Max here reporting 622 miles down range. No slowing, full speed ahead.

Another killer day on the mighty 'Scout Spirit'.

Sorry for not reporting sooner, the nav station under the Guidance of Dave Janes the navigator and weather master, has been a hot spot for activity. We call it the war room. Dave has all the angles covered and our strategy is looking good so far.

1/2 EX J-Bird crew and 1/2 EX Alta Vita gang. Bill Turpin and Dave Janes have brought a great team together. Artie Means-computer and B and G guru, Pete Heck-, Ian-I can do anything-Klitsa, Damien-trimmer-Craig, Ty-pit-Pryne, Brian-my dads on Pye- Haines, Mike Mulle-our true Boy Scout, Ben Beers-the enforcer, Bob Moss-our pleasent guest. Me? I am floater Max.

Day 1-Start
After starting in a 12-14 knot southwesterly the wind opened up enough for us to lay Catalina, our only waypoint, without tacking. We took a mid line start with MG at the pin and Pyewacket below. Off and running, well beating really.

Pyewacket took the early lead and all 3 86's and the 90 were about 8 miles in front of us at dark. Pyewacket appeared to be the low boat and MG was the most upwind with GR in the middle. We filled the gap between the TP 52's and the 86's.

Early night one we switched to the Jib tob and blasted along in 15 knots of breeze with 55 degrees apparent. Not bad compared to the horror stories I have heard of about TPAC first nights. Slightly wet and relatively smooth with little real pounding. This boat with its bow overhang does indeed slap the surface like AC boats. Quite annoying at times. Not too cold and a little wet.

Course 215. Rhumbline 249.

Day 2-first roll call-280 miles today.
Woke up to another morning of jib top reaching and overcast skies. Roll call showed that the 86's reversed position with Morning Glory out front and to leeward. Pegasus looks tough in the 52 class out to leeward and in front down course. We were able to get the 4A spinnaker up and set our speed record with Ben Beers behind the wheel at 20.8 knots! Speaking of Ben, Ben is keeping me in line and has told me one more strike and I am voted off the raft! Smooth sailing with 6-8 foot seas and a slight breeze build to 340-355 at 18-22 knots in the afternoon. These sleds jam. We managed several hours of 15+ knot averages. Late in the afternoon we switched to the code zero flapper and the wind is starting to open up. 355 at 20-23 knots. We are sailing at 15-17 knots.

Course 220.

Day 3-second roll call, 320 miles today.
We just switched (noon local) to the full size code zero and the breeze has built to 22-24 knots at 010. Nice night with some moon showing . We are planning full time at 17-19 knots and are starting to pass waves! The sun is coming out, the ocean is BLUUUUEEE. Getting into the swing of things now with everyone aboard able to take off the sea sick patches and foulies. We are starting to pass some Fast 40's and the breeze is stronger than forecast by 5 knots. Roll call showed us only 60 miles behind the 86's and we are happy with this. Rosebud is making a move and Pegasus is still south. Its nice when the navigator yells, "Heat it up". If there was ever conditions for more righting moment in the way of a swing keel, this is it. Getting out from under the marine layer and seeing less birds, but still sighting birds!

Course 230. True wind angle 135. Not too bad at all.

All and all for this Transpac virgin, not too rough but then again I am on a 77 footer. It would be rough in a 40 footer or less. Seas are averaging 8-10 feet with some white caps showing. Not too consistent in direction and a bit sloppy.

That's all for now, next report we should have the spin up. Forecast show it opening up and if the forecasts remain on the shy side like they have been, we should be in 20-25 with the 2a spin up soon.

Dropping into a big one now, new record 21 knots by who else, bowman Ben.

Max Rosenberg out.

Winning...For Now

Here is today's report from Max Rosenberg onboard the R/P 77 Scout's Spirit. They are currently first in Division 1. Enjoy.

Well the wind has died down to 15-18 knots and we are finally in the trades. 80 % cloud coverage and the seas are smoother and more consistent. Not exactly breezy but we are still sailing with the spinnaker up and maintaining 12+ knots consistently. The boat is only slightly heeled which is welcome after all the code zero reaching we have been doing. Our slightly north position is looking pretty good if the winds stay up. Several boats to the south cashed in big and moved closer north and also forward on us. The biggest gain against us was Magnitude's. The 86's are clumping and look to be on our line also now. Rosebud is south and abeam Pegasus and in our class the south boat is now Genuine Risk. Beecom is directly behind us and is slowly being consumed by TP 52's.

On our boat all is going well. Ty continues to make great meals. We just finished grilled ham and cheese sandwiches for lunch and the cookie supply is constant. Everyone is getting in the groove with rest and routines.

7/21/05

Anarchists,
Max reporting. Sorry for the long delay - our e-mail program

We passed this cal 40 just prior to the finish. Note the waves and the disappearing act! They started a week before us!

Day 5 Thursday
Our position has slipped. The breeze has softened to 16-18 knots and this sled needs more breeze. All of us on the boat have either raced Alta Vita or J Bird the TP 52's and though we agree that this boat, a RP 77 is a fast boat, it is not nearly as fast surfing as a TP 52. The TP 52's burst into the 20's during a surf and this boat, although a great boat, maintains a higher overall speed. We have been caught today by the boats behind as they come into some new breeze. Bummer.

Day 6 Friday
True trades sailing finally. Breeze has built back to 22-24 knots and we are again cruising along at 13 knots surfing to 18. This boat is a bit of an ocean liner compared to the smaller boats, but its still a lumpy ride. I keep looking at the conditions from a Hobie 33 perspective. Next time I want to race my boat, MadMax, in this race and it looks like it would be a blast with the steep whitecaps to surf. It is true best VMG sailing now with a gybe coming every 2-4 hours night and day. Every night the wind shifts North and combined with cloud lines, we end up doing a gybe every night around 10 pm. The squalls are pretty benign this year and all the experienced T-pacers on the boat say this is a very typical lighter year. The only exception is the lack of blasting squalls.

Day 7 Saturday
Shaping up to be a Monday Finish. Breeze is in and we are railing along. Everything is routine by now and we are able to gybe the boat with 6.

Day 7 Sunday
Breeze is up a bit. 22-25 knots and it looks like we will finish mid day Monday. Everyone on board is getting psyched for the Molokai Channel. Vets on board say that they mostly have finished the race at night and this is some of their first day finishes. Mai Tais have never sounded so good. Scout Spirit is a dry boat and with the heat during the days and nights we are able to sail all night in just T shirts and shorts, no shoes. Gotta love the Tropics. Moon light is insane and we are jamming!

Day 8 Monday
Really starting to haul ass now. Wind is 25-30 and the sun is out and after last nights sailing in a full moon we are all in high spirits. Boat is cruising steady at 15-16 knots and we surf to 20-21. We can see Maui and the waves are getting bigger. The refraction off of the islands makes the holes even bigger and some waves are so big and steep the boat just falls down the face. The bow on this beast never really goes under but as we drop in the spray splashes us in the cockpit from the sides of the hull. Some of these troughs are pretty deep and with the big breeze it would be quite a ride on a Cal 40 or something. I'd Imagine the Cone boys are spearing some troughs with their pole!

Finish Line in sight!
Wind is on big time. Molokai Channel has been some of the most insane surfing and breeze I have EVER seen. Steady 30 plus now with 35-36 knot puffs. Lulls are 29 knots! We are unable to keep the chute up due to the fact that the wind is slightly veered south. We have the code Zero up and are FLYING. 20-23 knots steady and it looks like we are going to have to put up a jib to make the finish line. Jib goes up and we cross the line at 15-17 knots, 8 days 6 hours after leaving Long Beach. What a ride.

Finish Line
We arrive at the dock to a party. 20-30 people greet us. Loved ones, friends, hosts, strangers. Mai Tais abound. Flower leighs are put on all crewmembers. Food, music and a loud speaker from the yacht club announce our arrival. Its 6 pm and it IS cocktail hour. A Ice cold beverage has NEVER tasted so good. We are all in a daze after the exhilarating ride the last 12 hours into the finish. Definitely suffering from Freeway burnout. The boys are all laughing and hooting to be on land. It was only a week, but it is amazing to touch land in such a ideal place like Hawaii after such a workout. Sleep is on everyone's agendas and after 2 hours we all slip away to hotel rooms. Robbie Haines comes by and gives us all a big congratulations. Robbie says we are lucky to have finished during the day, that in his 16 Transpacs, he has NEVER finished in the day. Here it is my first one and I get in at sunset hour!