The winds were calm, the waves like glass and the sun was finally dominant for most of the day. It was a perfect respite from the last few days of hard charging conditions. We have been a motor boat for several hours as we wait for the trades to kick in and to take us to the BVI's. We made a respectable 186 miles today, even with our pit stop to take a swim. What the heck the water is 75 degrees and crystal clear, who could resist. Besides, we decided to check for hitch hickers on the rudder and sail drives. There were a fair amount of weeds to be removed. We hope this helps with some of the high speed shudder we recently experienced. No matter how many times I swim in the middle of the ocean I can't help think what lurks beneath me. You know what I mean. It's 18,000 feet deep and I'm sure my impression of a bait fish has to get someone's attention. Yikes, it gives me the heebeegeebees just thinking about it. No matter, I removed the weeds, snapped a couple pics of the boat and hustled back on deck just before the sea monster ate me...at least that's what my mind was telling me. The remainder of the day was spent hanging outside on deck and lounging on the tramp. At one point Scott looked at John and I and asked with a grin "I wonder what the weather is like in RI"...hahahha...we got a pretty good laugh out of that. An outstanding hot salmon mid day meal and some great music rounded out the well earned "vacation day" of the trip. The trades are said to be blowing strong and we are only a few hours from their effect. We are looking forward to hoisting the sails and getting the boat moving again.

Go Pats!!
-Tom

Position at 0000 Nov 26th
25 33N 062 59W

Addendum at 6:19am 11/26/07

Ground control this is Major Tom. No more rudder shudder. Damn weeds! Tested to 24kts. John says "the bad news is we are out of weed, the good news is we are back on the rails".
Over and out....