Limitless has a number of electronic systems for measuring data about our environment that are useful for safety and performance. Each has its purpose and reason for being on the boat. Here’s a quick summary of some of the key components:
NKE instruments
Garmin chart plotter
Vesper AIS system
VHF Radio
SSB
Satellite phone
Dustin at Fox Marine (shop located at KKMI in Point Richmond) is helping make everything talk to one another, so the chart plotter, wind instruments, depth sounder and AIS all can coordinate together for a complete picture of how the boat is doing at any given moment. He’s also helping to get everything fused and wired correctly for safety.
We prepped everything for inspecting and passed our Pacific Cup safety inspection (with a couple of minor homework assignments). Michael did a great job of checking everything over and also sharing some useful tips that would help make it a better trip for us on the way over and back. Limitless is now ready for finishing the last projects before we leave in less than 2 weeks!
Starting out in her home harbor of San Pedro, California, team Limitless worked together to bring the boat up north to the Bay Area for weighing, measuring and inspection in preparation for the start of the Pacific Cup 2016 race.
Shawn and Bryan delivered her to Santa Barbara, where Gabriel joined the crew after a one-day delay due to needing to check on the engine. From Santa Barbara the next stop was Morro Bay, where Bryan got off the boat in order to make it back home in time for his wife’s birthday. Shawn and Gabriel then set off for the 26 hour trip from Morro Bay to Santa Cruz. After arriving in Santa Cruz and refueling and relaxing for a few hours, they then made the final push from Santa Cruz to Berkeley, leaving at 0430 in the morning, successfully arriving Sunday evening in time for the weigh-in to happen Monday morning.
Winds ranged from 3kt to 30+kt, averaging 20-25kt out of the northwest (i.e. directly on the nose). Seas ranged from 2-3 foot waves to 9-12 foot waves. Typical conditions for a delivery from southern California.
Gabriel making his way to Santa Barbara from Oakland
Provisioning for the delivery
Taking Greyhound from Oakland to Santa Barbara
Stopping for donuts at 24 hour donut shop on the way down to Santa Barbara
Stopping for donuts at 24 hour donut shop on the way down to Santa Barbara
Made it to Santa Barbara!
Beautiful pier in Santa Barbara
Arrived at Santa Barbara Marina
Gabriel arrived at Santa Barbara Marina
Santa Barbara Yacht Club
Time for some delicious breakfast at Dawn Patrol in Santa Barbara
Taking the train to San Luis Obispo and back to Santa Barbara after the delivery got delayed by a day
Train back to Santa Barbara
Beautiful countryside
Gonna be driving Limitless up the coast soon!
Wind conditions building over the next 5 days
Meeting up with the boat in Santa Barbara, getting underway to Morro Bay
Delivery mode
Installing hardware for the jib tack
Bryan
And we’re off!
Autopilot working A-OK
Smoke from the wildfire on the horizon
Smoke from the wildfire on the horizon
Wildfire smoke over the ocean
Beautiful light coming through the smoke
Heading to Morro Bay
Our route to Morro Bay from Santa Barbara
Driving at night, checking gauges
Wet trip in the dark
Sunlight! Almost to Morro Bay!
Getting closer…
Beautifully calm approach to Morro Bay after a night of bashing through waves
Bryan driving
Shawn is glad to be almost done with this leg
Otters in Morro Bay
Otters in Morro Bay
Otters in Morro Bay
Approaching the entrance to Morro Bay harbor
Famous Morro rock
Hey, we’re on land again! 🙂
Limitless in Morro Bay
We made it!
Next leg of the delivery: double-handing Limitless from Morro Bay to Santa Cruz – 98 nm
With enough fuel to make it to Santa Cruz, we set off from Morro Bay shortly after lunchtime. Building pressure and winds means we don’t have a lot of time to spare before we need to get going again.
Starting our trip from Morro Bay to Santa Cruz
Passing by Big Sur
Rounding Point Sur
Sails up!
Beautiful sailing conditions
Rounded the point and headed for Santa Cruz
Just sailing along!
Almost there…
Full sails on the way to Santa Cruz
Tightening the spectra lifelines on the way
Final approach to Santa Cruz
Drying out our gear on the dock in Santa Cruz
Yay we made it!
Tasty salad for dinner
Delivering Limitless from Santa Cruz to Berkeley – Monday 6/20
The final leg of the trip was from Santa Cruz to Berkeley. Traditionally this involves getting some rest, then leaving early in the morning (think 0400) to avoid some of the heavy winds and waves that can be found rounding the various points along the way. This was again a wet and boisterous trip leading to spotting the Golden Gate Bridge and passing under on the way to Berkeley. We got kind of emotional about that. 🙂
Charting our trip from Santa Cruz to Berkeley
Sunrise over the Pacific
Moon setting over the Pacific
Moon setting over the Pacific
Sun rising
Happy skipper
Moving right along
Approaching the turn to the Bay
Can just barely see the Golden Gate
Approaching the Golden Gate Bridge
Almost there!
Happy crew
Wind shut down just outside the bridge
Shawn driving
Limitless going under the Golden Gate Bridge
Limitless going under the Golden Gate Bridge
Limitless going under the Golden Gate Bridge
Limitless going under the Golden Gate Bridge
Limitless going under the Golden Gate Bridge
Limitless going under the Golden Gate Bridge
Happy? You bet!
Thumbs up!
Passing under the Golden Gate Bridge on Limitless
San Francisco in sight
On our way to Berkeley now
Approaching Berkeley, surfing the little waves
After all that, arrived successfully in Berkeley to a warm welcome and parked at Berkeley Yacht Club’s guest dock to prepare for weighing and measuring at Berkeley Marine Center the next morning.
