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Safety is First

Safety is the first word in our preparations. Recently, the news and web have been abuzz with emergencies at sea, from a family with a medical issue, to a crew overboard, to a missing jetliner. Each of these cases highlights the importance of communication, planning, proper gear, and rescue services, as well as the paramount value of avoiding emergencies in the first place.

Proper preparation includes training, and for our ocean races, that means a USSailing certified Safety at Sea seminar.  These are mandatory for a portion of the crew, and recommended for the entire crew.  Pac

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The race start just got a little closer.  As advertised, the 2014 Pacific Cup Equipment List has been finalized, approved, and posted.  See it on the Race Documents page.   This list is the result of many hours of work, and consultation with experts and other sailors.  Some of the larger changes from 2012 are:

 

  • If you use satphone, instead of SSB, and have no inboard a charged 24 AH battery is required for it.
  • A fire-fighting plan is required.
  • Your secondary anchor rode can be shorter
  • EPIRB language clarified, a PLB is not an EPIRB.
  • USSailing has relaxed Liferaft repacking rules, we agree!
  • You may
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Photo by Josh on Summer Moon

The entries just keep on coming!  We'd just finished celebrating our 52nd entry when it's eclipsed by number 53.  Yes, it's Eclipse, the Erkelens-powered Moore 24.  These sturdy little boats have a good history at Pac Cup, often viewed as "spoilers" for their exceptional performances in many conditions, sneaking in to take a trophy from a more (ahem) comfortable boat.  At 24 feet, it's a good double-hander, and that's the division Eclipse has entered.

The picture?  That's from Josh on Summer Moon.

Races will start the week of July 6, 2014. Many new enhancements planned for the 2014 race, including sponsorship, pre-race events, and a cruising division.

Attention Offshore Sailors, Cruisers and Racers

Fun on TikiBack by Popular Demand: the Pacific Offshore Academy will continue its highly-regarded seminar series with two events scheduled in 2013, addressing many topics key to any offshore voyage. The dates for 2013 will be June 23 and October 19.

These seminars pack a lot of expert knowledge into an afternoon of concentrated presentations to provide essential skills and knowledge for any sailor heading out to sea, whether racing, rallying or cruising.  The information presented will help you whether you are doing the Pacific Cup, Transpac, Coastal Cup, or

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