Had a great start with all the other 50's behind us, two to leeward and one on our hip. We were higher and faster sailing with the number 3 and full main. Course to Catalina is 220 and we are tracking 225. Wind went left and Allure was able to pass us as the breeze picked up. We had to short tack the end of the island and put in four tacks to round Catalina at 335PM. We emptied the leeward water tank and packed most of the big sails on the rail. Around 430PM Billy was the first to break the 10 knot barrier. Continued power reaching and at 745Pm the skies started clearing for a cool evening.

Let me explain the watches. They run from Noon to 6PM, 6PM to 10PM, 10PM to 2AM, 2AM to 6AM and 6AM to Noon. You see we have 5 watches a day. Billy and Mark are the Watch Captains and go on watch one hour earlier to get accustomed to the boat before the rest of their watch join them

Started watches at 6PM with the two watches consisting of Billy, Will, Gary and Suzie who went off watch first and Steve, Jim, Carter and Mark who were up on deck from 6 to 10. When Mark came on deck around 1AM the wind had eased off and we decided to change to the light one at watch change. We finished the sail change at 215AM on July 3, 2009, and watched the moon over the Pacific.

We thought we had all the water leaks fixed but the forward hatch let in some water which pools around the nav station and is a pain. Now that we are not taking water over the deck we are bailing out the boat. We hope for the last time.

This morning has us close reaching with the number 1 and full main going 8 to 9 knots in 8 to 10 knots of wind. It is a beautiful day here on the water.

I do need to tell you about the meals on board which Chef Suzie prepares. On the way to the staring line we have turkey sandwiches with her special fixings. Dinner on July 2nd consisted of fajita wraps with spicy fajitas and cheese wrapped in a fresh flour tortilla. For breakfast on July 3rd we had fresh blueberry muffins coffee and cold fresh milk.The crew looks forward to the daily meals as they are always a treat. We eat well on Passion. In fact we have 5lbs of beef and 2 lbs of Pork for each person on board.

Morning roll call has us 3rd in class and 6th in fleet we are west and north of the leaders in the same wind pressure. We are almost on the same track as two years ago and will keep pushing the boat.

Till next time

The crew of the S/V Passion west of California in the Pacific .