Bloggers report from Shearwater (Mason 43), Dreamcatcher, and Inisharon. Updated as of 2330, Sunday.
Shearwater Reports
June 17 - 1115
Good morning everyone and Happy Fathers Day - the fathers on board sure miss their kids about now (I hope this suck-up results in a couple beers when we get home). Weather this morning is delightful though the wind, as predicted, is pretty light. We entered the Gulf Stream around 1 am last night and, at least for Shearwater, the GS was well behaved. We faced some strong foul current as well as a push eastward - pretty mush as we anticipated. Seas were pretty light and we made very good progress under spinnaker and staysail. Right now, we're south and heading to an eddy which, we hope, will give us some positive current.
So, the GULF STREAM - for those of you unfamiliar - is an ocean current running from the south atlantic, along the US eastern seaboard, angling (in a much weaker state) to England allowing some parts of the UK to grow palm trees. It's northerly flow is a hinderance to the Newport-Bermuda racers as the foul current can run 2+ kts. So, much effort is spent to understand the stream and how to route through it. The Gulf Stream spins off eddies that rotate, provided a boat can find those eddies and travel along the southerly heading current, boat speed is increased - you screw up and hit the wrong side, boat speed is reduced - for a sailboat that travels less than 10 kts, picking right helps a great deal - thus the intensity of study.
So this years crossing for us was pretty uneventful and the guys watching over my shoulder want me to "embellish" somewhat so I'll write about a horror story. Rich and Dennis remember the 2005 Marion-Bermuda where the stream and high winds opposed resulting in heavy/choppy seas with short periods. Driving at night, unable to see the on-coming waves resulted in a very wild ride with seas frequently breaking over the stern. Shearwater made several equipment contributions to the Sea Gods that trip.
You got me - from my extensive experience crossing (2xs), it could be a bunch of bunk.
On to maintenance: In my experience, if there is something that can go wrong on a boat it will (though even the full proof things also break). There's truth in the adage that a boat is a hole where you pour your money in... Shearwater's challenges this race (so far) are:
No generator - the boat's generator is being serviced and could not be installed prior to the race. We had to add weight to offset this and now charge the batteries using the main engine. Not a big deal though we have regularly scheduled running times so we don't suddenly find out we're out of juice and unable to listen to Billy Joel... on the other hand, we now have a fitness center to complement our hot tub and red/white wine cellars.
Engine throttle link - the link connecting the binnacle mounted throttle to the engine broke yesterday - through the brilliant minds of the crew we're able to make a temporary fix using hose clamps, electric wire and a whole bunch of swearing. I'll post a photo (not of the swearing) when we're in Twitter range.
Hot water - we have a clogged line or filter that we haven't cleared yet so showers are cold and fast with lots of high pitch yelping. We'll tackle that when we have a chance.
That's it for now - Chef Dan is making eggs over baked beans (Gretchen's recipe) - I'm getting hungry and am scheduled to drive shortly.
Hopefully, I'll be able to submit another post later today.
Again, Happy Fathers Day from the mid-Atlantic!
- Jeff Ryer
June 17 - 1830
Just off a nice cat-nap so sleep deprivation is at bay (slightly). Currently, we're making minimal progress under very light winds. There are several boats around us according to AIS and we're all suffering the same fate. Rich sees that they are gaining ground against us and says to me—it's time to experiment—this usually means messing with sail combinations and rig settings to squeeze every last possible fraction of a knot out of this wind. Readers from the 2016 race know that he and Mark K are masters of this and debate options more intensely than people discussing the merits of the Red Socks v Yankees.
I've been disappointed in the lack of wildlife we've seen so far. The sea (in my experience, anyway) is usually teaming with life - dolphins, whales, turtles, sharks often drop by and birds like Shearwaters, are also seen in abundance. So far, we've seen several Shearwaters and a Portugese Man Of War (must be WAY off course!). We have seen quite a few mylar balloons however - I sure hope that they don't outnumber the animals...
Time to go - Dennis needs the computer
- Jeff Ryer
Reports via Twitter:
@J44VAMP - "Smooth passage out of the Gulf Stream into the Sargasso Sea. J44 Vamp suffered a broken toilet seat which is now free sliding across the toilet."
@MorganOfMariettaBDA2018 - "We have been in the gulfstream for several hours. Wind is light and currents are strong.
@Redgirl714 (Deanna Polizzo) - Great first 24 hours for Wischbone. 145 nm On course and headed for the Gulf Stream! Wischbone has two first time Bermuda Racers aboard. When was the last time you did something for the first time?
Dreamcatcher Reports
June 17 – 0700
Happy Fathers Day!
An uneventful Gulf Stream crossing with breeze was a relief as we gear up for our date with the high-pressure ridge forming in front of us. There’ll be plenty of sun today as we work our way south in lighter going. The good teamwork between the spinnaker trimmer and the helm makes all the difference.
Various sentiments voiced regarding Fathers Day: “Dad’s going to find multiple cards…”, “I am so screwed that I forgot…”, and from one senior coach to the other “Happy Fathers Day…”.
There was active discussion last night about the most memorable dinner so far. It was a toss-up between the meat loaf and the pasta with meatballs and sausage.
-John Winder
June 17 – 1800
It’s been hotter than a middle-aged mom at a 4th of July picnic, and baby powder is everyone’s best friend. The crew has voted the $7 Rite Aid fans to be the most valuable equipment on board, although OJ begs to differ as he is glued to the navigation instruments, constantly researching the wind game. On day three, the Port watch has finally broken into the Twinkies, seeing two kids taste their first-ever bite of the sweet snack.
-Megan Gimple
Interview with the Communications Team - Chris McNally
https://www.facebook.com/sailorgirlHQ/videos/1779076082136148/
Inisharon Reports
June 17 - 1150
Today is the day for a lot to celebrate about. Happy Father's today to all you Dads out there. Wish I could have mine and my children onboard this time around, but is difficult to persuade teenagers that sailing long distances over the ocean, being in cramped quarters with others, whose movements you know everything about, including whether they used an extra dose of deodorant or not. Alas are the joys of offshore racing.
Last night we crossed the Gulf Stream. Was one of the best nights of sailing we had. The stars were lit up like a holiday tree, with numerous falling stars, shimmering satellites and very pleasant warm breeze. We were flying the spinnaker the entire way and also had our mizzen staysail flying. Tricky to keep both flying while crabing across the gulf stream, but keeping both pulling is the necessary trick.
The high pressure is upon us. So for sun bathers, you would have died and gone to heaven, a perfect sunny day. Unfortunately, the winds are light and expected to remain light for the entire day. This makes for some frustrating sailing to keep her moving and sails pulling. Inisharon is a heavy boat, so if she looses momentum, it takes a very long time to get her back up and running.
Bit of vanilla yogurt, blueberries and granola to start the beautiful morning. We all enjoyed delicious guava juice and mimosas this morning... Just kidding, no mimosas unfortunately.
During the day we go to a 6 hour watch, so currently on for a while, while the other watch is getting much earned rest. We share the driving, as it is hard to maintain focus beyound an hour behind the wheel.
Water temperature is 78 degrees, and has changed color too. Its much more blue, so you know you are in the Stream without looking at a map. Old school as they say.
Boat is performing well as is the crew. Things will get a bit more ripe, as the temperatures remain warm both air and water. We can see a number of our fellow racers around us which also helps to keep focus and motivation.
We have gybed back towards rhumb line, a bit earlier than I wanted but did not want to wait for the wind to lighten further before we did. It is predicted to veer so hopefully that will bring us closer to where we want to go on our port tack. While a bit earlier than I liked, seems a number of boats took our queue, and did the same. Some of whom are in our class, so like were covering us, which is smart.
Speaking of competition, we receive position reports and leaderboard reports. I was proud to say we were first in our class this morning, which is very exciting. A lot of miles to sail, a lot of decisions to be made, so things will likely change quite a bit many times before we get to Bermuda.
Time to slather some sunscreen on and go the promenade deck to see if they are serving cocktails yet.
Again, Happy Father's Day to all the fathers out there.
Mahalo.
Inisharon out.
- Mark D'Arcy
June 17 - 1645
A quick update for those watching the YB Tracker; we are perfectly fine and don't get worried about the very slow and very odd path we are taking. It is a gift of the gods, as we have a high pressure over of us and no wind ( < 2kts ). We are at the mercy of the current, which luckily is going in the correct general direction.
We have the spinnaker up and no main (because it blankets the spinnaker due to such fragile wind conditions).
Thinking about going for a sunset dip, since the water is showing 76.6 Degrees. Give me an opportunity to rinse off the suntan lotion and cool off before the Poo Poo's are served with Mai Tai's ... Sorry, the sun is starting to alter the mind a bit.
We may be doing this for a while, until the high pressure leaves.
Until then, it's island tunes, bikinis and sunglasses on the foredeck with someone at the helm trying to keep the boat pointed in the correct general direction.
Maybe its time for a bucket shower, will have to see. All is good on Inisharon, morale is high and we are working on our tans for now.
Inisharon out.
June 17 - 1915
Flap....Flap....Flap....
TWS = 0.9kts
BSP = 0.0kts
SOG = 1.1 kts ( Horray !!! )
We will be hosting a special ceremony on the foredeck, an offering, to the wind gods. A bit of spam, shared amongst the crew with a few words of chanting in hopes we will be released from the binding grip of this high pressure that has enveloped us.
Weather models suggest this will persist until 07:00am tomorrow. So going to be a long night, trying to find wisps of breeze and harness them so we can head in the right direction. Luckily, we don't have a mosquito problem out here, so windows will be open and will enjoy the warm breeze. Ooops, there is no breeze. Ok, so we will enjoy each other's company basking in the stary night without breeze.
Did I mention, there is no breeze.
On the menu tonight, grilled chicken in a special chief's secret sauce, accompanied by a delicious green salad with tomatoes straight from Holland and Gorgonzola cheese. As a reward for all the hard work put in, a cube of fudge, that will no doubt go down very nicely. Big thanks go to Cindy Young, who is our chief tonight.
Off to my yoga class and a nit of shuffle board before happy hour.
Inisharon out.
- Mark D'Arcy
Follow the fleet with the Pantaenius tracker.
