At sea
Trip Start
May 07, 2007
1
24
28
Trip End
Jun 15, 2007
The Atlantic,
Bermuda
Friday, June 15, 2007
Like last time, it took two days for all of us to get our sea legs. Bouncing off walls is less and issue and getting into the watch routine has again happened as we steam east. Yesterday we turned the clocks back on hour to fall back in line with EdT. So today as Sue gets off her late watch and crawls dreary eyed into the bunk, the sun is up and filling the morning sky with bright light even at 0600. So I found that I was ready to get up then, but now as I write this at 0720 that bunk is feeling appealing. Perhaps my second cup with put me in a state of readiness to do my 0900 watch.
The seas continue to be favorable although we took a big lick on my watch last night. I could not see it coming as it is close to new moon, but the ship lifted high and slammed down hard. Everything shook and the high water alarm chirped briefly. I don't like those out of nowhere punches. We were ok, however. The rest of the watch was uneventful, even boring. Every half hour or so, I walk out on the bridge to look at the stars overhead. One fascinating thing about being out here is that when you see something like a cloud or a set of stars, you are likely the only ones seeing it or seeing it in that way. There are three boats within 2 miles of each other for a total of 11 people, but that's not many. The view is unique.
With two more day's at sea and having been on an N62 (Adventure and New Frontier) for over 5 weeks, I think both Sue and I are feeling a need to move to the next chapter. We are all getting along quite well and it's a nice experience, but lack of personal space does get to you at times. For example, both Sue and Mike are in their bunks at 0800 after late night watches. So here comes Joey up from the engine room where he was doing some work. "Hello Gary, I cant hear you, I've been in the engine room and its so damn noisy", he yelled at the top of his lungs. So much for sleeping in.
For sure we are going to the First Forty in Norfolk next week, but the door is still open to shake her down for a week and then bring it back to the shed while we take a break. We could choose to leave her a couple weeks in Baltimore, but leaving her there is likely to be very expensive. Staying at Atlantic Yacht Basin may be the best bet. I think we will see what kind of shape she is in and then make a decision. I don't know if the work I had ordered is done or not. Communication is non-existent and even after two phone calls and an email I have no idea if they have started, finished or forgotten about the work on my vessel. I'm told many yards are like this. Its pot luck. You take what you get.
We could fly back to AZ or visit Sue's Bro in Williamsburg. We will see how it goes. Either way we will have about the same overall time for our summer cruise. Freedom is a nice thing.
We hooked a fish yesterday and the usual drill was followed. I wondered if it was another Blue Marlin like the small one we hooked last week. As I was on the wheel, I pulled us back into neutral and stood by for orders. But the fish turned out to be a 12" Mahi which is too small for a meal. So back it went to grow up. Jerry keeps the lines out during the day. As we get into the gulf stream, we should see some fish activity.
Speaking of Gulf stream, we heard from Dr.Greg again via email. He has competed the gulf stream crossing and should be in port later today. He reinforced the fact that he was beat up pretty bad and had suffered two stabilizer leaks. So far, our current routing has paid off. We are in modest seas of perhaps 3', but we may see that increase as we enter the stream. Right now, clouds are building and I see a squall off to the starboard bow. I've learned that on a substantial boat as this (and mine too), we don't worry too much about those small squalls. You just keep going.
