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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

a prayer for my friend, Sel

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/08/2006 : 12:40:53

You may remember my friend Sel, the fellow to singlehanded his old Cal 28 San Diego to Hawaii in April, selling it as soon as he arrived. He was lucky to survive, in my opinion.

He leaves tomorrow to fly to San Francisco. He is helping his friend (a down on his luck drunk that was formerly an illegal liveaboard on our dock). This guy bought an abandoned C30 at auction for $2000 and now they are sailing it down to San Diego. Thankfully not headed towards our dock. They leave Friday with 4 on board bound for San Diego non-stop. The SF Forecast:

FRI
NW WINDS 15 TO 25 KT...DECREASING TO 5 TO 15 KT IN THE EVENING.
WIND WAVES 2 TO 5 FT. NW SWELL 18 TO 22 FT. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS.

SAT
NW WINDS 5 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 3 FT.
NW SWELL 16 TO 19 FT. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS.

SUN
NW WINDS 5 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 3 FT.
NW SWELL 13 TO 16 FT. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS.

Point Conception, in winter, with a big winter storm headed for Southern CA? These guys have no gear, no foulies, and except for Sel no offshore experience.

Indiscipline 1978 FK SR #398

Edited by - on

takokichi
Captain

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USA
321 Posts

Response Posted - 03/08/2006 : 14:45:29

good thoughts in their direction.

Edited by - on

DaveC25
Navigator

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USA
152 Posts

Response Posted - 03/09/2006 : 09:15:33

Aside from the rain it looks to be alright...as long as the period between the swells is long enough. If not, then I hope they can surf that thing.

I wish them good fortune.

-DaveC25

Edited by - on

djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 03/09/2006 : 10:02:42

WOW that seems scarry. However, being stuck on the hard for the last four months, I'd of gone with them. Good luck to them.

Edited by - on

Chip Hunt
Navigator

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120 Posts

Response Posted - 03/09/2006 : 10:43:44

With swells like that, I hope they have a sea anchor. I was out in some 6 to 8 foot following swells offshore here in Charleston last Wednesday. The wave period was kinda intermediate, and we really got to surfing. With the wind coming off the stbd quarter and the seas following us, I was uneasy about broaching. Had the wave period been any faster, I would have tied something to a 50 foot line and thrown it off the stern to slow us down.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 03/09/2006 : 15:46:41

Besides Sel, I presume none of these guys have tried sleeping or even spending any time below in big seas... Three looooooong days (at least)... and not even any foulies? This could get ugly! Jim--you couldn't talk any sense into any of them??

Edited by - on

djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 03/09/2006 : 18:40:42

Hi Dave, it sounds like it might have been "beat some sense into him".

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 03/09/2006 : 20:44:59

I hope they survive but that the sea teaches Sel some humility.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/10/2006 : 09:11:46

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by JimB517
 I hope they survive but that the sea teaches Sel some humility.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

If Sel and his dog went sailing a few weeks ago in his Cal 28 with the wind gusting 25 or more while putting the bow under and taking green water in the cockpit, then he probably thinks four guys in 5-15 winds would be a walk in the park.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 03/10/2006 : 10:04:52

A few weeks back we discussed proper preparations... This is a C-30 bought for 20 Boat Units in an auction--less than I paid for my outboard or even my interior cushions... How "prepared" do you suspect they are (without even any foulies and rain all three days)?? Not many places to hide along the Big Sur, and with a 22' swell, they'd better stay well offshore where it's plenty deep. Thunderstorms and some hail are predicted today... They'll probably arrive afloat, but I wouldn't be on that boat!!

BTW, whaddaya think it'd be like to be in 20-30 knots generating 6' southerly wind waves against a 9' NW swell in the rain? That's Monday for them...

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 03/10/2006 10:29:07

Ericson33
Admiral

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USA
892 Posts

Response Posted - 03/10/2006 : 10:44:16

Remember where we have come from, History proves that sailing is a dangerous sport, but it is now a sport and not a way of life like it has been in the past. Think about all of the people sailing 50 years ago, No radio, No GPS, No Dingy with an outboard, Ect. Think about 100 years ago, no life vest, no follies, no fiberglass, No engineered boats like todays.

Sel should be fine if he is ready for the trip, If not he will learn from his mistakes. That's Life.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/10/2006 : 11:01:05

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Capri25
 Remember where we have come from, History proves that sailing is a dangerous sport, but it is now a sport and not a way of life like it has been in the past. Think about all of the people sailing 50 years ago, No radio, No GPS, No Dingy with an outboard, Ect. Think about 100 years ago, no life vest, no follies, no fiberglass, No engineered boats like todays...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Think about 1,000 years ago with the Vikings crossing 4,000 miles of North Atlantic ocean in an open boat!

Edited by - on

Ben - FL
Admiral

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880 Posts

Response Posted - 03/12/2006 : 20:51:57

I cannot stand the suspense. Did the guys make it?

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 03/12/2006 : 21:35:35

no sign of them yet, I don't expect them until Late Monday or Tuesday. But they are not in News at 11, yet.

Edited by - on

lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 03/12/2006 : 22:33:46

If the boat was purchased for only $2K, I would assume it is an older model, and isn't in tip-top condition. Was anything done to upgrade the equipment before starting this venture? If it was me, the very least I would do, if it hadn't already been done recently by a PO, is replace the standing rigging, and all electrical wiring. Older Catalinas, at least those I have owned, all came to me with electrical system gremlins caused by the non-marine-grade (un-tinned) wire. Out in the ocean, even close to shore, is not the place where you want to risk having your whole electrical system go down - no lights, no radio, no GPS or fathometer (if they even have these), and no way to start the diesel. I would have the engine gone through by a mechanic, replace all fuel lines, filters, clean the fuel tank, replace both water pump impellers. Do they have spare sails, including a storm jib, in case the boats working sails get shredded somehow? As Dave Bristle pointed out, the central coast from Carmel Bay south to Santa Barbara is rough and rugged, with few protected harbors to duck into in case of threatening weather or some kind of emergency on the boat.

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2006 : 13:22:44

Knowing these guys (not Sel) I'd think they only thing they did is load the boat with beer and cigs. It was abandoned, sold by the marina at auction for $2000, and there was only 1 bidder.

Sel? He dosn't need no stinking engine nor electrical system for that matter. As long as the rigging and sails hold up. And its downwind - no need to reef.

Me? I'd plan and prep a boat for months just to make this voyage at the right time of year (summer). I would go SF to Morro Bay and motor around Pt. Conception in light air at midnight. I'd stay over in the Coho anchorage then probably sail for Marina del Rey.

This past summer I did my solo voyage to Santa Rosa Island. Sel decided to sail to San Nicolas Island with 2 friends. I told them it was a US Navy military installation and closed to the public (although there is an anchorage). They told me "No, the Navy left. There is a pier you can use plus the island is now open." Not true, but they went anyways, anchored, landed, and were chased off by what they described later as a "vigalante" living on the island (one in a blue uniform with some stripes).

I would not have gotten on this voyage for $10,000

Edited by - on

takokichi
Captain

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USA
321 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2006 : 14:49:14

Come now - $10,000 gets you a survival suit, raft, and GPS-EPIRB, and leaves enough a summer of cruising....

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3324 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2006 : 16:05:14

But you have to be alive to enjoy it...
Derek

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takokichi
Captain

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USA
321 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2006 : 07:43:15

ok - its Tuesday. Any news?

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2006 : 11:28:52

He has not arrived yet. But a rescue is not on the news.

Edited by - on

takokichi
Captain

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USA
321 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2006 : 12:06:19

Let us know?

Edited by - on

Dan86
Navigator

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130 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2006 : 21:10:49

Any news on Sel

Dan

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 03/26/2006 : 12:29:58

Sel and crew survived. They left Thursday night into the teeth of the storm. They called the Coast Guard and asked about conditions and "were strongly urged not to go". However, they did. Conditions at the SF Bay bar were like I expected - 10 to 15 foot breaking waves. They were making 8 knots over the ground into these short period, steep seas. Sel said when they got out of the bay and turned the corner, they were flattened by winds of about 40 knots. They did have a 95% jib and a reefed main. 2 of the 4 crew were terrified and stayed below most of the time. Sel and the owner worked the boat. They had 30 hours of hell - everything was wet, cold. Everything on the boat leaked. They had big seas and headwinds for a while then calm. They decided to motor and the motor would not run. It was wet and the fuel filter was plugged (Atomic 4). They heaved to for the night, fixed the motor in the morning. Once around Pt. Conception, they had blue skies and sun and a nice run down the coast. Sel said they went outside San Miguel Island, between Catalina and San Clemente Island, and into San Diego Bay. They arrived on Tuesday after a 4 and 1/2 day passage.

I think they were idiots and lucky to survive. I think this voyage and other stunts Sel pulls are the very opposite of seamanship. Yes, he gets through alive. Thats cool, he is very resourceful. But he put his life at needless risk, not to mention the lives of those alcolholic homeless boat bums that never would have tried this without him.

Edited by - on

djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 03/26/2006 : 14:42:23

WOW! What a trip. It actually sounds exciting if he was not putting others at risk. I am glad they made it alive. God protects babies and idiots. Cheers.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 03/26/2006 : 17:18:32

That's not the first time I've heard of a fuel filter being clogged after a boat has been bouncing in heavy seas... seems the junk that's been accumulating in the tank gets mixed up in the fuel. In diesels, it can be algae that grows in the tank and then is knocked loose by the spashing fuel--by definition at the worst possible time!

So my question is: Why did they bother asking the Coasties?
"How are the conditions?"
"Horrible and getting worse! Stay home!!"
"We'll call you again if we need you... Out."

Edited by - on

Ben - FL
Admiral

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880 Posts

Response Posted - 03/27/2006 : 14:27:50

I thought we were supposed to listen to NOAA for weather, not the USCG!

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