About the trip

Goal: Safe, fun, fast, in that order. The goal is to deliver the boat back to SF, not sink it in the middle of the ocean. We should have fun doing it too.

Trip Description:
The boat is currently in Ko Olina, which is on the south west end of Oahu. Approximately June 8th we will go out the harbor, turn north and sail up the channel between Oahu and Kauai. We expect easterly trade winds so we should point as high as possible on a starboard tack. This will have us heading north with hopefully some progress to the east. A typical sail will take the boat mostly north for a few days. A tack to the east is made after about 6 or 7 days. The timing depends where the "Pacific High" is positioned and how strong it is. Hopefully we will not need to motor through the Pacific High which has very light wind. As the boat approaches the coast we leave the Pacific High behind and the westerlies fill in. The sail then becomes a broad reach with potentiably strong wind. The seas 300 - 400 miles off the coast can become relatively high and the wind strong if there is a strong high off the coast and a deep low over the western US. This is not uncommon (common) making it potentially the most "exciting" part of the trip.

The Boat
The boat is 43 foot with three cabins and two heads. One aft cabin has a canvas divider or lee cloth so two can sleep without rolling on each other. The forward berth will probably be used for storage since the first half of the trip will be going to weather and the bow is not the most comfortable place to be. I anticipate 5 total, four crew and myself. Each person will be able to bring one "reasonably sized" sea bag.
One head will be used as a wet locker. Not important in the beginning of the trip but towards the end that is where we will put foul weather gear. The forward head will be everyone's head. Showers should be possible, assuming the water maker continues to function perfectly, however while the trip is still in the warm phase on deck salt water showers are also nice and preferred by some.

Watches
We will have two shifts of two crew and I will float between the shifts as weather and conditions warrant. (I assume the second half will need more attention than the first half.)
There will be 5 shifts in a 24 hour period, which is an odd number by design. That way if you get the night shift one night, then next you won't.
Generally I find the following best: (Can be modified)
6 am - 12 noon: Cleans breakfast dishes, makes lunch. Cleans head in the morning.
12 noon - 6 pm: Cleans lunch dishes, makes dinner
6 pm - 10 pm: Cleans dinner dishes, makes hot pot of water for next shift
10 pm - 2 am: Makes hot pot of water for next shift
2 am - 6 am Makes breakfast

Someone must always be in the cockpit awake at all times. No sleeping while on duty.
If in doubt about anything and the captain is not on deck, get him, no matter what hour or whether or not he is asleep.
Be kind, understanding, forgiving and listen to what others say. This is a good opportunity to learn and share.

Meals:
Each meal will be planned out before we leave. This makes food preparation easier and helps prevent running out of essential things before the trip is over. I will consult with everyone to make sure any dietary restrictions or desires are met. It is not a good idea to bring things to eat/drink that are not to be shared so one provisioning for all is best.

Equipment on the boat:
Short wave, which gives us weather fax and weather GRIB files. We also have text only email capability.
AIS, with a computer display below. (Automatic Identification System. Shows us where nearby freighters are on a chart.) I hope to have a display working in the cockpit before departure. (Purchased already)
Emergency rudder and emergency tiller
Life raft with EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) if the worst happens (it won't)
Drogue and parachute for storm tactics
Storm sails
Lots of other sails
Radar
Two auto pilots (It is more fun to stear by hand)
Water maker, Also, 150 gallons of water in two tanks and emergency water in gallon jugs. Also a great filter for making the water taste good.
Fuel: 110 gallons of fuel in two tanks
Heater (This may be useful at the end of the trip, but it uses diesel so may not want to use it.)
Stereo, but the cockpit speakers stopped working. Not sure if this is the stereo or the speakers. Bring your own iPod with head phones.
GPS (Quantity 9)