Latest Position as of July 27, 2008 at 1810UTC/11:10PDT: 10.59N, 176.35W
The wind settled down some last night so my average speed was only 5 knots. I remember when 5 knots would have seemed like racing along when I was becalmed on the way to Hawaii!
I spoke on the radio with Moana again last night. They had had a nap and were able to tell me more about their squall that blew out their sail. They had been sleeping. It was 9:00 at night. They don't have a radar so they have to keep their eyes out for squalls. A squall hit them suddenly with 30+ knots. They were 'knocked down' which is anytime when your spreaders hit the water. Spreaders are metal bars attached to the mast the 'spread' out the shrouds (the metal lines that hold up the mast. They ran up on deck to release the main sheet (spilling wind out of the main sail). The boat righted itself and they were able to sail along under stay sail alone while they checked the boat for damage. The wind was still blowing at 30 knots. Before they had finished checking things over a gust of wind at over 40 knots hit them and blew out the stay sail, tearing apart at the seams. Made me nervous last night and I really didn't sleep well. I kept getting up to check the sky, radar etc.
I also spoke to Lady Sarah last night. Claire's hand is healing well. They have been hiking and mountain biking around Kauai and having a blast while they wait for their friend to fly out to crew on the way to Vancouver.
On a more mundane note, I cleaned out my fridge yesterday afternoon. It was pretty disgusting. I haven't been able to run it because of my solar panel charging problem.
It's too bad because I finally have an appetite but a lot of my fresh food is moldy except for some fruit (apples and oranges). It must be the heat.
I have also been using these exercise bands. My legs felt pretty weak when I was in Hawaii. I'm afraid of how much weaker I will get along the way. I never asked Jesse (Martin) about that. When he circumnavigated, he went non-stop and was out for almost a year without stepping foot off his boat!
I have been talking with some boaters in Majuro on the SSB radio. It is great to talk to them about the weather and what to expect. They will give Moana and me all the info we need to get into Majuro. Should be about Friday all being well. The Robert Reimers Hotel has offered to put up dad and a few film guys at the hotel for free and are donating the use of a rental car. What amazing generosity! It seems like the Majurans are super friendly. Should be a blast. Dad and I are hoping to do some spear fishing while we're there.
Thanks for the tips on the ipod rescue. Though I had considered getting a haircut about a week ago, it has gotten past the annoying stage and is now actually a good covering for my neck and ears. Sorry Bill!
Cheers,
Zac
The wind settled down some last night so my average speed was only 5 knots. I remember when 5 knots would have seemed like racing along when I was becalmed on the way to Hawaii!
I spoke on the radio with Moana again last night. They had had a nap and were able to tell me more about their squall that blew out their sail. They had been sleeping. It was 9:00 at night. They don't have a radar so they have to keep their eyes out for squalls. A squall hit them suddenly with 30+ knots. They were 'knocked down' which is anytime when your spreaders hit the water. Spreaders are metal bars attached to the mast the 'spread' out the shrouds (the metal lines that hold up the mast. They ran up on deck to release the main sheet (spilling wind out of the main sail). The boat righted itself and they were able to sail along under stay sail alone while they checked the boat for damage. The wind was still blowing at 30 knots. Before they had finished checking things over a gust of wind at over 40 knots hit them and blew out the stay sail, tearing apart at the seams. Made me nervous last night and I really didn't sleep well. I kept getting up to check the sky, radar etc.
I also spoke to Lady Sarah last night. Claire's hand is healing well. They have been hiking and mountain biking around Kauai and having a blast while they wait for their friend to fly out to crew on the way to Vancouver.
On a more mundane note, I cleaned out my fridge yesterday afternoon. It was pretty disgusting. I haven't been able to run it because of my solar panel charging problem.
It's too bad because I finally have an appetite but a lot of my fresh food is moldy except for some fruit (apples and oranges). It must be the heat.
I have also been using these exercise bands. My legs felt pretty weak when I was in Hawaii. I'm afraid of how much weaker I will get along the way. I never asked Jesse (Martin) about that. When he circumnavigated, he went non-stop and was out for almost a year without stepping foot off his boat!
I have been talking with some boaters in Majuro on the SSB radio. It is great to talk to them about the weather and what to expect. They will give Moana and me all the info we need to get into Majuro. Should be about Friday all being well. The Robert Reimers Hotel has offered to put up dad and a few film guys at the hotel for free and are donating the use of a rental car. What amazing generosity! It seems like the Majurans are super friendly. Should be a blast. Dad and I are hoping to do some spear fishing while we're there.
Thanks for the tips on the ipod rescue. Though I had considered getting a haircut about a week ago, it has gotten past the annoying stage and is now actually a good covering for my neck and ears. Sorry Bill!
Cheers,
Zac
posted by Zac at
2:46 PM
39 Comments:
Hello ZAC.
I was road your new report about your trip, You are doing very well. keep going...
About your legs you must be sentadillas,(someone translate "sentadillas" because I dont have any idea how to call it in Inglis) first with both legs at the time (20 up & down) & 3 sesion per day and next with one leg at the time. Prove it, them can tell me if you notice a diference...
Talking about the squalls, well I dont have a expierence that you have sailing on the see, but sound dangerus if do not know how to do...
I was just finish to create another tips in my map and I notice that you are going a little south, if I make a rect line from the coodinate that you gave , to Majuro, This are my opiñion, but remember, I'm not a sailer, YOU ARE....
Remember the FTP://........, well is working right now, and there are a copy from the map of your trip and the comentaries that yo made...
Well BOY bee goog & sail safe..
I'll be in touch
Glen
Zac,
God speed. When are we going to see some photos??????
Hi Zac,
Just can't believe how much time you are making!
Those squalls sound scary, but everytime I read your posts, I know you know what you are doing and able to take on whatever comes your way. Really impressive.
I mentioned while you were in HI, that the marketing is sometimes a necessary evil, and here you are benefiting from it (a good thing!): if people didn't know you were out there and on your way in and what your journey is all about, you probably wouldn't get those hotel rooms comped for dad and crew in Marshalls!
Again, I'm completely in favor of whatever needs to be done to get what you need to get around the globe.
You better catch some fish soon so you can get some protein in you while working on those exercise bands!
Ever happy to keep up with you!
Dana (and 7 yr old Kylie)
Santa Monica, Ca
Not to be picky, but don't the spreaders hold the shrouds, not the halyards out?
Anyway, as long as you know to which line you are referring, then at least the whole crew will know what you mean! ;-)
Thinking about you has gotten me to finish a song that relates to your voyage. It's called "Set Your Sails", and I was going to send you a CD, but I figured that you don't need the extra weight, even a CD's worth, and I'm betting that the postmaster in Majuro is already wondering who the heck you are with all the hundreds of postcards! If you have an internet connection and the power to waste in port, then you can hear it at www.myspace.com/mouseonamotorcycle and download it for free.
With all the Zac-a-holics in different areas, we should try to get together and meet at a restaurant or something some evening. Would that be too wierd?
Anyway, at the Mouse House we're praying for you daily, and jealous of you at least that often.
B'shem Yeshua HaMashiach
-Mouse on a Motorcycle
Hey, Zac Just figured out how to get to your postings. havent read for 15 days. Just caught up, anyway!!! good stuff, Zac. Sounds very exciting. Keep an eye on those wahoo when you do catch one. they have razor teeth. Sail on.........Mr. Wahoo
Hey Zac, congrats on a great trip so far, I am sure the fun has only begun! Quick note about Spreaders, Its the Shrouds/Stays that they spread out, not the halyards I hope!
On another note, I work for a company called Habervision, we produce some excellent polarized sunglasses, and have a sailing model that actually floats, I use them all the time and they are great, I would love to send you some for the trip in exchange for a few photos and a plug! Cheers,
Dave L.
USCG Captain
heyyy zac,
My dad showed me this site and it is pretty awesome :) . It is amazing that a kid your age is sailing across the world. I wish i could be out there too but my parents would never let me after all i am only 13. Well i wish you luck and god bless you.
p.s. you are cute :) haha
Zac,
Bear right when you can. Your crosstrack error was about 144 nm left of shortest route at last position report.
Wayne - KQ6WG
Hey Zac,
Thanks for explaining a knock down. I had no idea. Sounds like a rude way to get woken up.
Glad you stayed well clear of Johnston. I had some friends that worked there disposing of chem. It's a place to stay away from.
I didn't know you had just sailed through an area of so many A-bomb tests until I saw all the markers on Google Earth. You also sailed past an Apollo landing spot.
Do let us know if you catch any glow-in-the-dark fish in that area.
Bob
Oh well. If I cannot sell the hair clippings on eBay and I cannot pick lottery numbers worth a damn, I guess I will have to go back to my factory tomorrow morning while you are enjoying yourself on the beautiful blue ocean. I am glad you know that the haircut remarks are humor, nothing else. But I still owe you a hug when you get back.
I cannot believe how fast you are covering the route. I am not sure why, but if I click on the link for your location, it is always a day or so late. If I copy and paste the location that Mom posts, it gives me your correct location.
I found out that one of your bloggers is the wife of one of my fellow Board members of the Angelus Chorale. Small world. Your popularity amoungst the Chorale members is growing. When you get back to the USA, you and your family will have to be our guests at one of our concerts.
Godspeed.
Bill
great post Zac as all of them are. I don't know squat about sailing, but I am learning from your adventure.
I like the design on your rudder. very cool.
Thought some of the readers would enjoy this website.
http://www.rreinc.com/rrehotel.html
It is the website of the Robert Reimers Hotel with quite a bit of information about not only the hotel but about Majuro and the Marshalls. I am jealous and will be even more so tomorrow when I am working.
Enjoy the stay there Zac and get the power working in case you and Dad spear some fish. Nothing can mess up a refrigerator like rotting fish.
Bill
Glad you're letting your hair down, so to speak. Got a kick out of Bill's - and your - remarks. I'm amazed at how fast you are covering ground, compared to your trip to Hawaii.
Such a pleasure keeping up with you!
Blessings!
Jennifer
Sherman Oaks
Hi Zac:
Your trip is so exciting and demands so much energy from you! Getting in adeqaute nutrition is so important to keep you at the top of your game. Sorry to hear that your fridge isn't working. I'd love to hear what you have left in your provisions and maybe I can make some recommendations of what to eat to get your strength up.
Sounds silly but canned fish is always a good standby if you're having trouble catching some fresh. A creative way fo getting some veggies in would be pick up some canned sardines packed in tomato sauce or add some canned sauce on the sardines or canned tuna if you don't have access to the tomato packed.
Do you have any protein bars on board? Also, not getting in enough fluids can contribute to fatigue and weakness.
I will try to connect with your mom and see what suggestions we can put together until you get to Majuro.
Best of health and travels to you!
Dave
Hey Zac,
Just like all the rest of your fans, I look forward to reading the current chapter of your adventure each day. You truly are talented in so many ways and writing is just one of them! You are giving each of us eyes into your world through your gift of writing. Its so amazing each day to see how far around the world your trip is reaching people! And not just reaching people around the world but across generations as well. You have young and old anxiously waiting to read about your latest experiences.
I pray for you each day and hope you feel the love and support sent to you from not just heaven above but from around the world as well.
Keep up the great work, take care of yourself, we all care about you!
Blessings from Gloucester, VA!
Terri
marianne
sorry about the multiple entries, i thought the website was having problems accepting greetings!
thanks so much for your wonderful support and confidence in your son.
i have a 21 year old son and know that for you to be okay with his attempting this wonderful trip you must have total confidence in him and his abilities to handle himself in any situation. Like i said to Zac, his trip is touching people around the world and bringing so much delight to young and old. I'm sure you take comfort in knowing that Zac is in so many peoples prayers each day. He's a great kid and we appreciate all you do for him!
God bless you and all the rest of your family!
Terri from Gloucester VA
Hello from Astoria Queens, New York. Been reading your blogs since before you left, very exciting stuff. Take care.
Hey Zac,
Glad to hear the wind settled down a bit. Hopefully, it has allowed you some time to rest up for your final leg before reaching Majuro. I guess the good news is that you'll be able to hook up with the Moana crew again once you reach the island.
Am glad to hear that Claire's hand is healing well and that they'll be on they're way soon. I have a question....does the Moana or the Lady Sarah have a blog going? If so, please let us know how we can follow they're adventure and perhaps give them some encouragement as they navigate their journey.
As for your appetite and feelings of weakness. What are you eating? We haven't heard much about Ramen on this leg of your trip. You need some serious protein dude...like peanut butter! Doesn't require refrigeration and a couple of spoonsulls a day will help you out tremendously to at least keep some meat on your weary bones! Sorry for the lecture, but I'm just a mom thinking of solutions for you...
As for the haircut which Bill loves to rib you about, maybe you should just let it grow for the duration of the trip and on your return to MDR let him take the first scissor to it! LOL
Prayers and best wishes,
Melanie in Torrance
Glen,
Me alegro usted está "a bordo" con nosotros de Argentina. Sus traducciones al inglés han estado bien, y disfruto de sus comentarios. No puedo entender la traducción para sentadillas tampoco. Tal vez unos en más pueden.
I am glad you are "on board" with us from Argentina. Your translations to english have been fine, and I enjoy your comments. I can not figure out the translation for sentadillas either. Maybe some on else can.
Zac, again, tell Moana we are thinking of them and rooting for them and hope everything goes well.
Rock on
Oooops....sorry, no iPod...
Roll on!
Scot
California
Glen,
Saludos de Washington.
"Sentadillas" are called "squats" in English.
Hey Zac
Just got an idea. When you get back from your adventure, the hundreds of readers of your blog should all get together and throw a big party for you and your family. What does that sound like?
It would be fun to all get together. I know I sure would like to meet you and your parents.
Praying for you
Ron
West Fargo, ND
Melanie in Torrance - LOL! I love that idea! I think all the readers would get a real kick out of seeing that. I'm not sure Zac would appreciate 1-1 1/2 years of hair though! It is great to block the sun but I've got long hair and there's no riding on a boat without it all tied up - the hair lashing my face has actually left welts before.
Still following along from Raleigh NC. I know lots of people have already remarked on it, but I can't believe how fast you're going compared to your first leg! I noticed you didn't post anything about fishing when you were near the atoll. I know there's been a few jokes about it, but is there really a danger of eating fish from around that part of the ocean? I know heavy metals and other trace elements can linger a long time in the food chain. Maybe better safe than sorry?
Definitely need several Plan Bs for your meals in case things happen - fridge can't run, stove runs out of gas, etc. I'm a Project Manager and in love with Plan Bs - you never know when they'll save you. A little peanut butter and canned tuna can't hurt - it makes all the Moms feel better.
Brooke
Raleigh NC
Hi Zac--When will we see pictures???? And will your dad meet you at all your land stops? Would you have been able to do this trip w/o your sponsers?
For those of you wondering what sentadillas are, they are called Squats in english.
Take care Zac!
David from Panama!
Hi SCOT.
Thanks for try to understand and translate what are the meaning of "sentadillas", I don find it yet, but I find a animation in Internet that describe perfectly the exercise.
The most clouser word to translate "sentadillas" I think, is SQUAD, but I realy dont know if SQUAD describe the exercise that I try to explain and translate...
Thanks again
To you BOY (ZAC) I wish you the BEST in the WORLD..
Keep Going.
Bee Good.
Bee Safe.
Glen.
PS: To ALL, Sory about my GRAMA...
Hey Zac,
Great to see that you are making such great progress. As far as your hair goes I will be disapointed if you don't come back looking like Tom Hanks from Cast Away.
For your fitness see if you can rig up some rope for pull-ups, that along with some squats and push-ups should suffice. For more ideas check out www.crossfit.com. I am not affiliated with them but I use their workouts.
I have a question for Mom.
Mom, I tried to enter Zac's address in Majuro in to Amazon as I wanted to send Zac a book or two. The address was not accepted. Have you tried to send him anything via the web or just through the USPS?
Regards,
Larry
Brian...
Thanks for the correct translation...
For the way you write spanish I think you are from Here.
Thanks again..Brian
ZAC...
ZAC.. Well You now what must to do obout your legs, make "sentadillas" (SQUATS) 20 per session, 3 session per day, whith both leg, them using the right one alone and at the end use the left. And you'll feel the diference..
Glen
Zac, What is an ipod?? LOL . 30 years ago we had cassette players on the boats and they were great because they were much smaller than the 8 track players. On my first trip home from Hawaii with my Dad, my grifriend gave me a Crosby, Stills, Nash,& Young tape to listen to on the way. There was a song on it called "Carry On". I listened to it over and over again at sea. Part of the lyrics go: "One morning I woke up and I knew I could carry on. Now witness the quickness with which we carry on." Somehow those words fit in with what I was doing out there. Along with all the books that I read, I still have that tape. Here is the song http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=g7EgsNfzsy4 Hope that you can listen to it some time.
Sentadillas is a colloquial term meaning to bend the knee. The closest thing in English is the show business term "break a leg" meaning in a live performance to take a bow.
Taken in the context of Glen's post, it would mean knee raise exercises or squatting exercises.
This from my Hispanic employees. Ruben from Mexico and Angel from Peru.
Besides my 2 Ph.Ds in History Zac, I have an Ed.D in Education which means I am supposed to be some sort of super educator. Therefore it amazes and humbles me how much you are teaching me. Thanks for bringing me back to reality.
Glad the sailing is fast, but sorry about your ipod! Speaking of technology, I finished "Dove" last night, and it seems to me that technology might be what will make your journey very different from Robin's. He spoke quite a bit of his loneliness and the "doldrums". Maybe with your contact via technology with your family and friends your experience will not get like that. I certainly hope so!
Take good care out there and keep up the wonderful job you're doing sailing yourself safely and giving so many of us the chance to be part of your adventure in our small way!
Your Oklahoma Well-Wisher
Hello Zac,
It sounds like your meeting all the challenges on this second leg. Hopefully you'll keep all your leg muscles toned. I really enjoyed seeing your progress these last two days. Thank God for the wind.
Take care and be careful. Have a great time sailing. Sorry to hear about your ipod.
Having trouble accessing your blog from your website. Thank goodness Glen sent me an attachment that actually worked.
Sail One,
Douglas Pistone
MDR, California
Zac
I was thinking about power issues and I have the same issues on my boat and the need to try and conserve battery life. Fortunately for you your not running an electric stove and water heater.
Would it make sense to pick up a small Honda generator to augment the solar panels and wind generator? They burn far less than running the main engine.
You may also want to look into dry ice between your stops. I am not sure how easy it is to get,but last longer than ice.
Also, on the food issue, have you thought about dried fruit. Ir does pretty well at sea and last longer than fresh fruit.
Great Job and looking forward to video and pictures. Your blog is great and look forward to it.
Jerry - Newport Beach,Ca
God bless you Zac AND the crew of Moana, Lady Sarah, and Josh Clark,(see his story:
http://www.thelog.com/news/logNewsArticle.aspx?x=7783).
As I wrote before, Zac, the 'pebble' you have dropped into the sea is going way beyond just you! Now all of 'us praying bloggers' have added the above people to our prayer list. It is very, very good! And God is certainly willing, and able, to hear, and answer, all our prayers. I really love hearing all the details of your adventure, thank you.
Love,
Tamara
Hi, Zac. Wow! I can't get over how much ocean you're covering. It's about 3,000 miles between Hawaii and the Marshall's, right? You're making amazing progress.
Keep it up!
:)
Scott
Hi Zac! I'm so glad to have found your blog while you are on this journey. A book I HIGHLY recommend if you haven't yet read it is called Close to the Wind by Pete Goss about a solo circumnavigator/racer...but you've probably read it.
Anyways, my Google reader is subscribed to at least 10 blogs but your posts are my favorite and I look forward to hearing about your future adventures!
Keep up the good fight!
Ahoy Zac!!
Sounds like you are making great progress! Most excellent!!!
Your blogs make it easy to imagine being there, many thanks for sharing your adventure.
There are some great protein powders that you can mix with water or even with powdered milk and water; you might want to check into it....once a mom always a mom.. :)
I couldn't imagine a knock down....I was racing my Hunter 240 yesterday (Sunday)when a gust hit me while on starboard tack...heeled to 30 degrees plus, that about scard me to death! I don't like excessive heel LOL!!! (excessive for me I'm old)
Be safe, eat some protein, use the excercise bands, be sure to brush and floss, and most important of all HAVE FUN.
God speed,
Anita ~_/)
Waterloo, NY
USA
For your exercise problems there is a book on yoga on a boat. Might help.
Mike
Hey Skipper,
Capt. Jenny here again. Just a tip that you may already know, but if your a sammy lover like meself pumpernickle bread last like forever and if you never put mayo in the reefer and always use a clean spoon it wont go bad. Add a can of tuna and Bobs your Uncle, always may fav cruising lunch, that and a Bloody Maria but your too young for that.
Cheers love:)
If there were two people on Moana, I would never have been below sleeping with no one on watch. In our 17,000 nm meander in the 90's my wife and I always had someone on watch. Its obviously impossible single handing but when there are two why take the chance? Good luck.
John Scott
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