Sorry for waiting a week to post just got cought up with being home!

Cheers Everybody

Jacques

According to the surface temperatures downloaded from the SSB we are on the wall of the gulf stream and the current that we are in is reflecting that observation. For the last 4 hours we have been flying by at 8kts knocking off nautical mile after mile. I am hoping that the wind remains with us as we make a dash for the Chesapeake bay 120 nautical miles away. Based on the weather out look we are facing light winds as enter we Chesapeake Bay which means more motoring. It sure would be a joy to sail the remaining 100 miles up the Chesapeake under a spinnaker but mother nature will tell us soon. I must say, now that we are days from finally having Dragonsbane back to were she began is a moving experience in its self. In a few days the sailing loop around the world will be total complete from every aspect of what it takes sail around the world. So what is next?

Thanks,

Jacques

current position: 34* 41.3’N, 74* 37.2’W, SOG 7.8kts, COG 349*M, WS 14kts, Swell -1 meter, Current speed 1.2kts, 1022mb

The weather is beginning to lighten up and we have roughly 439nm go. In about hundred fifty miles we will be entering the the famous gulf stream current that runs from the south to the north along the east coast of the USA. As long as the wind stays out of the south the 100 miles of current should be crossed in favorable conditions. Still working our 4 hour shifts on and off with my Dad, but looking forward to our arrival.

Thank you,

Jacques

Current Position: 20:42UTC, 32* 15.2’N, 73* 28.7’W, SOG 6.4kts, COG 352*M, WS 15kts NNE, Swell 2meters, CLoudy, 1026MB

Well the wind has changed to our beam and the swell has come around too. Sense this mid-morning we have been having the joy of falling off random swell and taking green water over the deck. Its is a bit of fun though, we are maintaining 8kts bashing our way to Chesapeake Bay. Lets just say brushing your teeth became a full contact sport this morning. Another good thing is we are outrunning the tropical low south of our position for now, time will tell.

Thanks,

Jacques

Current Position: 20:19UTC 29* 31.9’N, 72* 20.7’W, SOG 8.4kts, COG 000*M, WS 19kts, Swell 1-2Meters, Cloudy, 1024MB

Passed several ships in the last 24 hours as we fight the swell and headwind’s. Luckily in the last hour or so the wind has clocked enough for us to sail in a north westerly direction but still not straight for the Chesapeake Bay. I will continue to keep my fingers crossed that we will still arrive this coming weekend. Hopefully things will improve, at least the weather is becoming cooler as we head north.

Thank you,

Jacques

Current Position: 20:08utc 26* 58.1’N, 71* 12.3’W, SOG 4kts, COG 340*M, WS 14kts @ 010*NNE, Swell 1-2 meters

In the early morning we experienced a large thunderstorm with lots of lightening. Proceed with squalls and heavy rain that has been following our slow move toward our destination. Currently the wind has slowed down to only 12kts and swell is a meter or less. That would be great but the only problem is that the wind and swell is in the wrong direction! We are currently motoring into the wind and waves make a very slow speed of 4.5kts, o well at least we will have warm water. I hope that tomorrow morning the low pressure system to the north of our position will have moved enough east to change the wind and let us sail. I would love to be on shore in a week or less but who knows at this rate.

Cheers,

Jacques

Current Position: 21:08UTC 25* 42.2’N, 70* 11.2’W, WS 12kts@330*, Swell -1m, overcast and thunder! SOG 5kts, COG 352*M

Not to much to chat about other then the weather being very nice and good wind. Seems though that a gale is forming below our position and above our position. Looks like depending on our speed we may have to button up the hatch’s one last time before I am through making this final passage with my dad. I told my dad 25kts of wind is good sailing weather, 35kts is great fun but uncomfortable, 45kts is shity weather, 55kts is the point were you ask why you sail, 65kts and up you just kiss your ass good by. Just have a blast sailing in it and don’t worry about the out come.

Well here’s to another day at sea Cheers!

Jacques

Current Postion: 23:15UTC 24* 01.05’N, 69* 21.04’W, SOG 6kts, COG352*M, Swell 1-2 meters, WS 18kts

Well making slow progress as our wind speed goes up and down like a roller coaster. The swells are changing from south west to south east making it more possible for them to crash over the rial and soaking us as we sail on watch. It is very muggy and hot, I am already for this little voyage adventure to be finished but it looks like 8 more days. Looks like a 1.2kts counter current we are working against too, hopefully that will change soon.

Thanks,

Jacques

Current Postion: 21* 29.2’N, 68* 21.8’W, UTC19:58, WS 18kts @180*M, COG 330, SOG 5kts, Really HOT!

Once again on the ocean reaching for the far off horizon. I am surprisingly more comfortable not seeing land right now then I am back home siting on the couch watching TV or running around town. But as wonderfully as it is to see dolphin playing next to Dragonsbane once again, the pains of sailing in light wind and pitch poling well we go dead down wind is maddening. I hope that we will make landfall in 10 to 12 days we will see.

Thank You,

Jacques

Current Location: 19deg 52.7min N, 66deg 48.2min W. SOG 5kts, COG 330deg-M, WS-12kts, WH 1meter

Thought I should share this picture of Dragonsbane getting ready to sail 1500nm. In the back ground is a freighter loaded with sailboats for America. I guess we are not all the same kind of sailors.

Cheers,

Jacques