Location: 22° 07 N, 62° 27.5 W
Friday 12:00, 04.14.2006

Well, we got spanked last night.

Our noon position on April 14 was 22° 07 N, 621° 27.5 W. Antigua is 180 at 290 miles, our course is 165 degrees at 7.5 knots. The wind is 200 at 15-20. Waves are 2-3 meters and relatively sharp. We are motor sailing a bit east of our rhumb line to Antigua to have a somewhat faster, more settled passage. If we head right into the wing and waves, our SOG (speed over ground) is about four knots, if we come off 15 degrees SOG is 7.5 and the ride is much easier.

As you can see, we made good only 75 miles towards Antigua in the last 24 hours. But we sure did a lot of sailing. There is a developing low in our area and it seemingly developed right over us.

We knew we were in trouble when we saw the ABN AMRO racing boat go past us at about 20 knots with a huge spinnaker up. They reported that they were currently #1 in the Volvo Round the World Race, for the Rio to Baltimore leg. Two things can be immediately surmised by this. First that they are going in the opposite direction that we are, and second that they have sought out the worst possible, strongest weather to push them to Baltimore.

Shortly after seeing ABM AMPO, we commenced to reenact the role of Joe Bsfkick, the Little Abner character who always had a rain shower over his head. As we went into dark, we had about six hours of a southerly gale, with winds steady over 30 knots with higher gusts.

We had a 1/2 jib (nice roller reefing design by North!) and two reefs in the main. We stayed on a close reach for control, sometimes East to get clear, then back west as it seemed possible to head for the Anguilla Passage. The waves were quite sharp and 3-4 meters with occasional breaking crests. It was a long night. The Maggie B stayed controllable and steady and below was mostly dry and warm. All gear worked fine and only one glass was broken. Dinner was scones and chocolate.

We regretted not making suitable toasts to the everlasting gods on departure from Bermuda.

All is well.