SailFar Chat.... 'ChaTuesday'.

[Dougcan]

I use Xchat (http://www.xchat.org), I prefer Xchat over Mirc, but it's a personal preference.

Xchat is available for both Windows and Linux, and there is a Macintosh version as well, although it's on a different site. (link to Mac version provided on the http://www.xchat.org/ download page)

Question: is there a preferred day/time for everyone to join the chat?

[CharlieJ]

Dougcan- Kurt and I were on with Wolf the other night, talking about maybe Tuesday evenings at 2000 CST? About the same as the TSBB chats as far as time goes. If this takes off I suppose I'll have to blow off the Monday evening TSBB chats ;D ;D

[Dougcan]

heh!  Know I know where to find you!   :D

I'll check later tonight if I'm still awake then!

[CapnK]

So Faith and Coastal - it is working OK for you now? I didn't know about the other window(s) opening - I use Firefox, and constrain new windows to opening in tabs, it makes life (and finding whats on which window) much easier. :)

I'll log on 9'ish Eastern on Tuesdays, and hang for a bit to see who shows up. The more the better. :) If you ever sign on, and only one person is there, wait a bit before giving up, because the other person may not have the Chat window front and center, are probably off surfing and only checking in on the Chat every once in a while, to see if anyone else has shown up.

Edit: Neal will be chatting with us Tuesday 1/31, starting at 9PM EST. :)

[Coastal Cruiser]

Well, I was able to do everything except figure out how to put the name on the posting. I tried, but never figured it out.  And I could not keep up with the puter geeks typing, but enjoyed evedropping in on a couple of folks, though. I was basically silent when Faith was on, or so it appeared.  ;) ;) But my bedtime came early last night, and the rear admiral made me turn in instead of messing any longer on the thing. I spent a bit too much time yesterday with the rainy drizzly weather anyway.  Great feature for this fellow. I have heard a lot fo folks that do all that IM stuff, but being somwhat ignorant and a late bloomer to the internet, I just stick to the basics.  I would enjoy hearing a bit more about cruisng in the mid range boats, as I have spent too many hours on the larger ones. So planning does require a bit more plannning, I guess.

[CapnK]

OK, folks, just got the heads up, Neal will meet with us to chat tomorrow, Tuesday, January 31 '06, at 9 PM EST in the sailFar chat room.

Later on this evening I'll post a listing of some of the experiences Neal has been through to give you more of an idea of who he is, and what he's done. The "highlights" may help give you some ideas of the things you might like to question him about. Trust me on this - his experiences are many, and varied. :)

I'm rereading his book now, and it's as good the second time around, if not better.

[CapnK]

Ok folks, for those of you who haven't had the pleasure of meeting Neal or reading his book(s), here are some excerpts from his 98/99 BOC race Skippers Logs that will tell you more about who he is, and some of what he has been through. You can read all of the logs at his No Barriers website, by clicking on the "Sailing Career" link to the left of the page.

Neal also allowed me to put up a couple of videos from his site. These are promotional videos for his motivational speaking business, but they include some sailing anecdotes, and you'll get a chance to see Neal shaven (not scruffy like in the home photo I took of him ;D ). You'll hear his voice and see short clips of him sailing and speaking. The first clip is 3.1M in size, and has the sailing clips in it. The second clip is 6.0M in size, and is him using sailing stories to illustrate points that he is making during one of his presentations. Both videos are well worth watching. :) They are in Quicktime format (if you don't already have it, you can get the Quicktime player here).

Neal Petersen #1 - 3.1M
Neal Petersen #2 - 6.0M

Also, I asked Neal how well prepared he was to talk about the products of one of the companies he is a leading member of, Solomon Technologies. ST is producing electric propulsion systems for sailboats, as an alternative to traditional fossil fuel engines. Neal said he knows just enough about the technology to "be dangerous", so maybe we'll get to learn a bit about that, too. :)

On to the logs, as taken from the No Barriers website...


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12/25/98
Skippers log #21
46 25s 80 02e at 15:45 GMT
Ho-ho-ho, Merry Xmas all. Thanks for the many greetings forwarded to me. Greg Flynn, did you play Santa again? Last night was the worst of the race so far. The winds gusted as high as 50 knots, but never below 35 knots. With no mainsail, just a fraction of the twin headsails poled out, we roared down the waves some the size of three story apartment blocks, in a black night, taking knockdowns. We hit a top speed of 19.8 knots. I did not want to go bare pole as I feared turning broadside to the seas, with catastrophic consequences. So I set as little sail to keep steerage way. The boat handled well, till the wind shifted from the WNW to SW and a cross sea grew, causing the knockdowns. This morning in 2 hours, I took 3 knockdowns, fortunately suffered no damage. I rode them out in my bunk, wedged in with cushions. As a result of the weather, I have not had Chrismas dinner. It only now is easing off enough to risk cooking. A few hours ago, I did open my four gifts. The first was a bar of chocolate and a Xmas cracker from Robin and Phil who are the shore crew to Cray Valley. Then I got a Xmas hat from Scanmar Marine, whose windvane steered me through out the gale, followed by a Xmas audio tape from the Sackah Family in Charleston. Finaly I opened the Xmas gift from Livingstone High School, my alma-marta. It was custard and a Xmas pudding. So I did manage a bit of a Xmas down in the Southern Ocean, and got it on the video. Gwen and I did not exchange Xmas gifts, saving it for when we are together again. This was the first Xmas in 6 years we did not have together, and that has saddened me. Nor could I call her or my family [out of range], but we have exchanged many e-mails today. Today has always been a family day, either with Gwen or my family. I did get my Wabasto heater working. Somehow water got into the exhaust causing a blockage and it was not fuel leaking in the cabin, but this soot filled water. After persevering turning it on, and the unit shutting off, the glow plug did heat up and finally started delivering hot air. So my Xmas has not been shivering. I have dried out my bunk and myself.


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01/19/99
Skippers log #46
39 31s 164 11e at 10:00 GMT
I have no more hair left on my head. I have pulled it all out in immense frustration. During the last 12 hours I have drifted 14 miles. I had a faster crossing though the doldrums than I have had in this sea or rather parking lot. I still had Minoru in sight at sunset, but he was ahead of me. I have tried to tack north, only to get pushed NW. I am back on a tack to the south east. I want to go north east, and I can't get there. I have tacked back into the N-NW. There is no point in following Minoru. Nor is there any point following the high east. I am going to sail away from this high if I can and hope that I find wind before Minoru does. I have had enough of being parked and going nowhere. Okay fans, you better start blowing. It is either too much wind, or not enough. There does not seem to be a happy medium. To aggravate things, we also have Cyclone Dani 600 nm north west of us, tracking this way. Its not a problem yet.


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01/20/99
Skippers log #47
38 52s 165 10e at 09:00 GMT
We are still drifting and dreaming. Yes, dreaming of wind that will carry me across the finish line, into Gwen's arms, who will be holding ice cream. I expect New Zealand will have good ice cream. I judge a country by the quality of its ice cream. I had the worst 24 hour run of this race. I made a whopping, hold onto your seats, 56 miles. I can walk faster than that in 24 hours. I have the Netcare spinnaker up. Now I wish that we had a second mainsail that was lighter. I guess the Phillips Industrial Services logo on the mainsail is slowing me down!! I can do with the Phillips Team in Auckland to help get some of the jobs knocked out. They did such a great job in Charleston. Les, its time to expand the company to all my stop-overs!! Nothing has changed out here. Minoru is now 8 miles ahead of me, but he better watch out when I get wind. I have moved out of my Southern Ocean Cabin into the saloon again. The canned food is getting boring. Miss Gwen's cooking. I opened a can of curry. It was dreadful after Gwen's curries. I am out of books, books on tape, and would love to watch a video, have a hot shower and sleep a full night. The phone is really temperamental. I was able to phone Gwen after a few tries and got to talk with her for 10 minutes, then I got to phone race control and have a quick chat before it died. I hope that I will have some time in Auckland to see a bit of the area. It would be a shame to sail half way around the world and not see the country side and meet a few students. I can really do with a few days away from the boat, but that will not be possible with the job list.


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03/11/99
Skippers log #31
Dear Gwen,
I am alive. Just about. I am at 55 09s 75 19w at 13:30 GMT. I had sustained winds of 60-65 knots, with gusts up to 77 knots last night. I took over a dozen near fatal knock downs. The mainsail is ripped, but I might be able to repair it in a day or two. The boat was full of water from the knock downs. She is a total mess. I had water up to 12 inches above the floor boards. Because of the frequent mini knock downs, the breather for the water ballast tank spent more time underwater. The tank filled, making the knockdowns easier and pinning the boat over. How we did not roll over, I don't know. I was under bare poles, and in some of the gusts surfing at 15 knots. I am wet, soaked to the skin. I have already gone through three changes of clothing. Each time I was forced onto deck to try and steer her, there were times I was up to my chest in water as the waves washed over the boat. It is the worst storm this vessel and I endured, and hopefully will ever have to endure. I am thankful that the seas did not grow to what they cold have been with such winds. I will put out some roller furler genoa and try and get under way again. I have 280 miles to the horn. I don't know if I made any progress towards the Horn as I can't find the log book. It is buried somewhere under the mayhem of the knock downs. Never before have I had to fight for my life like last night. I will try to get the boat cleaned up, but first I need some sleep and some warmth. I have been shivering all night, and have hypothermia. I now wish the heater was working as I could do with its warmth. Oh well, I am alive, I survived. I thought of you through out the night and wondered what daylight would bring me. I have only once before seen a barometer this low. It was all the way down to 982 mb. There was no warning of the storm to be this bad. I do not know how Minuro faired. I pray that he is okay. I will e-mail you again in a few hours time. I love you, Neal.


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03/13/99
Skippers log #34
56 01s 67 13.6 west at 10:00 GMT Cape Horn 2 miles to my north.
Yes, I have arrived. Greetings from Cape Horn. Named after the Dutch Town of Hoorn by Isaac Le Maire, who sailed with two boats from England in 1615 for the Dutch East India Company. In February 1900 Josha Slocam from Boston rounded this patch of desolate land to become the first known person to sail past here single handed. The draw that the Horn has had on many people has been huge. Great adventures like Sir Francis Chichester, Sir Alec Rose, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Niomi James, Clare Frances, Bernard Montesiure, Mark Schrader, and many more have been the story tellers of great feats to round this epic piece of land. I was a young boy of 10 when I began reading the books about these great challenges. Then in 1982 I was on the dock in Cape Town, a mere boy of 14 years old, when I met Richard Broadhead racing in the first BOC Challenge. I had fantasies of sailing the world solo, and rounding this notorious landfall. But it was not till I met Broadhead, that I realized this wild dream could become my reality. A dream becomes a goal when one makes the commitment. There and then, silently I vowed that some day I will become a Cape Horner. My school friends laughed when I shared the dream, but I held the dream none the less in my heart and soul. Every day since then I have taken steps to prepare me for this long lonely journey, from dreaming to building the boat that many South African's said would never leave the marina. These have been difficult years, trying to find sponsorship and support to aid me in my quest. In 1994, racing against my friend and mentor, Harry Mitchell, whose dream too was rounding the Horn, I made my first attempt, only to have a setback when I was dismasted in this very vessel in the Indian Ocean. It was not a failure, as it taught me lessons in preparation, and made me further hone my skills. Harry died and did not achieve his goal, teaching me in the process not to put off till tomorrow what you must do today. In 1996 I lost another friend, Jerry Rouf who too tried to race solo past this corner, non stop in the Globe Challenge. Then last year with support from a few sponsors, my family and Gwen, I set off again to attempt rounding the Horn and racing solo around the globe. Today is my 35th day at sea since leaving Aukland. I have fought calms, I have fought storms. I have damaged sails hand stitched back together. My life has been threatened. This morning I had to take avoidance action with a ship coming up for a close look at me in the dark. During the night I took knockdowns, but I kept coming. Now here this morning, at first light, I look upon the land that has been my 17 year old dream. I am 31 years old, and everything I have dreamt of, I have achieved. When people doubted me, I kept going, believing in the dream, seeking those who too could share in the dream, and so learnt more lessons. Now the dream is a reality. I became the fourth South African to race solo past this piece of land, but the first South African to do it in a class 2 boat, built on a shoestring, hope and hard work. I celebrate eating Biltong and drinking Appletizer as I admire the view in between the rain squalls. I have paid tribute to my friends who lost there lives. The question on my mind is now what? Where do I go from here? What next? I do not have all the answers, but I do know that to get here took immense courage, determination, dedication, perseverance, perspiration, stamina, innovation and many more skills. It has not been luck, but engineering to bring me here. If I could come from the background where I come from, with the few tools I had, and achieve my goal, then the billions of youth out in this world too can make their dreams a reality. So from here on, my next goal is to help as many young people to find what they need within to achieve their own success. I could not achieve this alone. I might be single-handed, but not alone in spirit. So I see it as my duty to pass on what has been handed to me. A dream is a powerful force. It is the reality with must live with. Thus, in life, there are no barriers, there are only solutions. Let us make our future a part of the global solutions. Mom, Dad, Jan, and to me most important, Gwen, I love you all, and could not have done this without you. Thank you, and all my sponsors and the people who shared my vision and helped bring me here. I would phone you, but sadly my phone drowned in the last storm. Now I must return to the cockpit, and will the winds back. Since writing this log, the wind has dropped to 5 knots. I guess this is Cape Horn's way of wishing me a good passage.


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04/15/99
Skippers log #7
29 07s 47 24w at 20:40 GMT with 5,140 miles to Charleston
The miles are coming down slowly. It has been over 22,000 mile s since we sailed out of the Port of Charleston. My boat is starting to show the milage. A leak around my keel has gradually become annoying. For the last 10,000 miles I have been pumping water out of my bilge. We tightened the keel bolts in Auckland, but it did not slow the rate of flow down. Going downwind it was easy to pump the bilge dry, but now back beating is a wet task as the water sloshes all over the place. To keep things dry I now need to pump every 2-3 hours which is just very inconvenient. Today I spent a lot of time on the Satphone doing live interviews. Each day I am getting busier with requests from the media for live coverage. Requests are being routed to me via Diane at NoBarriers@compuserve.com and I am taking the calls between 14:00 to 15:00 GMT. I had a long call from Dr. Katrina Lewis and Tony Bartelme, close friends. It means a lot to me hearing from my friends. Sometimes people forget that I am a human being and have needs just like every one else and do get lonely out here. There are days when I am down, just like other normal people, and need the support and understanding that comes from close friends. Also, to know how high a high can be, we sometimes need to sink into the canyons and experience a low. It is not all bad experiencing a rough patch. We learn alot about ourselves too when the chips are down. Many people have expressed that they don't want to hear this. As students we need to learn not only from the good experience encountered, but also the lessons taught during the bad experiences. Teachers, adventurers and sportsman are not Gods, but people who have emotions and feelings. There are things I will share in time with my audiences which are very hard for me... things like looking death in the eye and being so scared, disappointments that have happened during this race that will have an influence on my life after this race. This challenge is not about just glory and heroism, but also about dealing with situations that one sometimes prefers not to deal with. There arethings that the youth can learn from others, that cannot be found in text books. There will be things that our future generations can only learn by experience, as we have. Many people have had a close, personal look into the lives of the sailors during this race. This race has taken people's lives, changed people and impacted outlooks. Without a doubt it is one of the toughest challenges one can undertake and it is full of lessons. In Punta one night I was looking out of my bedroom window having come home from a huge dinner. There in front of me routing through the bins was a man looking for food. I felt so sad having a full stomach and not being able to do something for him. It was a lesson to me, a humbling experience, not a bad experience, or guilt feeling. It was a lesson that if we make bad choices, or things go horribly wrong, we could be routing through the bins trying to survive. People make mistakes, people change. It is all part of life. A negative experience might leave one down at the time, but time heals and with the right attitude, time teaches. I am saddened by all the killings that are taking place in our world, by the selfishness of many people who claim to be humans, the lack of compassion. But I can't just ignore it and pretend it does not happen as its not happening on my block and I can't see it. Spare a thought for fellow mankind, and sometimes making a sacrifice for someone, not only helps that person, but helps you too.


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04/24/99
Skippers log #17
15 41s 37 11w
Still struggling with light winds. Had ENE wind today when forecast said SE. Lots of rain squalls. One was so heavy, and lasted so long, I had time to take a shower. Got out shampoo and did hair. Even brushed it. Feel human again.

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04/21/99
Skippers log #13
I have had a lot of questions why I am so close inshore. Well, I have only a limited number of Gwen Curry's that I am trying to save, so I went to the beach to see if I could get a pizza delivery. The order got screwed up and I got spagetti with meat sauce instead. I have been looking for wind, and found a narrow band of breeze on the shore as the land heated up. By late afternoon I had passed the land and now the wind is gone again. It is also the shortest distance to Charleston and I am doing everything I can to stay ahead of Minuro who is breathing down my back.

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05/02/99
Skippers log #25
00 22n 40 12w wi7th T-2,957 miles
Today became my sixth equatorial crossing, five of which have been solo in this boat. I crossed the magic line at 12:35 GMT, with cameras rolling. Soon there after was the ceremony to Neptune. As I now need to fish, I decided to give Neptune something live to look favorably on my fishing need. Last night I caught one of Cockie's young and kept it in a jar. This bandit roach was my Neptune offering. I have taken stock of all the food on board. If for the next 10 days I go on half rations, and I make port the weekend of May 21, I will be able to eat a good meal everyday the last week. If I am at sea a bit longer, which I will know in about 10 days time, then I might need to stay on half rations a few days more. The biggest set back is that I have only 3 bars of chocolate on board. A bar a week. I do have plenty of liquid, the best being enough milk for 25 days at sea, drinking a liter a day. Now if we can just get through the doldrums and be on our way again.


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05/24/99
Skippers log #49
Finish Line -- Charleston Monday 17:00 GMT
I have crossed the finish line. I feel ecstatic. A lifelong dream has been realized. Will file a detailed log tomorrow. Things are hectic on board with mom and the boarding party.

[CharlieJ]

Oh good!! On my birthday- Thanks Kurt, for the present  ;D

[CapnK]

CJ - gee man, its not all about you ya know.... geesh







it's Lauras B-day present, too. ;D

[CapnK]

Neal and I were just on the chat, making sure that it was a "Go" from his end. All systems are nominal, so we'll see y'all later on tonight. This should be fun! :)

[s/v Faith]

 ;D Standing by......

 

 

[CapnK]

A few folks are already there...

Post Chat Edit: It was a blast! I'll post a transcript of it later this week sometime...

[Iceman]

Sorry I missed the fun

I have to get up at 5 am to go work outside in the warm Vermont air for hours on end

I know Im acting like and old man,,but I look forwrd to your post of the session

I am sure there will be other great chat sessions

Ice

[CapnK]

Due to my marina wireless connection dropping in and out, I couldn't log the chat in it's entirety. John/Capt. Smollett sent me what he was able to capture. Here it is, in the next couple of posts. Excuse all our chatter typos. ;) Enjoy!

<Neal_P> I believe over 20 boats sank in this area
<Charlie_J> except for maybe dock rash type damage :)
<KurtAriel> you had 3 layers of ply - how thick was each layer?
<Neal_P> 3 laysr and glass on outside
<Neal_P> later added some glass inside
<KurtAriel> OK then - and how much glass? ;)
<Charlie_J> Neal- who built the boat? you yourself?
<Neal_P> I had some made mathemitician help me. He pulled a crew together
<Charlie_J> so you oversaw it then?
<Neal_P> They did most of the hull and deck, I did the rest
<Charlie_J> quite a job anyway jsut doing that
<Charlie_J> I can well understand
<Neal_P> yes 2 years
<Charlie_J> good time
<Neal_P> There was nothing inside
<Charlie_J> insides take a BUNCH of hours
<Charlie_J> and add weight :)
<Neal_P> continued adding interior as I sailed and needed creature comforts
<mike> What drsft
<mike> Wahts the draft
<Neal_P> 6 ft
<JohnR> What would you do different on the hull/rig if you were to do it again?
<svFaith> what did you learn about interior design?
<Neal_P> Make the boat bigger and carry the beam to the stern
<KurtAriel> you did much/most of the work though?
<KurtAriel> the mathmetician helped with design right?
<KurtAriel> hi Zen
<Neal_P> Less is cheaper and better
<zen> hi
<Charlie_J> so she'd surf better?
<Neal_P> Yes, on the hull and deck, but again, couldnot pay for any more
<Neal_P> yes
<Rockdocto> any new designs,
<Connie> how much water and fuel did she carry?
<Neal_P> Next race boat will be 60 foot as its only vessel allowed in Vendee
<Neal_P> I had 20 gallons of fuel and started with 30 fresh water in gerry jugs
<Neal_P> 1st day would have a 15 gal shower, then dink fruit juice. hated tast of water
<Neal_P> especially as the legs progressed
<svFaith> "Less is cheaper and better"... has not cought on at too many boat shows.  Do you like some of the older 'traditional' interior designs over more contemporary?
<Neal_P> I like practical designing. Some good in the old, but do like the new brightness
<JohnR> Was it the BOC boats that had major stability problems a few years ago?  How did your design compare to those?  (I'm going on a foggy memory of some capsizing problems)
<Neal_P> Hte 60's had a few challenges. Issable kept going over
<Neal_P> My boat was narrow by comparison
<Neal_P> Its like comparing a beatle to a farrari
<commander> I was reading something recently about how the modern beamy boats tend to round up or broach more
<Charlie_J> lol- OUR boats are beatles in comparison
<Rockdocto> spirit of KISS
<Charlie_J> how about a Mustang to a ferrari Grin
<Neal_P> Mine not much different to what some have
<Neal_P> Problem with the open 60 is the bow is flat and slams real bad
<Neal_P> Don't go to weather too well
<LauraG> Used to hate that on my Sunfish. :)
<svFaith> lol
<Neal_P> great off the wind. the ffaster the more stable
<Neal_P> Had a 60 here 3 years ago and what luxioury
<Neal_P> Will take one acrossoceans any day
<Neal_P> lest time at sea to break stuff
<Charlie_J> lol
<KurtAriel> lol
<Charlie_J> and to drink the water *grin*
<svFaith> What do you make of the 'SailFar' idea Neal.... going to sea in small boats. ?
<svFaith> Kinda nuts?
<KurtAriel> lol - now *this* i wanna hear :0
<Neal_P> I did over 90000 miles in a small boat.
<KurtAriel> :)
<LauraG> How small?
<Neal_P> No boat is ever big enough
<Neal_P> 38 ft lengthened to 40
<Charlie_J> Faith- remember- Hasler did the first OSTAR in a 26 foot Folkboat
<Neal_P> but spent a lot of time in a 22 ft catlina
<KurtAriel> Neal - we are by and large under 30'ers
<svFaith> Most of this crowd is sub 30'
<Charlie_J> and thart same boat (or her exact replica ) has done every one since
<commander> I tell ya, big waves scare me
* JohnR represents the under 20' crowd   :)
<svFaith> older designs, many full keels
<svFaith> lol
<Connie> We could 5200 all our little boats together and have one heck of a raft.  :)
<Charlie_J> til the next one where they told her owner she was too small
<KurtAriel> lol John
<Neal_P> Jester did all but the last 2 races
<Charlie_J> yep
<KurtAriel> lol Con
<Neal_P> Mike Richie sailed her for all but 3 I think
<Charlie_J> quite a little vessel
<Neal_P> He was a character
<zen> On the ocean is any boat really big??
<mike> Hey, John R, how small?
<Charlie_J> yep- I think she ( or he ) total have 13 singlehand trans ats
<Neal_P> When asked where he came in (in a race), he said last....always last
<svFaith> Karma to Zen... :)
<JohnR> 18' (or 17'9" if you want to pedantic)
<Charlie_J> lol
<LauraG> lol
<Neal_P> The open 60 was 18 ft BEAM
<LauraG> lol
<KurtAriel> Neal - beside the time the Russian freighter ran you down, and you saw Harry steering, were there any other times when you hallucinated from lackof sleep or stress?
<Neal_P> John R where all have u taken your boat
<KurtAriel> (Harry was a racer friend of Neals who was lost in the 94 race)
<mike> Thanks, my little 20 is 66 inch beam, one tough fellow, though
<Neal_P> That was the only time
<JohnR> Nowhere, yet, mostly lake sailing on that boat.  Will get to South Carolina coast this Spring.
<svFaith> How did you deal with the temptation to turn back?
<Neal_P> It was bad
<KurtAriel> is Minoru still around? do you talk to him or any of the other racers on any kind of a regular basis?
<Neal_P> Thought a lot about it and made many deals if I got to land safely
<svFaith> spelling is for thouse with small minds.... :)
<KurtAriel> lol Craig
<Charlie_J> lol- SV Faith is a man after my own heart
<Charlie_J> I have fat fingers
<Neal_P> but Turning back was worse than enduring the weather or damage
<svFaith> did you ever have to?
<Neal_P> Mino just became oldest man to circumnavigate non stop
<Charlie_J> really- How old?
<zen> how old?
<Charlie_J> not that I want to try to beat it or anything
<Neal_P> I think 72, but not sure
<KurtAriel> wow
<KurtAriel> thats a record to beat :)
<zen> singlehanded?
<Charlie_J> I LIKE sailing with my wife along
<Neal_P> SOLO
<commander> You think Cruisers nowadays give up too easily? Hit the EPIRB?
<Neal_P> I like sailing with mine too now, but miss the racing challenges
<zen> Is he the guy from Japan?
<Neal_P> Yes, I think people like things too cushy
<svFaith> Must cut down on the sat phone bill :)
<Neal_P> Tokyo,Japan
<Charlie_J> many agree with that Neal
<JohnR> I've read of 'cruisers' who only sail downwind (or reach), and motor if they have to head upwind.
<KurtAriel> Neal - if you couldn't tell Zen *likes* Japan and the Japanese a *lot* ;)
<zen> I read the was another guy also doing it right behind him
<KurtAriel> he's going there on his own boat
<Neal_P> Any folks need to take responsibility for their actions
<Charlie_J> here here!!!
<JohnR> And not just in sailing!
<Neal_P> When I go out, rescue is the last thing I want
<svFaith> Did you carry a life raft?
<Neal_P> 4 man
<svFaith> I have one, but no room.
<svFaith> tough call
<Charlie_J> any preference as to make?
<KurtAriel> the Coast Guard *tried* to rescue Neal after the Russian freighter hit him, Neal wouldn't let them :)
<Neal_P> We put our selves in the situation and its our responsibility to get out, and not endage other lives
<KurtAriel> second that
<zen> well said
<JohnR> Unfortunately, few think that way anymore.
<Neal_P> Avon was good till Gimini bout them, now its junk
<svFaith> Some elect not to carry epirbs for that reason
<Neal_P> We make choices everyday
<Neal_P> Better be good at those choices
<KurtAriel> Neal - here's a question - can I borrow "Stella'r" for the next race? :D
<Neal_P> failure truely is not an option
<Connie> Choose Wisely
<Rockdocto> your foundation really promotes those values
<Charlie_J> Kurt- you'd have to leave the Crewdogs behind
<Neal_P> Its always about surviving and getting ahead
<KurtAriel> I'll bring her back in one piece I promise :D
<mike> While there are a lot of folks on here, especially the ones on the east coast, how about a weekend get together?
<svFaith> Kurt, ever figured what a negative PHRF would do to you?  Stick to your Ariel :)
<KurtAriel> CJ - emergency rations ;D
<LauraG> Is there ever a point where you begin to think you know what you're doing out there.
<Connie> Those crew dogs could be his wenches. :)
<Charlie_J> yeah RIIIIIGHT Kurt
<Charlie_J> I can just PICTURE you trying to eat one of them
<Neal_P> the Sea has no roam for arrogance
<Neal_P> She is unforgiving
<KurtAriel> couldnt do it
<Neal_P> Got to make right comprimises
<Neal_P> Kurt, the won't let us in with anything less than 50 now
<Neal_P> and must have lots of mony to play
<JohnR> How up to date was the weather info you got during the BOC?
<KurtAriel> darn - oh well :)
<Charlie_J> Neal- how much sailing had you done prior to beginning to race?
<Neal_P> no more room for the dreamers in this game
<Connie> What are your recommendations for heavy weather sailing?
<Neal_P> WX was 60 % right
<Neal_P> Connie, keep off the lee shore
<svFaith> lol
<Connie> Gotcha
<Neal_P> Shorten sail early
<Neal_P> Dress properly.
<Neal_P> Eat before wx hits
<Charlie_J> welcome rach
<svFaith> some plan to for go storm sails for a 3rd (or 4th) reef... thoughts?
<KurtAriel> hi Rach Doug
<Dougcan> Hi y'all!
<commande1> what do you use to keep hands and feet warm?
<Neal_P> hot water bottle
<KurtAriel> eat before the weather hits sounds like a really smart idea
<Connie> those hunting packs work great too.
<Neal_P> Always get the meal out before dark
<JohnR> Did you get sick of eating anything?
<Charlie_J> lol- we try to do that anyway
<Connie> What did your diet consist of?
<Neal_P> It was more about missing certain things
<Neal_P> Chocolate,chocolate and more choc
<KurtAriel> lol
<JohnR> lol
<KurtAriel> Neal you must be one of my sisters ;)
<Neal_P> Gwen cooked stews
<svFaith> did you have a reefer?
<Neal_P> and had rice and potatoe
<Connie> Had my quota of choc. tonight. :)
<Neal_P> Could do with choc right now
<svFaith> refrigeration... not the other...
* KurtAriel says as he eats a Rolo caramel
<Neal_P> No ref
<Connie> You tooked home canned foods?
<Neal_P> too much power
<svFaith> RIGHT ON
<svFaith> :)
<Neal_P> Avoided too many cans. tooo heavy
<svFaith> ever heard of hoop cheese?
<KurtAriel> lol Faith
<svFaith> Just kidding
<Neal_P> No
<Neal_P> No
<Charlie_J> ok- ssaw you comment about "opening a can of Curry" what's a "can of curry"
<KurtAriel> Neal thats kind of a joke on sailfar
<Rachel> Mmmm, Patak's?
<Neal_P> Yes, veggie curry in a tin
<KurtAriel> the hoop cheese thing
<Dougcan> heh
<Neal_P> ate it once every other week
<Charlie_J> yes but- WHAT is a veggie curry?
<Neal_P> Did enjoy canned mussels
<Charlie_J> I see recipes for using curry
<Neal_P> Spices
<Charlie_J> but can't find something for something called "a curry"
<Rachel> There are curries in a can pre-made Charlie
<Dougcan> veggy curry is veggie with curry in it CJ
<Rachel> one brand here is Patak's
<Rachel> comes from England
<Rockdocto> tiki masala
<Neal_P> Come here and I will cook a mean curry on the pottie
<Charlie_J> ok- yes- I've seen many english sailors comment on it
<mike> Speaking of hoop cheese, anyone ever heard of "Seriously Sharp" cheddar cheese.
<zen> there are also packaged curry
<Charlie_J> Annie Hill, Chay Blyth bith mention it
<KurtAriel> food is good at Neal and Darlenes house, I can vouch for that :)
<JohnR> Did you cook every meal (or every day) or eat a lot of cold food?
<Rachel> Right, Rock, Patak's has the various types of curry, tikka, Rogan Josh, etc.
<Dougcan> Rachel is an expert on curries! Yum!
<Neal_P> Gwen pre cooked about 4 meals that I heated each week
<Rachel> Well an expert in that I like to eat them :-)
<Charlie_J> ok Rachel- NEXT time you are down here
<Connie> what did you cook on?
<Charlie_J> YOU get to do a curry
<Neal_P> Did patotoes and cheese once a week
<Rachel> You got it :-)
<Neal_P> and a rice with can of crushed tomato with mussels mixed in
<Neal_P> Only one cooked meal a day
<KurtAriel> did you use a pressure cooker at al Neal?
<Neal_P> Early voyages yes,
<KurtAriel> (another big sailFar topic)
<JohnR> What did you save as treats for 'special occasions' (after bad weather, etc)?
<Neal_P> later no as it was too much work
<Dougcan> Neal, in your dairy, you mentioned fishing, what kind of fish did you catch?
<Neal_P> Carried it on board for Gwen to use in port
<KurtAriel> Neals Dairy ;)
<KurtAriel> "Milk of the Sea" ;)
<JohnR> lol
<Neal_P> Dorado and tuna
<Rachel> (he had a cow along)
<Dougcan> diary
<Neal_P> Now and again, but very rarely; going too fast
<KurtAriel> lol DOug :)
<Dougcan> okay so I transposed a couple letters  Pfff!
<KurtAriel> yeah if you were sailing in the teens that is too fast for good trolling
<KurtAriel> did you eat a lot of flying fish?
<Dougcan> hmm I thought tunas liked "fast lures"?
<Neal_P> Much time was either drifting or doing  about 8
<KurtAriel> I know you wrote a couple times about them
<Connie> Not when they are airborne. :)
<Neal_P> Yes, got some flying fish. Getting smaller every season
<svFaith> lol
<KurtAriel> lol C
<Dougcan> LOl
<KurtAriel> new meaning to "fast food" ;)
<Neal_P> Smelly too

[CapnK]

and here is the rest of what I have right now..

<Connie> did you cook on alcohol or propane... burner, oven?
<Neal_P> propan burner. Had oven for fist 3 years then it died
<KurtAriel> you mention several tmes hitting stuff while you were out there, sometimes with damage - did you see lots of trash way out there, or mostly just by the coast?
<Neal_P> Lots in the middle.
<KurtAriel> hmm wow
<Neal_P> Not too bad in souther ocean but atlantic is a garbage pit
<Connie> when did you start sailing?  who was your mentor?
<Charlie_J> pretty much all over I'm sure Kurt
<KurtAriel> south atalantic too?
<KurtAriel> or more?
<Charlie_J> humans are pretty good at messing up the place
<Neal_P> Started by reading books
<KurtAriel> no doubt CJ
<Neal_P> Got first experience about 11 years old
<Rockdocto> what happened in Ireland
<KurtAriel> Neal - were you the first black member of the Cape yacht club?
<Neal_P> 94 race I named here Protect our Sealife
<Neal_P> No there were 2 others ahead of me
<KurtAriel> but you came in "over the bow" :)
<Neal_P> Meaning?
<KurtAriel> started by hanging out on the docks, begging rides
<KurtAriel> didnt buy your way in
<Neal_P> yes, only way to get foot aboard
<Neal_P> It was har
<Neal_P> d
<KurtAriel> I bet
<KurtAriel> I also bet we cant even understand how hard
<Charlie_J> Neal- you are S African?
<Neal_P> yes
<Neal_P> till later this year
<Charlie_J> darn- now I understand- I've know two otheres
<Charlie_J> you guiuys are all nutso sailors *grin*
<Rachel> I had some cruising buds from Durban, really nice people.  Fun.
<Charlie_J> I have some very good old friends who are S africans
<Neal_P> No, sitting in taffic is
<KurtAriel> that is what is so amazing to me about Neals story - its been uphill *all the way*, and he keeps on gettin' it :)
<Dougcan> heh, yea  sitting in traffic going nowhere fast!
<LauraG> lol. Sitting in traffic is worse than no air.
<Charlie_J> rough waters over there- they learn to sail hard early
<Neal_P> Forget that. Rather be becalmed
<Charlie_J> yep- at least you can nap if becalmesd
<commande1> My brother runs a spice company in S Africa "Green Cuisine" good curry Rachel
<Neal_P> Cape Town waters were unforgiving
<Dougcan> I can relate to that Neal!  :)
<Neal_P> Many times we came home blowing 60 knots
<KurtAriel> wow
<LauraG> yikes
<Dougcan> oh boy, must be fun!  Yikes!
<Neal_P> Always were breaking gear'
<Rachel> Ah that sounds good, Commande1
<Charlie_J> the cape of storms remember
<Neal_P> It was a good learning time
<mike> http://www.woodenboat-ubb.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=005508
<commande1> How do you learn to handle the big stuff?
<Neal_P> One day at a time minute by minute
<Neal_P> It was all mental
<Dougcan> Hmm commande1 I would guess, by being stuck in it?
<Neal_P> Forcast, plan, execute and hand on
<Dougcan> the ol' "sink or swim" method?
<mike> Neal when you get a chance, there is a guy in New Zealand that sails in those forty knot winds in a huge wooden boat, in that region
<mike> Thats just one link that shows his boat.
<Neal_P> When your life is on the line, you would be amaized by what you can do
<commande1> I pulled some crazy stunts when I was a kid, now I get cautious
<Dougcan> indeed
<KurtAriel> Neal - I have the link, will email it to you after the chat
<LauraG> So, how hard does the wind need to blow before you get uncomfortable?
<KurtAriel> the link Mike just posted
<Connie> No time to allow fear to control you
<Neal_P> Anything over 25 knots gets knots in my tum
<Neal_P> But one learns to deal with it/\
<Neal_P> Its also the sea state
<Neal_P> and wether going up or down wind
<KurtAriel> was Cape Horn the farthest south you sailed, or did you get a little farther then that when you detoured down towards Mino or Isabelle?
<Neal_P> I stayed to the north and then made the turn for the Horn
<Neal_P> I prefered the 52-54th parallel
<JohnR> 52-54th is "to the North"
<Neal_P> Longer but broke less
<KurtAriel> because of weather?
<commande1> Can you really learn heavy weather sailing from books?
<Neal_P> Yes, stayed north of the horn
<Neal_P> till last minute
<Neal_P> Further S wx was much worste
<Neal_P> And had to worry about ice
<Dougcan> ahh yes, no need to practice the "titanic" thing
<KurtAriel> Was there any piece of gear that you took that was basically "free", that you considered essential? Like a bucket, that sort of thing?
<Rockdocto> any hull repairs while underway
<KurtAriel> something that wasnt "marine" that you found useful
<Neal_P> Hvy WX is est learnt doing with good crew
<Neal_P> No substitute for experience
<Connie> What has been your most memorable moment sailing?
<Neal_P> Bucket was useful. Must be mettal with metal handel
<LauraG> why metal?
<KurtAriel> Neal consider yourself engaged for some storm sailing off the Carolina coast with me this year :)
<KurtAriel> lol
<Connie> K, you have to come on the site and then post lessons. :)
<svFaith> I wanna go
<Neal_P> Connie, finish lines were always best. Saw amaizing dolphins near Falklands
<KurtAriel> lol
<Connie> I never grow tired of seeing dolphins. :)
<Neal_P> This coast can get tough
<KurtAriel> so many dolphins he thought that it was awindline approaching
<svFaith> no, wait you said GOOD crew... :(
<LauraG> lol
<Neal_P> Saw several thousand at one time. Unbelievable
<Connie> LOL :)
<LauraG> wow
<Connie> Awesome!
<Neal_P> Cauth it on video and used it in our PBS doc
<KurtAriel> I've seen maybe a couple hundred at once - that many would be unreal
<mike> we need a time for a small get together somewhere along the coast, if nothing else just for those free beers
<Charlie_J> we always feel shorted if we sail here without seeing some
<Connie> Grogs!
<svFaith> yes
<Dougcan> wow, must be quite a sight!
<mike> opps!grogs!!
<Rockdocto> painkillers
<KurtAriel> Mike - come on down :) Maybe we could go visit Neal
<Charlie_J> and our email address is mbdolfns
<Charlie_J> we kinda like them ourselves
<Connie> I rarely go out that I do not get to enjoy the site of them, even in my anchorage.  Sweet!
<Neal_P> When tey did back flips it was sometimes 10 at a time, in formation
<KurtAriel> Neal - I give out "FREE GROG" on the site from time to time ;)
<Neal_P> Do you have BO's
<svFaith> why do you think we are always around?
<Dougcan> dang!  that's quite a sight!
<Dougcan> heh heh
<Charlie_J> don't know exactly which ones we have
<Neal_P> We should do a movie night of sailing films
<Charlie_J> ours are different form the ones over Florida too
<KurtAriel> oh that would be awesome!
<LauraG> yes it would
<Rockdocto> captain ron
<Connie> What an awesome treat /memory that must have been.
<svFaith> yes
<Neal_P> That sight is imprinted on my memory for ever, with a few other
<Connie> Great idea!
<Dougcan> I;ll like to see that myself!
<Connie> I can only imagine...
<KurtAriel> Do you have copies of the PBS documentary Neal?
<Neal_P> yes
<svFaith> Now THAT is what I would want to see at movie night
<Charlie_J> Neal- have you met Ellen MacArthur?
<LauraG> would love to see that
<Dougcan> oh cool!  I'll like to order a copy
<Connie> Kurt- can you use your computer powes to put them on for us?
<KurtAriel> VHS? maybe I could make a copy to share around with sailFar folks?
<Charlie_J> she and Laura are about the same size
<Dougcan> how about buying them?
<Neal_P> Knew here well in the early days.
<KurtAriel> yeah was thinking same Doug
<Charlie_J> she seems to really be something
<Charlie_J> yeah- set a price on 'em and give Neal the bucks
<KurtAriel> but its PBS
<Neal_P> Her team forgot their roots though
<Charlie_J> shipping and handling
<Charlie_J> ah
<svFaith> and storage
<LauraG> how so, Neal?
<Charlie_J> sad to hear that
<KurtAriel> yes how so? underdogs made good?
<Neal_P> Have it on DVD with my keynote story. We sold PBS a 4 year licence back in 99
<KurtAriel> oh so you can sell it now?
<JohnR> Neal (and Kurt!), Thank-you for this opportunity to chat and visit.  I have to get to work, now, though.
<JohnR> Goodnight all.
<svFaith> This has really been great
<Connie> Night John!
<KurtAriel> nite John - I'll get w/you about the log
<User8518> I lost myu connection
<zen> ciao
<KurtAriel> me too Neal :)
<Charlie_J> I'm still here I think
<User8518> Log in wont let me come in as Neal
<KurtAriel> must be a SC thing ;)
--- User8518 is now known as Neal_P
<zen> I'm cool here on the left coast
<Charlie_J> now try it Neal
<Charlie_J> you were still showing as Neal_P
<KurtAriel> try it now Neal
<Neal_P> Lost that dialup again
<KurtAriel> ahh there ya go
<Charlie_J> so you couldn't re-signon as that

[CharlieJ]

Well- I came to the tuesday night chat- warn't nobody thar!!!!

Maybe NEXT tuesday??

[Pixie Dust]

I forgot. :((  What time on Tues??

[CharlieJ]

Connie- we decided on 2000 CST. That's still early enough for the east coast folks and not TOO early for the west coasters.

By the way- the chat room is there all the time. We could decide on another night, but several of us participate in a TSBB chat on Mon, Weds, Sat at 2000, so we would have to choose. And since I started the Weds night chats on TSBB, I kinda like to BE there.

[Coastal Cruiser]

Yea, hate to keep up those old pharts too late, now.!!!!They may end up taking on a new look in the morning.

[Pixie Dust]

Charlie-- You are a busy boy!!  Yeah, guess you should be present.  :) I will try to stay up until 9:00 on Tues.    ;) 
Thanks Charlie!