[PUP] Summer Skis 06/16/07: Black Pearl beckons

[Georgs Kolesnikovs]

Date: 16 June 2007
Time 1200
Position
39.21.37N
69.45.25W
Distance covered from the dock at Royal Bermuda Y.C. 505 NM
Distance traveled last 24 hours: 151 NM
Approximate distance to go: 145 NM To Brenton Reef Buoy off Newport
Additional mileage to inner harbor Newport R.I. 7 miles.
Estimated Time of Arrival Brenton Reef Buoy: 0730 June 17

Good Day All:

This will be our last "under way" report as at noon tomorrow we will 
most likely be at the Black Pearl at noon having a glass of milk and 
cookies in celebration of a successful voyage.

The balance of yesterday saw us in confused but not uncomfortable 
seas as we reentered the "core" of the Gulf Stream. We started to 
slow down around 1400 and the slowest we were going was around 4.3 
knots in the strongest influence. Water temperature was 78 Dg. as 
well. I went off watch at mid night and Pete came on. Around 0130 the 
temperature went from 78 to 63 in less than 5 minuets and our speed 
increased to 7.8 Knots. During the time that we were crossing the 
stream we were as much as 40 degrees off the bearing to Brenton Reef 
waypoint. Once we were out of the stream our compass and bearing 
matched again. Truly amazing what these devices can do. It sure makes 
boating more enjoyable and makes us appreciate what, in my case, my 
father taught me over the years.

We woke up to flat seas, very little wind and swells of about 3'. In 
addition the outside air temperature is now about 61 vs. the 80's of 
yesterday. Pete looks like Nan Nook of the North, jeans, sweatshirt 
and all the cold weather regalia. It is overcast but the weather is 
to improve and it is reported that tomorrow will one of the real 
first days of summer for this area. Temperatures in the 80's. 
We are starting to see a lot more life in the sea. Birds, dolphins, 
sharks, sunfish etc. A large pod of dolphins have been with all three 
boats most of the morning. Tried to take pictures but that is nearly 
impossible.

Everyone is excited about seeing land tomorrow morning. The TTG (Time 
To Go) clock is reading less than 24 hours. On one side we are 
anxious to see land and experience a new port for every on the other 
boats but on the other hand we will each be going our separate ways. 
We will have the memories of over 1,600 miles of ocean that we have 
crossed and experienced Bermuda as well as each other. A lot of good 
times and lessons learned. We will be making plans to meet up during 
our various cruising itineraries over the next few months.

If the weather is as predicted it will be a spectacular finish to a 
spectacular trip.

It has been a great trip and we have met a lot of interesting people 
and made some new friends and got reacquainted with old ones.

I will be posting my last report sometime tomorrow or the next day as 
Nordhavn is hosting a farewell party at the Moorings in Newport 
Sunday night.

Hope this finds you all well and safe.
Jim, Pete & Dave
Nordhavn 43 Summer Skis