August 12, 2025

Greg Ashby on the B-25 Akumu recently completed the SSS Singlehanded Transpacific Race. While having the usual problems that most of the competitors can expect (lack of sleep, autopilot failures, not enough electricity, etc.), it was on his solo return trip back to the Bay Area that he had to be unusually innovative. Here’s his report:

“On July 16, I found a broken strand on the starboard lower shroud. I’m pretty sure I heard it let go during the night. Two days later I found two more strands broken and started thinking about how to repair it.”

The shrouds were brand new, so he texted the rigger and asked for suggestions. “The biggest issue in my mind was the lack of a proper cable clamp. I thought I had a couple in my kit, but no.

“Being on starboard tack heading north, I hove-to onto port to help unload the shroud and disassembled the turnbuckle. I used 1/4-inch Dyneema with eye splices about three feet long and a couple shackles between the turnbuckle and the cable folded back on itself. That cable doesn’t like to bend! “

But what to do for cable clamps.

“I found a couple 1/4-inch bolts, washers and nuts to secure it, along with about 10 inches of wraps of Dyneema. This slipped pretty quickly. Next I ran the halyard through a shackle on a spinnaker pole ring. This worked pretty well.”

The next step was finding a couple larger bolts and washers to secure the two ends of cable.

“A couple 5/16-inch bolts and fender washers fit the bill.”

Still needing a proper way of securing the wire, he thought he found the answer.

“On the evening of July 28 I spotted s/v Second Wind, a Sabre 426 returning from Hawaii from the Transpac, coming up from behind on AIS. I hailed them at about 5 miles. We talked, and I asked if they might have a suitable cable clamp. They checked and said it looked like they did. At sunset we attempted to transfer the parts by tossing them between the boats. I was hove-to and the throw was almost successful, landing atop my solar panel, but quickly fell overboard.”

Conditions weren’t really bad and it wasn't a critical situation, but they called it off, not wanting to bang into each other.

“Still thinking how to improve the jury rig, I dug out some more Dyneema (the old backstay). This got routed from the tail of the shroud through the shackle on the spinnaker pole ring to a stanchion base and back to a cabin top winch. I also put an extra strop between the tail and the turnbuckle as a safety and indicator of any slippage. It would gain tension if anything slipped. I felt pretty confident in this.” And that was the final fix that worked.

Complicated, but it worked. ©2025 norcalsailing.com

“The repair held up marvelously. I even had a kite up a couple times. But still I was glad to be on port for the last 100 miles in 20 knots!”

Akumu made it back safely to her slip at Richmond Yacht Club on August 6 after more than three weeks at sea. Even after all that, Greg and Akumu plan to do the SSS Drake's Bay Race on August 16-17. He has to keep that overall singlehanded season standing alive.

Akumu at the finish of the SHTP in Hanalei Bay on July 7. ©2025 norcalsailing.com