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T'ai Chi - Around Cape Hatteras



After an early and rushed start, with a last minute change of route and strategy, Tai Chi left Hampton at 1700 EST with an extra crew member on board. The Arc Bahamas fleet had been advised to head to Beaufort, NC, to wait out a weather system which would bring an intense nor’easter storm right over our originally planned route.  Of the Arc Bahamas fleet, 4 chose the outside route around Cape Hatteras, 2 chose the ICW and 1 decided to wait and cross after the storm had passed. Johnnie, the Arc Bahamas coordinator came aboard Tai Chi just before we left, so he could continue to help coordinate the fleet from Beaufort, North Carolina.

We had a nasty 48 hour trip, with thunder, lightening, churning seas, 30 knot winds, gusting to 40 at one point, and two seasick crew members, one of them Skipper Steve! On top of it all we had engine problems, which recurred over the course of the 48 hour trip,  evading all attempts at trouble shooting. Under sail in stormy seas we were further offshore than originally intended, and got into the Gulf Stream which slowed progress further. After multiple starts and stops, injector bleeding and filter changing, the engine finally called it quits as we turned towards Morehead City in the Beaufort inlet. By this time the wind was on our nose, sea conditions unpleasant, and we were making negligible progress to our destination as the day drew on. Johnnie and Steve rigged up a jerry can system and bled the injectors one more time, but when the engine failed again, we called Towboat US to help us the final few miles to a dock in Morehead City near Beaufort, NC, for repairs. 

So we are not yet on our way to Abacos, though we have some progress in the right direction. We hope the engine can be repaired in that time and that we can head out again on Thursday or Friday when the ICW boats reach us. We are envious of those boats that are well on their way to Tortola, and the two that headed to the Abacos, attempting to outrun the storm system. But we are in a good place to wait for the right weather window, while undertaking needed repairs.

Liz and Steve Rose



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