[C38] Trans Pac Race

[Steve Smolinske]

Thanks everyone, yes it sucked but oh well, we had a nice five days of
playing with Hassle (so much fun being so close to another boat in an
ocean race after five days), a wild three days back not to mention my
boat is now cherried out with just about every toy imaginable toy, so in
the end stuff works out.  The decision was really easy if you always
remember that  Should of, Would of and Could of has a flip side  to that
coin and they are I Shouldn't have, If only I could change that, and I
wish I wouldn't have.  I've been on both sides of that coin and in my
old age prefer to stay on the more conservative side.  Okay and with all
said and done, I did get to ride on Pyewacket and even got to Drive
her...WOW! now that was cool, 

-----Original Message-----
From: listserve-bounces at catalina38.org
[mailto:listserve-bounces at catalina38.org] On Behalf Of
larrypi at roadrunner.com
Sent: Sunday, July 24, 2011 1:12 PM
To: Catalina 38 Listserve
Subject: [C38] Trans Pac Race

Having completed our second Trans Pac Race I feel there are a few
comments I would like to make to the members here.  First and foremost
is our crew on Hasssle, what a great group of guys, everyone got along
well, we sailed well, ate well and generally had a good time with minor
problems.  Now to the serious stuff!

As all of you know there were two Catalina 38's in the race, Periguine
and Hassle.  Steve Smolinske broung Perigune all the way  from Seattle
WA to Los Angeles to do this race, not a easy sail nor cheap.  I know
the cost of outfitting a boat for the race, it's not cheap by any
standard.  Of course our main objective was to beat Perigune and the
heck with all the other boats in our Aloha Class.

The race started out great, we were running neck and neck with Periguine
for the first 6 days and then Periguine had a water maker problem.  As
Steve related to me there was a discussion among his crew whether to
keep going with what they had on board or to turn back and drop out of
the race.  Short rations on water and they could make it!  This is not
an easy decision to make given all the circumstance of the race, crew,
cost etc.

My compliments to Steve Smolinske for making the very tough decision to
drop out of the race.  This took real internal fortituide and as we all
know a great Skipper keeps the safety of his crew and vessel in the
forefront at all times.  I know from talking to the crew members of
Periguine that many of them wanted to keep going on a liter a day of
water per person.

Steve you have my utmost respect and regard as a Skipper/Captain; you
made the right decision although probably the toughest one of your
sailing career.  You kept telling us you would meet us on the docks when
we got in to HI and there you were with Mai Tai's in hand, not the way
you wanted to but I will say this, Team Hassle has the utmoste respect
for you and your crew

_______________________________________________
Listserve mailing list
Listserve at catalina38.org
http://catalina38.org/mailman/listinfo/listserve_catalina38.org

-----
No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 10.0.1390 / Virus Database: 1518/3787 - Release Date: 07/25/11