We’re now motorsailing with 155nm to Newport having crossed the Gulf Stream early this morning. After a long delay departing Bermuda, due to the wildly pessimistic weather forecasts, we set off Wednesday at dawn, and by 8am were heading out to sea from St. Georges. Up went the delivery main with one reef in and a J4 and we took off in the 20 knot breeze. Two days of 20-25 knot winds, big seas, and warm weather had been fast champagne sailing. Donald held the speed record at 17+ knots, followed by Casey, Pete and Sean in the 16 knot club. Not bad for a delivery crew and delivery sails. Having a full moon through the night was a plus.
Some sealife along the way (dolphins, birds), and the occasional vessel. Crossed the North Wall of the Stream this morning at 5am with squalls, lightning, and lashing rain. Now in cooler waters with little wind, hence we’re motorsailing the last leg. Should be tied up and on our way to various airports by noon Saturday should all go to plan.
It’s been a very enjoyable ocean crossing – fine food, including Lobster Pot’s fish chowder, and gala pies for Pete and Shelagh. Now must dash for tea and a hob nob.

After a week in Bermuda we’re now ready to head out to sea again and deliver the race boat back to Newport. A crew of 7 are signed up (Joe, Donald, Jeff, Shelagh, Sean, Casey and Pete), plus any stowaways we discover later. Joe has run out of jobs on the boat and is down to changing the font on all the labels, so we need to drop the dock lines at dawn tomorrow.
Looks like plenty of breeze. Here’s to a fast crossing…

The fuel for a yacht is the wind, and here we were mounted on a Formula 1 racing machine with only rubbing alcohol for fuel! A light wind race then, after the terror and thrills of the recent Sydney-Hobart crossing. The week spent with coach Andreas was excellent and definitely helped our focus on the racing, especially moving the crew around to balance the boat at all times, even if it meant waking crew to have them move bunks or sleep on the floor. The week also helped greatly in our understanding of the performance of each of the 18 sails. Our new “Joe-zero” mast head furling jib was a great weapon in this race and really helped in the light conditions. The race has three chapters.
The start to the Gulf Stream. Another good start for the Lindy Team as we lined up with the big boats for the 630 mile ocean adventure. As they start the fast boats last, we spent several hours catching and passing the slower boats before we had clear ocean ahead. This leg was cold, then at night – cold and damp. Couldn’t wait for the Gulf Stream.
Gulf Stream Once in the full current we experienced the usual wind against 5 knot current leading to square waves and a very uncomfortable ride. It was at least warmer now. Couldn’t wait to get through the Stream.
Stream to Bermuda The water smoothed out and then we had light and variable conditions for a full day, with countless sails changes and constant tweaking to keep the boat moving along. The boat is simply amazing how it catches the smallest zephyr and accelerates. Now very hot and meals down to peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Couldn’t wait to arrive in Bermuda and have a cold beer.
We were in a pack of 6 boats trading places throughout the race – behind the super fast boats ahead, and the following pack of slower boats. The boats around us helped keep us focused on racing, no matter our being tired and sore- good close racing.
Arrival to an empty marina (nice), cold dark and stormies (nicer), pizza (really nice) and the support team (the nicest).
A big thanks to Brad, Tory, Giancarlo and AJ for being patient instructors, to Joe for making these events happen, and the entire Lindy sailing and support team without which none of this would be half as much fun.
And we got Giancarlo to the airport on time for his wedding in Rome.

Previous reports of us being out of the wind vacuums may have been premature. However, we seem to be keeping this great ship rocking as fast as she can in smooth flat seas, 4k of breeze, with a combination of wind seeker, occasional J1, or J0 use, depending on the random angle a cloud here, a cloud there, brings us.
Just a few moments ago, we were treated to a dozen or so dolphins playing around our keel and bow, while a picture perfect sunset went down on the horizon. With our good friends Christopher Dragon just a few hundred meters off our bow, and another half dozen around, we have great references and motivation to keep playing this silly game.
On a negative note, as we cruise along, we have run into a few reminders of how we humans are not very good shepherds of our great oceans, and I for one have seen one two many (that is, more then 0) balloons floating around. Keep it clean folks.
With that, I can hear the boar picking up a bit more speed, and a slight chime of a winch being run. All good signs we will eventually join our family and friends in Bermuda, some time this month 😉
– 3L Crew, all working on some great tans

Keep your fingers crossed fans, after a nice 4 hours or so of wind seeking with a few fellow yachts, we seem to be up and running again, and hey, even in the right direction!
With one crew member needing to get to Bermuda in time to fly home for his wedding, we are letting him keep us all focused and in gear 100% of the time.
Have I mentioned how much we love our J0 (not to be confused with Joe, who we also, maybe, love). The J Zero is killing it this race, a brand new sail from North that is most definitely going to see a lot of orders post Bermuda landfall.
To our family and friends, you may need to start enjoying Bermuda without us, but we will get there, we promise!