Location: 7° 30N, 47° 24W
Wednesday, 04.02.2008

The Schooner Maggie B was at 7° 30N, 47° 24W at noon on April 2nd. We have come 1819 NM from Salvador and have 896 NM to go to Martinique. From noon yesterday, we have come 231 NM and as I write this (1500), we have come 236 NM in the last 24 hours. We are currently making 10.2 knots for Martinique, sailing in a nice 20 knot beam reach.

The sky is overcast, but we have avoided any rain today. Actually, a little rain would be nice as the somewhat boisterous seas keep everything, especially the Watch, wet with salt water. The Maggie B has no bad characteristics….but, every now and then she takes a sea, usually not that big a one, on her hip.

There is a sound like “whump.” By the time you hear it, it is too late. A millisecond later there is a gallon of sea water laser-focused on the tiniest opening in your gear, and striving to make it all the way to your armpits and underwear. But, it isn’t a bad price to pay for a 231 NM day. And it is warm.

Modern communications and good technical support has made this trip so much easier. Yesterday, while running the Spectra watermaker, I noticed an anomaly on the system read-out. It said that the salinity of the water being made was 0-20 PPM salt. I knew that I should expect to see numbers in the 200-300 range. We tasted the product water and it was fine. I emailed Spectra Watermachines in California, reporting my concern that I might have a failed salinity probe. Two hours later Spectra Technical Support emailed back the suggestion that we should check the connector to the salinity probe for corrosion. Curtis and I found the connector (it only took an hour to dismantle enough things to get to the probe), cleaned it and all now works fine. The watermaker has been a real star for us. It has made about 5000 gallons of water for us, which has vastly increased our comfort and flexibility. It only uses 10 Amp hours to make six gallons of water.

The water we are sailing on is, amazingly, very affected by the Amazon even though we are 200 miles from the mouth. The seawater tastes only brackish and the watermaker input water, which is usually at least 1000 PPM salt, is only 250. Lot of water in that river.

We are in good time for Registration in Antigua on the 12th, so we have changed course for Cul de Sac des Marins in Martinique. Martinique is fascinating in itself, and we will be able to get clearance there to go to Isle des Saintes, near Guadalupe, a lovely spot. We should be in Martinique in three or four days.

Thomas is already muttering about croissants and petit pain au chocolate. We were last there May 24, 2006.

Hannah has just made tea biscuits — time for tea!

All is well.