2008 Singlehanded Transpac - Dogbark Sails to Line Honors

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Boating and Sailing News 24 Jul


Singlehanded Transpac Veteran Al Hughes on Dogbark

Kauai, Hawaii - Al Hughes on Dogbark has taken line honors (first to finish) for the 2008 Singlehanded Transpac, crossing the finish line at Hanalei bay, Kauai, just hours ago. We meet with Al in the San Francisco bay the day before the race, and told him he would be the first sailboat into Hawaii. While he didn't quite agree, he also didn't disagree.

Typically a downhill run, Al Hughes and nearly everyone else thought the trimaran in the fleet would be first to cross, but headwinds changed that, and the classic (maybe jurassic) Open 60 yacht Dogbark's third Line Honors in this Corinthian race will give Pacific monohull sailors something to crow about for years to come.

Al was calm, well prepared, and brimming with anticipation for his upcoming adventure when we chatted with him aboard Dogbark, the evening before the start of the race:

YP: [watching Al's relaxed last-minute preparations] This obviously isn't your first sail to Hawaii.
Al: No, this is my third Singlehanded Transpac in this boat.

YP: How did you do in the other two Transpac races?
Al: First to finish - not so good corrected - but first to finish, that's my goal. I'd like to set a new record, but that depends on the wind.

YP: So why do you participate in these solo ocean yacht races?
Al: I just enjoy it, I'm a sailing nut. There's no other reason. I mean, the first time I wanted to prove something to myself, but now I just really enjoy the camaraderie of the folks, and it's a beautiful landfall. It's the best end of race I've ever had. I just like it.

YP: How long have you been sailing?
Al: Since I was about 5 or 6 years old, so that's close to 50 years.

YP: Did you start sailing on small sailboats?
Al: Oh yeah, I started in the dinghies, and then juniors in the yacht club and college, and all that. And I live on a boat with my wife now - not this boat, but another boat we built. It's a 39 foot fiberglass sloop of our own design.

 

Singlehanded Transpac

YP: What's the main difference between your Open 60 and the Open 60's built today?
Al: I don't think it would officially be an Open 60 anymore. It has a 55 horse Volvo engine [disabled for the race], and other things. I would call it a classic Open 60 - a very unique Open 60. It was built with an interior, so it is eminently cruiseable.

YP: So I'm thinking, due to the conditions on the course, you're going to be the first to finish in Hawaii. But I have to tell you Al, most of the sailors on the docks think it will be the trimaran.
Al: [laughing] The trimaran may get first in, but we haven't surrendered yet.

Indeed Al Hughes fought hard to maintain his lead through the light winds that he predicted off the California coast, and persisted through mechanical failures and rain squalls. Not one to surrender, he managed to bring his boat over the finish line today at 09:04, at what Al calls "the best end of race ever," in Hanalei Bay on the garden island of Kauai.

 

Singlehanded Transpac

 

Singlehanded Transpac Unofficial Provisional Finish Report

  • Boat: Dogbark
  • Skipper: Al Hughes
  • Finish Time: 7/23/08 090413
  • Elapsed Time: 284:59:13
  • Correction: -34:09:20
  • Corrected Time: 319:08:33

 

We'll bring you more news from the Singlehanded Transpac as more boats begin sailing past the finish line in Hawaii. As predicted Skip Allen on the boat Wildflower is currently in the lead on corrected time, but he's keeping a close eye on Polar Bear and Alchera who are trying hard to give the 27 time Transpac veteran a run for his money.

 

- Kim Hampton for YachtPals.com

READ MORE ABOUT THE SINGLEHANDED TRANSPAC






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Singlehanded Transpac Position Report

YachtPals's picture
On July 25th, 2008 YachtPals says:

Singlehanded Transpac Position Report

July 24 PM Position Report
Name   Type   Sailor       Lat   Lon   DTF   COG   SOG   12hr DMG    
                                         
Division J - Multihulls
Hecla Hammerhead 54 Jeff Lebesch   22.72 -159.08 37 220 8.5  
Division G - Sport Boats
Ankle Biter SC 27 Alan Hebert   27.03 -146.25 778 220 6.7 69
Polar Bear Olson 30 Eric Thomas   24.32 -154.40 299 247 7.8 90
Ragtime! J/92 Bob Johnston   24.83 -152.32 426 251 7.5 84
Warriors Wish Jutson 30 Don Gray   24.78 -148.70 614 247 6.0 72
Division F - Large Monohulls
Alchera J/120 Mark Deppe   23.53 -155.17 251 252 7.3 89
Chesapeake Outbound 46 Jim Fair   25.15 -152.08 426 280 9.7 91
Dogbark X-Open 60 Al Hughes               finished
Na Na Saga 43 Dwight Odom   28.22 -144.22 903 245 7.9 76
Wenlemir Swan 47 Wen Lin               no report
Division E - Medium Monohulls
Dream Chaser Valiant 40 John Hayward   26.70 -146.42 763 216 5.8 72
Feolena Valiant 32 Rob Tryon   28.13 -143.18 953 230 5.5 56
Harrier Finn Flyer 31 Ken Roper   27.00 -147.92 694 240 6.2 64
Haulback Spencer 35 Jim Kellam   26.45 -147.68 694 240 5.8 71
Islander Bristol 34 Barbara Euser               no report
Sunquest Westsail 32 Joshua Siegel   28.13 -142.42 993 246 5.6 68
Division D - Small Monohulls
Black Feathers Cal 20 Robert Crawford   28.03 -142.87 969 260 5.0 60
Carroll E Dana 24 Christian Humann   28.50 -143.93 923 250 5.0 68
Feral International Folkboat Thomas Kirschbaum   28.57 -143.05 970 243 6.2 66
Kali O Kalani Harkfarm 28 Nicholas Ratto   27.93 -144.03 908 270 6.5 62
Sparky Pearson Electra 22 Ruben Gabriel   29.03 -142.83 990 235 5.0 56
Wildflower Wylie Custom 27 Skip Allan   25.47 -149.88 562 255 6.8 78

Singlehanded Transpac - Black Feathers rudder breaks in half!

Sailor (anonymous)'s picture
On July 25th, 2008 Sailor (anonymous) says:

Robert is fine on Black Feathers, but this afternoon his fiberglass rudder broke in half while sailing in the Singlehanded Transpac. He installed the original mahogany rudder and has it hooked up to his Monitor. He is doing 5 knots on the Pacific.

The Trimaran Hecla finishes the Singlehanded Transpac

YachtPals's picture
On July 25th, 2008 YachtPals says:

The Trimaran Hecla has arrived in Hanalei Bay!

  • Boat Name: Hecla    
  • Boat Type: Hammerhead 54    
  • Skipper: Jeff Lebesch    
  • Finish Time: 7/25/08 011301    
  • Elapsed Time (dd hh:mm:ss): 12 12:48:01    
  • Correction: -17:40:00    
  • Corrected Time (dd hh:mm:ss): 13 06:28:01

Singlehanded Transpac boat Dogbark at anchor in Hanalei bay

YachtPals's picture
On July 25th, 2008 YachtPals says:

Our YachtPal Rich Hudnut sent in these photos of Al Hughes, and his sailboat Dogbark, resting at anchor in Hanalei Bay. Looks like pretty typical conditions over on the garden isle.

 

Singlehanded Transpac

 

Singlehanded Transpac

 

Mark Deppe on Alchera finishes the Singlehanded Transpac

YachtPals's picture
On July 26th, 2008 YachtPals says:

Mark Deppe on Alchera has sailed past the finish line in Kauai!

  • Boat Name: Alchera
  • Boat Type: J/120
  • Skipper: Mark Deppe
  • Finish Time: 7/26/08 071126
  • Elapsed Time (dd hh:mm:ss): 13 19:06:26
  • Correction: 40:02:40
  • Corrected Time (dd hh:mm:ss): 12 03:03:46

WAY TO GO MARK!

 

Eric Thomas, on the sailboat Polar Bear, will be the next boat over the line at Hanalei bay. He will be joining Dogbark, Hecla, and Alchera at any moment.

Polar Bear has completed the Singlehanded Transpac

YachtPals's picture
On July 27th, 2008 YachtPals says:

The boat Polar Bear has crossed the Singlehanded Transpac finish line in Hawaii!

  • Boat Name: Polar Bear
  • Boat Type: Olson 30
  • Skipper: Eric Thomas
  • Finish Time: 7/26/08 135827
  • Elapsed Time (dd hh:mm:ss): 14 01:53:27
  • Correction: 58:18:00
  • Corrected Time (dd hh:mm:ss): 11 15:35:27

Nice job Ice Man!

Next into Hanalei bay should be the Outbound 46 boat Chesapeake, and the J/92 sailboat Ragtime.  Close on their heels is Skip Allen sailing the little Wylie Custom 27 Wildflower.

Way to go Polar Bear!

Sailor (anonymous)'s picture
On July 29th, 2008 Sailor (anonymous) says:

Congratulations on a great race, Eric! Thanks for proving that "prairie pirates" have what it takes to be excellent bluewater sailors.

Gail
member, Great Lakes Singlehanded Society
s/v Shanti

Chesapeake crosses the Singlehanded Transpac finish line

YachtPals's picture
On July 27th, 2008 YachtPals says:

Jim Fair on Chesapeake has arrived in Hanalei Bay!

  • Boat Name: Chesapeake
  • Boat Type: Outbound 46
  • Skipper: Jim Fair
  • Finish Time: 7/27/08 074845
  • Elapsed Time (dd hh:mm:ss): 14 19:43:45
  • Correction: 54:46:00
  • Corrected Time (dd hh:mm:ss): 12 12:57:45

Ragtime completes the Singlehanded Transpac

YachtPals's picture
On July 27th, 2008 YachtPals says:

Bob Johnston sailing Ragtime! has arrived in Kauai!

  • Boat Name: Ragtime!
  • Boat Type: J/29
  • Skipper: Bob Johnston 
  • Finish Time: 7/27/08 123944
  • Elapsed Time (dd hh:mm:ss): 15 00:34:44
  • Correction: 71:15:20
  • Corrected Time (dd hh:mm:ss): 12 01:19:24

Sparky dismasted in the Singlehanded Transpac

YachtPals's picture
On July 28th, 2008 YachtPals says:

Sparky the Pearson Electra 22 sailboat skippered by Ruben Gabriel in the Singlehanded Transpac has been dismasted. Ruben is continuing on to Hanalei under jury rig.

Skip Allen completes the Singlehanded Transpac

YachtPals's picture
On July 28th, 2008 YachtPals says:

Skip Allan sailing Wildflower has arrived in Kauai!

  • Boat Name: Wildflower
  • Boat Type: Wylie Custom 27
  • Skipper: Skip Allan
  • Finish Time: 7/28/08 122145
  • Elapsed Time (dd hh:mm:ss): 16 00:06:45
  • Correction: 122:29:20
  • Corrected Time (dd hh:mm:ss): 10 21:37:25

Skip Allan Singlehanded TRanspac
Read more about Skip Allen, and his boat Wildflower, in the article: Singlehanded Transpac - Sailing California to Hawaii Solo

You Da Man

Sailor (anonymous)'s picture
On July 29th, 2008 Sailor (anonymous) says:

Aloha Skip,

Congratulations from Kim and Dave (Andante, PacCup '96)

Singlehanded Transpac Update

YachtPals's picture
On July 30th, 2008 YachtPals says:

Singlehanded Transpac sailboats Warriors Wish, Haulback and Dream Chaser sail into Hanalei bay.

Singlehanded Transpac Provisional Finish Reports - Unofficial - Penalties not included
Name   Type   Skipper   Finish Time   Elapsed Time
(dd hh:mm:ss)		   Correction   Corrected Time
(dd hh:mm:ss)
                                             
Dogbark X-Open 60 Al Hughes 7/23/08 090413 11 20:59:13 -34:09:20 13 07:08:33
Hecla Hammerhead 54 Jeff Lebesch 7/25/08 011301 12 12:48:01 -17:40:00 13 06:28:01
Alchera J/120 Mark Deppe 7/26/08 071126 13 19:06:26 40:02:40 12 03:03:46
Polar Bear Olson 30 Eric Thomas 7/26/08 135827 14 01:53:27 58:18:00 11 15:35:27
Chesapeake Outbound 46 Jim Fair 7/27/08 074845 14 19:43:45 54:46:00 12 12:57:45
Ragtime! J/29 Bob Johnston 7/27/08 123944 15 00:34:44 71:15:20 12 01:19:24
Wildflower Wylie Custom 27 Skip Allan 7/28/08 122145 16 00:06:45 122:29:20 10 21:37:25
Warriors Wish Jutson 30 Don Gray 7/28/08 144016 16 02:36:16 45:56:00 14 04:39:16
Haulback Spencer 35 Jim Kellam 7/29/08 115951 16 23:44:51 114:14:40 12 05:30:11
Dream Chaser Valiant 40 John Hayward 7/29/08 140014 17 01:45:14 78:19:20 13 19:25:54

 

Singlehanded Transpac News

YachtPals's picture
On August 1st, 2008 YachtPals says:

Singlehanded Transpac Update:

  • Wen Lin was rescued off the boat Wenlemir, and is safe in California. Read story here: Singlehanded Transpac - Rescue at Sea.
  • Barbara Euser has yet to report her position on Islander.
  • Robert Crawford sailing Black Feathers is 76 from the finish line at the July 31 PM report.
  • Thomas Kirschbaum sailing Feral is 51 from the finish line at the July 31 PM report.
  • Nicholas Ratto sailing Kali O Kalani did not report in again.
  • Ruben Gabriel sailing Sparky is limping along about 442 miles from the finish in Hanalei bay.
  • Many more boats have crossed the line in Hanalei bay including Harrier, Na Na, Ankle Biter, Carroll E, Feolena, and Sunquest!

 

Skip Allan first overall on corrected time!

 

Singlehanded Transpac Update

YachtPals's picture
On August 1st, 2008 YachtPals says:

Nicholas Ratto sailing Kali O Kalani, Thomas Kirschbaum sailing Feral, and Robert Crawford sailing Black Feathers, have all finished the Singlehanded Transpac!

Only 2 boats left out on the Pacific in the Singlehanded Transpac. Ruben Gabriel sailing Sparky is reporting no wind at about 400 miles from the finish line in Hanalei bay. Still no report from Barbara Euser on the Bristol 34 sailboat Islander.

 

 

UPDATE

 

Good News:  Barbara Euser on the Bristol 34 sailboat Islander is reported to have made land in Kauai!

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