At 15.30 hrs I was at 33.47 N 74.15 W with 2228 miles to go to the Azores and 487 to Bermuda. It was better than a 100 day over the ground but because I am heading more south, away from the rhumb line to the Azores, the distance to the Azores was 83 miles. Sailing conditions were very nice all day and last night. I managed to get plenty of sleep. The Gulf Stream set me a ways north of the way point direction. Glad I am across it. You just don’t want to be caught there in changing weather conditions. Most of the morning I sailed with full main and the new (used) 140%. Then the wind strengthened and two reefs were put in then it got up to 20 plus knots and I had to drop the 140% for the 90%. That’s what I have up right now and though I could now use a little more sail area, I’ll keep it there. I need to watch for not going too fast. I need stay this side of 68 degree longitude to avoid running into the worst of an expected gale there on Monday/Tuesday. According to Herb, 15 minutes ago, on his call-in weather program. It is 300 miles from here and I would be there in less than 3 days, at the current speed. I tried fishing but the lure got all fouled again by the Saragossa seaweeds. Lots of Bosun birds here, circling the mast hoping for a temporary rest stop. They do not float on water. Got some pictures. There is thunder all around me, for the last 3 hours and that might also have been the problem not being able to hear Herb, till the very last minutes of his program. I would have been rather anxious about that system that he told me to avoid yesterday.
Since I am heading further south of the rhumb line to the Azores and also because I discovered most of my water tank contents in the bilge again, I need to make a pit stop in Bermuda. I thought I had repaired the leak, worked fine from Florida to Beaufort. Probably time to replace the rubber bladder. I do have a spare aboard. I have plenty of water to make Bermuda.
In case any one thinks that comments made on the blog can be used to communicate with me, wrong, that goes over the internet and even though I can update it by SailMail, I can not connect to the web site from the boat.
Everyone enjoy the weekend, summer barbecues, etc.
