April 3, 2009
Today is the first day of the 2009 cayuco race. Whe have experienced some logistical difficulties with transportation. We have the boats being trailered over to Colon, however, we were not able to organize a ride for the racers. A logistical summary: rental car returns, damage, shuffle to other cars, etc. It would definitely pay to have the transportation set up in advance.
Sat at the rental car office in Albrook for awhile as the National rep assessed the minor damage for the returned car. Meanwhile, while in the adjoining coffee shop, I met a corporate pilot who was named Louis, also a surfer from Coronado. He is going to Libya to fly the Airbus. Other CZ friends also showed up while waiting.
Di’s uncle and cousin have volunteered to drive us to the Atlantic side. It is my first time on the Transisthmian Highway, and we make our way North as segments of the original Las Cruces trail cross our way. This is where Spaniards took gold from the interior and the Pacific side to the Atlantic. Las Cruces means the crosses. It is Rebecca’s first trip over this road since the 80’s, so we are enthralled by the views, and the dam of the Chagres River that created Gatun Lake.
We arrive in Colon City and dine at Burger King due to some limited choices and time constraints. Vicki dropped us off at the Colon City container terminal where an empty lot is serving as the staging area. There is a flurry of cayuco activity as 102 crews prepare to race.
We end up waiting hours in the sun for the race to start. Fortunately, we are able to seek sun refuge in the canopy provided by the Moab crew. Nissan also had a sun shade up for crew use. As the boats were towed to the launch area, we waited under the pavilion. All of the crew was experiencing pre-race jitters. Diana was a bit nervous about steering, and the start, and Rebecca was nervous about difficulties getting back into the boat if we swamped.
Finally it was time for our crew to carry the NIC down the launch ramp and into the clear, warm waters of the Atlantic side of the Panama Canal. We paddled around for awhile longer waiting for start time as many of the boats sought sun refuge under the shade of the tree-lined shore, or beneath some of the area piers. We waited it out holding onto Buoy #6 while listening to the race official boats patrolling the start area blasting the tinny sound of The Eye of the Tiger on a seemingly endless loop.
The juvenile boats were the first to start, and the open (or patch) category started 10 minutes later. We began only about 15 minutes after our scheduled start time which turned out to be 3:45 local.
As the boats began to line up, Richard provided us with last minute start strategies while we postured for race position on the left, less crowded side.
We hung back slighty, so as the starter counted down 5-4-3 we were underway, and paddling across the starting line. All the boats dashed towards the open canal around the pier. Nic took the inside track, as Diana expertly maneuvered our boat.
We hugged a large container vessel on our left, and closely followed the pier as it turned left. The field began to stretch out, and our position was beautiful with the 1st third of the racers. We let out across the open water as the chop began to build. Making our way through a sailboat anchorage, some boats began to swamp. We progressed forward making impressive way as the swell shifted to a quartering sea. Suddenly we began taking water over the stern and the unthinkable struck. The NIC took water over the low gunwales and began to full with water. We sat trying to bail as the boat became completely submerged. We were in quite a dilemma since upon exiting the craft into the seas, the chop from the moderate swell continued to break over the sides, making bailing impossible.
One of our crew gathered all of our gear, however, one of our 2 bailers was lost. The decision was made quickly to manually tow the craft to shallow water to continue bailing. As the crew of Pedro Miguel passed us by, we hailed them to throw us a bailer, and they complied with a toss. Other boats we had passed continued the procession by our watery position of submersion.
Gaining traction in shallow water, we bailed for all we were worth, and finally the crew was able to reenter the craft and make way.
As we continued to close again on the other racers, the NIC now required continuous bailing by Rich and I. As we took another stern wave we shockingly found ourselves underwater for a second time.
We again repeated the previously described bailing exercise as we push-pulled the NIC close to shore—a longer distance this time. Although disappointment was facing us head on, we did our best to push any detrimental emotions aside which may have detered our finish.
Miracuously, we cleared the water suitably to again reenter NIC and again made way. We remained heavy in the stern, and heard some strange gurgling noises from that aft area. Rounding the corner, we could finally view Gatun Lock, as the swell kindly subsided. However, even in the flat water, we required continuous bailing, which only slowed our time more. It was difficult at this time to even see the back of the pack of Cayucos. We paddled tirelessly on, offering each other verbal encouragement, especially for Diana who was in the most difficult position as bailer. Richard was now steering, and hugged the left bank on the final approach to the giant locks, which two ships were presently exiting.
Undeterred by our multitude of misfortunes, we arrived at the finish line at approximately 1:12, a substantial overage of our 50 minute pace.
It was clear we had a problem with NIC, and I suspected a leak in the hull.
After waiting about 1 ½ hours to get the boat out and onto the launch ramp, we pointed the stern down the ramp, and water literally poured out of the stern cover. This was not a good sign. In the process of carrying the water burdened, overweight craft, I jammed my right heel again damaging it.
We got the boat trailered, and a quick realization was made that some emergency shore side repairs were necessary. As the other paddlers left to seek accommodations, Rich and I gathered what tools we could find from the boaters lagging behind, and we were able to scrounge a caulk gun with ½ tube of caulk, a tool box, and a Panamanian with Marine-Tek.
We first disassembled the canvas stern cover, and realized the plexiglass cover beneath was not holding a watertight seal. This plexiglass cover is responsible to maintain integrity of the aft watertight compartment. Clearly it was not.
As a result, when we took seas from the stern, the watertight compartment was filled up with water, further increasing drag, and decreasing stability. It was a stupendous feat to even finish, and recover from 2 sinkings with that chamber full of water.
The master boat repair team (Pletch and Rich) spent about 2 hours into the night attempting to ressesutate NIC. The final repair was only as good as the Marine-Tek seal between the wood and plexiglass since the caulk we used was nearly useless. We used nails and screws to try and shore-up the seal, the canvas, and the side strips. Tomorrow’s Gatun Lake transit will determine our repair’s success.
Got a cab to Hotel Melia, and was reminded of the countless 3rd world nighttime cab rides I have taken over a lifetime of ships in the Merchant Marine, Navy, and surf travel. Winding our way through Gatun seemed almost familiar as those memories were vividly relived. We made it to the hotel, and dined with Diana for her 38th birthday. And a soggy one it was.
I have to be truthful to report that the entire crew was very disappointed today, however, I believe the strength and fortitude of our crew was proven by an above average start, survival of two sinkings, and overcoming technical difficulties in our boat that is float challenged. A true testimony of paddling determination, and the presentation of obstacles beyond human control.]
Tomorrow is a new day!! Wake up call at 0500! Good night.
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