Approaching the finish line of 2012 3-Bridge Fiasco aboard Moore 24 "US 101". Jeremy Leonard/ Surf City Racing photo credit.
My Singlehanded Transpac ride for 2012 is Moore 24 hull #101, appropriately named US 101, after the famous highway here in California.
Moore 24’s are ultralight-displacement boats (ULDB) built in Santa Cruz, CA in the 1970s and 1980s. One of the first surfing, planing, offshore-capable boats of it’s day, Moore 24’s have achieved a cult-like following in Northern California and around the country. As a testament to the quality of the design and their excellent build-quality, these tiny little west coast sleds frequently race, and win, in local offshore races, inshore races and Hawaii races. In fact, there should be more Moore 24’s on the line for this year’s SHTP than any other design, and we should get our own one-design start.
When I bought the Moore, I did so based solely on it’s incredible reputation; I had never actually sailed one before! After two months of ownership and a handful of races, I am thoroughly impressed. The boat seems to sail well in almost all conditions on almost all points of sail. Moore 24’s are the perfect combination of a really good hull design, an easily handled sail plan, light weight and good built quality. When I went looking for a race boat, I was on a budget and in the end, I came to the conclusion that Moore 24’s are the cheapest fast way to race to Hawaii.
US 101 lost her rig in a racing incident in 2006 and therefore has a new Ballenger mast. In addition, I am planning to purchase a new rudder from Ron Moore and a new boom from Ballenger, as both are showing some issues after a long life of breeze-on sailing. Quantum Sails is contributing a full set of sails for SHTP, and I will be leaving with a triple-reefed ocean racing main, a racing #1 and #3 jib, a dacron storm jib, 2 all-purpose symmetrical kites and a reaching kite. Quantum builds really nice sails, and i’m really stoked to race to Hawaii on a fresh, brand-new inventory! In addition, West Marine Rigging Service will be providing brand new running rigging and standing rigging. I will be replacing a lot of my deck hardware, while changing the layout to better facilitate solo sailing. Last but not least, i’m planning on hanging two solar panels off the stern pulpits, wired up to a 120 aH Lithium battery bank, powering a B&G Hydra 3000 autopilot, SSB and the other required electronics. This is just a short description of how the boat will be prepared for SHTP. I plan to use this page to document a thorough transformation from stripped-down buoy boat to competitive, offshore singlehanded race boat.
-Ronnie
Moore 24 US 101
101 chillin' in her slip, when she's not on the trailer.