Saturday's Report

The NE winds eventually died down last night and the seas calmed. We powered the engine at around 2 a.m. and held our course of 340 degrees to the first waypoint. Winds turned SW and picked up around noontime, so now all sails are flying. It was cold last night, and we were fully geared in long johns. sweaters, boots, winter socks and foul weather suits. Today the temperature has risen to the high 70s, making being on the deck quite pleasant.

The waypoints have been set up by our weather routing service to take advantage of the eddies and currents of the Gulf Stream. You can see a current image of the Gulf Stream at http://www.weatherimages.org/data/imag143.html . Our location right now is 33 48.415 N 65 46.220 W, with 28.7 miles to our first waypoint. Winds are out of the SW 10-15. Our speed is an unbleievalbe 6.5 - 7 knots. We should be in our first cold eddie.

Our intended course follows. The waypoints are in degrees and tenths, NOT degrees and minutes: Bermuda to 34.2N 66.1W to 36.2N 66.75W to 37.1N 67.3W to 38.2N 67.6W to 40.2N 68.0W to 42.2N 69.9W to Boston. To exchange from tenths to minutes, just multiply the digit(s) after the decimal by 6 for both the latitude and the longitude. For example, 25.3N 79.8W would be 25 degrees 18 minutes North 79 degrees 48 minutes West.

We have been downloading applicable weather charts as often as new ones are available. We were warned to expect a gale tomorrow night in our location, with seas running 9 - 15', higher in squalls. Sunday, the wind is to veer NE, which means that it will be against the current, with ensuing choppiness. We cannot find a gale on today's 24 hour or 48 hour weather charts, so we are hopefull that things will not be as bad as predicted. Much of our anxiety about leaving Bermuda had to do with the pending gale, but being out here on a beutiful sailing days makes bad things seem impossible.

Today has been a day of small chores, food and rest, to prepare for tomorrow's weather. Michael replensihed the fuel tank with the contents of one of the powder blue jerry jugs. He also made a pretty mean rice and bean dish for lunch. We both took short showers, anticipating that the weather may be too rough to take another one for a few days.

Nature continues to astound us. We have been plowing through fields of Portuguese Man-of-Wars all day. Everywhere you look you can see their translucent blue bodies floating nearby. We also had a visit from a sole Tropicbird. No dancing whales or jumping dolphins, but being out here is entertainment enough.

Welcome III