Puttering Along
11 November 2012 | Just East of the Gulf Stream
Tom
So far it has been a slow start for the Salty Dawg Rally to the Caribbean. We have had a couple of afternoons of sailing, but for the most part it has been a motorsail at best. Of course the advantage to that is smooth seas. The start was also very cold. Hampton, Va was seeing daily highs in the high 40's to low 50's. As we left port the three of us were wearing our long johns, wool socks and knit caps. These did not come off until we entered the Gulf Stream this morning. On the east side of the stream, the air temperature is in the high 60 ´s to low 70's. While the shorts have not come out yet, it sure feels good to shuck the wool socks and caps. As we continue to head south and east, hopefully the weather will continue to warm. The people on the rally have been great. We had the chance to meet many of them as we sat in Hampton waiting for the last storm to blow thru. We have been sailing so far with a group of boats about our size, a Shannon 38, and a couple of small catamarans. Having someone near by to chat with on the radio helps to pass the time relieve the boredom. Life on the boat is starting to settle into the comfortable rhythm that develops on a long passage. Not much more to report other than we are all doing fine.