June 30, 2008
Current Position (as of 8:41pm PT): 21.03N, 139.28W
Photo ©2008 GizaraArts.comCheck out Lisa Gizara's web site for a slide show of amazing photos of Zac pre-departure
Zac and Laurence onboard Intrepid
I woke up to the radar alarm this morning showing 'something' out there. There was nothing on the AIS Ship Radar. What ever it was disappeared eventually. The cloud cover causes the boat to be drenched by the morning. Fortunately it burns off by 10am or so. It isn't as cold as it was a few days ago even without the sun. I will reach the famous 20 degrees north tonight. I'm looking forward to the sailing paradise with warmer temperatures and fish jumping out of the water that Brett & Mike from Ocean Rescue TV assured me of!
New Daily Routine:
Wake Up
Check Bilges
Check Sails
Turn on Music
Wash Dishes
Clean Boat
Check Batteries
Tune Sails
Call Home
Eat Lunch
Read
Nap
Check Sails
Check Email
Eat Dinner
Check in with Mom & Dad
Set Sails/Check Course
Go to Bed
I did see a bird today. It was a small white bird a bit like a seagull. It flew around the boat a few times checking me out and flew off leaving me a package to remember him by!
I did set the fishing line again today. The reel screamed, I ran, the reel stopped screaming, I reeled in the line to find the remnants of a Barracuda that something had gotten to before me. There wasn't much meat left on it so I threw it back. I'm beginning to feel a little like Job.
Thank you for the emails and blog comments. I have been having some trouble with my email. I will call SailMail tech support tomorrow to hopefully figure out why it is freezing up on me.
Cheers,
Zac
posted by Zac at
9:45 PM
41 Comments:
Kind of like going to In N Out and finding that you left all your money at home. Better luck next time.
Glad to see that you are actually reading the blogs and emails.
Do the dishes before bed. Everything cakes on it overnight and it is harder and takes more water to wash them the next morning. (I know from experience. I usually do them when I have run out of dishes.)
Best.
Bill Mann
Looking good, Zac.
Are you spending some time gazing at the stars? You've got an opportunity right now that few people on this planet get. So much of the planet is affected by the bright city lights that few get to really gaze at our great, big galaxy and beyond. As you know, the first sailors navigated by the stars. Anyway, if you ever seek a little entertainment, look up!
Scott
Hi Zac,
Thanks so much for the link to GizaraArts.com. Beautiful professional shots which really put us there during the preparation of your trip.
I wish I had heard about your trip before you left. I would have loved to volunteer. I Usually I always miss out on things! At least I found out about your trip before you returned!
I will now never forget your routine. I do wonder what your old daily routine was :) Amazing that you wake up to a cold wet vessel. It is so hot here. Hot smoggy, smokey. You are in paradise!
I noticed in the pictures, the banner with Philipians 4:13, and then your reference tonight in your blog about Job. So when you ask for prayer, you really are serious, and believe prayers are answered?
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" How awesome to be in his presence surrounded by his beauty, and trusting him to be with you on your journey. Now I know you are not alone out there. You are blessed by the Lord who is with you always.
It sounds like you had a good day. That makes the close of my day better.
Best to you Zac,
Peter
I am curious, what do you think you will do for the 4th of July?
Anyways just wanted to say good luck...and hope you catch something soon!
nice looking cabin!
Straight Wakes,
Mike S.
I grew up as a sailor also but of course never attepted what you are doing. You remind me of the book "Dove" a boy sailing around the world. When I was 14 my dad and I sailed 6 months around the Bahamas on a 27' Albin Vega sloop and it was the best time I ever had and something I will remember my whole life. I wish you the best and my the wind always fill your sails and send you in the right direction.
Hello Zac
We love the photos and the scripture banner at Gizaraarts.com
When my son Josh decided to grace us with his presence this morning while rubbing his rowdy hair and with a yawn he asked, "What's up with Zac?" Thats when I told him that you were cleaning your boat. He rolled his eyes and went back to bed. We are definately addicted to your daily blog updates and whereabouts. Charley and Joshua Hasker
Hey Zac,
I know, I said I would only comment once a week; however, I just looked at googleearth to see where you are and it seems like you are farther than I thought you would be. Are you averaging over 70 miles per day? I figured you may have sailed roughly 1,170 miles. It looks like a bit more! What do you average a day?
I know you will catch a fish tomorrow (today actually..).
Cheers~~Becky
Zac, for July 4 Just look up! you will probably see a shooting star!
a star to steer her by ...
love the pics ...it's nice to get a peek inside the boat.
X Glenys
Well it sounds like you had a better day today. Hopefully the wind is blowing in your favor. Spend a little time if you can by your fishing rod and line. Placing you finder on the line will let you know when a fish is taking your lure. I'm praying you'll get a nice size fish today. Enjoy the day because you'll always look back on these times in your future. Like always, your doing a great job. The 3rd of July is my birthday and I'm going across the street to Tony P's for dinner. I'll order a fish for my birthday dinner in your honor. I'll make sure the waiter knows why and more than likely the whole restaurant will know why. Hopefully you'll eat fish before I do, I really hope so.
Hey Zac, keep your spirits high and we'll be thinking about you every day. Take care and Sail On Dude!!!
Best Regards,
Douglas Pistone
Hi Zac, The birds! The birds! I had two land on the boat while at sea. One was a small finch like bird that came aboard for awhile shortly after I left California. The other was a giant blue footed boobie that visited me mid ocean. Expect to see some amazing things while you are out there. Enjoy the cool cuz its going to get warm and humid soon.
Ah, Thats why they call it "fishing" and not "catching" ... ! ... or as I've heard it once put, its "a jerk on one end of the line waiting for a jerk at the other end of the line" ... I am interested in a few things after reading about your fishing troubles mainly ... what are you using for bait?
If you are using a lure that is "heavy" or "bulky" in size, another problem you could be having is the fish are able to "throw" the lure because of the weight of the lure itself but if you are coming up with "remnants of fish" like you say, at least you are hooking the fish but they in turn are becoming something elses meal!
Are you using a lure that rides on the top of the water? If you are using a "diver" or anything with weight runs UNDER the surface, you are more prone to catch sharks, 'cuda's or species like that. anything on the top and you are more likely to catch a Dolphin, which is probably what you are after!
When you get to Majuro, get a small "chugger" type lure that mainly rides on the surface of the water and you will probably beat up on the Dolphin, anything else and you are going to be catching fish that usually EAT the Dolphin!
Another thing you may be hooking is Wahoo, which make a reel SCREAM when hooked and Wahoo also love to eat things being pulled by fishing rods! ... get the topwater runmning lure, you should do better.
... and remember, loosen that drag!!! Best of luck!
Hi Zac, was turned onto your blog and adventure by my daughter-in-law and have been keeping tabs on you from the get go! The closest I've come to sailing, which is never, is on a boat out on the Colorado River. Nothing compared to what you are doing.
Keep on keepin' on and prayers are with you. I've sent your blog to my daughter, not a "sailor" but into running. I know she will love your grit and determination.
God Bless and remember take photos in your mind as well because there are some things that just cannot be captured on camera. :o)
God bless from just an "old lady blogger"
When (or if) this gets to Zac's notice: Here's a bit of fun for him to read from those of us who have sailed (at least the first part of) his route.
Blue water sailors...What's the oddest thing you found floating in "mid ocean"?
My contribution: During '96 Pacific Cup, approximately 1500 miles off the CA coast on the way to Hawaii, while on watch about 6pm, I watched a medium size pizza pass along the starboard side of the boat and fade into the wake.
Tossed from a passing ship that we didn't notice? A joke placed in the water from the nearest competitor? A cosmic joke?
That's my 2 cents
Steve in CA
Too bad that you got woken up early for nothing but a mystery blip. It seems like some sea life is finally starting to reveal itself, though, that's good!
Safe journey,
~Kate~
Zac,
My family and I happened to be in San Diego the day you started your journey. I'm 47 years old and had never sailed a minute in my life. However, your journey caught my attention and I look forward to your blog each morning. Just wanted you to know that people all over the country are enjoying this journey with you and praying for your safety and success. By the way, my daughter and I did take a sailing lesson in San Diego and thoroughly enjoyed it. Take care. Your new fans in Utah.
OHHH.....so sorry that something else got your fish before you did...I know how good that would have tasted! GREAT suggestion from bill mann....easier to wash and saves a ton of water. Glad that the weather is warming up a bit for you! Your position used to appear as a hyper-link but it doesn't now. I don't know how to go to the google map to see where you are. Hope you put up the hyper-link again.
Fair seas and full sails, young man!
Nancy
Ohhhh.......too bad! I know how much you were looking forward to a fish dinner! Maybe today! Your position, telling us where you are, used to be a hyper-link. It isn't anymore, so I don't know how to get to it. It's very interesting to see on the google map. VERY good suggestion from bill mann about doing your dishes! Not only easier but saves water! Glad to hear that the weather is getting warmer.
Fair seas and full sails!
Nancy
Thanks for listing you "chores," Zac. I consider that a direct response to my question :)
As for those birds, while spending time during summers in Catalina, I used to rent the paddle boards with friends.... and we used to notice that they weren't dropping the "packages" on us randomly. They knew exactly what they were doing !
C-18
Hi Zac,
We'll pray for fish too.
Zac,
I've been reading about your fishing misfortunes and wrote to a friend of mine. He's a doctor in Louisiana and an avid deep sea fisherman. He's caught plenty of big stuff and one of his favorite fishing destinations is Cabo San Lucas. I asked him if he had any advice for you and he responded with the following. Some of it may help you now, some may help later.
"If he has a way of checking the drag(a scale that you attach to the end of the line and pull to see at what pressure-weight-the line starts to feed out) set it at 1/3 the line test.So if he has 30# test line set the drag at 10#. Try trolling a shorter line so it takes less time to get the fish on board and less time for the sharks etc to eat his catch. Mahi mahi love to gather under any structure-so if he can hold around any trash like a clump of grass or wood plank etc,there is commonly a bull dolphin in the area or at least some small chick dolphin.If he gets bites that break the line off try smaller lures for smaller fish or try adding a higher test leader line to the tip of his regular line. Use pieces of things like the barracuda's head as bait. If he has small tackle try to catch some small bait fish and hook them through the top of the head so they can still live and swim which will be more attractive than plastic bait."
Godspeed. We're all with you.
Scot Roberts
California
Zac.
Keep up the great work. I'm here in Dallas, Texas watching you. Enjoy yourself.
Scott Gilmore
Hope you have a little better luck fishing in the near future! I check your blog everyday and map your location. I continue to pray for safe travels. How will Hurricane Boris affect your travel?
The England Family
Indiana
This post is for gemdreamer/Nancy and others who have commented that the hyperlink to Zac's location isn't working. I figured out how to copy his location and do a search in Google Maps. Try this: Copy his position as it shows on his blog, such as 21.03N, 139.28W. Then go to Google Maps and paste it into the area where you would put an address to search for. Then replace the "N" and comma (leave no spaces) with a hyphen and delete the "W" at the end. Hit the search button, and it will show where Zac is. You always have to zoom out until you see the ocean and land masses. I save each day to my maps, so I can see his progress with the little blue markers.
I hope this helps,
Marilyn
Woodland Hills, CA
zac,
as 4 the 4th of July, rember u r a shooting star and seems everybody knows your name and
story.
too K.E.W.L.
GOOD LUCK
Jacob Johnson 11 years of age Dana Point California a dock slip# A57 OUR BOAT IS A CATALINA 27 FT.
Marilyn,
I've been able to just enter 21.03N, 139.28W as is into the search window in google maps and I get his location. I too have to zoom out though. I wonder what the difference is.
I have been trying to figure out a way to track his direction and position day by day though so they all show up together on one map. You have a way?
That would give me a better since of what kind of time he's making.
Scot Roberts
California
way to go man checking out your work everyday from las vegas
I found your story in an OC magazine Zac and I have to tell you I am very impressed by your courage. I am a mother of three and if you were my son in the middle of the ocean, the nerves would have killed me already. God bless you and your family...I KNOW...YOU WILL MAKE IT ALRIGHT!
ENJOY IT..THIS IS A ONE TIME OPPORTUNITY NOT EVERYONE GETS!
ANDREA M.
scot - you asked about tracking his progress.. if you use google earth (a free download from google) you can paste in the coordinates and then add a placemark which looks like a little yellow pushpin.
Scott & Rich,
I find Google Maps easier to navigate, and if I want to see it in Google Earth, I just click on the link to Google Earth while in Google Maps, and it shows all the coordinates I've saved thus far. Also, Google Maps shows the entire world with all land masses, and Google Earth only shows half the surface, so it's hard to see how far he is from his first landing in Google Earth. Scot, just save each days coordinates under "my maps" after you have logged into Google Maps, and you will see the little blue markers. When you click on Google Earth, the blue markers will show, not the yellow pushpins that Rich is talking about. He's putting the coordinates into Google Earth to see those. Actually, I prefer the blue balloon-like markers.
Marilyn
Woodland Hills
Man, for those of you that are following Zac, you NEED to use the Google Tracking. Can be found here - http://www.zacsunderland.com/map.html
Zac - Noticed Boris today... I've sailed those waters, calm, windy, and crazy... Be safe!
Dave & Skipper in Florida
Hey Zac,
Hope you are having a awesome time out there!!! And we are praying for you! Oh, are you seeing a lot of dolphins, it is my favorite animal!!!
Your friend,
Mikayla
Zac,
Dropped a small donation in your lunch bucket...trips around the world aren't cheap!
Anyone know if there is a web accessible site that shows the surface winds in Zac's location? Then I can play a guessing game as to where he will be the next day!
Jim
Wow...I officially start a week of vacation and I find myself dreaming of an adventure like yours! Better luck next time with the fishing...I have a feeling that you are about to get lucky! Glad to hear that you are settling into a routine.
Zac what is for lunch and dinner?
HEY ZAC, GLAD TO HEAR EVERYTHING IS GOING GOOD. BETTER LUCK WITH THE FISHING TOMORROW. STILL ENJOYING YOUR REPORTS EVERYDAY. I STILL THINK THAT YOU ARE THE BRAVEST GUY AROUND. I'M THINKING AND PRAYING FOR YOU EVERYDAY! STAY SAFE.........
DAVID
Marilyn & Rich,
Thanks for the tips. This is what I've got quickly with google maps.
These are just the last 5 known positions. Look right? Almost seems like he's altered coarse towards Hawaii, but he hasn't mentioned it. Perhaps he wants to pass closely just in case.
Isn't it funny to anticipate? Of course it might have to do with the trades.
Dave - I like that page for his proposed route but the links aren't Mac-friendly for me. It also shows his course passing north of Hawaii. Had he done that he probably would have run right through the Pacific Garbage Patch.
Hello Zac!
We are a family of five who are following your journey each evening. We've put a map of the world on our wall and plotted your course and are placing pins each night to mark your current location.
After we read your update each evening we pray for your safe journey. Besides fish, and wind how can we be praying for you?
Hi Zac,
I am one of the newspaper photographers who spent a couple hours pestering you in Marina Del Rey the week before you departed. I've been reading your blog each night with pride and jealousy.
When we talked you had mentioned about bringing some guitars. Been singing with any sirens?
Since there are so many Zac fans will you allow me to post a link to pictures I shot of your prep work? Here tis. Take care, Mike Baker
http://dailynews.mycapture.com/mycapture/folder.asp?event=528830&CategoryID=26369
Good Job so far, Zac!
RE: July 6 posting
By the way, it's "sheave" or "sheaves", not shive.
These are the wheels at the top of your mast, in the "crane" used for mast/jib halyard. Check them whever you are up there...
You have a "Chapman's Piloting" aboard, right? If not, get one in Hawaii and put it in magazine rack in the "head". You'll do your best reading in there...
There are many basic concepts you can pick up by merely knowing more about the various systems aboard. Not every picture and phrase will fit your situation but this is where your own creativity takes over and you "adapt/overcome/make-do". Lots of information inside.
Learn by doing instead of waiting for someone to meet you ahead. You can do it. Just do.
And, know when to quit. Fixing something, that is...
Fellow home schoolers Dmitri age 7 yrs and Andre age 6 yrs cheering you on. Proud to help in a small way to support you. Earning chore money to send monthly. They have thrilled to think of your adventure and what they can dream of doing with their own dreams. Your journey will be a unit study this school year for us. FUN!
Good wishes to you!
Barbara Richardson
Indiana
Happily home schooled 3 children and 2 more to go!
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