{"id":14869,"date":"2011-01-07T10:58:24","date_gmt":"2011-01-07T15:58:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/setsail.com\/?p=14869"},"modified":"2011-12-06T00:01:32","modified_gmt":"2011-12-06T05:01:32","slug":"wind-horse-50000-miles-later-a-few-thoughts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/setsail.com\/wind-horse-50000-miles-later-a-few-thoughts\/","title":{"rendered":"Wind Horse 50,000 Miles Later – A Few Thoughts"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"_G9R1468A.jpg\"<\/p>\n

With 5200 hours on the engines, more than 50,000 mile in six cruising seasons, Wind Horse<\/em> has proven to be our ultimate cruising tool. Now closing in on her seventh year afloat we have the proverbial wish list, with items big and small about which we need to decide. Considering that Wind Horse<\/em> is being used far more intensively than any of our previous designs, and in much more demanding environments, our wish list is quite short.<\/p>\n

When we are aboard, we are always thinking about fine tuning details, the curse of perfectionism with which we have lived these many years. But we have learned to wait before going forward, spend time ashore to give ourselves perspective, and then decide if it is really worth the time, effort, and expense to act on those desires.<\/p>\n

This blog is a form of internal discipline. We want to recap how Wind Horse<\/em> has been used, what is likely in the future, as part of the decision making process. Let’s start with where she has taken us. The distances, comfort level, conditions, and what we have learned.<\/p>\n

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After a May 2005 launching we hung out in New Zealand getting to know Wind Horse<\/em>, testing systems, checking design parameters, and putting hours on the machinery. Out of the box we sensed we had something special, but we did not yet know what she would allow us to accomplish. We looked at the upcoming 6000 miles back to the States as an elongated delivery rather than a cruise. Having done this trip numerous times before we understood the tradeoffs in weather, comfort, and time, or thought we did.<\/p>\n

Fiji, Samoa, Fanning,<\/p>\n

\"Fanning_6-028.jpg\"<\/p>\n

Hawaii, and the long hop – Honolulu to Southern California (2200 miles upwind) passed under the keel between July and October. In three months we put those miles easily behind us, enjoying the coastal cruising and the sea time with the exception of the first week between Hawaii and California.<\/p>\n

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We were very pleasantly surprised at the comfort underway, and the lack of stress<\/em> associated with this new form of voyaging.<\/p>\n

Key items for us\u00a0were:<\/p>\n