John Hayward
Dream Chaser
Valiant 40

PCR: 133
Homeport: Richmond, CA
Occupation: Retired Chemist

Dream Chaser

John started sailing when he was 15, taking lessons in Marina Del Ray. While in the Navy, he joined the San Diego Navy Sailing Club and received extensive training and experience there. In college, also in San Diego, he bought a Columbia 22 and sailed, raced and cruised it extensively in Southern California. During this time he also crewed on several race boats. After college, he moved to Northern California and brought his Columbia with him, cruising the Bay in it for several years. He sold the Columbia and used the money as part of the downpayment for their first house. This ended up being an almost 30-year hiatus.

When he could afford another sailboat, he decided he would rather use his spare time flying because his weekend range was about 1,500 miles flying vs. about 30 miles sailing. When he retired in 2006, he decided he was no longer 'in a hurry' and bought the Valiant 40. He also started crewing on race boats again to help re-establish his sailing skills. Dream ChaserSoon thereafter, he decided he wanted to do the SHTP. He had a schedule conflict for the 2007 Longpac, so self-qualified with a singlehanded sail down to Santa Cruz Island. This was his first time offshore overnight alone and it only reinforced his desire to do the SHTP. His wife joined him there and they spent a month or so checking out the various anchorages on Santa Cruz Island (great, by the way!). He then brought the boat back up the coast. He did the 2008 Transpac and had a terrific time over and back, both singlehanded. He learned a lot and, although he hadn't planned to seriously compete, this didn't last long.

John's goal is to sail the boat as fast as it's capable of, safely, and chart a good course around the Pacific High. He will be content with his standing if he does this, but would like to do better than he did in 2008. His wife Jan and a friend of theirs will be staying in a house in Hanalei across from the park making the trips to and from the tree and the boat pretty easy.

Navigation: GPS (multiple both built in and handheld), Loran, Sextant,
Steering: Monitor windvane primary, Robertson 3000 autopilot secondary
Communications: Iridium sat phone voice/data, SSB voice/data, backup SSB with antenna, VHF, VHF handhelds
Food: Not wanting to be stoned or flogged, he will say only that he has refrigeration and intends to take full advantage of it. He will also have canned food and lots of MRE's and Top Ramen for backup. No Pop Tarts, trail mix or Granola Bars.
Special thanks: To Jan, my wife, for allowing me to do yet another transpac. To my friend Andy Hall for all his help, advice and support to both me and to Jan when I have been gone.