Missing Blogs

Sorry race fans, we learned upon landing in Bermuda that our daily Blog posts did not properly upload to our Blogger page (although you may have seen them copied to the Marion-Bermuda race website).  

We will post them now!

#SVMahinaKai #MBR2017

Countdown 1 days til start Marion-Bermuda 2017 - Crew Dinner

Countdown 1 day until start Marion-Bermuda 2017 – Crew Dinner

The crew assembled in Marion, and supplies are being shipped in from around New England (specifically the Cookie of the Day, which had to be couriered from Marblehead), in preparation for the race tomorrow.

Part of the crew stowed gear and supplies into all the nooks and crannies of the boat, while others attended the weather briefing and skipper’s meeting to receive final details of the race and latest updates on Atlantic weather.  There have been some positive and negative indications in the prior weeks… a gale is exiting the area on Friday which should provide some good winds in Buzzard’s Bay for the start… there are some counter-productive currents in our path on the other side of the Gulf Stream which one forecaster described as a “nemesis” for this race… and finally a dual-high pressure area around Bermuda will produce calm in the later half of the race.  These conditions may favor lighter boats that can perform better in lower winds.

Tonight, Beverly Yacht Club hosted the crew dinner with BBQ and all the fixin’s.  Goslings is on hand with rum drinks to prepare us for the tastes of the island.  It was a great time to meet new and old friends, and the other boat crews.  It is especially nice to spend time with our shore crew and families who have provided so much time and energy to help us prepare for this adventure – we love you!

#SVMahinaKai #MBR2017

Day1 - Sailing Down Buzzards Bay

A lively sail down Buzzards Bay

Countdown 2 days til start Marion-Bermuda 2017 - Mahina Kai

2 days until the start!  Mahina Kai is now positioned at Beverly Yacht Club, the departure host.

 Mahina Kai is Hawaiian for "Moon over water".  Coincidentally the full moon greeted Mahina Kai in Marion tonight.  If you think the moon looks a little smaller than normal, you have a good eye.  This full moon is known as the strawberry minimoon because the moon is now at apogee, its greatest distance from earth in its irregular orbit.  

The moon appears about 14% smaller than when it is at perigee.  You can read all about it at space.com: 
http://www.space.com/36992-june-full-moon.html

We will look forward to moonlit nights during the race!

#SVMahinaKai #MBR2017

Countdown 3 days til start Marion-Bermuda 2017 - Race Program

3 days until the start!  Tomorrow Mahina Kai will be on her way to be positioned near the starting line at Beverly Yacht Club in Marion, MA http://www.beverlyyachtclub.org/

You can check out the online 2017 Race Program at:
http://marionbermuda.myepublication.com/publication/?i=380310&p=&pn=

#SVMahinaKai #MBR2017

Countdown 4 days til start Marion-Bermuda 2017 - How to monitor the race

Most of our communications offshore will be Blog posts.  We will also make ad hoc posts to Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook as we are able.  We will use these hashtags to identify our posts.

Race Hashtag: #MB2017

Vessel Hashtag: #SVMahinaKai

Blog

Ship-Board Ramblings: http://svmahinakai-saloon.blogspot.com

Instagram Photo Posting

SV_Mahina_Kai

Twitter

@SVMahinaKai

You may also want to follow: @MarionBermuda

Website

Race: http://www.marionbermuda.com

Vessel: http://www.mahinakai.net

Departure Yacht Club: http://www.beverlyyachtclub.org

Arrival Yacht Club: http://www.rhadc.bm

Facebook

Mahina Kai Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/teammahinakai

Marion-Bermuda Race Group: https://www.facebook.com/MarionBermuda

Blue Water Sailing Club Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bwscsoutherncruise

YellowBrick

You can see our position relative to the fleet with YellowBrick Vessel Tracking

http://yb.tl/mb2017  

Summer 2015 will be remembered as one of the best sailing seasons for Mahina Kai.  Beautiful weather, good wind for our favorite southern destinations and topped off with a pre-Labor Day vacation week. Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, P-Town, then back home.  Queequeg's for dinner last night was delicious as always.  Now, Captain is off on a morning bike ride, Jim & I are enjoying coffee and breakfast under the sun.  Forecast looks favorable for our journey tomorrow to P-Town on the outside of Cape Cod.  Let the whale watch begin!