Coby Aboard Snookums

Seascape for Mary

2009-08-30T08:03:00.000-07:00

It's Coby's Mom's birthday -- and she collects seascapes. So we are resuming uploading.

Here's to you, Mary. Happy Birthday!

Interior of Snookums

2009-08-02T04:56:00.000-07:00

This is how Snookums looked below decks at the end of a month at sea.

Climax of Sunset - last night out

2009-08-02T01:40:00.000-07:00

7/10/2009

Video of sunset off Oahu -- Coby's last night before landfall. He decided to head out to sea, in order to thread through the coral reefs in daylight. He reported how difficult it was to see the lights recede as he turned away. I saw this sunset from another angle. It was exciting to know that he was so close, and hard to wait until another day (except it gave me time to find him leis).

Later in the night, a wind so strong it woke me rose up, along with a wall of rain. Coby said that it literally hit him - he could feel the edge of the wind as it slammed into his shoulder. Perhaps his roughest and scariest ride was that last night, so very close. I awoke many times, knowing that we were in the same storm system. In the morning, it was clear and beautiful. Very early, he made the turn towards land.

Snookums Sailing today

2009-07-27T14:33:00.000-07:00

Coby is sailing Snookums to the leeward side of Oahu, about a 50 mile journey. He is accompanied by John, Al's son, who is a wonderful sailor and knows the area well.

Safety systems, innovations, etc.

2009-07-21T23:42:00.000-07:00

Coby has read for years about sailing. The last two, he was focused on nothing but. He consulted with many wise people, and tried out many systems. Being the inventive soul he is, some are things he created. Mostly, he tried to create a boat that could avoid what caused many adventures (read disasters). Below is what he decided on and installed in Snookums. Soon I will post the page of evaluations and corrections. Most of what he decided worked wonderfully - he never had a drop in the bilge -- but there are a few things he would do differently.

This is all for sailors. If any of you landlubbers are curious, ask and we will translate. You can get a sense of his deep preparation, and why I had such confidence in him. He wrote this all before he left.

Note: most of these systems are things I've read about, heard about, thought about, invented, and was happy with in the river. Reviews to follow after offshore trip.

SAFETY SYSTEMS

Piracy

I'm not going anywhere that there are any reported pirates. That's mostly the horn of Africa, and the Straits of Malacca between Indonesia and Malaysia. Of course, there are robbers everywhere, more where there are more poor people. Lots more on land than at sea.

I'm not carrying guns – just like on land, there are a few cases where having one was effective but far more that resulted in more death, not less. The piracy cases I've read about ended up with dead sailors who brandished or fired a gun, and live sailors who put up with being robbed. Even in Somalia, the most dangerous area, the pirates are unlikely to kill sailors, for fear of retribution.

Coby overboard

Got lots of systems to have this not happen:

– Lifelines of course – steel cable "railings" around the sides of the boat.

- A harness, with tether, that I wear all the time I'm on deck. The tether is connected to jacklines, that I clip into before I step on deck. The jacklines are ½ inch lines that run bow to stern on either side, fastened to the toe rail. They run on the outside of the shrouds and everything else, so that if I fall off the bow, my tether slides on the jacklines, and I float to the stern. I have a quick-release rope ladder on either side at the stern so I grab that and climb back aboard (I also have foot–loops at the bow hanging over to climb up)

-- I have two 4' tethers, so I can clip on forward of the shroud before unclipping aft. The second tether is also handy for clipping around the mast while reefing. When on the foredeck, I clip into both jacklines, and can move between the mast and bowsprit, but not far enough sideways to fall overboard. Handy for doing my Qi Gong practice on the foredeck.

(the old school, no harness method)

I also tow 200' of line with a small buoy at the end, knotted every 18." Which is my "last chance" safety system, if something goes wrong with my harness, and I fall, and don’t catch myself on the lifelines, and don't grab the side of the boat or the "footrope" and don't grab the rope ladder at the back, I still have rescue system. Grabbing the line will release a snap shackle, disengaging my wind vane self'-steering. That should let Snookums round up into the wind, and I’ll pull myself back aboard. Haven't checked how this affects my speed, but then I'm not in a hurry.

I've tried all these systems in the Columbia River – they work great. Hope I never need them again!

One last safety item – never be afraid to crawl, not walk, when it's rough.

Katja post script: Larry, Coby and I sprinkled sand and paint in three layers to make a non-skid surface for Coby. He reported feeling like a gecko – good grip.

Drinking water\

• 30 gal. stainless steel tank, with manual hand pump faucet, in the non-engine compartment.

• PUR 35 manual watermaker 1.3 gal/hr

• PUR 06 backpacker watermaker 1 pint/hr.

* Reverse- osmosis watermakers have a membrane so fine that water molecules can pass through, but not the salt. Fresh water from seawater. Pretty cool. However they do recommend not using the 06 during the day in the tropics – you sweat more than you make!

• Materials for a solar still – a pan of seawater with a cup in the middle, covered in clear plastic, with a weight in the middle of the plastic. Seawater evaporates into fresh water vapor, condenses on the plastic, runs down the underside of the plastic and drips into the cup. Not recommended for choppy seas – hence the watermakers.

• I have a raincatcher tarp, made by my friend Adele – 3'x4' vinyl with grommets, that I hang in the cockpit to catch rain. ¾" through hull fitting in the middle, with a hose long enough to reach my tank fill (or give myself a bath!)

• I've read after a rain, when it's calm, the fresh water floats on top for a while – hope to scoop some soon.

Rough Weather safety systems (Coby spend much effort helping Snookums take care of him)

• First, all the safety harness & tether systems I'll be wearing all the time.

• A set of knee pads when lots of crawling around is required (low center of gravity, less windage) My pads are flat on the bottom and soft rubber for more stability.

• A willingness to heave-to, and wait out the storm, rather than najub gnire iels and more danger.

• A drogue, to slow me down if I do have to run with the storm.

• Heavy storm jib, and a heavy storm trysail on a separate track at the mast. The track goes about halfway up the mast to a block, so I can use a dedicated halyard. I plan to keep the trysail packed & on the track – perhaps the jib hanked on as well.

• 4" window in my top hatchboard so I can see the windvane etc. without opening up.

• Manual bilge pump in the cabin so I can pump without opening up

• Lots of different seasickness medications

• I built one large lower hatch board – as big as the lower two originals. This stays in all the time, so if the cockpit floods my hatch is the highest edge not the lowest. Deadbolts on all hatchboards to keep them in. Stairs built into lower hatchboard.

• I cut 2"x7" scuppers through the stern, filling between the double-hull with fiberglass. ¼" EPDM rubber flaps on the outside to keep out following seas (and I hope they will!) These plus the 1 ½" cockpit drains should empty it quickly. (heavy-duty hose, and bronze fittings & through hulls for the cockpit drains.

• Got rid of all through-hulls but the cockpit and bilge drain (and these are above the waterline--barely). I've got a shoots-through-the-hull depth sounder, and will get my speed from GPS, or watching the foam go past & estimating speed by that. No more sink. drain-a-bucket in the sink. No head. No holes.

• Inside the cabin, netting covering all shelves & galley stuff (milk crates full of dishes (non breakable). Netting tied on at the bottom, hooked into cuphooks at the top. Cuphooks underneath the overhang far enough not to be a hazard.

• All locker tops, including icebox, fastened down with brass dogs – 1" x 3" x 1/8" thick oval strips, drilled at one end for the bolt, that rotate overtop the lid. Similar teak dogs for the galley drawers and door.

• I'll sleep in the starboard settee. Adele made me a lee cloth – 2'x 3', to keep from rolling out—clipped to padeyes below shelves. Also a seatbelt – airline type from Dan's Classic Auto- to keep me in bed even if I roll over. My head is aft on the settee, so that it's my feet that hit the bulkhead if I zoom down a wave.

• Petzl mountaineering helmet – I tend to bang my noggin a lot anyway, and 6' Coby in 5'11" cabin could be uncomfortable in a rough sea. Also, a concussion is a common injury in knockdowns, etc.

• All my Rubbermaid tubs and 3 ½ gal buckets (w. Gamma lid screw-tops) are tied or strapped down. I drill many 5/16 holes in the V-berth insert, and use ¼ line for attachment loops.

• 406 EPIRB w. GPS – Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon – goes on manually, or automatically when very wet. In my ditchbag.

• Plastimo 4-man offshore life raft.

• submersible VHF Radio w/GPS – ditch bag.

• red flares, white flare, rocket flares, orange smoke, orange dye, whistle, signaling mirror – ditch bag

• pre-made (by my friend Larry) ¼ " plywood porthole covers, w. crossbar attached. One oval of plywood larger than the port, one smaller (to center it) Fits through the port sideways from inside, crossbar tightened w/attached 1/4" line. Similar cover for forward hatch.

• Katja my beloved (& my friend Holly Jo) covered my ceiling in ¼ cork, w/ additional pieces to cover bolts, padeyes, etc. I had removed the original vinyl/foam to inspect the mast support. Cork is better for insulation, resists mildew, no toxic smoke if it burns – and it floats!

• Full face respirator w. universal filters, to give me extra time below decks to fight a fire. Most boats burn because people are forced to the topsides by smoke and are unable to fight the fire.

• Two ABC dry chemical fire extinguishers on port bulkhead forward side, one at galley near companionway. One halon-type at galley. (I have a bulkhead at forward end of galley, as wide as galley).

• Earplugs, and also earmuff style hearing protectors. I read that one of the most debilitating parts of a storm is the noise – can scream at 130 decibels.

Comfort, Convenience

*Single burner SVEA kerosene cooker, on a SeaSwing mounted above icebox on port bulkhead (most Flickas don't have this bulkhead – don't know mine's history but I like it).

* backup kerosene stove – Dragonfly International

* milk crate in the hole where the old stove was – leaves enough room at the front for a Thermos bottle and Nalgene bottle & water spray bottle and fire extinguisher.

* bucket in the sink for dishes. I plan to use seawater for most things

• smaller milk crate for more dishes, etc, to port of 1st milk crate

• clear square Nalgene lexan bottles in various sizes for spices, oil, vinegar, etc.

* backup kero anchor light

* masthead LED nav (navigation) lights & anchor light

• LED bulbs in all original nav lights

• all LED cabin lights – 3 in overhead, one flexible map light. These switch red or white.

• 3 ½ gal food grade plastic buckets with Gamma screw on lids. Waterproof, airtight. 25 lbs of Quinoa, whole wheat flour, spaghetti, oats, nuts.

* The same type bucket & lid for my head – with enzymes to break down waste. Only for use in port – bucket and chuck it offshore. River rafters use these.

• Extra bar in sides of pulpit, added with dodger type fittings, so I can't fall through.

• Rubbermaid tubs in port ¼ berth

• too many cans of food in most lockers

• boat came with original main, 2 sets of reef points, full batten main with 2 sets of reef points, storm trysail (separate track), storm jib, 100w.1 set reef points, 135, 150, asymmetrical spinnaker. Mostly new.

• I put in twin headstays for flying 2 jibs. I like it, but won't know if it’s a good idea till later. More versatile, but more complex and possibly won't point as high.

• Aries standard windvane (big for a Flicka, but oh so salty.)

• Lowered my traveler to an extra tube halfway down the pulpit – the original was interfering with my backstay.

• Boomkicker to hold the boom up without a topping lift – more idiot proof and I like that.

Anchors

• 35# CQR

• Fortress, rated for 28-32' boat.

• 15 # CQR, for kedge

• small fortress for Dinghy

• 300' 5/16 high test chain, stowed in the bilge when it was clearly too heavy in the bow. May change my mind, but still like it for the storm rode

• 50' chain w/250' ½ inch nylon rode

• 10' chain with 250' ½ inch nylon rode

• small grapnel hook

Dinghy

• Innova 2 – man inflatable sea kayak

(open – no skirts), w/ 3 paddles, & a round 4' sail

• lots of fishing gear – I know very little –

(2) 6' rods w. 30 # line, 80# leaders lots of tuna jigs, smaller jigs for baitfish & reef fish. 300 yards handlne, 1 gaff, I spear, big landing net, little net (for flying fish?)

• plankton net – one leg of panty hose (same mesh as the $80. nets) w/wire loop at the big end, collection bottle at the small. Tow behind boat, at night when there's much more plankton. Eat with or without Tabasco. Haven't tried this yet- hope it’ll be my super food – Dr. Alain Bombard survived for some months on it, as an experiment, catching phytoplankton (plants) and zooplankton (critters). Yum?

Journal

• for waterproof journal, bought a roll of Tyvek at Home Depot – 3'x 165. Cut into 3 pieces, which I'll use as scrolls.

Power

• (2) AGM jet ski batteries, strapped into starboard shelf.

• All LED lighting all backup equipment (GSP, VHF, flashlights, headlamps, kayak nav. lights) are hand-held, AA batteries.

• I have a holder for eight AA's so I can power the entire system back through the cig. lighter.

• Two folding (not flexible) solar panels – they go from big wallet size to 16x20 – 12 watts each.

• One Windstream bicycle pedal generator – 65 watts.

• Lots of rechargeable AA, lots of NiCads.

• Tiny backpacker solar panel for ditch bag – to recharge VHF, SAT. phone, etc.

Engine

Have an old Johnson 8 Sailmaster outboard. Built a shelf, w/lid in aft of cockpit, to hold two 3 gallon gas tanks. Shelf 5" above sole, so my scuppers will drain unobstructed ( added scuppers – rear of cockpit). Fiddles built into shelf lid.

Halyards

All halyards at mast. Tried cockpit controls – too much back and forth when reefing or hanking on new headsails. Two winches on mast, turning blocks at base of mast (single hander plate with attachment holes), stopper knots in all halyards. Jiffy reefing with hooks at forward end of boom, reefing lines on port side of boom. Separate cleats for each reefing line. As simple as I can get it. My friend Dave King gave me two pieces of line, to tie off clew cringle for extended reefing, so as not to chafe reefing lines. Hope I still like my system after being off shore.

Coby has comment to insert here.

• Six oval bronze opening ports

• Lewmar ocean hatch – ½ inch acrylic

• ¼ line in a loop, led forward, to steer from foredeck when attached to tiller.

• Bungee cords and lines made up, to lash the tiller and absorb shock if I back down a wave.

• Shock cord with snap hooks on each end to attach to both sides of the pushpit and hold the tiller in place.

• Plastimo compass that reads on both side of the bulk head.

• Bronze padeyes in overhead to hang lines, fruit hammocks, foulies on.

• Shelf liners made of 1/8 " or ¼ " plywood, for spare materials without using space.

• Twelve inch round buoy, so I can swim a kedge anchor out.

• 6' x 12" x 3/4 " plywood, on edge in port quarterberth to retain Rubbermaid tubs and be spare rudder, etc.

• Original hatchboards, just in case.

• Three spare windvanes, plus one larger and one smaller vane.

• Small (1/16" ?) stainless Tig welding rod for repairs and to use at turnbuckles instead of cotter pins.

• Lots of Gorilla duct tape.

• Lots of hand tools, and lots of WD40.

• Lots of spare screws, bolts, shackles, pins, etc.

• Various goops – 5200 Marine Goop, Epoxy, Antiseize, etc.

• No alcohol – affects my judgment way too much.

• 6/4 wetsuit with hood, gloves, booties—possible survival suit.

• 3/2 wetsuit, 2 pairs fins, 2 snorkels, 2 masks.

• 5 gallons kerosene, 1 gallon alcohol, 6 gallons gasoline (gas in cockpit).

• 200' spare 3/8 line for halyards, sheets, etc.

• Lots of 3/16 or ¼ inch line, 3 or 4 feet long, hung by girth hitches on lifelines, to keep handy for lashing, etc.

• Hawsepipes sealed with modeling clay on the bronze cap, plus duct tape, plus line from inside.

• Shore power inlet sealed with modeling clay and duct tape.

• Bronze manual windlass, just aft of bowsprit, for chain or line. 800 lb. capacity. A little bulky and in the way, but maybe well worth that if I need to kedge off a reef, or raise anchor with a stuck anchor or a bum shoulder.

• High sensitivity barometer, so I can really see a drop or rise.

• Sangean AM/FM/Shortwave SW/SSB receiver

• Grundig AM/FM/Shortwave SW/SSB receiver.

• Two backup Cobra GPS wrapped in lots of tinfoil for supposedly lightning pulse protection.

• One Garmin 76XCS GPS with Blue Chart chips of most of Pacific, East Australia, New Zealand.

• US charts from Oregon to Hawaii (new) New British Admiralty Charts of Samoa, Tonga, New Zealand, Australia, etc, large and small scale, $1600. worth.

• Two Davis Mark 25 plastic sextant, tables and almanacs to go with (I need practice)

• Fourteen-foot aluminum and fiberglass rafting oar that breaks down into 2 pieces. Oarlock mounted on transom at starboard. Sculling only -- couldn't figure a good way for rowing from the side. Can do maybe a knot right now. Needs practice. Allowing the flex of the oar to work for you on the backstroke is important. Like a fish's tail, and not like a lever.

• 3'x 5' canvas, for shade etc. No dodger, I can't bear looking through plastic (hope that doesn’t mean I get to look through lots of water!

video of albatross at sea

2009-07-19T21:54:00.000-07:00

Coby took a video of the albatross that came to rest on his rail one morning at dawn. It arrived very bedraggled. After about an hour, looking like a new bird, it flew off.

It didn't exhibit any nervousness around Coby - only six feet away, with head and shoulders showing from the companionway. It did fly off once he came on deck. It is available in HD if you can figure out how.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLWVDuhThXY

TransPac Race & Snookums for Sale

2009-07-18T01:16:00.000-07:00

Pictures by our landlord in Kane'ohe, Uncle Dan, of our reunion. He and his wife had us over for a lovely BBQ. The Kane'ohe Yacht Club is very hospitable, and absolutely lovely!

Finally had enough energy to go over to Waikiki and visit the TransPac boats. One took just over five days from LA! Felt very good to have people who I considered to be real sailors shake my hand when they heard of my voyage.

Listed the boat for sale today. Felt a little sad and very right.

From Coby's heart to yours

2009-07-15T00:20:00.000-07:00

I have chosen to bring my voyage to a close in Hawaii. It feels complete. The thing that I knew that I would regret on my death bed not having done, feels done. I feel free now to choose what I want to do, rather than the need to do what is necessary for the growth of my soul. I choose to return to my beloved Katja, and to see what life next brings us. Perhaps we will cruise the south seas together someday. Or not. My heart is full. My soul is at peace.

Still to come: HD videos that Coby took at sea, his film pictures yet to be developed, Coby's musings and personal insights regarding the whole adventure.

For the salts, or the land-lubbers who want to know about Coby's extensive preparation, I am entering information regarding his safety systems, sails, cooking systems, etc. that I will soon post. To these he will add his evaluations after the fact.

And for anyone who would like to continue the saga of Snookums, she is for sale/sail.

If you want to talk to Coby for any reason, his number is 971-235-4268.

Coby arriving in Hawaii - Pix

2009-07-13T22:01:00.000-07:00

I gave him lei -- the open green leafed one is called Maile -- it is from the mountain forest. It's fragrant, given usually to men, in honor of a major accomplishment.

Coby checked and thanked Snookums, but waited until he recovered the next day to arrange her sails.
It clearly took all his energy to tie her off well. Not a floating dock.

Stay tuned -

he is

telling me far more detail, and has fantastic video to upload for you all.

His eyes became blue!

Coby arrives (video)

2009-07-12T20:30:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7l5XNJxW2A

Video by Paul Barrett, my chum from Interlochen Arts Academy, of Coby's arrival. He had to come at speed into a tiny berth, but it ended perfectly, with some help from Paul and Katja.

Katja didn't hear the question, but yes, she was and is happy indeed.

He made it!

2009-07-11T22:40:00.000-07:00

He is here, wonderful and tired, on dry land. Walks funny, though. Much more later, including many pictures.

Turn

2009-07-11T09:47:00.000-07:00

July 11, 2009

5:01 HST "Have made the turn. 33 miles away."

He is heading now to anchor for the first time in 31 days.

Friday night . . . a little farther

2009-07-11T09:42:00.000-07:00

"Black cloud hit me with quite an edge. Whack on the shoulder. Strongest wind I've felt whole trip. Quite a ride."

"Need to go north to be away from shore and shipping for the night. It's hard to see the lights receding."

Very very close.

2009-07-10T17:18:00.000-07:00

Friday 7/10 @ 14:31 PST

"I see Malokai ! and will look overhead for your plane ! "

7/10 @ 15:17

lat 21 34 N, lon 157 12.2

"About 50 miles from you. Would put me at reef at sunset so will stay out one more night."

7/10 @ 16:49

"Just tried cellphone again. No dice. Can see Oahu."

7/10 @ 17:58 (2:58 pm local)

"I plan to heave to soon, park Snookums with plenty of sea room. Soon!"

Searoom: nothing to run into near you, because you have lots of sea around you. Some sailors, when a storm is coming, head away from port in order to be away from hazards.

Heave to: "park" by having the wind be neutral to your position. You salts- correct me if I am wrong - Katja

Close

2009-07-09T23:41:00.000-07:00

Thursday @ 20:31

latitude 22 04.1 N longitude 155 38.7 W

close. soon. heading a bit south to make sure am out of lanes overnight.

He will be setting an alarm to look around quite frequently, just to make sure.

Put the route to port on GPS -- shows up as pink line -- been looking and looking, and can't find it on the water! Where is it?

Coby will probably heave to Friday in order to not arrive after dark (which comes earlier in the tropics than Northern summer). I am flying to Hawaii early Friday morning with my miles, and should be there in Kaniohe, Oahu, HI to greet him when he comes in, si Dios quiere, on Saturday. Giddy. Need to stop blogging and pack.

Getting there

2009-07-08T19:58:00.000-07:00

15:30 (3:30 p.m.)

Spent 4 hours trying for better faster forsail option but back to square one except lost spare halyard up the mast. Tired.

(translation for land-lubbers: he tried to get a large front sail made for speed in a good position, but he lost the tail of the extra line that pulls the sails up -- it slipped away and ran up out of reach (unless he gets out his climbing rigging. He is using an improvement over what is usual on boats by drawing from tree and rock climbers - Katja)

18:50 (6:50 p.m.)

Latitude 22 46.1N, Longitude 153.32.8

Moving right along. GPS says 300 more miles.

Look Back #2 - leaving portland

2009-07-08T19:45:00.001-07:00

June 7th, 2009 photos of leaving Tomahawk Island to travel down the Columbia River to Astoria. Katja debarked there, and Coby sailed across the bar, which can be one of the world's most challenging locations, on June 11th.

Look back

2009-07-08T12:43:00.001-07:00

As Snookums nears the Islands (Captain Coby predicts Sunday) we look back to her launching ceremony at Astoria.

For Coby as he sets sail

ON A DAY WHEN THE WIND IS PERFECT

On a day

when the wind is perfect,

the sail just needs to open and the world is full of beauty.

Today is such a

day.

My eyes are like the sun that makes promises:

the promise of life

that it always

keeps

each morning.

The living heart gives to us as does that luminous sphere,

both caress the earth with great

tenderness.

There is a breeze that can enter the soul.

This love I know plays a drum. Arms move around me;

who can contain their self before my beauty?

Peace is wonderful,

but ecstatic dance is more fun, and less narcissistic;

gregarious He makes our lips.

On a day when the wind is perfect,

the sail just needs to open

and the love starts.

Today is such

a day.

Jalaludin Rumi (1207-1273)

Bird, Moon, Destination

2009-07-07T15:07:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, 2:30 Frigate and some other bird this morning. I'm on course for Kaneohe, Oahu.

(I figure 420 miles as the crow flies. -- Katja)

Monday 7/6

Spent 3 hrs plotting position w. sextant, only off by 600 miles! sheesh. normal 1st time though.

Monday 7/6

6:49 a.m. Wind changed, angle of boat to waves woke me. Jibed to get back on course. Moon close to setting.

Lime & Seabird

2009-07-05T12:32:00.001-07:00

Sunday noon:

as i tossed a too old lime overboard, i called out to the predators "goes good with fish!"

lat 24 54.4N lon 147 01.1W

Sunday 17:21

going good. saw another white brd with long very thin tail.

lat24 41.3N lon148 23.9W

Shaving

2009-07-04T14:21:00.001-07:00

I use leftover water in the thermos, still hot, for shave and face-wash in the bowl you found me.

He's getting closer - less than 700 miles to go. Picture of Coby shaving on the Columbia River on our way to Astoria

Ship

2009-07-03T19:14:00.000-07:00

The only wind Coby could find out of the shipping lanes is slightly SE. It is not enough for the windvane, so he was at the tiller 10 hours straight. Exhausting. He felt safe, ready to go to bed, and took one more look at the horizon --- and for the first time in two and a half weeks, there was a ship! Startling with its immensity and bright lights. But it was well within the shipping lane, where it belonged, on a parallel course.

Picture of his tiller

I still don't have my ticket to meet him in Hawaii -- we're waiting to see when the wind brings him closer before I buy a ticket. We are also debating which island, which moorage. Thank you to Dave, Roger, and John for your advice.

Racing & Pink Umbrellas

2009-07-02T21:51:00.000-07:00

Thursday July 2

morning call:

No wind – barely enough to keep going if stay on the tiller. Can draft north or south at half a knot.

Hot & sunny. "Don't want to put up canvas, in case I need to put up sails. So I'm using a fuchsia travel umbrella while sipping tea." (Snookums indeed! I cracked up for at least a full minute- Katja)

"Clouds on the horizon with rain. May be coming here soon – might mean wind. Right now I'm in a neck and neck race with a piece of styrofoam, but I'm slooooooooowly pulling ahead." (repeated mirth)

Photos: the canvas he is not putting up, the barometer, the wind-vane & anemometer.

Evening text: maybe 10 min left so will text. (we're about to get more minutes) winds 2 lite 4 Aries so on tiller all day. ( I think Aries is the name for the wind vane) tired. lat26 13.7N lon145 34.5.

Frustration & Wonder

2009-07-02T09:25:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, July 1 @ 22:52

Picture is of Coby on our trip down the Columbia from Portland to Astoria, June 7, 2009

Wind is from the south. Trying to make way. Traveled just 15 miles, but made only 2 miles headway. One of the banes of having a GPS – could see this wavy line going back and forth over the same place, like an etch-a-sketch.

Hard to concentrate. A result of the solitude?

There is a fish hanging out for protection next to the really big fish that is Snookums. Amber translucent body, dark stripe outlining the fish shape in reflective blue.

He saw for the first time a wonderful sight: the Milky Way reflected in the ocean.

2009-07-01T17:43:00.000-07:00

7/1 @ 17:41

"moving along pretty nicely now. lat26 28.2N lon145 30.5W had a shower and some tea."

Genoa up.

2009-07-01T13:31:00.000-07:00

7/1/09 @ 12:46 text via sattelite

Up till 4. have big genoa hdsl up, moving slowly.

Flying Fish & motoring

2009-07-01T09:09:00.000-07:00

Satellite Call Tuesday night.

The flying fish are eight inches long or more, with silver bellies and blue above. The water where they are coming from will ripple. They swim rapidly just under the surface and then emerge at speed. They zoom like dragonflies over the surface. They are not just jumping, but gliding and flying -- they will flap a time or two, and can change directions in the air. Sometimes they touch the surface of the water just for an instant, reminiscent of skipping stones.

Previous day he only traveled 30 miles - slower than a walk, when one figures it was 24 hours. It is making it hard for me (Katja) to figure when to meet him in Hawaii.

To travel to where there is wind -- south -- he motored all day long. Hot. Had to mind the tiller the whole time. Last night he was in the middle of the LA/Honolulu shipping lane, so he needed to keep going -- though he hasn't seen any ships since his 2nd day out. He has the radio at hand, and sends out frequent notices "SECURITE" to let any big ships know his location and heading. The trade winds await.

Thanks Jeff, and all you other helpful sailors. What a community.

Flying Fish

2009-06-30T21:36:00.001-07:00

"flying fish! wow!"

Getting there...

2009-06-29T22:09:00.000-07:00

Monday evening:

Coby estimates eight days to Hawaii.

text at 19:05:

lat27 25N, lon145 01.6W sails slatting, zephyrs toying, maybe wind soon.

Weather & 2/3

2009-06-29T09:01:00.000-07:00

Sun June 28 @22:07

Very often, perhaps always, when it is cloudy, the only bright spot visible also happens to be right where Snookums is heading.

Coby saw cirrus hooks - mare's tails beginning to be blown apart. These are the wispy, very high clouds. When they are not in the same direction as the surface winds, it means something is in opposition. Indicates cross winds in the jet stream, activity that can mean storms. Sailors sometimes call cirrus clouds serious clouds, harbingers of bad weather.

He readied the storm jib and the trysails. He prepared a hot beverage to keep in the thermos, and at a good hot meal. Everything is already battened down, due to the continued turbulence.

The weather blew elsewhere. It did feel good to be ready.

22:15 Text from Snookums: 2/3 of the way!!!

Saturday in the Tropics

2009-06-27T23:02:00.000-07:00

Position at 18:16

29 45.5 N, 142 20.4 W

"I'm in the tropics!! Less washing machine action now, too."

The gap in sail boat icons is partly because I didn't plot his position on Friday, and partly because he is making good time.

Life

2009-06-26T14:06:00.001-07:00

Two very different calls from Coby today:

First: Reports: "Very bumpy lurchy jerky. Need to keep putting head up to see horizon --since 4 am, shipping lanes again, and to quell possible seasickness." Observing the horizon can calm whatever causes motion sickness.

The pictures are of ways things are kept secure in such motion. Two are for things. The other two are to keep Coby safe as he moves around. One is the cork ceiling, to keep Coby's noggin safe. The circles are covering protrusions such as bolts. He is notorious for hitting his head on things, and the cabin ceiling is rather low. Another photo is of tennis balls covering the bolts for the portholes. They are at the level of the back of the head when you sit in the cabin.

He asks: "Where are those famous pleasant tropical rollers?" (OK, I won't wait for Hawaii to read him the earlier comment about this time of year in the higher latitudes)

We are starting to wonder where in Hawaii he should put in. He initially planned Honolulu. But after all this time in solitude, the urbanity, even Island style, will probably be too much. We are thinking Hilo. Any leads welcome. We have been directed to Radio Bay. Sound good still these days?

Second: Feels better now that the sun came out. Realized hadn't slept much the whole night. This shipping lane between Panama and Asia -- but hasn't seen a single ship. Has three more lanes to go through: Frisco/Honolulu, LA/Honolulu, Panama/Honolulu. Since the weather is fairly mild, the big ships won't need to take detours, and should remain on predictable paths. When he is within 30 miles of a shipping lane, he really begins a careful watch. In worse weather, it might need to be much farther out.

Morning and night, he sees an albatross. Is it the same one? It only landed once. He has also seen one that he knows was a different one, because it was smaller. Its mate? The albatross is an amazing flier. It tilts at an angle, one wing almost, or barely touching the water - Coby imagines the tip is slicing through the top quarter inch of the water.

He decided not to think about whether he wants to continue after Hawaii. He wants to be involved in what he is doing right now, rather than "investing in an invented future." He will decide what he wants to do after a rest with me on the Islands. Whatever he chooses to do will be fine "because there is nothing wrong with being who you are." Truer words were never spoken.

Shower

2009-06-26T13:45:00.000-07:00

Report Thursday night 20:20

position: 32 56.8 N, 140 16.4 W

Coby took a voluntary shower! No longer getting doused, and getting warmer, he hooked up his solar shower with salt water. He hung it from the back stay until it was pleasantly warm, and showered and soaped (with the traditional sailing soap, Joy dishwashing liquid) and rinsed. Then he spritzed with a pint and a half of precious fresh water in a spray bottle.

Very refreshing. Lifted mood.

"halfway"

2009-06-25T11:13:00.000-07:00

In just one mile, Coby will be at the halfway point to Hawaii. So by the time you read this, he will be past. When he called me at 11:11, he had gone 1339. Distance to Hawaii: 1340.

However, that assumes that he will be able to sail in a straight line, which sail boats don't do much!

6/25 @ 11:11 -- 33 43.7 N, 139 56.7 W

For the first time, the wind is with him. He has been in unusual winds, the ones that occur only 4 or 5 % of the time. Now he is enjoying the wind direction that he expected.

He has caught up on tasks, rest. He has more energy. Snookum's motion is calmer. She is still rocking, but an easier motion. So he is starting to do some of the things he had planned. He just took a manual solar reading (old fashioned sextant, for determining your position and heading).

I don't have a picture of his sextant, so I am including image(s) of his compass. He can read it from inside the cabin or out in the cockpit.

Chop and Blue Sea

2009-06-25T08:12:00.000-07:00

Wednesday Jun 24, 2009 @ 21:46

34 13.4 N, 138 51.7 W

You salts out there have probably figured out that Coby's wife is not yet a sailor. Forgive me my errors, and feel free to comment. What I know I have picked up in the last two years, helping Coby prepare for this voyage. As many folks following this know Coby, but don't know boats, I'll be explaining terms as best I can.

Wind veers NW for a day and a half now. Small, rough, choppy swell. Then the wind comes from the N, and sets up a somewhat contrary chop. To cut through it well, he would be "head to wind" or "in irons" - traveling straight into the wind, not a viable sailing method.

The result of all this is that the wind and the swells conspire to kick Snookums broadside to the swells. It rocks the boat. The rail (leeward?) sometimes touches the water -- not from speed, but from rocking. (Not dangerous, but not comfortable, either).

The picture is of Snookums being lowered into the Columbia right after her christening. It shows her deep keel. This is one reason she is so steady and safe, and also why the current affects her so much. When she can cut through the waves, she is magnificent. Broadside, she presents a lot for them to push on.

He has two reefs in the main (these are tucks to lessen the sail area) to lessen the tendency of the wind to turn him sideways. (if I understand him right) and he has set the windvane to steer him more to port than what he actually needs, in order to compensate. His windvane is a large blade, similar to a ceiling fan blade, that reacts to the wind. It helps keep the boat headed in the right direction, and oriented to the wind.

He only has felt the beginnings of seasickness once. He was moving some things in the V berth. The waves were causing Snookums to be airborne, at least in front. Items he hadn't stowed back yet were floating in the air on the drop. Moments of weightlessness. He began to get hot, one of the signs, so he went above and was fine.

He reports the sea is an amazing blue. One spring, we saw a luminous sky in early twilight. He had taken me to see a magnificent old flowering cherry, now gone. The color of the sky, seen throught the dripping blossoms was most memorable. He says that the sea is that color. You can see deeply into it, and the shafts of light go down into it, at least twenty feet.

The moon out again, still a very thin sliver.

2009-06-24T12:05:00.000-07:00

location 6/24/09 @11:45: 34 45.2 N, 138 13.8 W

Coby is able to receive text messages again.

Snookums' odometer says that she has traveled 1,200 miles. If she was able to go in a straight line, Hawaii would be 1,460 more miles away.

Coby thinks he just skirted the Pacific High, that he was closer to it than he thought. This may be why he was becalmed, and why he saw plastic in the water every time he looked out.

The wind has picked up. He said that I would enjoy the motion of the boat, reeling and rocking. The water, traveling fast, pushes, then he drops down the face. A swooping feeling, rushing down the waves.

Views & News

2009-06-24T11:16:00.000-07:00

Call Tuesday night:

Coby reports "almost a following sea. some wind. not big waves but very close together 4' a lot of little pushes to the side."

He saw albatross again.

He is loving the camera (this is new for him). Sunsets are the big event. They are not all that red, because there is no pollution, but to see so much of the sunset sky is amazing.

He is so far west, and we are all so near to Solstice, that at 10:19 he could still see the last glow of sunset.

On the shortwave he had gotten Australia, New Zealand and Honolulu stations, as well as the Voice of Russia. The latter had an interesting program on a 14th century archeological site in downtown Helsinki.

He has the solar panel out, and did an hour and a half of pedaling, but still didn't bring up the battery enough. So he is using an 8 pack of AA batteries to run everything, including his tri-colored light. (For you landlubbers, the red, green and white lights give other boats information about whether he is coming or going, partly by telling them what side of the boat they are looking at)

At night, it has often been cloudy, but one night he said that the "Milky Way was as broad as I've ever seen it."

Last night, the smallest sliver of the new moon, low in the west.

Cooking becalmed

2009-06-23T10:05:00.000-07:00

Coby Monday June 22, 2009 10 pm

He's been becalmed, Sunday night and Monday. Very still.

Said with a chuckle: I wonder if I should begin water rationing. In actuality, he has plenty of water, plus multiple means to collect it and to make fresh water from sea water.

Between the current (now in the preferred direction, towards Hawaii) and Snookum's ability to ghost, he has traveled another 60 miles. He put up the Spinnaker -- seemed to take a long time. (see picture of white sail in recent post)

Some water got into the cupboards and onto the books during the heavy seas. Smelled mildew. He hates mold. Took a lot of the day to take everything out and wipe it with vinegar. Fortunately, likes the smell of vinegar. Very tired after. Made himself good food. Helped. Proud of his dish:

tuna s'ghetti

whole wheat spaghetti, tuna fish, coconut milk, tumeric, black pepper, rooster sauce (Asian hot sauce)

the islands in the lower left are Hawaii.

location at 10 pm: 36 18.5 N, 137 34.9 W

Easier to comment

2009-06-22T10:47:00.000-07:00

Katja here: I just figured out how to make it easier to comment, without having to join anything. So if you've been thwarted, please try again.

midnight report

2009-06-22T09:22:00.000-07:00

Coby reported traveling over 100 miles yesterday, despite light winds. Ideally he would have used the spinnaker -- the big balloon sail that is employed in front -- but he said health and safety called other tasks than ideal sails. After all, this is not a race, but one sailor dependent on his boat and himself. Fortunately, Snookums is good at "ghosting" -- getting travel out of just a whisper of a wind.

He reported 36 46.3 N, 136 51.6 W - but this shows some-

what to the east of his last position -- though south also.

So unless he is skirting traffic or a storm, I think my

slightly dyslexic self wrote down some coordinates incor-

rectly. Will check as soon as we have text capability again.

The picture is of the spinnaker, taken on a sail before his

journey began. Unlike most of his other sails, it is white.

Energy, speed, communication

2009-06-21T10:06:00.000-07:00

Coby called me for my birthday. We kept the call short, because his recharging system is extremely low. He kept his VHF (?) radio on for two days as he approached and crossed the shipping lanes from Asia -- evidently it is very power hungry. (I just got his power bill at the dock -- no recordable power use. Those LEDs are amazing!) He is pedaling to recharge the batteries. The sun is out, so he will put his flexible solar panel up, too (pictured)

At the moment the winds are very light. He gets rocked quite a bit when he sleeps, because the wind vane can't work with the scant wind to keep a good way on. He wants to save his fuel for when he really needs it for avoiding obstacles in such conditions.

He can afford some light wind -- he is one third of the way to Hawaii. He has had strong winds. Snookums traveled 170 miles in 30 hours. His top recorded speed was over 8 knots

6/21 @ 9:21 -- 37 00 N, 137 15 W

Crossing Shipping Lane

2009-06-20T13:55:00.000-07:00

Saturday June 20 13:40 (1:40 p.m.)

Postion: 37 43.9 N, 135 02

Snookums had to cross a major international shipping lane last night. Coby reports that he had to awaken at regular intervals all night, to scan in all directions for ships. Even crossing these lanes, he has only seen two ships -- very intimidatingly big, though far away. The economic crisis is helping him have less traffic to avoid.

He also sent out a "surité" (guessing the spelling, pronouned: shur ee TAY) that advised any ships in hearing distance that he was a small boat, giving his location, speed and heading so that they in turn could avoid him.

He is now about 60 nautical miles out of the lanes, and relieved.

He had it rigged so that he can adjust the sails and much more while keeping his lower body warmly and safely in the cabin, and just sticking his head and shoulders out. An advantage of a small boat.

I neglected to post: a few nights ago he saw brilliant flashes of green luminesce. It looked magical.

If anyone out there knows phone cards that will cover iridium satellite phones for a good rate, please let me know. It would cost me 6$ a minute to call him, and the first minute or so is used up in connection!

Snookums Sea Lore #4

2009-06-19T20:22:00.000-07:00

Take your pants off as much as possible. Of course, there are lots of reasons for this, especially if you have crew, but this is to prevent salt water boils from sitting in damp clothing too long.

Position Friday 6/19 @ 20:20: 38 47.7 N, 134 02 W

Sun out, milder waves

2009-06-19T11:20:00.000-07:00

Coby call via Satellite phone Friday 6/19 @11:04

The Sun is out for the first time this trip.

He reports that the weather is milder. He slept perhaps 13 hours. The weather finally modulated around 3 a.m. There is a little rolling, some waves are big but still gentle -- he says that I would like the motion (there is a way you get suspended on the drop, that feels like flying. You can get that feeling from a good leap, a dance lift, or a trampoline, too. )

location at 11:04 39 25 N, 133 32.4 W

Contrary Expectations

2009-06-18T21:15:00.000-07:00

We expected crossing the bar to be perilous. But the combination of skill -- consulting to find the perfect tidal conditions for crossing, patience -- being will to wait for good condition, and luck, rendered the cross relatively smooth and easy.

The passage to Hawaii this time of year is supposed to be easy, a very good way to break oneself in as a blue water sailor. So far it is proving rough, and taking concentration and stamina.

- Katja

Thursday 6/18 @20:52

2009-06-18T20:46:00.000-07:00

Satellite phone call:

Nasty cross swells. Enter first wave at a 45 degree angle, the next quickly broadsides. It is wild! One of books titled: " A Gentleman Does Not Go Upwind." He can see why. He is sleeping on the floor. The part he likes is that he is moving quickly towards Hawaii. He feels safe, though. Snookums is taking care of him. It is like sleeping in the backseat while Dad drives down a very rough road.

location c. 9 pm -- 39 53N, 132 17.7W -- a lot a travel in a few hours.

Thursday 6/18 15:38

2009-06-18T16:06:00.000-07:00

Got this message around 3:30 Thursday afternoon:

40 02N, 131 45W

closehauled brgSW 20-25 knots rough ride sitting on floor to read book.

He called a little later, because he realized this might sound scary, but said it was fine.

Phone reception spotty, though, because he had the hatch cover closed due to excessive spray.

We are having challenges with him getting my messages and emails -- it is causing us to burn up precious voice minutes. Me calling him is so expensive, I used up a small calling card before I had even made connection! Yikes.

Wednesday night 23:44

2009-06-18T09:37:00.001-07:00

I made the sail boat red, because Coby's sails are tanbark. Look back in the May archives to see his sails in action.

Wednesday night 23:44

2009-06-18T09:01:00.000-07:00

40 49.9N, 131 13.6W

Visited by many dark swift birds, swallow-like but heavier, forever swooping. Another albatross.

3 pets: 2 spiders in the wind vein, and a grain moth. (Despite the threat to his dry food, he can't bring himself to kill it -- living things see so rare).

Calm enough, able to cook, eat, and clean up at one go.

Here is a picture I took of his gimbaled cooking apparatus. The rig swings to keep level despite the pitch of the boat. He has two small tea pots -- one is dented for heating salt water for cleaning and any other use, the other smooth for fresh water only. He has had the Svea (sp) stove since he was young -- he made coffee for us on it the first morning of our honeymoon.

Correction for Tuesday night

2009-06-17T16:05:00.000-07:00

Actual location of Snookums Tuesday eve: 41 07' N, 130 58' W

Rough night, great lee cloth

2009-06-17T11:25:00.000-07:00

Coby is making good time. But the sea is rough. Last night he wouldn't have been able to sleep at all without the lee cloth that Adele made him (thanks Adele, for that and much more). He said that the cloth functioned more as a hammock at times.

Here's a picture I took of Coby modeling his lee cloth (it holds you in when the boat tilts).

Photos of Crossing the Bar.

2009-06-17T10:46:00.001-07:00

Tom and Kathy Ely, generous strangers, were on the platform at Ft. Stevens State Park when Coby was crossing the bar. Tom had an enormous lens, and captured Snookums, miles away, crossing the Columbia bar.

The images are reversed, the top one should be second.

Even Tom's camera couldn't capture Snookums passing buoy one, passing into the open ocean officially.

Tuesday night

2009-06-17T10:24:00.000-07:00

38.44N lon129 52.56W finally some wind

38 44'N, 129 52'56"W

Coby reports feeling now as if he is going to Hawaii (and me), rather than away from here.

Link to River Pictures - trip to the sea

2009-06-16T10:59:00.001-07:00

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=81453&id=790269152&l=600376c689

progress as of eve of 6/15

2009-06-16T08:16:00.000-07:00

Don figures: By straight line distances on Google Earth Coby has traveled approximately 371 nautical miles. The straight line distance to Hawaii is @2217NM. He's about 1/6th of the way.

23:22 Monday night

2009-06-15T23:16:00.000-07:00

SAT call:

People who say that they don't get leg workouts sailing aren't traveling on Snookums.

Coby reports having to brace himself against the chop quite a bit. The gray and the bumps aren't fun. Letting out more sail helped cut through better. Spirits on the upswing, nonetheless. Charming birds circle around at dusk.

42 10'9" N, 129 54'3" W

SW Swell

2009-06-15T22:42:00.000-07:00

via satellite phone 17:57

Calmed down enough to cook hot meal and tea.

SW swell - trying to send boat to Siberia. According to pilot charts, this only happens 4% of the time at this time of year. So far not the easy run that going towards Hawaii is supposed to be.

Map of

2009-06-15T10:10:00.000-07:00

Don Jensen made a map of Coby's route to date. Thanks Don!

We are working on making a link in which you can interact with it, adding in weather, moving ahead to imagine his route to Hawaii, etc.

In the meantime I will post his coordinates in a Google Earth friendly manner. Then you can put then in the "fly to" box and see right where he is.

Sunday location 19:29

2009-06-14T20:06:00.000-07:00

Location sunday night around 7:30

lat 43 10 709 lon 129 05 511

Coby is very very tired, and was meeting some of the challenges of soloing. Last report is that he got music on the radio, and was feeling better. Humans seem to need human voices.

Sat. night location

2009-06-13T23:03:00.000-07:00

text from Coby at 22:52

43 53'N, 128 03'W

Becalmed. Will try more S for better winds+weather

Albatross and rest

2009-06-13T11:12:00.000-07:00

Satellite phone call:

An albatross circled the boat.

Coby is tired, so he is leaving a reef in the main even though the wind is mild at the moment. This will allow him to rest -- he won't have to change the sail for the gusts that have been up to 25 knots. He was in some rough seas, but Snookums handled them very well indeed. He checked the bilge -- not a drop!

He might practice QiGong. To practice, he goes on the foredeck and is tethered to either side of the boat, so he can stand without fear of falling overboard.

current location:

n44.05' w127.41'

The minutes are precious. It was SO hard for us to hang up!

location Friday night

2009-06-12T22:59:00.000-07:00

From Coby's satellite phone, 20:42 Friday

at N44 54 lon W126 48 wind 15-25. 2 reefs in main. seas lumpy. Snookums fine. me tired.

location June 11 22:46:57 PDT

2009-06-12T08:33:00.000-07:00

From Coby's Satellite phone:

lat 45 48 210 lon 125 09 340 reef in main Aries is steering me to bed

Snookums launched!

2009-06-11T18:11:00.000-07:00

Katja writing:

Coby set off from the West Basin Moorage in Astoria bound for New Zealand via Hilo and Samoa, some time after 9:40, after a proper blessing ceremony. Ali, Larry, Deborah and I saw him off. Details to follow.

Many thanks to Ali, Dave, Scott, Ciaran, Deborah, John and Larry and all who journeyed out to Astoria to help him launch. You helped make his dream!

Larry and I traveled to the observation tower on the jetty and were able to watch his departure from near buoy 10 until he was out to sea.

He progressed from motoring to the main sail, then adding foresail, though he kept the motor going until across the bar. He passed buoy 1 around 12:20 p.m.

Snookums looked as if she was enjoying taking the wind. He reported being well sprayed as he hoisted the foresail, and having fun. He sounded exhilarated.

He saw a dolphin! Felt very auspicious.

I watched until the sails were two tiny dots shimmering through the atmosphere and mist, and I lost them. Around the same time we lost phone contact, but not before we said: Aloha.

Bless every one of you who helped him to fulfill this lifelong dream.

Bar Crossing Set for Thursday

2009-06-10T15:52:00.000-07:00

Katja writing: Decision was made: Coby was too tired to cross the bar -- especially with the couple of hours more work needed. A day of light work and rest is called for. This choice was re-enforced when an anchor was dropped by accident-- without its chain!

This morning Dave Hewitt, a friend here to see Coby off, retrieved it. Very helpful that Dave is a dive master!

We decided to spend the night on land -- and found the delightful and newly re-opened Commodore Hotel.

How wonderful to have all these good friends around us! Some couldn't wait until tomorrow, and are disappointed that they won't see the actual crossing -- but they understand the decision.

Arrived in Astoria

2009-06-08T21:18:00.000-07:00

We have arrived in Astoira. Idyllic passage with some adrenaline in the last hour. At celebratory dinner. More tomorrow.

Departure Day!

2009-06-07T06:57:00.000-07:00

Departure Day! Some nerves, lots of stuff still to pack, but we will make it. Glad Katja is floating down the river with me -- would be too hectic otherwise.

Here is Coby's Global Navigational System (GPS)!

Wishes & Comments

2009-06-06T17:51:00.000-07:00

If you leave thoughts, comments or wishes, I will pass them on to Coby. After traveling down the river, we'll spend a little time on land in Astoria on Tuesday, and look for an internet café -- I'll check the blog and he can look at what you say with his own eyes before he sets sail.

Those who know him enough to have his number and who want to, please call him Tuesday afternoon.

Starting Location

2009-06-06T10:46:00.000-07:00

Until I find the right gadget and how to link it with this blog, I will give you the navigation coordinates (latitude and longitude) for Coby's location. Maybe you can look at our route to Astoria.

Snookums is docked at Tomahawk Island, on the Columbia, in Portland.

45 degrees 36'23.N

122 degrees 39'23.W

elev. 2'

Departure planned Sunday from Portland

2009-06-06T10:21:00.000-07:00

(Katja writing)

Due in part to my food poisoning episode this week, we have pushed the departure back one day to Sunday the 7th, early. I will go down the Columbia River with Coby, a two day agenda.

Blessedly, our change in plans enabled us to have a relaxing dinner with Ali and get a good night's sleep. Today we are doing everything we would have done until the wee hours -- we are trying not to add any extra tasks with the extra time. Breathe.

Plan to rest and re-test communication systems in Astoria. Then Wednesday morning, I will disembark, and Coby, si Díos quiere, will cross the bar. I can wave from an observation tower. The river is so wide that we will need binoculars to see each other.

He received a wonderful waterproof video camera from a friend, and a waterproof film camera from another. We will have to wait until he makes port to see the images; he will be sending me test messages of 160 characters max. We have sheets of text abbreviations and acronyms to help us. I'll post the public portion of these messages here.

Testing Coby's overboard system

2009-06-01T08:32:00.000-07:00

Practiced with safety equipment with Scott and Larry as crew. Sailing upriver at about four knots, I lowered myself into the Columbia. Attached to the boat by my safety harness and tether, I slid back on the jack-line that runs on the outside of the boat to the stern where I was dragged by my tether until I caught hold of the rope ladder, and climbed up aboard. It all went swimmingly!

I also tested my backup to the backup safety system -- two hundred feet of floating line knotted every eighteen inches, with a little buoy on the end, that I let snake out behind the boat. Tried pulling myself back up in while I was in the water -- very easy self-rescue. We likes it!

Snookums Sea Lore #3

2009-05-28T23:35:00.000-07:00

Never take two timepieces -- only one or three. With three, you can let them take a vote as to the correct time. With one, you just take your chances and trust it. With two, they argue forever and drive you crazy.

Sealore #2

2009-05-25T09:21:00.001-07:00

Always sleep with your feet facing forward. That way, if the boat zooms down a wave and stops short when the bow hits the trough of the wave, you hit your feet, not your head.

D-Day

2009-05-24T10:33:00.000-07:00

I have an official Date of Departure (from Portland). D-Day of course: June 6.

My first day as a full time sailor was April Fool's Day.

Dock party was on Derby Day.

So D-Day on D-day seems fitting.

Plan to leave Astoria for the ocean June 9th or 10th after making my way 80 miles downriver.

Big weekend part two

2009-05-18T12:27:00.000-07:00

S unday. Went out sailing with Katja and Scott -- flew my spinnaker for the first time -- brand new sail -- looks real pretty and pulls well. Then we put up twin heads'ls -- two triangular sails flown side by side from the front of the boat. It was beautiful. Katja said it looked like butterfly wings. Scott and I thought it looked like something just as beautiful but a whole lot sexier. Came back, had a big old lunch, then Larry helped me practice my "man overboard" skills. Floating in the dirty water, still attached to my harness, figuring out the best way to climb back aboard. FAR more difficult to climb back up over the side than I would have believed. Will hang foot-ropes over the side -- short loops for footholds.

big weekend part one

2009-05-18T12:12:00.001-07:00

Big weekend. Katja spent all Saturday gluing cork rectangles to my ceiling, for insulation and noggin protection. Looks great. A Mondrian cork mural to ponder from my bunk.

I spent all that day finishing up little projects, and finding out my reefing system is terrible. Need a new one quick. Did get my anchor chain marked, though -- a 12 inch strand of polypropylene line, unrove from a three strand line (its stays squiggly.) I wove the strands in and out of my chain where they should stay and mark every five fathoms (thirty feet). This lets you know, even in the dark, how much chain you are letting out.

Stuff

2009-05-16T10:57:00.000-07:00

A week of organizing and stowing and removing unnecessary and/or weighty items. I told my friend Don that I was overwhelmed. He grinned, and said, "Well, that's just life. Even if you weren't leaving the country, you'd feel overwhelmed." It gave me something to ponder for several hours -- the extent to which overwhelm is necessary to achieve our goals in the midst of chaos and the extent to which we allow overwhelm to define our lives.

Snookums Sea Lore #1

2009-05-11T01:03:00.000-07:00

If it rains heavily during a calm, you can skim fresh water off the surface of the ocean. Fresh water is lighter than salt water, so floats for awhile before it mixes.

Climbing the Mast

2009-05-11T00:54:00.000-07:00

Climbed the mast today. My friend Sean, a climber, set up my system and coached me through it. And my titanium Ushba ascenders look mighty stylish. Now I can climb and do repairs, if needed, at sea -- unlikely, but great to have the capability. It was great being at the top of the mast. I wasn't scared, as I expected to be. It was lots of fun when a large motorboat wake rocked the boat back and forth with me up top. It reminded me of when I was young and my mom would encourage me to climb the pine tree in our backyard during windstorms. She enjoyed watching; I enjoyed swaying. Mighty tired after my climbing practice, but its another big item I can cross off my list.

Friday Sail

2009-05-11T00:48:00.000-07:00

Friday went sailing with Katja! A bit stressful with all the other boats and barges and banks of the river, but a great sail nonetheless. Eighteen knots for much of the time, so practiced reefing and heaving to. First sail since I loaded Snookums with maybe a ton of stuff. Was worried about her speed and stability, but she seems just as fast, and even more stable than before. We likes it.

Huge full moonrise -- a crimson sliver peeking over the mountains, then blossoming into giant orange ball.

All of your beeswax

2009-05-06T21:16:00.000-07:00

The cans are stowed! And Snookums still balances! Big job -- this involves removing the labels, writing the contents with a magic marker, and dipping the entire can in molten beeswax, so the salt air doesn't eat it. Might actually get to go sailing tomorrow.

photos of bon voyage party

2009-05-04T13:58:00.000-07:00

katja here:

photos are at my facebook profile, and are open to everyone to see, under label bon voyage party.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=72926&id=790269152

Great Party

2009-05-03T17:07:00.000-07:00

Lots of people showed up despite the 60 mile-an-hour gusts and hail that preceded the party. Clear skies and sun for the party - a perfect window.

Thanks, Scott, thanks everybody!

2009-05-02T12:55:00.000-07:00

My list is getting shorter. Exciting! Great feeling to have Scott taking care of the whole party.

2009-05-02T12:53:00.000-07:00

Finally got my depth sounder working. It tells me I'm slightly shallower than I am, but I won't take offense.

2009-04-28T21:29:00.000-07:00

Feeling quite overwhelmed with the enormous amount of work getting ready and provisioning. But the list is getting smaller, and when I close my eyes, I can feel the ocean swells.

It all started when I was twelve

2009-04-21T21:12:00.000-07:00

My first post.