Mr. X rides again!

I've been texting Mr. X this afternoon, and it looks like he has a route planned out. Winds should pick up out the SE by noon(ish) tomorrow and, based on Windy, it looks like ideal sailing conditions for the next few days. So, his plan is to head up the channel to Browning Entrance, and if conditions look good, go up on the west side of Stephens and Dundas Islands, and then to the east side of Duke Island, and, finally, on to Ketchikan.

From Windy, that plan looks plausible to me, but if anybody sees any major red flags, LMK, as he said he'll check his text messages tomorrow.

Yeah, this proposed route is setting himself up for a mad dash to the finish, but potentially in pretty hairy conditions... Im seeing the wind could potentially be gusting to 35 mph in the open sea south of Ketchikan.  Maybe even as a direct tail wind... maybe he can hug the islands, but he would be on the exposed side likely without much shelter.  The wind may be still good on the east side of Stephens and Dundas, but cutting over at this point would be a bit out of the way for him and would lengthen the trip.  I will be following him closely on the tracker and windy app, and will be trying to imagine what he is experiencing.  This guy is a hero, and regardless of if he ultimately makes it or what happens, he deserves an NCKA party, and Im happy to donate to make that happen.  Its incredible what he has accomplished. 

Yeah, this proposed route is setting himself up for a mad dash to the finish, but potentially in pretty hairy conditions... Im seeing the wind could potentially be gusting to 35 mph in the open sea south of Ketchikan.  Maybe even as a direct tail wind... maybe he can hug the islands, but he would be on the exposed side likely without much shelter.  The wind may be still good on the east side of Stephens and Dundas, but cutting over at this point would be a bit out of the way for him and would lengthen the trip.  I will be following him closely on the tracker and windy app, and will be trying to imagine what he is experiencing.  This guy is a hero, and regardless of if he ultimately makes it or what happens, he deserves an NCKA party, and Im happy to donate to make that happen.  Its incredible what he has accomplished.

Thanks for the info. I let him know and I think he’s having 2nd thoughts and will take inside route. I’m fishing ML today so no t as easy for me to give him accurate updates.

Yeah, this proposed route is setting himself up for a mad dash to the finish, but potentially in pretty hairy conditions... Im seeing the wind could potentially be gusting to 35 mph in the open sea south of Ketchikan.  Maybe even as a direct tail wind... maybe he can hug the islands, but he would be on the exposed side likely without much shelter.  The wind may be still good on the east side of Stephens and Dundas, but cutting over at this point would be a bit out of the way for him and would lengthen the trip.  I will be following him closely on the tracker and windy app, and will be trying to imagine what he is experiencing.  This guy is a hero, and regardless of if he ultimately makes it or what happens, he deserves an NCKA party, and Im happy to donate to make that happen.  Its incredible what he has accomplished.

Thanks for the info. I let him know and I think he’s having 2nd thoughts and will take inside route. I’m fishing ML today so no t as easy for me to give him accurate updates.

Sick, good luck with the slay mission! 

I want to commend NWM and the rest of you giving Mr. X a lifeline of information on conditions. The generosity on this board never ceases to amaze me. 

I do have to ask a question - how did he get his AI to AK? I hope this wasn't answered upthread. I skimmed but did not find an answer.

I want to commend NWM and the rest of you giving Mr. X a lifeline of information on conditions. The generosity on this board never ceases to amaze me. 

I do have to ask a question - how did he get his AI to AK? I hope this wasn't answered upthread. I skimmed but did not find an answer.

He has yet to get to AK, race to Alaska. He started stage 1 of the race at Port Townsend, WA as explained at this link:
https://r2ak.com/r2ak-explained/

Another question is how is he going to get it back from AK.

I want to commend NWM and the rest of you giving Mr. X a lifeline of information on conditions. The generosity on this board never ceases to amaze me. 

I do have to ask a question - how did he get his AI to AK? I hope this wasn't answered upthread. I skimmed but did not find an answer.

He has yet to get to AK, race to Alaska. He started stage 1 of the race at Port Townsend, WA as explained at this link:
https://r2ak.com/r2ak-explained/

Another question is how is he going to get it back from AK.

I talked to Mr. X about this before he left, and offered to loan him my Trailex trailer, but he wouldn't take it.

He cartops his TI (!!!) and, if I recall correctly, he drives a Subaru Outback. That's actually how he damaged his hull--he has to use a lot of force to slide it onto his roof rack, and one corner that protrudes out punched a hole in the bottom before he realized what had happened.

Believe it or not, he's carrying his Wheeleez along with him, so that he can wheel his boat onto a ferry for the trip back...

I will be following him closely on the tracker and windy app, and will be trying to imagine what he is experiencing.  This guy is a hero, and regardless of if he ultimately makes it or what happens, he deserves an NCKA party, and Im happy to donate to make that happen.  Its incredible what he has accomplished.

Totally agree. I've been following along closely since he asked for initial advice, and this thread and the tracker. Its surreal to see that he's so close to finishing. It really is a remarkable accomplishment at this point, no matter what. Wishing Mr. X favorable conditions on the home stretch!

Believe it or not, he's carrying his Wheeleez along with him, so that he can wheel his boat onto a ferry for the trip back...

Wow that's really next level stuff right there. Sails to Alaska by himself and makes his way back by himself too.

Hi all, thanks for all of you, i am back to signal cover area, but I cannot type more, i just want to say i appreciate everyone encouragement and kindness!

Long story in short, i repaired the drive with limited tool, i was mechanical engineer, luckily one drive back to work even the efficiency reduced.

I am approaching Ketchikan, maybe next Monday noon will arrive there, so i can quite sure i will make it!

Yeah!

Let's Go! Mr.X

Way to go, dude!!  You're on the home stretch!  Fair winds and following seas, skipper!  Hopefully the perfect winds so you can rest and not have to pedal much.

I am approaching Ketchikan, maybe next Monday noon will arrive there, so i can quite sure i will make it!

On windy, it looks like tailwinds. Have you been able to use the spinnaker?

Long story in short, i repaired the drive with limited tool, i was mechanical engineer, luckily one drive back to work even the efficiency reduced.

Good job on McGyvering a drive back together.  Thank you for all of your updates.

Looks like he has about 30 miles to go. Hopefully he can get there before headwinds kick in. It's never over until it's over but he should make it by tomorrow. Amazing accomplishment.