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Singlehanded Sailing Society

2006 Singlehanded TransPac

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Al Hughes

Dogbark

Open 60

#84

Seattle, WA


I started sailing as a small kid on a Sailfish off Cape Cod. I’ve continued sailing on both coasts on boats ranging from a Sabot to the USCGC Eagle. I’ve lived aboard, and cruised the Northwest, from Seattle to Alaska since 1981 with my wife Lou on our 39 foot sailboat we designed and built.


I purchased Dogbark in 2004 and after much work got her ready for the SHTP that year. She's a 60 foot fiberglass/divynicell John King design, built and sailed by Kanga Birtles to fifth place in the 1990/91 BOC around the world race. My first SHTP was such a great experience that I am returning for another adventure. I’m looking forward to seeing some of my friends from 2004 as well as meeting some new ones.

The name of the boat comes from our dog Gus, as well as "dogbark" navigation (listening to farm dogs along the coast to tell where you are in times of fog).


Steering: Two Coursemaster 501 autopilots with hydraulic drives, Autohelm 7000 with linear drive, Custom Fleming Global Major wind vane
Communications: Two VHF, Codan 8528 SSB
Navigation: Fixed Furuno, Magellan, Garmin GPS, three handheld Garmin GPS, sextant and tables, Furuno radar, Furuno weatherfax, Nobletec software on Toshiba laptop, ASIS receiver.
Food: Ramen noodles, pb&j, trail mix, MREs, cans.
Special thanks: SSS, Rob, Tatia, Dave, Jim, Stu and most of all to Lou without whom none of this would be possible.