21-Jun-2023 - Are we there yet? – Day 6

21-Jun-2023

Are we there yet? – Day 6

Wind 6kt Seas 1-2ft

 

Steady 13kt winds overnight let us make up some lost time, but light 6kt winds were with us most of the day, which gave us some pleasant sleeping, but doesn’t get us to Bermuda for the Rum Tasting today!  Happy solstice!  It is fitting that the longest day of the year falls within what has got to be the slowest and rainiest MBR in recent memory.  Evening rain is expected again, which again may firm up the winds, or not. 

 

 Suddenly ships freshwater pump went out today, and after diagnoses, a new pump was installed.  As Captain says, sailing is making repairs in exotic locations.  It's always an adventure.

 

Again today, we have seen Sargasso seaweed, Bermuda longtail, and Portuguese man of war. This afternoon Spirit of Bermuda passed us, returning to port. 

 

If the winds hold, we expect to finish early in the morning, and are likely into Hamilton Thursday afternoon.

 

Weather/animals: Rain & clearing; Portuguese man of war, Petrel, Bermuda longtail

Meals: sailors choice breakfast, tortellini soup for lunch, and turkey pot pie for dinner

Cookie of the day: Lighthouses

“The cure for anything is saltwater – sweat, tears, or the sea.” – Isak Dinesen

 

What did the shore say to the ocean?

Nice to sea you!

#MBR2023 #svmahinakai #oysterfamily #gosling_sport #gotobermuda #marionbermuda

 

20-Jun-2023 - Here comes the rain again – Day 5

20-Jun-2023

Here comes the rain again – Day 5

Wind 8kt Seas 2-4ft

Light winds all night gave way to nice steady winds this morning.  This lifted our spirits, and we were able to make some nice progress, although a bit southerly for our needs to approach the finish.  Rain started in the afternoon, and we expect winds to hold, or fail again as they have most days. 

 

We are in the third leg of this race, the Sargasso Sea and Bermuda approach, and have seen the indicators: Sargasso seaweed, local sea birds, and Portuguese man of war. Have seen no traffic the past couple of days, but a tanker passed our course today. 

 

When the sky has been clear at night, we have enjoyed the familiar constellations, Milky Way, and occasional shooting star.

 

Weather/animals: Portuguese man of war, Petrel, Bermuda longtail

Meals: sailors choice breakfast, sandwiches for lunch, and blue plate special for dinner

Cookie of the day: Stars

 

The sail, the play of its pulse so like our own lives: so thin and yet so full of life, so noiseless when it labors hardest, so noisy and impatient when least effective – Henry David Thoreau

 

Why did the whale cross the ocean?

To get to the other tide.

#MBR2023 #svmahinakai #oysterfamily #gosling_sport #gotobermuda #marionbermuda

 

 

19-Jun-2023 - Are we there yet?-Day 4

19-Jun-2023

Are we there yet?-Day 4

Wind 6kt Seas 1-2ft

 

We are now two-thirds into the race, and in the third leg of this race, the Sargasso Sea and Bermuda approach.  After a lively sailing day yesterday, passing through the gulf-stream and it’s standing order of squalls, the challenge now is to thread the needle of ocean currents and setup a route that provides the fastest path to the finish line at Bermuda. 

 

Winds are only cooperating itinerantly… sometimes we have barely enough air for forward progress, and other times we are moving along at a good speed.  It is frustrating, but we cannot control the wind, only trim the sails :)

 

We hear that s/v Boudicca has finished in a record time of 2 days, 17 hours, 26 minutes, congratulations!

 

Weather/animals: sea birds visiting the boat

Meals: sailors choice breakfast, sandwiches for lunch, and Sheppard’s pie for dinner

Thanks to our pastry chef Cathy Ann, we always half tasty treats to power us on.  Today's cookie of the day: Whales

 

“I can't control the wind but I can adjust the sail.” - Ricky Skaggs

 

How do you cut the ocean in half?

Use a sea saw.

 

#MBR2023 #svmahinakai #oysterfamily #gosling_sport #gotobermuda #marionbermuda