Pacific Northwest based SUCH FAST Sails into Puerto Vallarta Second in Class
We’ll look forward to connecting with the Pacific Northwest based Such Fast crew as soon as possible, but for now, they’re catching up on some much needed R&R. The team started the 1,020-mile race from San Diego to Puerto Vallarta at noon on Thursday March 6, 2020. Such Fast is owned and skippered by David Garman, and was crewed in this race by Spencer Kunath, Chris Roberts, Bob King, Stuart Burnell, and Adam Chevrier.
While the crew gets some sleep, a shower, and a frosty beverage, if you haven’t already been following their trip, it’s some fun and worthy reading! Their posts are consolidated here in chronological order, and are shared thanks to the Such Fast media guru, Kristen.
MARCH 5, 2020
From Kristen:
Such Fast crew has had an incredibly busy week in San Diego, CA doing the final punch list to be race ready…and today’s the day! I had my last conversation (well, not my last last conversation) with Dave (Skipper/Boat owner/Boyfriend extraordinaire) just a few minutes ago and they are ready to go. They have the first start of the race with four other boats at 12pm noon today (Pacific Time). Approximately 30 boats are participating in this race.
Let me remind you, Such Fast has no paid crew. These guys have various levels of experience (the total years of ocean experience is pretty impressive though!) but the team as a whole brings this boat together for hopefully excellent performance. To get a boat and crew ready for ocean racing, months of planning and preparation goes on. Most people who do not race have absolutely no idea the amount of work prior to ocean racing. It’s truly remarkable. The amount of detail that goes into racing is crazy. Like making sure that one little wire is not pinched and lays perfectly on the wall or making sure your EPIRBs are up to date and registered with the database. One of a thousand little things.
The crew has been meeting for months, planning and discussing roles and responsibilities. Countless hours have been spent upgrading boat electronics, discussing boat roles, food choices and water consumption (optimal number of calories each sailor should have each day), navigation tools/weather, communication, safety, tactics…to name a few! I’ve mentioned this before, but we are truly thankful for everyone who participates in this with us. Many people give time and their expertise to help Such Fast do these ocean races (from rigging experts to 3D printing speaker mounts). We are so appreciative of each and everyone of you (coming along side us, housing us, utilizing your skills) and more than anything, we really love the friendships that are built along the way. It’s such an amazing journey and so fun to share the love of sailing with you. Sailing is truly a community. Throw in a little rum and it becomes a pretty fun party! ????
I was on the weather phone call this morning and for the most part, the weather looks pretty light for the week. Fortunately, Such Fast generally does pretty well in light air. It’s going to be a tactics race! Spencer Kunath is our crew’s navigator for the race. He’s been working endlessly on numerous weather models, researching and consulting with experts as he plans for the race. We’re so excited and fortunate to have Spencer on the crew this year. He’s also been the lead to keep everyone on task. Not easy, and he’s done a phenomenal job.
MARCH 6, 2020
From Kristen:
Heard from the Such Fast crew just after midnight. They are doing well (except for a little seasickness). Sounds like it was a very sporty start. Spencer, the navigator, said the departure from the channel was 18 knots—much more than they were anticipating. The eventual reality of going underneath the lee of the Coronados paid off, those who strove to reach it did not make it and paid some to hold the high line for that time. They are now trying to play the shifts on the inside lane at about 8-30 nautical miles from shore. They don’t want to sail too many extra miles as the natural contours of Mexico recede in lateral distance from them. They just executed their first symmetrical kite jibe, and at night to boot. All around, the crew work has been pretty darn good. Sails and boat systems are performing as expected and they are currently slogging 9+ knots on the favored tack.
MARCH 7, 10:24 PM
From Navigator Spencer:
We are still chasing down the lead boat in our fleet. The crew is working hard to keep the boat moving and to work out all of our personal space (double-bunking a must) and personal music taste (Rolling Stones are somewhere in the mix).
For most of the crew, this is a first-time long-distance ocean race. Some have raced to PV and in PV, but for most of us it is a first-time run. The weather has been good—wind condition has been challenging, but the moon, which is almost full, is lighting the way for us all.
“It has been a great effort by everyone to assist David and KJ to get Such Fast to the starting line and we have great expectation to a great finish in PV.” – crew member Stuart Burnell
Those who were feeling a touch of seasickness at the early days have now found their sea legs. Boat projects continue…a seemingly never-ending task. The electric de-watering pump is sweet. Easy to keep the boat dry and fast. The weather routing has been fairly typical for this racecourse. We’re playing the daily thermals against our fleet tactics. All a bunch of risk/reward decisions. The boat, as well as all other boats in the race, are remaining in PST despite the rest of the West Coast switching to PDT. Interesting to note how few of the crew noticed the difference. Those not in the Nav Station are really disconnected to the Real World.
The crew are in good shape and laughs abound. The two watch-teams have named themselves Victory Renegades and The Tres Pinas. The Victory Renegades include skipper Dave Garman, Stuart Burnell, and Adam Chevrier. The Tres Pinas include Spencer Kunath, Bob King, and Chris Roberts. The Helmsmen Polar Performance Championship is underway.
We got beat on the outside and are trailing Sizzle by seven hours (Billy Hardesty) in corrected distance made good. He is one hard sucker to track down. Suppose that’s why he won Rolex Yachtman of the Year. Race tempo should elevate after Mag Bay.
Over and out!
MARCH 8, 8:53 AM
From Kristen:
I received a simple position report from Such Fast at 6am this morning. The winds were 10 knots with seas 2’-3’. They are holding steady in this race and marching down the Baja Peninsula! Hoping to hear more at some point today.
MARCH 8, 2020
From Dave:
We continue to operate our boat gently as the winds are very light. All movements are slow to not disturb the boat. The off-watch boys decided to try our brand new Ullman S-1 spinnaker, it is 1/2 oz fabric, a little smaller than the one we have been using, the S-2, and is flatter. This means that it can be sheeted tighter and still stay full. It is generally a light air spinnaker for reaching, (ie staying more closer to the wind or even upwind). The new S-1, we found out, is all white. (Didn’t know that yet!)
The crew provisions are great (good job Chris), and everyone is fully hydrated and fed. We all are looking a bit pink, and with the clouds, the temperatures are very comfortable above and below decks. I think sunscreen has not been on everyone’s mind.
Something you might not know is that boats in the ocean can be very, very warm below. This race boat only has a forward round hatch, and the companionway. If the weather is light like now, we can open the forward hatch, if not, then it can get very hot below. And don’t forget that we run the engine every 12 hours to charge the batteries, and the heat stays in the boat. From my view from the water, the crew is focused on boat making miles, everyone is now rested from the multi-week marathon on getting to the start line, and most importantly we are actually here. We are spending time talking about what we should have done, and what we can do with what we have. Looking forward to more wind as we make our way to Cabo, and some fast sailing. All minds are present and accounted for. We have already come together to use all suggestions to solve some small gear issues, and with the never before amount of off boat communication, we are more informed and more focused.
MARCH 9, 7:28 PM
From Dave:
Dave here, we just had sunset and the wind changed 180 degrees from a spinnaker run, to a hard beat. Winds rolled down on us…we are by the north end of Margarita island, about 1/4 a mile off the beach. We are now beating towards Cabo as our next headland and a turn before heading across the Sea of Cortez to PV. 
We had such a great day of figuring, navigating, looking at the computer, winds abating and coming back, that we all got off our sleep shifts, and now we all have not slept today. We are all sailing very focused to get through this shifty wind area. We are all looking forward to a fast forward sail across the Sea of C. to PV.
March 11, 2:15 AM
From Spencer:
WOW, what a journey… who knew it would take this long and be this physically and mentally taxing? We have been second in the field until today when Roy Disney’s Pyewacket went scorching by us. We all defiantly had some waterline envy. But Roy could not do what Such Fast is doing and hit the four corners in four years!
We are now screaming along at 10kts with winds 15-20kts out of the NW. The pivotal moment in the race that we have all been waiting for has finally arrived. We are nearing Cabo San Lucas, and after that will enter the Sea or Cortez. That crossing is currently forecast to be sporty with winds averaging, after the transition, 15-20kts for the entire 275 nautical mile journey. Luckily, the winds will be at our back and we will be surfing down waves as we make our way across the Sea of Cortez. Your faithful Navigator says that if the weather holds, Such Fast should be finishing on Thursday afternoon. All the crew are fantasizing their first to-do once stepping foot on land. For some its hugging their loved ones. For others its a larger-than-life, and well-deserved I might add, margartia. Remind us to tell you the story about Isla Margarita….
The crew are all in great spirits now that we are moving again. The balmy weather has meant our daily dress is tech-shirts, shorts, and flip-flops. A far cry from the normal sailing attire in the PNW for March. Crew Team Los Pinas is doing a most excellent job all around (your author for today’s update is biased).
We are in the hunt for a podium finish for our division. Despite it being the first voyage for this crew as a team and for some of us on the boat, we have performed admirably. We have certainly made our share of mistakes but we have learned from them- and importantly- only made them once.
More tomorrow from the Sea of Cortez.
THE LAST NIGHT… MARCH 12, 10:00 PM
From Spencer:
Our Mexorc crew will have arrived (Heavy, Tara and Rod) as we continue to sail in fluky winds that are mostly at 4.5 to 6.5 knots.
The crew did a big boat cleaning today, lots of water and bleach, sorting and getting ready for docking, the arrival shirts will come out later.
We are being treated to a full sky show of many planets and stars. We are approaching a southern sky view, so many stars are not familiar to me. Needless to say, there are billions up there to gaze upon.
We are currently planning to arrive via a southern approach to avoid many flats, rocks, and no-wind areas. We anticipate an arrival around 3-5 am, and docking some 3 hours after that. The finish is well out in the ocean.
The Such Fast crew arrived safely in Puerto Vallarta this morning, greeted by loved ones and those dreamy giant margaritas. They finished the 1,020 mile race from San Diego in 7 days, 16 hours, and 26 minutes, crossing the line at 4:26 AM. Such Fast now turns their attention to Mexorc, and then begins preparations for Pac Cup this summer. Follow their adventures at www.suchfast1d35.com
