Pacifico Solo

We know, we know the single-handed race to Hawaii is already underway.
The truth is that we just didn't get this preview from Sportboat up in time, but it is still
interesting nonetheless. Really. Ed

The SSS Singlehanded Transpac (San Francisco to Kauai) has been around
for a bit over 20 years. The 2100 mile non-commercially sponsored
event is sailed every other year. The Singlehanded Sailing Society
runs several in the San Francisco Bay races through out the year.
Participants can sail either singlehanded (preferred) or doublehanded.
I have been participating in the races since 1998. So in 2002 I
decided to give a little back and volunteered to be on the board and
run the SSS website. By February the SSS did not have a race chair
for the 2004 SSS Transpac which starts June 26th. The lengthy post
writer Alan H took on the position temporarily, but could not stay on
since he was planning on racing the event this year. No one else
wanted the job as race chair so I stepped up. To his credit, Alan H
did a great job organizing several seminars including one where Stan
Honey (of Pyewacket fame) and gave skippers his informative one hour
weather and routing presentation.

The 2004 race has 25 entries which makes it one of the larger SSS
Transpacs. Several participants are back for a go at it again. The
sharp tongued Virgina based Vietnam vet "General" - Mr. Roper is back
for an eighth time sailing "Harrier". His Rhumbline strategy may pay
off. Another local veteran of the SSS Transpac is Greg Moris and his
Moore 24 "Color Blind". Back for a fifth time. This year there are
three ocean tested Moore 24's so they have their own OD class. Chuck
Beazell is back for a third time with his Hunter 54 "Joe". Last time
around he had gave a water ballasted SC50 a run for it's money boat for
boat. 2002's first to finish boat, a J120 "Alchera" is also back with
Mark Deppe aboard. SoloSailor is back with his 1968 Blacksoo 30
"Starbuck". (Unfortunately Starbuck had to withdraw due to gear failure)
This time it has been turboed with a huge asso. The
hard-chine original "Sportboat" won in 2000. Another interesting entry
include the Seattle based water ballasted Open 60 "Dog Bark" with Al
Hughes calling the shots. While it's an old school 060 it certainly
can challenge the seemingly soft almost eleven day record held by
another 60 set in 1996. Ryan Finn will be attempting the race with
his third fastest rated sponsored J90 "Surfinn". A J90 is not what
comes to mind as an ocean capable singlehander. It basically has a wet
sail locker for an interior and wants for lots of crew weight on the
rail to keep on it's feet.

The entire fleet list can be found here with their respective PCR
ratings..http://sfbaysss.org/transpac2004/entries.pdf

The course chartlets can be found here..
http://sfbaysss.org/transpac2004/chart1.pdf
http://sfbaysss.org/transpac2004/chart2.pdf
http://sfbaysss.org/transpac2004/chart3.pdf

As the twice daily position and status reports come in they will be
updated on the SSS website (powered by GPSNavX)..
http://sfbaysss.org/transpac2004/reports/