Out of alcohol!
Photo ©2008 GizaraArts.com Current Position (as of pm PT): 20.36N, 140.31W
I know what you're thinking, "Isn't he under 21?" Yes I am and I am almost out of alcohol. For my alcohol burning stove. The extra alcohol was left in the dock box at the marina. My evening soup was warmed over a flickering flame even though I had pumped it up completely. I do have a microwave and the power to use it occasionally. But the terriyaki tuna just won't be the same in the microwave.
Another slow day today. I had about 7 knots of wind and so averaged 3.5 knots of boat speed. The sun broke through for most of the day so all in all it was bearable. In addition to my usual routine I did some sit ups and push ups today. I also did more cleaning and organizing. I pulled out all of my vitamins and vitamin shakes. I'll start taking these more regularly as I am running lower on fresh food.
Tropical storm Boris became a Catagory 1 Hurricane earlier today but has since been downgraded to a tropical storm once again. From meteorologist David Morris, "Even if Boris does surprise us, and holds together longer than it should, Zac should be well out of harm's way and sailing faster toward the Marshall's by Friday." It has been a great thing to have David on board checking out the weather and guiding me through the past few weeks of flukey weather. I still rely a lot on my ClearPoint Weather program. The amount of information I can get realtime is amazing. My parents and Dave are running copies of it as well so we can talk about it together along the way.
So again I wait for 'a few days'. Considering the alternative of getting too close to a hurricane I am happier to be stuck for a time in these lighter winds.
No, Mikayla, I haven't seen any dolphins yet. Tell everyone to keep praying!
Check out this link to an article by Pete Thomas at the LA Times.
Cheers,
Zac
A note from Mom:
Hello all you wonderful people! First, I must say that your support of Zac has been a major source of encouragement for all of us. Thank you! Second, if you are looking to find Zac's position on a map, there is a Route page on his website http://www.zacsunderland.com/ . Under the map there is a link to Google Earth where Bandacorp, our web site host, graciously plots Zac's course everyday. Enjoy!
posted by Zac at
8:12 PM
32 Comments:
Wow sounds like you are really starting to settle in. I love your writing style, it always keeps me constantly checking for your next post! Well, me and my friends are praying for you!
Safe travels,
Rebecca
Zac,
You have an amazing start! The wind will pick up and God will direct your path. Keep trusting in His guidance and power over the wind.
So many people are right there with you in spirit. We are cheering for you! Brooklin and Keliann still have their bright yellow wrist bands on from the boat show. It reminds them to pray for you and they are going to try to keep the bands on until you return to MDR!! Although, I am not sure what we will do for Brooklin’s senior pictures! I guess a long sleeved shirt.
Don’t feel alone, our thoughts and prayers are with you all through the day! We check your site every morning…Jerry always has a geography lesson for us as we are discovering google earth. We see exactly where you are and somehow feel we are taking this trip with you. You are not alone. You can do this. You are almost halfway through your longest leg!
Let your eyes look directly ahead, and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. Proverbs 4:24-25 God also says in 4:26 to Watch the path of your feet (in your case -rudder) and all your ways will be established.
Lots of love and care,
The Nashes’
Hey Zac,
Glad to see you have a sense of humor about such things. I don't know. Microwavable terriyaki tuna. Haven't seen that one in the frozen food dept! But I am glad you will be able to heat your food. I was wondering though, about how when you catch that tuna, those things are big aren't they? Hw will you handle a beast like that? I'm sure you have to clean your boat after carving one up!
I think if you write a book it will be entertaining too! The title of your blog today made me wonder about what I would read. You drew me in man!
Good to hear your keeping so busy. I don't know how you have so much to clean and organize, but you shows you at task, keeping busy, like a job, which is what you have every day when you wake up. You have a sail boat office, instead of a home office, hahaha!
Good to know prayers can be answered with less wind instead of hurricane winds. That is gong to freak me out when you get in that kind of situation. I think your Independence Day, instead of fireworks will be wind that will set you free!
Zac, have another interesting and great day Wednesday, okay?
Hi Marianne, how are you? Thanks for the tip on Zac's route and position from his web page. I was manually putting his positions into Google Earth. This is much more fun.
Both of you take care!
Best regards,
Peter
Zac, after reading sooooo many comments on sooooo many media sites about you and your family and the decision to let you do this...and then reading your blogs daily since you left, I say pfa#$%^ to the nay-sayers. You sound like a person who knows what they are doing. You don't sound like some crazy kid. You don't sound like a joy rider. You sound like a sailor. A smart person with alot of internal fortitude. We're really pleased to be a part of your journey, even if it's only via the web. Saw you off; hope to be there to welcome you back.
More best wishes,
Kylie (7 yrs old from Santa Monica) and her mama!
Zac,
The map works great and now just a click away. I was using itouchmap.com to plot your course everyday. I have to admit I like the itouchmap better than google earth. I don't know why but maybe I liked it better because I was manually logging in your headings everyday - now I have nothing to do! Charley and Josh
Ouch! I hope you have some recipes that don't require cooking. If you need some, I'm sure you will get plenty of ideas here. I love ceviche (using a citrus-based marinade), and if you catch that fish, I think you may want to give it a try. What do you have that is fresh? Do you have dried herbs or produce that stores well? I got some of my own cooking inspiration by making do with what we had on hand in the boat.
That reminds me of a time I was down in the Grenadines at anchor one afternoon. There is always someone ready to help set your anchor or tie your boat to a tree, and they row like crazy to catch up with you. They have the strongest arms I have seen. Once we got settled down, a couple of these fellows came to our boat. On one side of the boat, I talked a local boy into trading some fresh fruits and vegetables from his grandmothers garden - all for the princely price of a couple ink pens and some paper. On the other side of the boat (and I didn't know this at the time) my friend was making his own deal. He obtained a lot less and paid good money for what he got. Everyone was happy, but I couldn't let my friend live that one down. That was a few years ago. I'll never forget how much fun that was.
HI Zac. its great that you are doing fine. well,i missed out coupla' posts and first thg i do s to check u out. well,prayin that u are doing fine! take care..
xoxo
mel
Almost had me with that title there. =)
Though joking aside, it must be a pain to be out of stove fuel. Hopefully you'll get some more when you hit land around Friday?
Great that you're thinking of your health, too.
Safe journey,
~Kate~
Hi There Zac..
Sorry to hear about the alcohol, many sailors leave port without enough of that...LOL. Random thought: Have you ever considered yourself somewhat like an astronaut? One that is spending months in space on the space station or even the shuttle.. it's not like you can just run to the store for stuff, or leave where you are at to go do something different. At least you don't have the worry of re-entry.. redundancy is key as you know better than most by now. We are praying the Lord fills your sails with just what you need to push you to the islands! Hang in there, you are doing just fine. Sounds like you are making all of the right adjustments to the conditions as they change. Way to Go!!
Marianne, have you looked into using Debbi Meyers Green Bags for fresh food storage? I've seen them advertised but have not tried them myself. If they work they could extend the shelf life of his fresh foods. You might have time to check them out before he is restocked. website at https://www.greenbags.com/?page=index
Blessings, Bob
Bob
Zac,
An idea for being able to cook again - make a can stove. Here are the items you will need: a tuna can (larger one is better), cut a wick out of a candle that is at least 3" long, another candle, a strip of cardboard cut to the height of the can (since most sailors never keep cardboard aboard you can use any really heavy paper you may have)
Put the wick on one end of the cardboard and roll it up into the cardboard (but not too tight) put the rolled up cardboard into the can so that the wick sticks up a little. Take the other candle and melt it into the can. In your situation, the easiest way to do this would be to tilt the candle on top of the cardboard, light it and just let the melted wax drip off into the can.
Once this is finished and the wax has cooled, you can light the wick in the can and you should get a broad flame across the can's surface as the cardboard burns. I will leave it up to you as to how to make a cooking surface above the can stove. Douse the flames by smothering it.
Good luck with your trip. Our prayers are with you.
Hang tough man you are doing much better than we all expected. I get stir crazy if I am sitting around for to long in my 800 sq. foot condo! You have done very well considering all of the tasks at hand let alone getting in some good relaxation time. I wish I could charter a plane and give you a drop of great fresh food, including some in-n-out and other provisions. Of course you probably would consider it cheating, but heck I would do it for you if I could. I have a very postive feeling that some good trade winds are coming your way and you will be picking up some speed. Stay postive and focused. Hope you catch some fish! Love following your course on google earth. Your in my prayers everynight.
Chris Carnaghi, Alhambra, CA
Hello Zac,
Sorry about the alcohol. Most people would be thinking about other stuff when you mentioned alcohol. So now you have a brand new challenge. In most cases this would bring anyone down but this won't happen because we are talking about Zac!!! the Sailing Superman. Keep sailing forward and don't let anything rock your boat, Ha Ha.
I played Sailing by Christopher Cross last night and also on my way into work this morning in your honor. I even looked it up on You Tube last night and saw and heard about four different versions two of which were live versions.
Stay strong and keep focused on your goal. Let nothing get you down or get in your way of finishing this incredible task you have challenged yourself with. Great write up in the LA Times.
I think about you daily and I'm always praying for wind. I'm sure you feel alone but please be assured you have so many people inside that 36' sailboat with you and also someone looking over you from above.
Take care my fiend,
Douglas Pistone
Zac, Start making a list of exactly what you need and the order in which you want to get it when you get to Hilo. You will be swamped with people trying to help but maybe not in the way you want. Get in and get out. Consider getting a small coleman propane stove as a backup. You have to be very careful using it but the fuel is available everywhere.
Zac:
My daughters and I are watching your progress with interest and joy. I heard aboout you on the radio back in May, and have been following you ever since. We read your blogs about once a week, and yesterday we sat down and read about 10 of them. You have a great style: funny yet informative, so that both my 9 and 11 year olds are totally absorbed.
I love your adventurous spirit, which you have clearly inherited from your parents. Tell them they're amazing, because they are!
Take care, Zac, and trust that you are where you are supposed to be.
Michele
Sacramento, CA
zac
another great blog. I like the way you tell stories, please keep them coming. It sounds you might be making a stop in the island after all. It might be worth the day or two. Looking forward to following this next leg. BTY the book you mentioned 'The boy who sailed around the world', I bought on E-Bay and it arrived. Short book but a great read. If you have others you might suggest please do so. Good luch on the catching of fish.
Bill
Minneapolis
Good luck Zak, and stay strong - following your exploits from the UK and thinking of you often.
Lotsa love to your wonderful Mom too - she's a star.
You might try this little trick I use when fishing under sail. Get a four foot piece of surgical tubing. put one end around a cleat on your stern. Tie a knot in the other end and wrap it with some cloth. Then take your fishing line after you have paid out what you want to and do a clove hitch around the surgical tubing and reel the surgical tube up close to the reel. Then when the fish takes the lure, you will hear the reel scream but the surgical tubing takes up the pressure as it stretches out and contracts when the fish tries to throw the hook. Then all you have to do is to pull the line in with the fish on it. I use a pair of work gloves to grab the fishing line to pull it in. (Also..I use 150lb test line) I have almost never lost a fish this way.
Once you get some more alcohol, put some in a squeeze bottle like an empty liquid joy bottle. Then, once you land the fish squirt a little alcohol in its gills and he will die instantly so you won't have a mess all over your boat from trying to kill him.
You might also think of converting to either kerosene or propane; both of which are more available all around the world and cheaper that alcohol.
Good luck on your fishing endeavors.
Check your med supplies zac; you can use rubbing alchohol.
Happy sailing!
Hey man, Great trip and love the discussion. Go top side one night at dusk and listen...just listen. Then on one morning, get up at dawn and do the same. Feel the world. Don't get entertained with the movies or electronics on the boat.
Zac,
Looks like some of us search for your posts before bedtime and some of us look first thing in the morning. Whatever are we going to do when you can't post??? We'll go into ZAC withdrawals. LOL!!!
Thank you for allowing us a small glimpse into your world along this amazing journey. Praying for your safe passage everyday.
We love ya dude!
xoxo
DZ, TZ and RZ
PS.... You might want to post info about getting your tshirts. Maybe even send one to donors?
PSS....Let's get your fan club started. Rebecca is your number #1 fan and fit to be President of the Zac Sunderland Fan Club. (hehe)
jim_g_fla - you asked in 6/30 blog comments where to find surface wind - try starting from this link:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsst.shtml
it only covers pacific & atlantic, but you should be able to locate what you're looking for there.
Zac,
Someone on your website posted you were "an accomplished navigator." I hate to be literal, but I would expect skills in using a sextant to be claiming the "accomplished" title. Seems that person, not you necessarily, was reaching with that statement. Just the same, you're doing something I envy. Keep up the good work. But study your sextant instructions!
Zac -
my boys and I have been following you since May. We use your coordinates for plotting your course on our wall map. I homeschool my boys and they are your biggest fans from TN!
James(8) and Connor(6) want to know what music you enjoy and if you've seen any more sharks. They pray for you every night - as do my husband and I.
Thanks for your humorous blogging - the boys rush to read it first thing every morning ... then plot your location (and Boris')!
Praying for good wind and lots of rest for you this evening.
Zac, I've been reading your posts since about the day you left CA and since, it has inspired me to get into sailing. I'm researching about getting a Hobie Cat 16 and starting that way.
Wishing you the best of luck.
Jorge
Hey Zac,
Bet you have some cooking oil on board. You can use that to make an oil burner out of a can and some cloth. Motor oil works too.
Are you thinking of stopping in at Hawaii for alcohol. I know you can find some MRE's there, or have the folks ship you some. They keep for years and only need water to heat them up. I keep them on my boat all the time, just in case I get stuck out overnight. They're available all over the net.
On the fishing, if you have any heavy rubberbands, you could try wrapping one around the mono a couple times and cleating the band. Tighten the drag on your reel pretty tight. Done right, this will make it so when a fish grabs the lure it will break the band and the line be slack for just an instant, then the boats forward motion and the tight drag will set the hook without you having to be there on the reel. I use this method sometimes and it works pretty well trolling. It's the same principle as an outrigger only cheaper.
Final thought, Ciguatera poisoning! It exists in Hawaii and it's not worth the risk eating a big cuda (small one maybe) when you're on your own so far from medical help. Stick with dolphin, tuna and wahoo. If you got poisoned at best it would make feel miserable for days.
http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=36883781
Hi Zac,
We are all loving your posts and look forward to every night when your emails get posted. Some bloggers have mentioned that it is a highlight of their day, when they can get on the computer and read your next message. Us too!
One guy threw water on another for praising your skills, but I wanted to let you know that an old salt never arrives. He gains a life time of skills, and often finds others who know far more than he does. One's skills should not be gauged against another, but fairly should be judged according to what one does with it. I would say that if your using electronic tools, manual tools, or just sticking your wet thumb in the air, you are an accomplished navigator!
Great job!
PS: Brady says Hi, and they are up past 20,000 lbs of fish already.
cooking in a microwave! Reminds me of the summer my parents took their dream trip to Europe and left me in charge with my other 3 college-age siblings. First week they were gone the brand new ceramic top cookstove broke and we were told it would take 8-12 weeks for a replacement to arrive! These had just come out and the manufacturers couldn't keep up with demand. Kind of like the Wii experience of today. Anyway I learned how to make pasta,rice, scrambled eggs- just about everything in the microwave! Enjoy!
Hey Zac!! So awesome to check out your progress!! Hang in there and remember we're all trying to be there with you!! Praying for you always! The scriptures will encourage you so keep in the Word! "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength" (Phil 4:13) And another favorite... "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." (Jer 29:11)
God bless!! Much safety and blessings with love and prayers...The Gentry Family~
Jeff, Betsy, Kyler & Brett
Hello Zac,
I read about your incredible journey today while reviewing a produce industry on-line publication Freshplaza (freshplaza.com). In case no one else sends this along to you, the following is the article that ran in today's edition. This publication is sent to produce industry people from around the globe so you are a global news item now!
I wish you smooth sailing and wish your parents endless nerves of steel as it must be incredibly difficult for them to have you sailing around the world on your own (as the mother of a 19 and 13 year old I can feel their angst!).
Jane Proctor
Canadian Produce Marketing Association
Mastronardi Produce/SUNSET Tomatoes Sail Around The World with 16 Year Old Sailor
While most 16 year old boys are dreaming about baseball & video games, 16 year old Californian Zac Sunderland recently set sail to attempt to become the youngest sailor to circumnavigate the globe alone. Over the next 12-14 months, Sunderland will travel more than 40,000 miles on his own, reaching port only 12 times during his journey to replenish his supplies etc.
Sunderland left the port of Marina Del Ray, CA on June 14th under much fanfare & media attention, with a bevy of fresh Sunset tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers to start the trip. Mastronardi Produce will be periodically shipping its fresh gourmet greenhouse Sunset brand produce to Sunderland over the course of the next year as he sails around the world.
"We are pleased to support this record-breaking trip as Zac attempts to become the youngest sailor ever to circumnavigate the world", stated Paul Mastronardi, Executive Vice-President for Mastronardi Produce/SUNSET. Mastronardi Produce, one of the largest greenhouse growers in North America, recently unveiled its Sunset Kidz program that includes the MiMi Candy Tomato and MiMi Candy Cucumber products that will be marketed to kids later this summer. Their unique size, shape, and extra sweet flavor will be a hit for kids of all ages. Once these new products reach the stores later this summer, Zac will be one of the first to receive the Sunset Kidz line of greenhouse produce at one of his stops in August.
Mastronardi Produce (greenhouse tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers), in conjunction with Produce for Kids, provided financial support to help Zac accomplish his dream of sailing around the world on his own. To learn more about Zac's voyage including his intended path & itinerary, visit www.zacsunderland.com where via his satellite phone and laptop, Zac will be writing regularly in his on-line Blog.
For more information:
Mastronardi Produce/SUNSET
Chris Veillon, Marketing Manager
Tel: 519 796 7707
www.sunsetproduce.com
Publication date: 7/8/2008
I think of your trip everyday. Im here in Las Vegas and wishing I was there on the boat sailing, its something I miss. I wish you well and may the winds go your way and smooth sailing. I look everyday for your reports and like to hera of your adventures.
Alcoholism refers to any condition that results in the continued consumption of alcoholic beverages despite the health problems and negative social consequences it causes.
======================
Taylor
Alcohol Treatment
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home