2002

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Ocean Planet Report
Ocean Planet Qualifier Update
Return delivery to Newport, RI USA
July 22, 2002

Just cleared the north wall of the Gulf Stream. This ocean “riverbank” is a notorious place for big squalls when fronts are near, but luckily we went through what was left of the front yesterday well south of the GS. So last night was a combo of motoring, beautiful light air reaching, and constantly checking the radar for the rain signatures which barely appeared.

Other travelers in these parts are nervous, too. For the last day or so we have been followed by a little swallow who must be pretty lost. He (she) lands, preens, and hangs out for a while in different spots. Then back into the air, wheeling about looking for the bugs that one would think would be following such smelly humans…;-)

Actually, the crew has been cleaning up often, keeping my Spectra watermaker busy, which is no big deal. The watermaker draws such little power per gallon that I don’t even turn the engine on to run it anymore. What a great unit. Nothing beats a few jugs of fresh water after a salty sail change…

The boat is doing great, although my list of things to do in Newport is getting imposing. Going to need all the help we can get when we arrive tomorrow.

More later,

Bruce, Ocean Planet, crew, and aviary friends