About Me

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Alaska, United States
I am owned by Pauline and Mark Blasky. My hull was built at the Duncan Marine Yard in Taiwan and launched in Dec of 1980. It is a William Garden design based on the Pixie Design and called by Duncan Marine a Freedom 45. They are the fourth owners and have owned me the longest. They have done extensive refitting to me including replacing my entire deck structure and rig. My masts are roughly 10% taller than original and now are made of aluminium as opposed to the original wood ones, which, though pretty, were always problematic. You can read more about me under "MORE ABOUT SARI TIMUR"

September 14, 2010

Raja Muda International Regatta - Port Klang to Pangkor (posted Nov 18, 2009)


When we said calm before the storm, we didn't really mean that but it turned to be just that.
We left Port Klang on Saturday, 14 Nov 09 and motored up to the start line.  There was very light wind and a storm was brewing.   We started at 1100 hours by drifting with the strong current over the start line.  After drifting for an hour, the wind picked up.  We actually had a good sail to the first gate, which was crossed at 15.15.10 GPS time.
The next gate was approximately 45 nm away and it seemed like we could make it in record time.  However, not everything went according to our wishes.  The rain had arrived and we were all dripping wet.  Just 5 nm away, the wind died.  We struggled to make headway but to no avail.  Apparently we were even going backwards.  And along the way, we realized that the rudder was not turning more than 10 degrees and the propeller was not folding.  So when we were drifting backwards and found ourselves in shallow water, we decided to drop anchor and dove over to check the propeller.  Mark found that a rubbish bag still containing some milk bottles was wrapped around the propeller.  We must have picked it up when we left Port Klang.  After the prop was cleared, it was almost midnight and we were still not making any ground.  A vote was taken and the decision to retire from the race was made.  We started the engine and motor-sailed all the way to Pulau Pangkor, arriving at around 0800 hours on Sunday, 15 Nov 09.
approaching Pulau Pangkor
Sari Timur at anchor
We dropped anchor, went ashore for some breakfast and back to the boat for a much needed snooze.
We woke up and the wind picked up and caused the boat next to us to drag her anchor.  We put a call to shore and then jumped into the dinghy to try and save her.  However, with the strong wind, all we could do was slow her and stopped her dragging.  They came out later and re-anchored.
In the evening, we went ashore again for the prize-giving dinner.  Just after the dinner, the heavens opened up again and it poured buckets.
So all it all, it was rain, rain, and more rain.

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