Cruising with Questions

Latest Position: 04/02/09 1600Z 10 34.823S 013 57.338W

Cruising along here in the 'fives' and feeling pretty good about it since the forecast is for the wind to continue to lighten. I've got 8 knots of apparent wind which combined with my boat speed of around 5 knots means I have around 13 knots of wind behind me. Intrepid doesn't sail down wind very well in much lighter winds so I'm hoping that I can stay away from the 8 knots or less areas.

Thanks for all of your questions. So far I have received over 100 of them so hopefully that will keep me busy for some of this leg!

Bill Bourne's 6th grade class at the Parker Middle School asked if I brought any game systems to play while I'm at sea. They also wanted to know what food I eat and can I cook.

I did not bring a game system (I have never owned one actually) but I do have my computer and a few games. I got Guitar Hero for Christmas from my aunt and uncle but I can't play it while rolling around at sea.
I eat a lot of canned food at sea. When I left Los Angeles last June, I had a lot of fresh food on board like oranges, apples, potatoes and onions. Those kinds of things can be hard to find on a small island. In fact, there is currently a potato shortage on St Helena Island. The potatoes didn't make it to the delivery ship and the whole island is upset. Anything that isn't grown on the island has to be shipped in so fresh things are expensive, not very fresh and hard to find.
I have been know to eat cold chili straight out of the can on more than one occasion!

Don Murray from Marina del Rey asked what it feels like to be out in the sea for weeks at a time and what goes through my mind during that time.

When I left for Hawaii on my first leg, it was pretty intense having the sea all around me and knowing there would be no land in sight for weeks. It was especially hairy when I passed the continental shelf and the big Pacific rollers were all around me. They are long, tall swells that are found in deep water. Now when I am out at sea it has become normal for me. I just get up and do my jobs and take care of things just like if I were on land. There is a ton of blue all around me; blue sky and blue sea as far as the eye can see.

Dr. Simon Clarke from Kingston, Jamaica asked why I chose and Islander 36 for my trip and how does it handle, especially in heavy seas. He also asked if an electric auto pilot would be good as a back up.

I chose the Islander 36 for several reasons. It is a fairly inexpensive and dependable boat that is heavy enough to handle heavy seas yet also can move quickly in light air. Although Intrepid has gone around the world once already she was easily modified for my trip for extra safety and stability. Mainly, we added a cutter rig, new keel bolts, reinforced hull in front of keel, installed a hard dodger, reinforced cabin walls and bulkheads. It helps having a dad who is a shipwright!
She handles extremely well. I can go hull speed (around 7 knots) with 10 knots of wind on the beam. She also handles very well in heavy seas. I have been in as much as 20' seas with no problem. The only problem the Islander has is when going down wind. She tends to fish tail because of her narrow stearn.

I have had several electric autopilots on board that have burned up because they haven't been powerful enough to handle the pressure from having an offset shaft. The American Sailing Association has just sponsored me a brand new Raymarine SmartPilot that I should receive in Grenada. This is more powerful that my previous autopilots and should see me home.

OK I have to get busy here. Will answer more tomorrow.

Cheers,
Zac

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