Day 1

Started doing final prep in the morning, the dock was a beehive of similar activities on the other boats. Final securing of the dinghy with blocks of wood to keep the dinghy from interfering with the job furler, topping off of the water tanks, securing all other items on deck and dis connecting shore power.

At 10:45 we left the dock and motored out into the main channel where the other boats were starting to congregate for the noon start. Starter horn sounded and we were off, next stop Bermuda!

As soon as we went past Jost Van Dyke Island we set a course straight to Bermuda, should be a starboard tack the entire way.

We settled into a watch schedule of two three hour watches starting at midnight followed by a four hour watch from 0600 to 10:00, two five hour watches then another four hour watch end at midnight , you generally have 12-14 hours between shift.

Most of the time between shifts is spent talking, reading, cooking, eating and cleaning.

We have making good time, averaging about 6.5 knots on either a close haul or a close reach. Winds have been fairly steady between 18-20 knots form about 60 degrees. The autopilot takes care most of the work with just occasional sail trim. Seas have been a bit rough at 3-5 foot waves and the occasional higher swell. Have not been seasick yet!