Welcome to The Adventures of Ruben & Robbie
The site has recently undergone cosmetic surgery and has implemented a new name. Many of you may or may not be aware of the fact that after a miraculous race to Hawaii in the 2008 Singlehanded TransPac, in which Sparky dismasted, Ruben donated his boat to a young man endearingly known as "Mitchell Boy." Mitchell Boy helps his family run a surf school in Hanalei Bay, HI and is extremely grateful to Ruben for the bruised-but-not-beaten Sparky. There is a lot of boat left and lots of wonderful sailing yet to come on Sparky. Sparky "told" Ruben that he's free to come back to Hawaii and sail her at any time.
The other wonderful news as of late is that Ruben is marrying Robbie Murphree, hence the addition of Robbie into the title. It is now, very truly stated, The Adventures of Ruben & Robbie.
Ruben and Robbie are getting married!!!
Ruben proposed to Robbie in Hawaii by the Kilauea Point Lighthouse on August 9th after having completed the 2008 Singlehanded TransPac. Robbie flew to Hawaii to meet Ruben there and cheer him in. Robbie's ring has a blue stone to signify the color of the ocean. They will be married on October 11, 2008. For more information, visit their wedding page!
Ruben Completed the 2008 Singlehanded TransPac!
The race that began so many miles ago has now come to a dramatic finish with the safe arrival of Skipper Ruben Gabriel on his dismasted, yet trusty twenty-two and a half foot Pearson Electra, Sparky.
Fighting through rough waves and an occassional lack of wind, Ruben and Sparky made it over 2100 miles from San Francisco Bay to Hanalei Bay Hawaii. Nearly three-quarters of the way through the race, Ruben and Sparky met with disappointment and disaster when a brutal gust of stormy winds ripped Sparky's mast in two.
Ruben recovered quickly and after a bit of brainstorming and fabulous innovation, jury rigged himself a new mast. Though still considerably shorter than the original, the new mast proved itself by carrying Ruben the final 680 nautical miles to paradise.
They were met with cheers and tears as they crossed the finish line and were towed into the cozy waters of Hanalei Bay, to be parked next to the other noble competitors of the 2008 Single Handed TransPac."
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