Blue Book of Boats

Terry Reid, crew of Delicate Balance was at the Vic Maui Celebration/Wrap Up Party on May 24 and received a participation trophy on behalf of the racing yacht Delicate Balance.  Terry reports”It was very nice to have that kind of support and companionship. At the wrap up party it felt like we were all successful for just taking on the challenge and testing our strength of character”.

Shown on photo is Carole Cote,  greeting party organizer for Delicate Balance presenting a plaque to Terry Reid who receives the award of behalf of Captain Pierre Cote.  Every participant at the Vic Maui 2010 race  received a plaque for participating which are very sharp looking with a replica of your exact boat on it.

There’s a long checklist of things to look out for when transporting a sailboat by truck.

1. Make certain that all Mast Poles are un-stepped and de-rigged.
2. All cables and spreaders should be bound or taped to the pole.
3. ALL rigging, winches, wind indicators, and running lights must be removed from the mast.
4. The strongest side of the mast should be left “clean” to rest on the trailer.
5. Poles should be wrapped with carpets to avoid chafing.

DB crew lovingly dismantled the cables, riggings, spreaders, instruments from the mast before handling over the demasting  job  to the professionals, who made the work seem effortless.  Once the mast is unstepped and de-rigged, then it is put in a sling ready to be laid on a boat cradle.

This baby will get special care all the way home.  The captain and the first mate will drive in a pilot car and personally escort  Delicate Balance all the way home.

We – the Delicate Balance Fans Club sends our best wishes to  all the sailors, crew, race committee and their friends at the Vic Maui Race 2010 party in Lahaina.  We will not be at the Celebration Party, but one of our crew Terry Reid will be there on our behalf.   We all shared in the DRAMA and the EXCITEMENT, and this is something we will never forget. We are looking forward to hearing more stories from the Delicate Balance crew members after they’re fully rested.

Sunny moment on Delicate Balance on route to San Francisco. The waves remain big.

Congratulations to Terremoto! Scott Burbank’s Riptide 35 Terremoto! crossed the finish line at 22:30:49 HST on July 14 to earn Vic-Maui 2010 line honors with an elapsed time of 11d:15h:20m:49s. The fastest elapsed time since 2002.

Terremoto’s crew – first to finish. (photo from vicmaui.org)

Kinetic – four father & son teams and a  nephew – second to cross the finish line, but won first place on corrected time. (photo from vicmaui.org)

For an official press release issued  by Delicate Balance July 13, 2010 to the Vic Maui Race Committee.   click here. The Story of Delicate Balance.

At the Schoonmaker Point Marina in Sausalito,  Delicate Balance proudly displays the Vic Maui 2010 Race burgee for all of Sausalito to see.

Surprisingly, not many Californians have heard of the Vic-Maui Race, so Delicate Balance is doing its share of publicizing the race.

Delicate Balance crew wasted no time and began preparation for the journey home.

Sleeping blankets, foul weather gear, bunk cushions and sailing mitts were hung out to dry.

Bunk cushions neatly arranged on the dock, basking in the heat of the sun.

All the sailing mitts neatly lined up, like laundry on a clothes line.

The Sainted Sailor Wives chipped in to put some womanly touch to the boat.  The spirit of teamwork is amazing considering the ordeal that the crew has been through.  Everybody remained cheerful and upbeat.  The friendship amongst the crew was cemented during the last few days, and they shall never forget their adventure stories.

Rumour has it that the captain is already making preparation plans for the Vic Maui 2012 race.