It’s been 10 years since Jim Heumann and Karen Sullivan returned from their trans-Pacific voyage from Port Townsend to New Zealand, but the trip is as fresh and exciting as a southerly storm buffeting the newly rebuilt north jetty at Point Hudson.  Jim and Karen reprised their trip  for an attentive crowd of 31 at the Clubhouse this evening.

Just shy of 11,000 ocean miles travelled, and the roughest stretch of water Jim and Karen encountered was 100 miles off the Oregon coast, one week from home.  Their Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 foot boat drifted 100 miles south while hove to for two days in 35+ knots of wind and 16 foot seas.  “The Dana 24 is  not known as an ideal boat for heaving to (unjustly),” reported Jim. “But in steep seas that are very closely spaced the boat tends to ride beam to the waves, and there were a few instances where the boat rolled through 60 degrees, getting swamped by the next wave before fully righting itself.”  Karen, who has been sailing since the 1970’s took it all in stride. “If it had happened more often, we would have considered going topsides to steer down the waves, but it was not necessary,” she said.

“You don’t need a water-maker, as long as you are content showering in the rain and bathing in a dinghy,” they reported.  And they had pictures to prove it!  Their main water tank was 45 gallons and they carried an additional few gallons in jerry cans stowed away.  The Dana 24 had an air vent for the fresh water tank near the bow: “watch you don’t get sea water in your tank,” they cautioned. A lesson learned the hard way. Leif Knutsen taught them “you don’t need stainless steel fittings to fix everything on your boat; for some jobs lashing works best.” Case in point: the running lights on “Sockdolager.”

“Pick a boat name that is pronounceable and that you don’t have to explain all the time,” suggested Jim.  “Sunsets are spectacular 1500 miles from the closest land, but they can overwhelm your camera storage!”

“Have good sails and make sure they are in sound shape,” advised Jim.  “Everywhere we went we saw people with broken sails, trying to find a sewing machine, or waiting for replacement sails.”

“There are beautiful people, kind and interesting people you meet out there,” noted both Karen and Jim. Cash poor people who patch together boats they purchase for a dollar and head out to sea. Eccentric single-handers starved for conversation; charming characters with suspect provenance who “may be running from the IRS or the police.”  Venerable and experienced pros like Lynn and Larry Pardey….

But, no surprise, the most rewarding experience for Jim and Karen who contribute so much to our sailing community here, was to dig in and help out for prolonged stints–becoming veterinarian to a parrot in distress, assisting with the restoration of a shallow draft Tongan craft for a month and getting to sail up and down the lagoon, part of the crew to help entertain heads of state and top diplomats of a gathering of ASEAN nations.  Feeling local, not just a tourist passing through.

The bay and the sea beyond beckon.  Come join us and share your stories in the Clubhouse.  Thank you to Jim and Karen for sharing their adventure this evening.

“Sockdolager” Getting Ready for Sea