Cal 29 - Sailing during gale on crossing Pacific from Hawaii to BC

A short clip taken from inside the dodger of Ladybug, a Cal 29 crossing from Hawaii to BC (about 500 miles off Cape Flattery). The video is taken during a gale which reached 45 knots+. You can see that there are seas coming from 2 different directions because the low has nearly passed over us. I am running under bare poles at 6-7 knots. Ladybug was knocked down during the gale and waves came in over the transom that eventually put the autopilot out of commission. The crossing took 23 days with the last 4 steering by hand.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Gale
• Sailing
• Cal
• 29
• Hawaii
• BC

[jamesbondaygee]

Good job! I'd like to see more clips. I've got similar ambitions and really like Cal boats.

[crbennet]

@jamesbondaygee

Thanks for the comment. I did not take too many videos during the passage but will look around and see if I have something more to post. Good luck with your plans. You can also visit our blog at ladybugcruise.blogspot.com for more info on how we prepared the Cal for the trip.

[jamesbondaygee]

@crbennet My pleasure. It was very cool. Saw your blog already. Awesome pics! Jumping Mantas were unbelievable! I've been to Mexico 3 times before. I wanted to stay. I love Spanish. You appear to be a few years ahead of me! Ha..

Was just looking into some nice looking Cal boats in the Vancouver area. I'll need to study more though before I buy, so I don't get a rotted out boat. Where you at now?

The concept of sailing really elevates my mind these days! Wind power is inspirational!

[crbennet]

@jamesbondaygee Hi,

We are back in Duncan on Vancouver Island, but returning to Mexico in November. Glad you enjoyed the blog. Look like some great deals on Cal 29's in the Vancouver area on Craigslist - 7-9K for a not bad looking boat. Suggest you look for a US built Cal 29 - which are reputed to be better built than the Canadian built ones - they are also easier to convert to Outboard power by cutting out the thinner transom.

Cheers,

Chris

[crbennet]

I crossed in May from Mexico to Hawaii and back to Victoria from Hilo in June (arriving at the end of June).

[helmanta]

what time of year did you cross