Atlantic Ocean Day 3 Position 23:04.959N 68:59.232W
SeaTrek
Bill and Judy Stellin
Sun 4 May 2008 18:59
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What a difference a day makes.
Today it is delightful. Quintessential trade wind
sailing. Puffy little clouds with no rain, winds out of the east at
between 15-20kts and a moderate sea running, from mostly behind us.
We are sailing with a full main and our old, as in
original, 155% number one genoa. It is a mylar Tapedrive built by UK
Sailmakers. It is light weight and has lots of square footage. It
isn't quite as efficient as our asymmetrical spinnaker, but it a lot safer in
these rolly conditions.
I have it poled out on the same side as the main.
The pole keeps it full without it popping all the time and keeps our speed
up. Plus it is much easier to rig with the pole than using a
kite.
Our noon to noon distance was a respectable 173 nautical
miles. The midnight to midnight distance was an impressive 189 nm.
All the more so, considering the terrible conditions what with rain squalls,
high wind and waves.
Our course still points to a landfall somewhere on the US
east coast. It sure it nice not really caring where, just sailing
comfortably and fast. Like I've said in the past, everything is subject to
change and we are not laying a course for anywhere except the good ole
USA.
In yesterdays journal, I mentioned
nothing "broke". While that is still true of yesterday, a
couple of days ago I did break the toe next to the little toe on my right
foot. (That was just so you would get the correct mental
picture.
Judy, being ever so sympathetic said to "offer
it up". That is catholic-speak for when you start to complain too
much. She did however, tape the little digit to its neighbor so it
wouldn't stick out in all directions and get caught on things. It
seems to have helped as it doesn't hurt all that much now.
We left the BVI's from Village Cay Marina which is where
the Atlantic Rally is leaving from. The Rally is what's left from the
Caribbean 1500 Rally that brought the boats down from the US east coast last
November. There were about 20 boats leaving the day after we left
(maybe) and they are going to Bermuda. I say maybe, because it would have
been almost impossible to go north yesterday. Tomorrow,
probably.
One guy with a Morgan 43 or 44 was next to us in the
marina.
His wife was there to cook the meals for his crew of 4
plus himself, and then she flew back home. I counted 17 jerry cans lashed
to his life lines with fuel. I was wondering if one crew was assigned to
the engine temp. gauge, another to the oil pressure, one to the tachometer, you
get the idea. I think they expect to do a lot of motoring. He said
one year they motored the entire way.
Now we have a lot of ocean miles under us and I can tell
you, we've never seen a day where there wasn't some wind. I guess it
is all in your mind.
With many of the yachties going back and forth
down here, we've discovered it is treated as just a delivery.
What a shame
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