Location: 12° 55N, 58° 00W
Saturday, 04.05.2008

The Schooner Maggie B was at 12° 55N, 58° 00W at noon on April 5th. We were making 8.4 knots for Martinique, which is only 189 NM away. We have come 2531 from Salvador. It is mostly clear weather with an occasional rain shower marching through with a bit more wind. Mostly we have 15-20 knots at a relative angle of 120 degrees on our starboard. We still have a reef in the main and in the fore, which is essentially like taking in topsails in a traditional schooner. The long swells are 3-4 meters and rather unruly and splashy, but Maggie isn’t paying them much attention.

We made 224 NM in the last 24 hours. We have come 1127 NM in the last five days, or an average of 225 NM per day. We expect that when we post these marvelous times on our “story board” at the Antigua Classic, the Race Committee will increase our handicap. Whatever. Fast is fast.

We are really in the midst of Flying Fish grounds. This morning there were a dozen on deck which Curtis collected and gutted. They were delicious for breakfast, quickly cooked in a hot fry pan with garlic and butter. Hannah made raisin tea biscuits — a perfect breakfast with black, black, black Brazilian coffee! We have been out for two weeks but having no hardships.

The wind has lessened a bit and veered (Thomas says from the French “virer” - to turn) more to the East. The sailors expression for wind shifting in an “expected” direction is to veer, the other way is to back, which can bring bad weather. In the Northern Hemisphere, veering is shifting clockwise, in the Southern, counterclockwise. As an example, in Maine, if the wind shifts, backs, from South to East, trouble is coming. Conversely, veering from Southwest to Northwest is clearing for good weather.

We are about 60 NM from Barbados and are already seeing some light sport fishing boats that are essentially invisible on radar in these swells. The Watch is shifting to “Inshore” levels of attention.

We expect to be in Cul de Sac de Marins, Martinique tomorrow morning. Just in time for church, or croissants and chocolate chaude, or whatever.

All is well.