Day 43, Year 1: Slow Moving
Date Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Weather: Strong SE Winds, Overcast
Air Temperature: 70 degrees F
Water Temperature: 90.5 degrees F
Latitude: N 35 degrees 17.8 minutes
Longitude: W 73 degrees 09.2 minutes
Location: Passage from Norfolk to St. Martin, Day 3
We have motored for three straight days now and not gotten very far. It seems we have a knack for high winds coming from the wrong direction. We think we have gotten out of the Gulf Stream, but the water temperature has not dropped. Not sure what that is about, but all we can do at this point is keep motor sailing into the southeast wind and wait for a front that should come through tomorrow. That will bring a wind shift and eventually northerly winds that will help to blow us south. We were finally successful in joining in the weather net today and talked with Herb Hilgenberg. He is the weather guru for sailors in the Atlantic and he thinks if we can hold out one more night, things will be much better tomorrow. I certainly hope so.
We are still riding the bucking bronco, but not quite as bad as yesterday. That’s because we have turned slightly southwest. It is difficult to do anything other than sit in the cockpit until things settle down. Neither Mark nor I can stay below for very long without starting to feel the effects. We can sleep below, but have to come up quickly after getting up.
Not much out here to report in terms of wildlife. We had one seagull following us much of the day and lots of Sargasso weed floating in the water. That’s about it. I’ll hope to check in tomorrow with better news. For those of you who have e-mailed, I will reply as soon as conditions are better. Writing the log for now is about as much as I can do while sitting below. We are safe and that is the important thing. Things are just a little uncomfortable for now.
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| 051129 Day 43 Passage to Caribbean–Sargasso Weed, a Rainbow, Rough Seas |
Sorry we missed you in Solomons–bad timing. Sounds like you are having a wild ride in the Gulf Stream.
All was well in Mattoon.
I have been in rocky waters before, not comfortable. Looking forward to hearing your in calmer waters. Soon should come the fun part of your trip.
God be with you .
Judi
I’ve just (0600H) checked the Stream temps for your area (https://www.navo.navy.mil/LIBRARY/Metoc/Atlantic/Regional+NATL/SATANAL/OFA/Color+Composite/index.html and https://www.navo.navy.mil/LIBRARY/Metoc/Caribbean/Caribbean+Islands/SATANAL/OFA/Color+Composite/index.html) and the highest I’m seeing (82 degrees – east of the Bahamas and possibly feeding into the Stream itself) are considerably lower than you’re recording. Have you double checked with another thermometer? From where on your boat are you taking the readings? For my money the best place is filling the forward toilet and reading there… If you’re doing it in the galley sink by pumping in seawater make sure that line doesn’t run anywhere near your engine or exhaust systems. If you do it at night you should, by now, be seeing phosphorescence if you do it with the lights off. Cool, huh?
My guess is you weren’t out of the Stream at the time of your last entry but by the time you read this you will be. Now’s the time to start watching for those tricky porpoises who like to sneak up on unsuspecting helmsmen and jump out of the water right next to the cockpit before going forward to ride the bow wave.
Congratulations on hooking up with the weather net and Herb! Now you’ve got a lot more excellent help on your side. 🙂