MESSAGE TO COYOTE

THE THREAT OF EXCLUDING TIKI BLUE FROM THE DRONE VIDOE EVENT HAS STIFFENED THE BACKBONE OF THE TIKI BLUE CREW. A MESSAGE TO THE YOUNGISH VIDEOGRAPHER WITH THE BOYISH SMILE AND LOVELY HANDS- AS WE LINE UP ON THE NEXT 1500 MILES BEWARE OF THE GAPING WIND VORTEX THAT MAY PLUNGE "TOY DRONE" INTO THE DEEP BLUE ABYSS!

TIKI BLUE-CREW

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DAY 5 TIKI BLUE

LOG SHEET--CONSERVE RESOURCES ABOARD SHIP TIKI
WHAT'S LEFT AS OF 7/12/14
52 LITERS AND 4 GALLONS OF WATER PLASTIC BOTTLES
65 GALLON OF WATER IN TWO ON BOARD TANKS
30 GALLONS FUEL TO CHARGE HOUSE BATTERIES
7 ROLLS OF TP
3 ROLLS PAPER TOWEL
7 DAY BAGS OF FOOD LEFT
2 DAY OF FREEZE DRIED EMERGENCY FOOD
14 CLIF BARS
62 OLA LOA ENERGY PACKETS
6 AMAZING GRASS SUPER GREEN ENERGY BARS
51 STAR BUCKS COFFEE STICKS AND HOT CHOCOLATE
SSB COMMUNICATION VERY POOR AND CAN'T BE RELIED ON

WE EXPECT ONE MORE DAY OF LIGHT DRIFTING CONDITIONS AND THEN PLEASE WIND GODS BESTOW 10-15 KNOTS OF WIND TO GET US GOING!!
CAPT'N GARY

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Tiki Blue preparing for a long haul

Well the wind we encountered yesterday was taking us too far south so we dropped the spinnaker and put the head sail back up and now we are waiting for the next gib files to download to see if their will be any improvement. Right now we are still in very light wind and thinking that we need to start looking at water consumption. Also the one missing dinner has now put Stubble beard (Chris) in a predicament as we've decided he can let us know which leg we can consume when we start running out of food. We have fixed a lot of equipment that did not survive the days of slating so now all topside rigging and sails are in fine working order. Also learning some Kiwi terminology ie. "twitch it on" means to tighten something. The weather is getting warmer and still cloud cover so hoping to see sun in the next few days. Things are starting to dry out as well. It was foggy and wet the first few days. Sounds like a glorious time I'm sure to some of you preparing for grand vacations. We continue to see more marine life porpoises and Toyota tires and other stuff. Right now the Kiwis are really working the sail trim squeezing every ounce of wind we can find. We ghost long at 1.5 to 2.7 knots and they keep smiling. Every now and then I through them a snack. The navigator extrapolator (Tom) is feverishly checking the computer and grib files to find any hint of good news on the wind front. The warlord (Dennis) says everything is going just find. He loves being on the ocean so a few more weeks is a delight. The wrench-men (Larry) has tightened/twitched every piece of hardware on the boat to prevent any more gear trying to get off the boat. I almost forgot today is tooth brush day, nothing like a bunch of salty sailors with a fresh smile.
Keep the wind dance drums a ringing. We can hear them! Capt'n G and Crew (Warlord says hi to Becky!) and the rest of the gang to their loved ones as well.

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Tiki Blue finds wind

At midnight the we finally got to the wind after slating for 2 days. Could drive sailors crazy but we survived. Now we are moving along nicely with the spinnaker up. This good fortune has to be a present for the Honorable Murray Gilbert (justice of the peace NZ)who is celebrating his birthday today on Tiki Blue. We just finished up a lovely dinner (thanks Kelly from captn and crew). we are preparing for a full night of spinnaker sailing to make up for lost ground. Boat seemed bow heavy so we moved stuff aft to get her at a better pitch and speed her up a bit. It is still a long way to go and we have more weather wind issue to overcome with the high pressure not solidified. This could mean more days of light wind in the middle of the course.

Portuguese man-o-war are flourishing out here, like a bed of small light bulbs floating on the sea. I have 1 am shift tonight so getting some sleep soon and then up and ready to go. More to come tomorrow. Cheer Tiki Crew.

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Tiki Blue looking for wind

Well the first 24 hours have has been an effort just to keep the boat moving through light wind and pointed west. Even after getting to the synoptic wind it was gone. So just continuing to work our way west until we get some breeze. The Tiki Crew is suggesting that we have our halfway part when we get to the 70 mile mark with only 2000 miles to go. hmmm crew getting anxious. We have sailed into a pod of whales, saw dolphins, sunfish and Portuguese man-o-war. Food, water and electricity are all working great and nobody seasick. Just spoke to Coyote on VHF radio and had a nice chat.
Cheers from wind-seeking Tiki Blue Captain and Crew.

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TEAM TIKI OFF WITH ROARING START!!

Team Tiki Blue was off to a roaring start yesterday (Tuesday, July 8, 2014).  They crossed the start line at 11:40 am then proceeded on a port tack past the Golden Gate Bridge to the north shore along Marin Headlands.  With full main and jib, they saw boat speeds of 7-8 kts.  Wind was blowing through the slot (under the Golden Gate Bridge) at 18 kts, with gusts to 22 kts.  The excitement and speed tapered off as they sailed past Point Bonita and wind speeds dropped.  Crew energy level was very high, reviewing overall strategy (go north or south of rhumbline), watch schedules, and the Café Tiki menu (what's for dinner).

 

**Posted by Rune Storesund, Assistant to the Port Captain (Pac Cup 2014)

 

 

Light air start for Tiki today- Need to get to synoptic wind and beyond!