Position reports just showed up and we are very pleased with our results to date. It's early days and all of us are really just out here setting up for where we think we should be for the last 2 thirds of the race. The lighter boats as expected are sailing lower, gaining speed but sailing more distance. We don't gain as much by playing that game and are staying a bit higher hoping for good wind and a shorter test.
Doing 15.5 right now!!!
And that brings me to our second subject. Johnny Ryan. Johnny did the last two races with us and we are missing him this time out. But...apparently he is here in spirit as I am constantly hearing guys on deck yell out "Hey Johnny!" at the helmsman whenever they chase a wave south rather than staying on course. It's tempting, but it's not quite time for that yet!! Johnny seems to set the speed record on every distance race he does, but can often be found sailing 10-20 degrees low to do it!!
Anyway, all good here. 20+ knots of wind. "Johnny's" top speed so far is 17.3...not bad, but that will fall soon.
-Jim
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Morpheus was designed by Carl Schumacher, built by Davie Norris Boatbuilders in New Zealand and launched in 2002. She spent her first 18 months cruising the South Pacific before reaching her home port of San Francisco. Since that time, Morpheus has been raced and cruised extensively. This blog will document her ongoing adventures.
Looks like a great start. Morpheus fans might be interested to note that Paul Cayard is also posting dispatches from on board Hula Girl (same division as Morpheus), and appears to be wondering what Jim is thinking while claiming he is not really paying attention to the competition. [LINK HERE]
ReplyDeleteMethinks he doth protest too much.
Also, with Jim and Rob on board, and Debbie riding horses to Montana (or something), I have taken it upon myself to transfer command of the Morpheus Early Retirement Delivery Entourage (M.E.R.D.E.) to the MW Mobile Blog, which will be colliding with the Morpheus Sailing blog 10 days hence.