60 knot thunderstorms, 3 cold fronts, hi pressure ridge, gales, areas devoid of wind, fuel shepherding. These are not words that you want to hear either before you set off on an ocean passage, while you are underway or even when you are safely tucked up in port. All of these words appeared in the forecasts as we sailed from the Bahamas to the USA; thankfully we sailed around all the bad weather and happily completed yet another week at sea.

With Iain still very unsure of heading out to sea we tuned into Chris Parker and listened as 'Angel Eyes', who were doing the same trip at the same time, chatted about the passage in detail. After a flurry of emails we plunged in with both feet and were off. The thinking was that we'd have 2 ghastly days, the wind would then die and 24 hours later we should be able pick up the Gulf Stream and blast our way along the coast of the Carolinas as the new wind filled in. All it all it sounded about as much fun as driving rusty nails into our eyes.

As we beasted our way out through the cut and headed off on our desired course it was all much more pleasant than we thought it would be and we fetched along without 'too' much green water rushing down the decks, although it was enough green water to wheedle out the smallest of gaps, the forepeak hatch had not been shut properly and our bed took a drenching.

The miles ticked by and we got used to living a lonely life on the lean, but that loneliness was soon to be broken. While in the middle of nowhere, miles from any shipping lanes and way off any beaten track we heard our name being called on the Radio. 'Angel Eyes' were mere miles away and so for the next 300 miles we had company and most importantly competition.

One of the joys of the trip from the Bahamas to the USA is being able to ride what's known in our circles as 'The Magic Carpet', and in more professional circles as the Gulf Stream. This current of water rips north from the Caribbean, ends up on the other side of the Atlantic warming up the UK and does this at a speed that can either stop you or turbo charge you. As we motored north in no wind we saw a river of fast flowing water, this was the fabled Gulf Stream and as we entered its choppy waters, without any effort we went faster and faster and faster. Just like Aladdin we'd caught our very own magic carpet.

Apart from warming northern Europe the Gulf Stream also brings warm water fish north. Thanks to 'Cascadura', we now had all the fishing gear but still no idea and so into the water went the magic Cedar plug. Within moments the line zinged to life and we could see green and blue flashes of a Mahi Mahi jumping into the air but unusually for Ruffian it remained attached to the line and the line to the rod.

Soon enough we had a new crewmate in the form of a 6.2kg Mahi Mahi and quick as a flash he was dispatched to the fridge. They say that unless you take photo's the fish never existed and although as evidence the fridge was full, as the camera had malfunctioned we had no conclusive proof he ever existed. There was nothing for it to try and catch another.

Instead of putting out the rod again (the last fish had snapped the top off it!) so we thought we'd try the new handline, which is much more akin to our level of fishing skill. As Iain sat and read his book he glanced back and amazingly, on the end of the line, skipping along the surface of the water was yet another behemoth Mahi Mahi. This time and now with no camera malfunctions and therefore evidence, another 6kg Mahi Mahi joined his friend in the fridge.

Now with food enough for everyone we had to make into port behind 'Angel Eyes'. They pulled in a full 6 hours in front of us but gave us the top tip of buying a little diesel and checking in with customs while on the dock. As efficient as only Americans can be, the CBP officer, complete with gun and Robocop glasses boarded up, checked our stores for highly illegal contraband substances such as milk, eggs, apples and potatoes and stamped our passports giving us access to the good old U S of A.

The majesty of a great sunset far out at sea.


It doesn't look like much, but that's the fabled raging Gulf Stream.


Ahh. Little Miss Sleepy head.


Have gear, will fish, will catch, will kill.


The magic carpet. Lets go get it.


Hopefully it'll be like this all the way.