Wind SW 8.4kts Seas 1-2ft
Mahina Kai – Day 3 Marion to Bermuda – Gulf
stream
This morning marks our half-way point to
Bermuda!
One of the complexities of crossing the
Atlantic Ocean is
remediating the impacts of the gulf stream current. Most of us know about the
basic current flow
from the Gulf of Mexico, around Florida, to northern Europe, which
then sinks
as a cold current and returns South.
In
reality though, there are arm-like offshoots from the main
current, and large
areas of spinning cold or warm eddies that can stay active for
years. These create
beneficial or opposing currents
that can help or hinder progress.
A second complexity is the prevailing weather. Two years ago, remnants of TS
Bill, moving
through New England and easterly off shore created strong winds in
opposition
to the gulf stream current. This
combination
increases the seas, wave heights, and compresses the wave
frequency,
and made for a very rough ride. This
year,
a gale moved North of New England before the start, giving us a
lively
sailing day for the start, but has now left us with several areas
of high
pressure and relatively calm weather now.
Part of the strategizing of this race is to
determine the
impacts of the main gulf stream and the eddy currents which may be
moving in
favorable or unfavorable directions.
All
the boats are sailing their own race now, and are trying to
determine the best
path through the gulf stream. Each
vessel
wants to take advantage of these currents, especially considering
the
light winds, to position themselves for a good approach to Bermuda
upon
existing the steam.
Have seen a couple pods of dolphins swimming
nearby, and a
few sea birds.
Thai peanut noodles for lunch, dinner of
Lasagna, Cookie of
the Day: Frosted starfish
#SVMahinaKai #MBR2017
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