justanothersailor US entry in the Golden Globe single-handed non-stop round the world race
I mentioned my entry in another post. I guess this deserves its own posting.
To answer a few questions. Yes, I have a website and my blog is a dedicated,
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GGR2022
Team Website: http://keysspirit.com/
Race website: goldengloberace.com/
Gofundme: gf.me/u/v2mz8x
I am looking forward to sharing my experiences with my fellow Watertribers, just reach out and say hi.
Guy deBoer / GGR Race Preparation Update
April 15, 2020
What a different world we find ourselves in today. Just over a a month ago work on my GGR boat was progressing, at least in my opinion faster than anticipated. My team of volunteers was showing up almost every day working on projects to get “Spirit” ready for a return sail up the East Coast. Remember, Key West sits in the middle of the hurricane zone with June 1 the opening of the storm season. Currently, my insurance does not cover for damages if she remains here in Florida. My plan is to sail “Spirit” back to the Chesapeake where I have secured a donated mooring located on the Severn River just up from the US Naval Academy.
To date, I have removed the forward cabinetry in front of the main bulkhead, built but not installed a bow crash bulkhead, removed the bow spirit due to rot, order headsail and (2) spinnakers to fit the new (J) dimensions removed 2 of 3 anchors, removed the windless, Samson post, 100’ of anchor line w/ 25’ of chain and 200’ of S.S. anchor chain. We are currently ready to install new chain-plates, begin re-design of the deck hardware, install the Hydrovane self-steering system, seal the diesel fuel tank and complete the conversion from wheel steering to adding a tiller.
I have decided to test a new sail-plan design this year by not replacing the bow spirit with the head-stay mounted on the stem (bow). This will reduce the forward sail area. The GGR racecourse has me sailing in some of the most dangerous oceans with winds in excess of 20 kts most of the time. My research at the moment has determined that I’ll mostly be sailing with reduced sail because of the wind strengths and storms. Because of that, I will not need the added sail area gained by placing a headsail on a bow spirit. Additionally, I’m removing over 500 lbs from the bow with these changes which has a tremendous impact on the pitching on the boat through the seas, whereby slowing the boat. This coming season will be used to test my ideas where I will be developing the boat’s polar speed charts. I’ll know the boat and her performance much better over the next 12 months. Everything I learn will be used to make the boat faster and myself a confident performance solo sailor. It is still my plan to sail “Spirit” to Europe in the fall and return to Florida in February / March 2021. That’s over 8,000 NM sailed in training.
My plans are progressing even through these trying times. I need to honor my sponsor/donors by working hard and keeping my eye on the goal of winning the 2022 Golden Globe Round World Race. The race promoter reached out to me announcing that I needed to complete paying the entry fees, I still owe $11,000. I asked for a delay due to the world crisis and thankfully have been given an extension until September 4, 2020. My fundraising has been quite successful to date raising over $120,000 in the past year. I’m still about $230,000 short of my goal. I have recently received another donation of $8,000 from a single donor. Many thanks to my donors. Again, thank you to all for your interest.
Respectfully,
Guy deBoer / justanothersailor
