Yep, I left Ravenswing a few more months on the hard in Mexico so I could follow J-World Pablo aboard a big ‘ol downwind surfing sled to Hawaii! He captained the Offshore Racing Outreach boat Good Trouble as his J-World team was contracted to manage the 2023 Transpac trip for ORO, and invited me aboard as one of two watch captains. The new non-profit group provided the other watch captain, Marie, who also was registered with the race officials as the boat owner / manager. Marie had previously raced Transpac with Pablo aboard one of J-World’s premiere boats, Cazan. For this year’s edition, J-World had their flagship Hula Girl (turbo’d Santa Cruz 50), Cazan and our 56′ Alan Andrews design Good Trouble. GT had previously been Delicate Balance in San Francisco, but had sat unsailed for many years due to owners’ health issues. ORO bought the boat and did a total refit to begin their new program of bringing grand prix ocean racing opportunities to people generally not represented in sailboat racing. Even our gender mix (5 women, 4 men) made us a very different team than all other entries this year.

Yep, it’s a long video. It’s all the stuff I want to remember as an old man; sure hope YouTube sticks around a long time :) You can figure out how to fast forward if you get bored.

Back at home now, and I’m finishing up pieces for some minor interior upgrades on Ravenswing, plus buying more paint, so I can get back to the boat in the absolute hottest part of the summer and finish the yard work. All in hopes for a glorious fall & winter Mexico cruising season. Stay tuned for word from me on crew-position openings for late ’23 / early ’24 trips…