Paddling to Bermuda

Paddling to Bermuda would be faster than this sailing trip. We are now at 32 52.852 N 64 41.309 W. About 30 miles from St Georges Harbor in Bermuda. It is around 12:30 in the afternoon, Atlantic Standard Time. The barometer has climbed steadily to 1024 from the low a few days ago. Water temp 74.8 F. Our heading 190 degrees. Unfortunately, our speed is 1.95 knots. Wind speed varies from 2 to 8 knots, wandering unsteadily NW to NE. We remain eager to get to Bermuda. The only reason we haven't turned the engine on is that it died yesterday as we were charging the batteries. The engine went dead. A little cough. Gone. On Michael's watch. We spent most of the day addressing various engine issues. Jay essentially rebuilt the fuel pump, replaced the fuel filter, bled the air from the engine, and cleaned the fuel water separator. There is no easy way on this boat to tell how much fuel is in the tank without taking up the table and floor boards. When we last filled the 37 gallon tank, we kept 2 gallons in reserve. Generally, the fuel consumption is 8/10ths of a gallon an hour. It seemed impossible that after 31 engine hours we would be on empty. But, we were. Jay and Michael carefully poured the last two gallons into the tank as waves sloshed on the deck. We ran the engine for ten minutes before killing it. We need to keep the fuel in reserve to make the entrance through Town Cut in Bermuda. Consequently, we have stopped using the batteries except for the most essential tasks, like the compass light. Bank 2 is being kept in reserve. Volts on battery bank 1 have fallen to 9.7. Refrigeration is gone and our cold food smells a little sour. We cannot use the auto pilot. We ran the Monitor Windvane for half the day, but the light winds on our stern made it unreliable. We now hand steer. It is very tiring and boring. We cannot recharge dead ipods to keep us awake. Michael had the last watch of the night and woke us to his cursing as the main sail jibed for the 100^th time under his "guidance."

We also lost the SSB antenna yesterday. Jay had to stand on the railing to get it wrapped and under control before it damaged the sail. It was explained to me hat cruising means fixing the boat in different ports around the world. Appetites are increasing. Michael made us a good dinner last night of pasta and butter – the first warm meal that we have eaten together since the first night.

Today is the first day we are fully out of foul weather gear. Some are even wearing shorts. The air temperature is comfortable. We tried flying the asymmetrical genoa, but had little luck with it due to the fluky winds. The hours have become a blur. We are hot bunking, meaning that there are only two beds available, and you sleep on whatever bunk is available. Initially, we used our assigned pillows and sleeping bags. Now, after a watch, we just use whatever pillow and sleeping bag is open on the free bunk.

It looks like our landing will be late tonight. We will not be allowed on shore until after we clear Customs in the morning. We cannot read or respond to e-mails until after we get to an internet cafe. Anyone who is expecting a call, please know that it will not be until Monday. The good sailing vessel Welcome floats like a cork, and that our safety is not in any way diminished by the engine and battery problems. This is a sailing boat, and it does well. We work on convincing Michael that the second leg of this trip will be more fun. We hope that Ann will meet us at Capt. Smokes, as promised. We have a lot of repairs to do before taking off for Antigua on Tuesday. Despite the many challenges, all is well.

Team Welcome.