Day 16:
In the last week, we have experienced a variety of conditions. It has been about 35C with high humidity- increased down below due to wet sails
and wet people. Yesterday, the boat smell factor (BSF) roseto 7 (out of 10) due to someone's shoes/socksgoing off. That is really the worstimaginable boat
smell. The heat down below is stiffling, which makes sleeping (or spending your whole watch waiting for the chance of sleeping), a sweaty affair. It
doesn't matter what time of days or night it is, "The Residence" is a sweat lodge.
We have a small water leak from an unknown source that causes us to empty the bilges every day. Being down below in cramped spaces with bilge pump and
sponge makes for a messy 30 minute to 2 hour job.
We have seem more migrating turtles (Guido swerved the boat to avoid running over one). I found the source of a strong fishy smell (BSF 6) on the bowfor
the last few days was asun dried squid. During one evening watch, we were nearly caught in a fishing net. We did manage to catch a small but tasty blue fin
tuna. Even better, we were visited by a pod of Orcas and a few fly bys from the US Navy in an E3. We seemto be apopular resting spot for booby birds who
perch ont he pulpit and don't want to leave - even during headsail changes!
Current conditions have been squally, with guststo 45 knots, hail, and choppy seas. These are especially fun at 0200 accompnanied by a headsail drop and
putting in a reef or two as quickly as possible.Of course, those of us on Williams Watch laugh like maniacs and actually enjoy the squalls. They have been
my only form of shower for the last 10 days. I cannot rmember when I last brushed my hair! Our current upwind course has been bouncy. Due to sodium
losses from sweating buckets, SPAM seems to taste OK. Did I just say that?
I sure miss family and friends (and dog!) but am truly enjoying the constant challenges and helming in such varied conditions. The Race finish mark has
been changed due to anticipated light winds and is now only a couple hundred miles away. Guido and I are set for motherwatch again and plan to make more
German specialties to give the spag bol and tuna pasta bake a day off! A jug shower (fresh water) and a change of clothes are imminent (and much needed).
Peace Out, Bagley
(6 May, 0638 hours UTC, somewhere off the coast of Nicaragua)
In the last week, we have experienced a variety of conditions. It has been about 35C with high humidity- increased down below due to wet sails
and wet people. Yesterday, the boat smell factor (BSF) roseto 7 (out of 10) due to someone's shoes/socksgoing off. That is really the worstimaginable boat
smell. The heat down below is stiffling, which makes sleeping (or spending your whole watch waiting for the chance of sleeping), a sweaty affair. It
doesn't matter what time of days or night it is, "The Residence" is a sweat lodge.
We have a small water leak from an unknown source that causes us to empty the bilges every day. Being down below in cramped spaces with bilge pump and
sponge makes for a messy 30 minute to 2 hour job.
We have seem more migrating turtles (Guido swerved the boat to avoid running over one). I found the source of a strong fishy smell (BSF 6) on the bowfor
the last few days was asun dried squid. During one evening watch, we were nearly caught in a fishing net. We did manage to catch a small but tasty blue fin
tuna. Even better, we were visited by a pod of Orcas and a few fly bys from the US Navy in an E3. We seemto be apopular resting spot for booby birds who
perch ont he pulpit and don't want to leave - even during headsail changes!
Current conditions have been squally, with guststo 45 knots, hail, and choppy seas. These are especially fun at 0200 accompnanied by a headsail drop and
putting in a reef or two as quickly as possible.Of course, those of us on Williams Watch laugh like maniacs and actually enjoy the squalls. They have been
my only form of shower for the last 10 days. I cannot rmember when I last brushed my hair! Our current upwind course has been bouncy. Due to sodium
losses from sweating buckets, SPAM seems to taste OK. Did I just say that?
I sure miss family and friends (and dog!) but am truly enjoying the constant challenges and helming in such varied conditions. The Race finish mark has
been changed due to anticipated light winds and is now only a couple hundred miles away. Guido and I are set for motherwatch again and plan to make more
German specialties to give the spag bol and tuna pasta bake a day off! A jug shower (fresh water) and a change of clothes are imminent (and much needed).
Peace Out, Bagley
(6 May, 0638 hours UTC, somewhere off the coast of Nicaragua)
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