0330 UTC - Tues 01Nov16: Our weary sailors are taking it easy, sailing with a triple reef and a staysail. They are currently on starboard tack, sailing a course of 095M in 20-25 knots of wind and going about 7 knots of boatspeed. The true wind direction is 260T. They estimate to be about 200 miles offshore. To get some rest tonight, they will probably set up the boat to jog along with a minimum sail plan. Forecast is for light and variable winds 10-15 knots, starting in the next 8-10 hours. I am sure they will be ready for that! FLASHGIRL goes very well in 10-15 knots of wind and we are expecting them to arrive on Wednesday. Can't wait! We are a gathering flotilla of boats to meet them if they arrive in daylight hours.

2200 UTC - 01 Nov 2016: Last night was a windy one with 25 knots and this morning has brought the light airs I've been promising them. They are in light airs, with left over lumpy seas, sailing with a full main, and red sail, our high clewed reacher and going at around 2 knots. So far, the best day's run has been 160 miles, and the worst was 80 miles, while lying ahull and getting some much needed rest. We estimate their position to be about 100 miles outside, arriving perhaps tomorrow evening. Happy they are so close andI will keep you posted.

0200 UTC 31Oct16 - the boys have been running deep all day in a gale. Y'know, when the wind makes those long streaks of white foam on top of the waves. Exhausted, in a dying gale, they are now lying ahull, hoping to get some rest for the next 2-3 hours. They have the sails ready to set the third reef once the wind has abated, the conditions are right and they feel rested enough. These are two men practicing excellent seamanship. The wind is blowing directly down their course to San Francisco at 080M. I think in about 12 hours they will see the wind moderating, which would be very good news for these weary sailors. Tuesday looks like light airs, and hope they will sail under the Golden Gate Bridge on Wednesday.

Commodore and Robert have been running deep....seems to be a trend. Today's variety of SW breeze has been about 15 knots, and the current sail plan is single reef and stay sail, trucking along at 7.5-8 knots on starboard tack. As I watch the weather and provide support for the passage from my laptop at home in Mill Valley, I see westerlies and SW winds for the remainder of the passage. There is a chance they will see light and variable winds on Monday, but I think they are north enough to stay in the wind. We are thinking they will be sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge in 4-5 days, on Tuesday or Wednesday.

FLASHGIRL has been running all day with the red sail, our high-clewed reacher, and a double reef. They are seeing 12-15 knots from WNW, about 290M. Bar is 1017. Interesting to note that they have only run the engine about three hours the entire trip! There is not much of a battery draw with no refrigeration and no autopilot and no wind instruments! The solar array has been sufficient for water making. About 900 miles out. There are a couple of lows they will need to sail through before reaching SF Bay.

Things are looking good! Awoke to a 7:30am PDT call from Commodore They are sailing between the lows at the moment in 10-20 knots. The wind is SW from 240M and they are sailing a course of 065M towards San Francisco. We expect a moderate system of winds to 25 knots to roll oast and then they will have northerly winds, making this passage a piece of cake!

1393 miles to go at 5pm local time today! The westerlies have finally filled in, hurray!

FLASHGIRL is on port tack with 2-reefs and the #3. There is 22-25 knots of wind and it is squally with passing rain showers. In the next 24-hours I expect them to get the outer rings of a low pressure system which will continue to give them favorable winds. They will have enhanced westerlies and maybe even south-westerlies. Now that sounds like fun!

Received call 2300 hours PDT. Headwinds. NE 20-25 knots. It appears they are in a squash zone between two high pressure systems. As they continue east, the winds will get lighter. I am reviewing weather data from home and relaying to them, as they have been unable to get weather data on the boat, which is frustrating for them.

So great to hear Commodore and Robert's voices. The guys are unable to connect to Sailmail, so they are calling me for weather data. They report: Headwinds. Wind is 20 degrees east of magnetic North. FLASHGIRL is sailing with 2-reefs and the stay sail. I have spent the past hour looking at several weather forecast models. There might be a developing low in their track next Wednesday. However, it is difficult to predict weather a week out so will keep a sharp eye on the weather models and keep my fingers crossed.

FLASHGIRL is still heading north, looking for the westerlies. The weather prognosis has shifted from looking pretty stroppy to looking like very light airs through most of the week. There are a series of big, fat, highs that will be rolling through their area. Good thing our boat is wicked fast in light airs!

There will be a fundraiser concert in Sausalito on Sat, Nov 5th to help with the boat restoration.

Ramblin' Jack Elliott and friends will be play some great music. Lagunitas Brewing Co will supply their tasty beer to keep things festive. A good time will be had by all, to help Commodore put his boat back together again. Tickets will sell out. Get yours at: http://spauldingcenter.org/events.html

Two and a half days into the passage back to the US mainland. This was not our plan before the lightning strike. We had planned to sail to one of the "nesias"....either Micronesia or back to French Polynesia. so, now we are dealing with Plan B. FLASHGIRL is enjoying light airs so far, sailing with full main and our carbon "black beauty" #1 headsail. The crew has been calling me on the sat phone every day or two with their position, as neither of them really has time to deal with the computer. Remember, they are double-handing and there is no autopilot. They seem to be in good spirits which is great news for me, the ground crew at home in Mill Valley

FLASHGIRL was hit by lightning when Tropical Storm Darby passed over the island of Oahu on 24 July 16. The strike hit the wand at the masthead and vaporized it. The strike broke a pvc pipe in the galley and our sweet boat partially sunk up above the counter tops. When the batteries became submerged the electrolysis was intense. It destroyed whatever the lightning strike missed. All electric, electrical systems were destroyed, hand tools, anything metallic. Also lost Force-10 stove, paper charts, manuals, etc. Through 2-months of hard work, Commodore restored the boat enough to be sailed home. The sailing parts work, but little else does. No autopilot, no wind instruments, fathometer, refrigeration, etc, and engine only running on 2-cylinders. Commodore and long time friend Robert Flowerman are double-handing the boat home to SF Bay to continue the restoration process. They began the voyage from the Waikiki Yacht Club. We are fundraising and people have been great. If you want to help, contact us at: FlashgirlFund@gmail.com. Thank you