SSS logo

Singlehanded Sailing Society

2006 Singlehanded TransPac

Back to Race Entries

Steve Wilson

Westerly

Westsail 39

#88

Alameda, CA

PHRF rating: 135
Yacht Club: SSS
Homeport: Alameda, California
Occupation: Dentist
Age: 60
A part time dentist and proud grandfather, Steve sails Westerly, a Westsail 39 out of Alameda, CA. Raised on the Great Lakes racing Snipes and Lightings he is an occasional participant in the SSS races, especially the ocean courses. A veteran of the 2002 race he is returning if only for “practice”. “My problem is I kinda like sailing slow and fooling around with boat toys and it very easy to slip out of race mode”.
Fourteen years of "improvements" will require the bottom paint/waterline to be raised for the fourth time on the pre-race haulout. “I can not think of anything I have done to the boat since 2002 that wouldn’t make her slower”. Westerly is solidly in the displacement class and the rhumb line is Plan A for the race.
When not dealing with spinnaker snafus he plans to spend his time birdwatching, reading, and staring into the middle distance.
Navigation: 3 GPS's (Garmin 48,162 and an OEM engine), Celestial ("It tickles me how well it works")
Steering: Primary: WH autopilot, Autohelm ST6001, Monitor windvane
Secondary: Autohelm 3000
Deep Reserve: "Me"
Food: Normal boat slop with a few Dinty Moore treats for special occasions.
Special thanks to: Work mates who said "yes". Local experts and vendors who have been so helpful with the above mentioned ongoing waterline project.