can we help
+44(0)1983 296060
+1 757-788-8872
tell me moreJoin a rally

Menu

Barbara Jean - Left Portsmouth?headed out into Atlantic-11-14-15



We start our shifts….4 hours on and 4 hours off. We tend to be a little more lax during the day.

Day1--We left the dock around 9:25am on Wednesday, November 11th. The ride started out with choppy seas and continued throughout the today. After leaving the southern portion of the Chesapeake, we went south and followed the coastline down to Cape Hatteras. We were given a suggested latitude and longitude to enter the Gulf Stream.
After we turned East to head out into the Atlantic, Bob grabbed the whisker pole to be able to sail wing-on-wing. This setup lasted about an hour and then the pole bent……it has now been taken out of the equipment list. Winds were out of the North at 15/16 knots. The seas have been choppy with swells at 5-9 feet. Dinner was coney islands and chips.

Day 2-7:30 am I just witnessed a gorgeous sunrise. Winds continue to be strong 20-25 knots. We entered the Gulf Stream at 9:20am on Thursday. Winds are now SSW 12-15 knots with swells 5-7 feet. The water is a deep blue color and it is definitely warmer out. Lunch today is PBJ's, crackers and a granola bar. Talked with Annabella on the VHF as they do not have an SSB for the roll calls. At 1:30pm, we reef the main as the winds are picking up again. We leave the Staysail out for balance and to get as much speed as we can. Our Satellite Phone connection for the internet decided to take a mini-vacation. So…..we were without the weather forecasts supplied by WRI (weather routing inc.) Bob couldn't make out the weather report from the morning roll call. During the afternoon, Annabella hailed us again on the VHF and relayed weather to us. They said go South. Almost everyone besides a few boats had already started heading south. It wasn't until Annabella informed us of this new plan that we started heading south. Winds pick up Thursday night to 25-30 knots. And seas of 7-9 feet. We get sprayed with salt water every 5 minutes or so. I wish we would have purchased those side panels. : It felt like we were in a washing machine. The seas have been mixed….so they come at you from all locations.

Previous | Next