I am a big fan of long distance ocean sailing - by myself - so this race suits my temperament very well. Also it is, quite simply, a great excuse to get in a little 'boat time' over the summer.

In this particular case, "a little boat time" means single-handing a Spencer 35 from Vancouver, to California, to Hawaii and back. Nuts! Think there would be some interesting stories from that trip? How about from his previous two TransPacs, in 2002 and 2004? Or a single-handed circumnavigation?

Meet Jim and Hear his Stories

This Thursday, March 19th, at 7:30.
TCYC's monthly get-together and lecture series at the Maritime Museum.

Profile

• PHRF rating: 201
• Yacht Club: none
• Homeport: Port Roberts, WA
• Occupation: Crane Operator, self-dumping log barge, Seaspan International
• Age: 49 - turning 50 during the race
• Jim singlehanded from his home near Vancouver B.C. to Hawaii and back with his previous boat in 1999. A fun time was had by all; particularly considering that he won every argument and was the hero of every story; life doesn't get any better than that. For this crossing he has a new boat, purchased a little over a year ago, which was promptly hauled out for an 8-month stem-to-stern, top-to-bottom re-fit. For the race Jim has outfitted Haulback with a new full batten main, roller furling headsail, asymetrical kites and twin headsails for heavy air downwind.
  He and Haulback are sponsored for the race by the management and employees of Washington Marine Group . They couldn't spare a towboat for the event so they're sending Jim instead!
• Special thanks: Washington Marine Group; Kyle, Lyle, the whole of the Log Barge Division, the Towboaters and other employees who were all so generous in their support. Thanks to my crew for trading weeks with me so I can have enough time off for the race. Barry, for his ideas and encouragement; Dave Miller at North Sails; Gary at DBC Marine Safety Systems; and everyone else who gave freely of their advice, even when they were wrong. Last but not least, my family, for living with an obsessed boat-nut for the last year or so.