Beating, Bashing & Breaking Bulkheads
Position: 06/21/09 1450Z 19 13.304N 107 00.674W
This morning I tacked over to a port tack to make some northing after a dismal night bearing south no matter how hard I pushed northwards. The wind built during the day and by 10am I was slamming in to 25 knots and 8-10 foot sharp seas. This went on for awhile slamming along burying a gunwal with a reefed main and a triple reef in the genoa making about 4 knots into the current.
I was reading a book wedged in my bunk when I hit a huge wave and Intrepid launched out of the water. When we came down I heard a bang like a gun going off. Looking I saw that the deck was flexing about 3 inches up where the shrouds are attached to the deck at the chain plates. I went into the head and saw that the inch thick teak bulkhead that my portside chain plates are tapped into had cracked.
I quickly put away the genny to take the pressure off of the mast and braced it by running a spinnaker halyard and the topping lift down to the rail for support. With this damage the mast wouldn't be able to take the strain of beating in these conditions so I altered course more downwind and now I'm headed for Banderas Bay where I will repair the bulkhead and get back out to sea s soon as possible
I haven't slept much in the last couple days and I need to stay awake tonight to see how the mast is taking the strain. Hopefully, it will all go well.
Thanks for all of the questions you all sent. I'll have to answer them later.
Cheers,
Zac
This morning I tacked over to a port tack to make some northing after a dismal night bearing south no matter how hard I pushed northwards. The wind built during the day and by 10am I was slamming in to 25 knots and 8-10 foot sharp seas. This went on for awhile slamming along burying a gunwal with a reefed main and a triple reef in the genoa making about 4 knots into the current.
I was reading a book wedged in my bunk when I hit a huge wave and Intrepid launched out of the water. When we came down I heard a bang like a gun going off. Looking I saw that the deck was flexing about 3 inches up where the shrouds are attached to the deck at the chain plates. I went into the head and saw that the inch thick teak bulkhead that my portside chain plates are tapped into had cracked.
I quickly put away the genny to take the pressure off of the mast and braced it by running a spinnaker halyard and the topping lift down to the rail for support. With this damage the mast wouldn't be able to take the strain of beating in these conditions so I altered course more downwind and now I'm headed for Banderas Bay where I will repair the bulkhead and get back out to sea s soon as possible
I haven't slept much in the last couple days and I need to stay awake tonight to see how the mast is taking the strain. Hopefully, it will all go well.
Thanks for all of the questions you all sent. I'll have to answer them later.
Cheers,
Zac
posted by Zac at
9:22 PM
57 Comments:
Will pray through the night, Zac. One thing I've come to believe, though -- we can rely upon your sharp mind. You and Intrepid are quite a team.
Maybe there is some rest waiting for you at Banderas Bay. Try to take advantage of it.
Wow that's amazing, so close and yet so far! Good luck with the repairs and keep a watch on the new tropical depression that formed!
Your cover on ESPN magazine caught my eye at work the other day (nice t-shirt, by the way), thus prompting me to read the article. And therefore leading me here!
Honestly, I am completely blown away at the enormity of the task you have taken on, and how much you have achieved in a year. Though I'm only two years older than you, I guess it put a lot into perspective for me as I had
only previously been aware of much older people doing such things.
(Especially Ewan MacGregor's series through the US, and Europe through Africa; I think you would enjoy them.)
It's made me think more about how I can challenge myself and open up to new adventures beyond everyday opportunities. I'm sure I am not the first to be affected!
Here's to favorable winds and calm seas.
-Ami
Zac, leave the questions for later. Fix the boat. Sounds like a nasty problem.
So near and yet so far Zac.
I now understand why your hair is so long. You keep having hair raising experiences.
It is amazing that you can think so fast and clearly with so little sleep. It is 3:00 AM here in L.A. and I can barely think clearly enough to find the right keys on the keyboard.
I am assuming that you are going to put into Puerto Vallarta. It is a shame that you will be visiting such an interesting port with so little time to enjoy how much there is to see there.
I am sure that I speak for all of the Zac Pac when I say that we all share your pain and dissapointment in this enexpected delay.
Wishing that the repairs go well and the problem is resolved quickly
For those who may have missed it, I have started a newsletter about the bloggers which I hope will keep us together for many years to come. Anyone wishing to see the first letter may view it at http://www.barstools4u.com/Newsletters/zac1.htm
If you would like to receive the newsletters, send an email to me and I shall enter your name into the list.
I am going to try to get another hour or two of sleep before I have to get up and run the factory.
Godspeed Zac. I hope you make it home in time for July 4th. Then we shall know that the fireworks over the Marina are for you.
Bill Mann
bill@barstools4u.com
good call zac sorry that you have to burn those hard earned miles but you have a lot more beating and bashing to go and it sounds like once again you have made a good decision we will all pray for you
Hi Zac.
Hope you make it to port in one piece. Sounds like major repair is in order.
Wish you alle the best
Axel
Hello There Zac...
You sound so calm and in control even when things are coming apart. Us that sail know just how precarious of a situation you are in. We are waiting to hear that you have safely made it into port without further damage. And whoever thought the last chapter of the book was going to be anti climatic!
Blessings,
Bob in OKC
Zac...no time for chit-chat. I found a bulkhead repair & photos.
www.blumhost.com/catalina27/bulkhead.
Takes you thru a complete recommision, repair, who, whats, hows. Hope it might help. Good luck to port & a quick fix. They did this in 9 hours.
Brenda F.
Oh no Zac..
Do what you gotta do and be safe!
We'll all be here waiting to hear the outcome..if you can, post a picture of the bulkhead.
Laura
Real bummer. I was also surprised not to hear any mention of tropical storm Andres which is approaching. Hopefully Zac can out run it and make it into Banderas Bay ahead of the storm.
I have never sailed on the open sea. I would like to. When I was a small child we had a very small two person "sun fish" that we sailed on a small pond. My best friend and I would sail that little boat and make up great adventures like the one you are currently living. Wishing you quick and effecient repairs and Godspeed for the remainder of your journey home. Thank you again for reminding us that we really can choose to live our dreams.
Last leg of the trip seems to be the hardest. Hang in there!
Anyone have an idea of how long repairs will take or what's involved?
Zac-
Good run into Banderas. keeping my fingers crossed this morning...and a prayer or two.
Kodiak Mike
Zac: It will take your courage and strength in God to overcome this situation. Your strong; You know it; NOW JUST DO IT. Remember God is on your shoulder.
God Bless
Balmoral Sailor
Zac----I know exactly what you are going through pounding to weather in the Pacific ocean. It isn't any fun. After 3 weeks of it coming back from Hawaii I got a sort of shell shock effect and everytime the boat launched into the air off a big wave, all my muscles tensed up waiting for the impact as we slammed down.
A chainplate/ bulkhead failure at sea in a sailboat, with a storm near, and alone---well all I can say is hang in there and use that Yanmar cast iron spinnaker to get into port. Hopefully your Dad has already booked the flight to come help you with the repair. My Challenger 32 and your Islander 36 have similar chainplate arrangements and what happened is pretty serious. I'm sure that you will check ALL the chainplates before you head out again. You have a ways to go and it is all hard into the wind. Hold fast Zac. We are all there with you in spirit.
Rusty
Wow.
Just Wow.
Still praying Numbers 6:24-26
Mouse in Whittier
www.myspace.com/mouseonamotorcycle
Buy "Death and Coffee" here!
Zac, looks like you are going to be tested right through to the very end of this voyage!
Good temp. repair to the teak bulkhead. How difficult of a reapir do you think you will have? Will you need to do a fiberglass reapir as well? Perhaps keeping the mast braced even after the repair would be a good idea??
No worries mate you'll be right!! Will keep you in prayer!
Hugs,
Anita
Waterloo, NY
Captain SV Wombat
Zac, Our family has followed your journey from almost the beginning. We are a homeschool family (my boys now wish they were boatschooled!) of three boys (13,12,8) and one girl (6). You have provided us with loads of inspiration, entertainment and geography lessons this year. Thank you! We have prayed for you and your family and will continue to do so. My 8 year old wants to know, "Did you ever get seasick?". Psalm 33: 6-8 The Lord merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born. He gave the sea its boundaries and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs. Let everyone in the world fear the Lord, and let everyone stand in awe of Him. Go Intrepid! Robyn
Too bad God wasn't happy with you and broke your bulkhead.
You have to overcome this and fix it yourself.
Give a man a fish and feed him for a day
Teach him to fish and feed him for life
Give man a religion and he will starve to death waiting for a god to feed him.
The ever opposing thought for the day.
Hello Zac,
I'm so sorry about this unfortunate incident. Hopefully the damage is not very bad. Please let all of us know if Laurence will be heading into Mexico for these repairs Intrepid needs. Marianne we might need a little of your help here. We all know Zac is without much sleep and repairs will be his top concern right now. We look forward to you keeping us posted as much as possible. I know you have a crazy schedule but we will all hope for some small, short, but informative updates from SUPER MOM MARIANNE.
I hope all turns out well and the repairs go without many problems. Zac I think of you and your entire family daily. The Lord will bless.
Port, Repair, & Rest,
Douglas Pistone
MDR, California
Zac,
I hope you've made land fall by now. The weather looks very concerning with tropical storm Andres heading your way.
Sending prayers for a safe haven, some much needed rest and successful repairs.
Stay safe!
Mona
Tucson, AZ
Phew! What a mess!
The only small consolation is that there is a world class yacht club there, so hopefully repairs can be expedited:
http://vallartayachtclub.org
@Axel,
senden Sie mir Bitte eine E-Mail. Als mein Computer vor ein paar Monaten zusammenbrach, verlor ich Ihre E-Mail-Adresse.
Danke.
Bill Mann
bill@barstools4u.com
I have been praying all last evening and through the night for the safety of both you and Intrepid, Zac. May the Lord speed the repair, have every one and every thing you need when you reach port and give you restorative rest. I know you will be back at sea soon and will reach MDR on His timeline. Stay safe mate.
Kathy, Bend, OR
Zac,
Two questions. How bad can you break something like this and still make it home? I have signed up for your newsletter and have not recieved it yet. Did I miss it or what. Thank you for taking time to keep us all up todate.
Sail on
Bill
Minneapolis
Hi Zac & Brenda F.
The link to the Catalina 27 bulkhead repair is:
http://www.blumhorst.com/catalina27/bulkhead
Hey Zac,
I'm interested in learning how to sail. How can I do that?
Zac,
Equate your situation with a football team having a third-and-goal at the three yard line after a time-consuming, potentionally game-winning drive...You've called a timeout (repairs) and have two downs to score and win the contest!
Just be patient, execute the fundamentals and cross the California goal line!
Hi Zac,
If you’ve got to break something, Puerto Vallarta is the place to do it. Good luck to you on the repair. The bashing is normal for the route you’re taking; I was surprised when you decided to take it. Most people that have done it; all say "never again” and they end up heading out - way out, like to Hawaii and then drop over…On the other hand every sailor should have to do it once. When you work commercial you will be able to tell the owner “you drive the boat and I’ll take a plane. This is the kind of experience that you never forget.
In & out Burger is 6 minutes from the San Diego Customs Dock. I made the trip on Thursday and ate the burger in the parking lot to see if it was still hot and it was! How many “double doubles” should I bring to you?
Awww, man! Mother Nature is throwing everything she's got at you it seems. I'm hoping that by now you and Intrepid have hobbled into Banderas. This leg seems like a three steps forward, two steps back adventure that no doubt will test your patience and faith.
Experience tells me that you have plenty of both. Temperance (sp) is key and attitude is everything. Roll with it baby! At least your not stuck in St. Helena with this problem. Gotta find the silver lining, friend. Another bump in the road, and another opportunity to have some great street tacos!
Repair, rest (a bit), don't get a haircut, and roll on home! The suspense is building.....
Maybe "just was well" :-)
Looking at the storm map, the latest Zac could leave is Thursday, creep out behind the storm? If so and in that case, "just was well" he can conduct repairs all this week. Would be more frustrating being forced to hole up solely for weather purposes all week.
http://www.stormpulse.com/pacific
Zac,
Just equate your situation like a football team with a third-and-goal on the three-yard line after an 80-yard, time-consuming drive for the winning touchdown!
You've called timeout (repairs)! Regroup, just execute the fundamentals and cross the California goal line soon!
I wrote you an email last week....my site: www.xanga.com/ncstatefootball
Bummer about that crack! I'll keep you in prayer this evening Zac - dealing with stress/difficulties on small amounts of sleep is one of the lamest feelings ever, in my humble opinion. God is with you, He'll keep you going strong. Hang in there...
Kevin in Santa Barbara, CA.
Oh goodness gracious, Zac, it's just never-ending out there! One thing I've definitely learned following you & your home team for over a year is that you're going to make the right decisions, so I look forward to the next update from you (or mom, etc.) to hear about the repairs and forward plan. Felt like you were so close, but you're out there to "do hard things". All my best. Peace, Your Oklahoma Well-Wisher
It's actually pretty wild if you look at the big picture of all of this. The position of the storms and frequency. Almost as though they were targetting Zac, boxing him in, forcing him into these ports. Like a video game. :-)
There has to be a reason for all of this, and the ensuing delays. Probably the reason will reveal itself once he does get back home :-)
The link to the web site on bulkhead repair is
www.blumhorst.com/catalina27/bulkhead
not blumhost.
Good luck making it to Banderas Bay. Hopefully you can gerry-rig something in less than nine hours. It doesn't have to be pretty, it just has to be strong (although TS Andres may keep you in port for a few days).
Well said Doug.
Zac is going to have his hands full I fear.
Whether Laurence stays in California or hops the shuttle to Puerta Vallarta, Mariannne is going to have her hands full organizing everything for the repairs, in addition to organizing and re-organizing everything for the home coming.
You are amazing Marianne and I think you deserve a years break to recuperate from this voyage. (I am still willing to take Toby off of your hands).
I want to address the concerns raised by Bill in Minneapolis. Zac is gathering addresses for a Newsletter he intends to publish when he returns home which will keep everyone abreast of what he is doing, how he has adjusted to being back on land, how he evaded my scissors and his plans for the rest of his life.
I have started a newsletter which deals with the bloggers, our friendships, how we have adjusted to Zac's life on shore. It is different from Zac's planned newsletters and Zac and I have not shared email addresses. When you enter your email address into Zac's email list, that list is confidential and Zac does not share it with third parties.
When you send an email address to me, it is entered into my Constant Contact data base and is kept confidential. I do not share my data base with third parties. I just wanted to clear any misunderstandings about the two different newsletters.
I am sitting in the comfort of my office and have composed the first of what I hope will be many newsletters. Poor Zac is sitting (hopefully by now) in one of the most beautiful ports in Mexico, but he is working his butt off. He still has many miles to go before he can even think about an In N' Out, let alone a newsletter.
Just wanted to clear up any confusion.
Hang in there. Before you know it, your in-box will contain the first of Zac's newsletters.
Bill Mann
bill@barstools4u.com
Ahoy Zac,
Amazing Zac, I'm sure Interpid has been taking a beating. Makes me wonder what your going to do with her after this voage. If you were to do it again, would you have picked the same size boat? What would be your main priority picking your next boat Zac?
In response to anonymous' "ever opposing thought for the day:" I too am not terribly religious and normally I might even agree with your sentiments, however, in the case of Zac Sunderland it does not ring true.
Zac is an incredibly skillful sailor who has proven time and time again that he is capable of using this skill to help himself out of extremely dangerous situations at sea. While many of us would be cowering in the cabin calling for help (including myself), Zac keeps his cool, physically handles the situation, and mentally makes the necessary decisions of what to do next. I can say that if I met more religious people like Zac I might be persueded to re-think my own beliefs.
Hey Zac ---
Praying for a safe trip into port and a quick, hassle-free repair! You never cease to amaze us.
It would be great if you had a chance to enjoy another Mexican pizza --- after the repairs, of course. Never can have too many "critical supplies". :)
@Croaker - Beautiful post yesterday! I'm glad I started keeping tissues right here on my desk early on into this journey... You speak for many.
Be safe, Zac. Many thoughts and prayers are with you!
Blessings -
Marie
WA St.
Wow! Limping into an unknown port with weather chasing. Here is hoping that the previous problems with the engine have been solved once and for all.
SteveB
Birmingham,AL
With tropical storm Andres forecast to hit your area it seems you would have needed to head into port anyway, so hopefully the repairs can be done in a couple of days and you'll be back on your journey home.
Good luck with the repairs!
Hey Zac hang in there buddy. I hope the repairs go well as we are are all waiting to greet you in Marina Del Ray.
@ Anonymous: No worries mate. we'll pray for you too <><
Blessings
Anita
Waterloo, NY
Captain SV Wombat
Could someone post a chart showing where Zac was in relation to Banderas Bay when the bulkhead blew out?
Want to see how many miles he has to go, and how close to the wind he has to sail to get there.
Someone mentioned using the engine, but in seas like he's in the engine probably wouldn't be much use, and the propeller could go dangerously free wheeling if the waves lifted the aft end out of the water.
Sounds like he's doing everything right, which is good, as popping a chainplate bulkhead is serious business. The chainplates are where the wire shrouds from the top of the mast come down to anchor into the boat. If you lose your anchor support you could lose your mast. This is why Zac took halyards over to the rail of the boat to serve as backup shrouds to take the tension off of the chainplates that are cracking the interior bulkhead. (A bulkhead is basically a wall inside of the sailboat. Think of it as a very important weight-bearing wall. Sounds like it has come atleast partially disconnected from the boat's hull, which would cause the boat to flex and twist more than it should, which could in turn stress the other bulkheads.)
Will hopefully just turn into another great story for Zac to tell.
- Grant Fjermedal, Seattle
Zac, I prayed for you at Mass yesterday and asked the priest to as well. Coincidentally, we had the scripture of Jesus calming the water. This is my first post on the blog and I plan to be there at MDR when you return. Previously, I was following your adventure via article in The Argonaut. Praying ....
For land locked:
Grant explained it perfectly. Just to transform the situation to your home.
It's like taking out a load bearing wall out of your home.
So close and yet so far I wish Zac all the best and I am sure he is doing the right things.
Axel
Grant, thanks for the explanation that really helped me understand what the Bulkhead is.
ZAC, stay safe stay atrong and alert I hope you've made it to safe harbor.
Jennifer
Rough calculation: 150 miles at the tightest angle to the Marina in Puerto Vallarta, based on yesterday's coordinates @ about 26 hours ago now limping at say 5 kts.
20 miles to port?
What says Mom?
To state the obvious: Marianne, Please let us know when you hear from Zac. Hoping he makes port tonight.
I'd imagine that there will be plenty of people hitting this site over and over and over again until the word comes through that he is safely moored in another hurricane hole and either sleeping or out looking for more 50 cent tacos.
The Stormpulse link http://www.stormpulse.com/pacific posted by Anonymous provides a wealth of information.
You can click the two arrows beside the storm's name "T.S. Andres" to move the map and windspeeds back and forth.
On the good news front, the eye of the storm is about 180 miles south of Zac's last reported position (but the ferocous winds travel far and fast). The bad news is that the tropical storm is reported to already have sustained winds of 60 miles per hour -- which constitutes very dangerous conditions, especially for a singlehander in a damaged boat.
The news becomes not so good the later Zac is out there. Stormpulse predicts that by 11 p.m. tonight the eye of the storm will be just 120 miles or so from Zac and will have built in strength to nearly a hurricane -- 70 mile an hour winds. Seas are chaotic in 70 knots. Rogue waves are all over the place as one big bruiser collides and then joins with another.
By 11 a.m. tomorrow morning the winds are forecast to be at virtual hurricane strength of 75 miles per hour, and the eye of the storm is forecast to be within about 30 miles of Zac's last reported location.
So watch for word from his mother that Zac just sleepily called from port. This won't be a night to be on the ocean. It will make for a great story to his grandchildren, but if Stormpulse is correct, it will be an ugly and dangerous night to be out on the ocean.
Off and on we've talked about Cape Horn on this site. Until Zac manages to make port, according to the Stormpulse forecast, Zac will be in waves and wind to rival a miserable and dangerous Cape Horn storm.
Think I'll go brew some coffee and stay tuned.
- Grant Fjermedal
Well, Zac, I know you've got to be whipped. It's been a long day. I'm reminded of our storms at sea, being so tired, you're running on empty. But you'll be fine. It's a week day, thank heaven. Confidence in you is high! I'm positive there's someone just waiting in Banderas Bay to help you. It's in the stars.
"When it's dark enough, you can see the stars......."
I wished on one for you.
Atlanta out. Mimi & Desi
Zac, you're the man! You blow me away with your presence of mind. I am praying for you, and look forward to your next post.
This comment has been removed by the author.
Zak:
Keep the faith my man. Your faith is your main strength and so keep it up. I hope you see amazing sites on your final leg home...on a repaired boat no less!
It will all be worth it!
Scott in Dallas
I'm glad you are so smart and know what to do in dangerous situations Zac. I wish I had you on board Friday when we attempted to sail south on a very foggy morning. My lookout was preoccupied with getting his GPS to work and I was totally disoriented in the fog. We hit a sandbar and a giant wave capsized the boat. The main sail was up so the wind kept us from righting. The waves kept pounding the boat and we had to call out a mayday for the Coast Guard to rescue us. We had to abandon ship and they finally pulled her free several hours later. She took on hundreds of gallons of water and many things were destroyed but we are all alive. The coast guard said we were very lucky to be alive! Many people have lost their lives on that sandbar. When we were safely on shore and walking to the rescue boat, all I could think of is how on Earth Zac has managed to survive all the trials God has set upon him with grace and I steered right into a sandbar in the fog! I guess you wouldn't have been sailing in almost zero visibility!! You are an incredible captain and seaman Zac! I'm glad you and Intrepid are ok and look forward to your glorious return.
Patrick
Yo, Cap'n Zac!
Just checked out Jen's blog to see the excellent pics as you come in to Paradise. I tried to post a comment there but couldn't so I'm going to post it here in hopes that she'll see it:
Great timing and pics, Jen! So many questions - who is the person on the rock in the first pic, do you know? And the kisser? And dontcha just wonder if those two guys on boat watching Zac throw his line know that they are witnessing history and the famous AND infamous Cap'n Zac Sunderland on the last leg of his history-making solo sail 'round the world?
Do other sailors know (of) him? Does knowledge of his arrival preceed him?
Anyway, thanks as always, Jen, for the wonderful action shots!
And, Cap'n Zac? I hope your Intrepid is all fixed up real soon (Master Repair Dude Laurence to the rescue!) and that you are soon homeward bound. Keep on keepin' on!
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