After just five days at sea, the Caribbean 1500 fleet is nearly two-thirds of the way home. Habits of Health, the Moody 54 owned by Dr. A and Lori are leading the way. Habits is a long-time rally vet, know the course well, and appreciated the early departure on Saturday.
“When we woke up Saturday morning we generally had a sense that we were going to start the race that day,” wrote the crew of Habits in a lengthy blog post yesterday. “If we didn't leave on Saturday, we would have to wait a storm out, which might mean up to a week's delay. And therein lied the challenge - get south and east of the storm. We'd be ahead of schedule and could use the energy of the storm to propel us further south east to Tortola.”
After some bumpy weather early, which began on the second night at sea, that’s exactly what Habits – and the rest of the fleet – have been able to do. The nor’easter that we were concerned about at the start has been giving New York and New England snow for the past 24 hours, but it’s now giving the fleet following breezes, which look to hold for the final 5-600 miles of sailing to Tortola.
“Our luck changed today!” wrote Escapade. “This afternoon we hooked up 2 mahi-mahi, so it's fresh fish for dinner tonight. The sailing has been full speed ahead since yesterday (11/6) morning with winds 15-20+ knots. Although a bit bouncy our here, we are making excellent time.”
Randy Jo checked in yesterday as well. “Just a quick note to let you know all is well. Who won the election?” It was Obama of course, but then we ashore tend to forget that while at sea, you’re basically cut off from the outside world! There is nothing quite like a good newspaper when you arrive at the other end.
The BVI fleet has managed to stay fairly tightly packed this year, likely owing to the initial rush across the Gulf Stream to get ahead of the weather. They’re just starting to spread out a bit now according to the fleet viewer, and should continue to do so as they approach Tortola.
Back ashore, the Rally Staff are preparing for their own departure to Tortola. They say nothing goes to weather like a 747! It puts the world into perspective when you realize it’s only a 4-5 hour flight to the Virgin Islands, when it takes the fleet some 8-10 days. Rally Staff fly on Saturday, in time to greet each boat with a cold rum punch as they begin to arrive Saturday night and into Sunday.
Several yachts remain in Hampton and plan to depart on Friday. Miramar, who initially changed to the ARC Bahamas fleet at the last minute, stopped in Little Creek for repairs. Squared away again, they’ve decided to make a go direct for Tortola and will leave tomorrow. San Picaro returned from sea after a bout of rough weather and a tired crew forced them back to Hampton. They’ve been spending time ashore in a hotel reviving their energy and plan to get back to sea shortly.
In the ARC Bahamas fleet, Susie Q and Mariannina are fast approaching Green Turtle Cay after having made a run for it rather than stage in Beaufort with the rest of the fleet. T’ai Chi sent their first log in yesterday.
“We are not yet on our way to Abacos, though we have some progress in the right direction,” wrote the crew from Beaufort. “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. But we are in a good place to wait for the right weather window, while undertaking needed repairs.”
Turbo’s Tub is en route down the ICW and should join the ARC Bahamas fleet today, and Irish Rover has set out down the coast to try and catch the two boats at sea.
Stay tuned to the Carib 1500’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/carib1500) for real-time updates throughout the day as the fleet continues south!
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