Silver Sea Star participated in the eighth biannual West Marine Pacific Cup Race. The six man crew included skipper DeWayne Enyeart, navigator David Ames, and cook Rich Harding. The three others were from California.
This was the largest starting fleet, with 63 boats divided into six divisions. The start was July 11 to 14, staggered over four days so the fleet would arrive together. The starting line was set off the St. Francis Yacht Club, San Francisco, California. The finish line was off Kaneohe Bay, on the windward side of Oahu, Hawaii, 2070 nm away.
Silver Sea Star started on July 12 in 20 kt. of wind which increased to 30 kt. the following day. The second day saw her best 24 hour run, 195 nm. The wind dropped below 20 kt. the third day. It stayed mostly in the 12 to 18 kt. range for the remainder of the race.
Chafe was a constant problem : two halyards parted. Other equipment problems included a broken boom vang bracket and a shredded spinnaker. It took two days to repair the chute.
The crew ate well, compliments of Rich Harding’s efforts in the galley. On the menu for the halfway party was lobster Creole, with oven hot apple pie topped with Ben & Jerry’s ice cream for desert. His planned meals were supplemented with fresh tuna and mahi mahi.
David Ames did an outstanding job of navigating and deciphering weather fax reports. One of the boats in the fleet could have used his navigational skills; a boat hit the reef in Kaneohe Bay, suffering extensive damage.
Silver Sea Star finished in 12 days, 20 hours. She placed third in her division. [Congratulations! Ed]
We were supported and helped by family, friends, and significant others : including SSSS members Joan Knapp, Susanne Windels, Mike Colyar, and Eric Forsythe.
In summary, the crew ate well, slept well, and sailed well together.
DeWayne Enyeart, Silver Sea Star