The long leg started with a drifter, followed by the gooseneck screws backing out of the mast as we bobbed, so the crew of Jack, Curtis, and Ken motored north to catch the trade winds. Eight days of 30 plus winds and rain, drizzle, and wetness, but great sailing and terrific crew. 2,000 miles and 15 days later the Grateful Red was in Horta and the crew at Pete’s Sailors Bar telling stories.
With the amazing technology of Internet and satellite phones, Ken has sent me a small update on the boat and crew.
“The C2B race has begun, a beat through Charleston harbor out the jetty only 750 nautical miles to go.
Day one – alternator belt broke (had a spare and installed with Mark), compass went wacko so we used Jack’s ancient handheld. Winds were good, storm at night had winds of 40 +. I was off shift sleeping decided to stay un-involved. Boat heeled, waves crashed, Bridgette, Curtis and Jack sail and I slept.
Day two little wind, hot, and learned if you run the macerator when batteries are low the whole electrical system shuts down.. Caught a huge piece of plastic on the rudder – hurts steering and performance. Still not bored.
End of day two winds pick up, spinnaker is out – we are hundreds of miles from everywhere, ocean blue waters meeting cloudless blue skies, broad reach cookin at seven plus knots. Out comes the cold beers (refrig is still operational), Keith Jarret trio for tunes (thanks MA for the music) – we are ripping across the ocean only four days to Bermuda. Sailin’!”
~ Ken
This morning the boat seems to be drifting about 1.4 kts, as are the other boats. The discussion groups on the site are funny discussing whether boats are motoring or not due to the lack of wind. Grateful Red is in good shape and I am sure there are some hearty games of cribbage going on at this point!
I am losing my tds.net address, so this is a test with thekristine@kegonsa.com email with the blog.
I do expect to hear from Ken today and will report back.
See you on the Water
