Hitting the Gulf Stream

Pelekan
Tom & Jos Hollway
Thu 13 May 2010 18:10
32:45N 69:19W
Just when it's all going well -it tries to go pear shaped. The weather has been inclement, currents against us, last evening big seas the height of the Empire State building ( the sailors said 12 feet max). The weather forecasts, as you might imagine, are rubbish. In the end we pulled in most of the sail and did gentle noisy motoring which, this morning, had us on an overnight score of about 10 miles.
Today has been better, still with confused seas but the staysail "broke" and is now in the big locker at the back of the boat dripping over everything making it impossible for me to find the onions.
 The three men in the boat are fantastic, doing all the watches and EVEN shaving everyday. We are still in touch with other boats in the fleet but thankfully no more racing, We encounter the Gulf stream now and for around 12-16 hours, They all talk about it in hushed tones which I find very fishy. the ETA in Hampton ( mouth of the Chesapeake) changes by the hour. Earliest is likely to be tomorrow evening. Could be next month.
 
Bye for now from Pelekan's (becoming motley) crew.