This year, 2019, the first leg of the Race to Alaska started on June 3rd in the face of a near gale. It was an exciting run to Victoria for those of us who had boats capable of handling the conditions. Team PT Watercraft in the G-32 did really well in spite of the bobbing and diving and water over deck. We were going fast, averaging 9 knots in waves stirred to peaks by strong wind against current. The GPS indicated from 8 knots up to 15 when the water flattened out a bit near Victoria.

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Race start 2019 R2AK, Russell

We had a fun team with Alex Spear and myself joining Russell; me doing my darndest to hold the camera steady and all of us well braced to keep from flying to leeward at times. We kept within sight of the far more powerful, lead boat, Pear Shaped Racing, finishing some 20 minutes behind them. We just shake our heads in awe at the capability of this weird little boat designed by Jan Gougeon.

Ours was a 4 hour run having traveled more than the official 35 mile distance. .. all racers had to tack around the "no-go" zone. In Victoria, we hung out with some of the racers and support folks. Two boats sustained damage that made use of Russell's epoxy skills and it felt good to be useful instead of stressing about his own continuation of the race. We opted instead, to take a little cruise and that is another post. 😉

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We had cruising gear, dinghy, and motor brought over by car on the Ferry so we could load up for our cruise north... so much 'stuff!

For now, here is a silly video of our first leg from this year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFO0sXEYek4

In the description is a link to more photos of the start by Sean Trew. Definitely worth a visit.

Happy Summer boating!

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Dinghy loaded with gear ..motor, bedding, cooler...+++ We had to unload the truck from the parking lot and row to the marina.

Team PTWATERCRAFT aboard INCOGNITO is racing Monday morning June 3rd in the R2AK. We will be racing as far as Victoria and then taking off on a short cruise, hoping to see come of the lead boats along the way North. We will check emails a couple of times to be sure but if you don't get a prompt response, this is why! We thank our customers and, with great appreciation, are collecting deposits over the Summer for the next run of kits!

Please do email your questions. We will get back to you.

Safe boating to all! AEB 😉

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Team PTWATERCRAFT's totally cool Gougeon 32, INCOGNITO holds the R2AK solo record for 2 years straight.

Sponsored by our favorite epoxy;ptwatercraft.com

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the first hour

 

 

 

"I'm a tracker junkie and I'm okaaaay...." singing as I stay tuned to the Seventy 48 tracker. At 6:30am, Team Valhalla in the PT11 nesting dingy is still going 3.2- 3.5 knots after nearly 12 hours non-stop!  She has kept up with the some of the paddle boarders, including Skelty, our friend Tim Nolan who appears to be pushing through non-stop as well! If you know Tim you are duly impressed.

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Loading the boat up in front of the Swan Hotel and Schooner Martha Foundation at Point Hudson
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As of 7:15 AM June 1st, 2019

We will be cheering Inger on as she comes in down at the city dock in Port Townsend!

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Rupert
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An eery scene as this ship emerges from the fog just off Point Hudson.