100 nm east of Brunswick Georgia 200 nm to Wilmington
Today I turned the corner. I have been heading northwest (in fact,
north-northwest) to get into the Gulf Stream, for two reasons. The first
is to ride the current. It will give me a free boost. The second reason
is in case a cold front or low pressure cell moves this way. If
something bad comes I can simply head straight west for about 20 nm and
be out of the Gulf Stream and its really bad conditions in a north or
northeast wind.
Well here I am, smack in the Gulf Stream and all
its terrors. The wind stopped. Nothing. Smooth glassy seas. One thing,
it is comfortable. Nothing but a gentle rolling swell. This is what is
hard to believe... boat speed through the water zero. GPS boat speed,
4.3 knots! This entire mass of glassy smooth water is moving 4.3 knots. I
am happy about that. The boat is going where I want to go and I am not
doing a thing. It jhas given me an opportunity to try different ways of
rigging a light air sail, the drifter. It is up right now, poled out,
ready to catch the smallest breeze when it comes. For now, I am going to
make some bread.
BIll Doar
s/v Advent II
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