane will post soon but like Jake and probably RD I am sure they are hesitant to post more info until the platform returns to their STRANGE and rather interesting stories!!!

Cheers to all………….
I would love to hear your versions and invite others to this thread too.

However, let me warn you that this is a forum, and the internet, and things do drift off topic. It is just life and reality on these sites. But I highly suspect that if you and or Jane or Harry get on this thread, it will quickly go back on topic!!!

Brian
(Moderator)
 
#577 ·
thank you

Thank you for your comments. I actually find agreement with them. I alsoso find some annoying, some egotistical, some who have superiority complexes, but most posters are very good. I actually only have one person on ignore and can freely pass by others I find are not worth it.

I have tried to remember It's sometimes dangerous to suggest or extrapolate a tone on the internet where things are much easier to misinterpret than Ilin person.

If you post here you should expect different opinions at times. If you post something controversial lots of different opinions, sometimes passionate.

Be wary of the people who wish to limit expression of ideas . Usually they have an agenda or are unable to see or process other points of view. Arguing for your point is not nearly as dangerous as wanting to muzzle others right to have a point of view.

I treasure the people I have met in person through SN including moderators , and use them as my real true gauge whether my posts are annoying or ovet the top.They know me and would tellme face to face and sometimes do.

I will try AND be more aware thatt my posts are sometimes percieved as over the top. I will also continue to treat people as they treat me. It starts with the assumption of respect. If you are disrespectful to me expect the same in return. Of you want to shut my opinions off, by whining to others and the mods, that's the absolute in disrespect. With me its simple you get what you give.

Simple formula which has alloweded me to make. Many friends on SN both online and in person.
 
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#590 ·
REFERENCE TO POSTING LOGS, TEXTS AND REPORTS

Being in charge of the first team for TPac '13, on Harry's boat (although eventually our team withdrew) and having been in charge of the teams that did the PV races in '05 and '07 also on Harry's boat (although in '05 it was a Cat 36) we kept accounts and records of inspections, sail inventory, equipment, provisions, measurements, crew records, charts and weather/routes, boat needs and checklists.

I felt that these accounts would give insight as to many of the questions asked in several posts.

But, as I am new to posting and under the advice and suggestions of the moderators I will postpone posting this information until after I have had a chance to discuss it with the moderators in private and will probably wait until Jane has posted.

The material that would be presented is in fact 'neutral' and discloses only the the facts and procedures.

cheers, Randolph
Well that makes sense as to why you would have them. The way it was originally presented it sounded more like you may have had other reasons to expose it. I am sure you are glad you got out when you did! :D

While I don't think anyone was in any danger, it sure did not sound like a pleasant cruse.
 
#597 ·
Rockdawg is a Chinese-American who is a doctorate level professional. He is a consumate gentleman, and is a renaissance-type individual who has a wide variety of skills that are particularly useful on a sailboat. His mission to become a solo-circumnavigator has already brought him to cross the Gulf Stream 4 or 5 times in the last year as crew on other sailing vessels, and his accumulated knowledge of every major mechanical and electrical system on sailboats is impressive. Did I mention that he is an accomplished chef and can prepare an above average meal in a rough sea?

Rockdawg is a reliable, knowledgable, polite, loyal, and skilled sailor, who is always advancing his education and experience in the world of sailing. He has an ingenuity and work ethic that is uncommon nowadays. He is comfortable with both taking the captains directions, or taking the initiative in making independent decisions to advance the objectives of the passage in a safe and skillful manner. "Reliability" cannot be underestimated when you pick a crew member...especially when you only have 1 crew! Rockdawg will be the last man standing when the going gets rough. He would always rather be offshore in a sailboat than most any other place.

Rockdawg has become a valued friend of mine with whom I hope to share future sailing adventures. Whenever I sail now, I will call Rockdawg first, and if you are fortunate enough to find him available as crew on one of your trips then you can rest assured that you will be getting a first class gentleman and sailor to help make your passage safe, happy, and successful.
 
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#601 ·
@chef2sail: Sal was simply copy/pasting the details from the post mentioned in the quote. If you've been reading Sal's posts in this thread, you'd find he is not the rockDAWG fanboy you seem to think he is.
 
#608 ·
Randolph comes on, prints a lot of words, but absolutely no facts or even suggestions of them. I agree, no texts or phone conversations. Way over the top.

Speaking of over the top, Chef, get your head out of your ass! I used to like your over the edge stuff because it had some wisdom in it. In this case you have a axe to grind and it is grinding on the rest of us.
 
#610 ·
herumph .... I think I'll get all weasel butt megalomaniacal and ban the lot of you.

Oh well.

Time to bugger off for the weekend .... salute to you all.
 
#616 ·
herumph .... I think I'll get all weasel butt megalomaniacal and ban the lot of you.

Oh well.

Time to bugger off for the weekend .... salute to you all.
I hope sailing is on the agenda. If so, here's to fair seas, flat beer, and cold winds...

No, wait a minute, fair beer, flat winds, and cold seas...

Hold on, fair winds, flat seas, and cold beer!!!! That's the ticket!!

 
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