Bluebird Sailing Adventures

2011 Bermuda One-Two Log & Position Entries

7/7/2011 - Race Recap
Greetings, sailing friends and family!

As you all probably know from the website, my computer and camera both shorted out in St. George so I had no reports or pictures for the double-handed leg of the race. I didn't think that I relied that much on the computer, but very much felt it's loss on the way back- no email communication, no weather updates, except for the SSB radio- in some ways, it was refreshing... but I'm glad to be operational again.

Anyway, after finishing first in class and fleet for leg 1, we came in third in Class for leg 2, 5th overall in combined time. We can't and won't complain! I made a major strategic error by going West immediately after the race started- there were theoretical reasons for doing this, involving the possibility of better wind and currents- but these didn't materialize. Fortunately, we didn't persist in that strategy for too long. Beyond that, race conditions were more typical and varied than they were on the first leg- periods of good wind, high wind, no wind, but not a bad mix overall. Again, in contrast to the first leg, we rarely saw other boats.

Harry, as always, was a steady crewmate who never gets phased by the rough conditions, and always rises to do whatever is needed to keep us all going.

Friend Jonathan on Jeroboam once again showed us how it's done, taking first in Class 4 and first in fleet in combined time. He sets a great example with careful pre-race boat prep, weather planning, routing, and finally just sails like hell!

Friend Patrick from Camden did a great job, winning Class 3 with his daughter Macy crewing. There were lots of family boats this year- sons, daughters and brothers. The camaradeire among all the sailors is a hallmark of this race.

So now I'm back in Skowhegan, enjoying being with Jan, cats, bees, garden and even being back at work. Will I do this again? Best not to think about it now!

Again, a big thank you for everyone who helped- Chuck Paine for designing such a safe, stable and still fast boat, Morris Yachts for building her; Bill and the crew at Ocean Pursuits for all of their work (and especially the smooth bottom); Doug Pope for all of all our sails, and finally John at Gemini Canvas for our new dodger.

Cheers to all-

Gust

6/22/2011
Arrived safely 7:01 AM today, boat and crew intact.

6/15/2011 - 15:41 EDT
Hello all- keyboard of the IBM appears to be malfunctioning, probably got wet- trying to resuscitate, but if unsuccessful, it means no sky mate updates at sea.

If I get it working, I'll send a sky mate note, but expect a slow race, light winds- we will try to head west and make our way as best we can. Harry and I are otherwise in good spirits and ready to get going!

Love. G

06/08/2011 - 12:50 EDT

Greetings, all- Bluebird crossed the finish line at 6:38 PM yesterday, about a day sooner than our usual time. We were first in our class to arrive, and did well against the fleet, but times still have to be corrected for final results. But I am hopeful!

A quick race recap:

The start out of Newport was in brisk NW'ly winds. Peter on Panacea had a great start, charging across the line with a full head of steam, the rest of us dribbling in behind him. Out on the bay, people tried setting spinnakers, resulting in the first of what was to be many incidences of dreaded "wrap", or hour-glassing the big sail around the forestay in a hopeless tangle.

After a couple of hours of good sailing, the wind died; eventually, it came in from the SE (totally not predicted!); we spent the night close hauled. At dawn, it came in from the West- spinnakers were again set for a very nice days run. Wind shifted the the NW in the afternoon. Around 6PM, it freshened considerably into the 20+K range and another round of wraps for those that didn't get them down soon enough. From then on, it blew steadily from the N to NW till the end of the race, resulting for Bluebird in two back to back 150nm noon to noon runs. The days of northerlies also produced progressively bigger waves- we ended up doing quite a bit of surfing.

On Sunday, Bluebird entered the Gulf Stream - quite rough, because of the wind against current situation. We got a very good push from the Stream, never encountered adverse current.

I sailed a conservative race, sticking close to the East side of the rhumb line. Bluebird did very well, no mechanical problems, no systems problems, and seemed very fast, keeping up with several boats rated much faster. I had made an extra effort to get weight off of the boat (but didn't give up my olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and 3 types of hot sauce.) Bill and his crew at Oceans Pursuits did a great job fairing the bottom, working in the cold drizzle of the Maine Spring. Doug Pope's new mainsail definitely helped. The sailing conditions favored us as well - Bluebird does well in heavy downwind conditions (or maybe I just don't drive as well upwind.)

My only losses were a hat overboard and a missing Leatherman tool (probably overboard, but maybe I'll find it somewhere). Other than a few jib wraps, no sailing mishaps. I do notice that I'm covered in bruises.

Well, I'm starting to fade - time for my first nap!

Gust

06/05/2011 - 18:13 EDT
In the Gulf Stream - spin cycle of the washer...

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Eight Bells for Eric Beenfeldt
1944-2010

This afternoon at three o’clock, the ashes of Eric Beenfeldt were interred into the Gulf Stream. He died in 2010 after a short struggle with mesothelioma, leaving his wife Robin, son Daniel and daughter Megan.

A frequent Bluebirder, Eric participated in two Bermuda races, as well as many Penobscot Bay races. He and Robin sailed their own boat Callooh Callay out of their home port of Belfast, and as far South as Florida.

Eric was an ideal shipmate, calm under pressure, joyous in the voyage. Problems aboard were just puzzles to be solved. His enthusiasm and good energy always lifted our mood, in good conditions and bad.

His ashes, which looked like crushed shells of white with flecks of green, black, pink and turquoise, were spread from the stern wake accompanied by dried flower petals, sinking into the clear, blue water. The Gulf Stream will carry them around the Atlantic. They were accompanied by a slug of his favorite gin, along with a libation of rum for sailors everywhere. Raise a toast today to Eric and celebrate a life that touched many hearts.

His family offered these verses:

Take me disappearing through the smoke rings of my mind

Down the foggy ruins of time, far past the frozen leaves

The haunted frightened trees, out to the windy beach

Far from the twisted reach of crazy sorrow.

Yew, to dance beneath the diamond sky with one hand waving free

Silhouetted by the sea, circled by the circus sands

With all memory and fate driven deep beneath the waves

Let me forget about today until tomorrow...

Take me on a trip upon your magic swirling ship

My senses have ben stripped, my hands can't feel the grip

My toes too numb to step, wait only for my bootheels to be wandering...

I'm ready to go anywhere, I'm ready for to fade

Into my own parade, cast your dancing spell my way

I promise to go under it... B.D.

06/04/2011 - 05:33:15 EDT
Wind eventually shifted to SW and was able to get back on course. Now more variable. Was able to nap. Feathered friend gone!

40° 18.35' N

71° 02.25' W

06/04/2011 - 00:07:31 EDT
Greetings all- thanks for all the nice messages.

Stars are out, winds moderate SE, wrong direction but oh well! Boats all around me.

remember when writing, don't return my messages.

40° 40.15' N

71° 21.35' W

06/03/2011 - 18:51 EDT

The Start! We had the promised NW winds, 15-20K with higher gusts. Peter on Panacea took the class 4 starting line, charging across with a full head of steam. We beam reached out of the Bay, basically overpowered. Once out, people tried spinnakers, wing on wing, various combinations - I wrapped my jib around the forestay while setting my pole, but managed eventually to get it free. The fleet seemed to split, some going East, some West.

The wind died after just a few hours, leaving us rattling and slattering around. Finally, the wind has filled in from the ESE - directly from Bermuda! Finally making a little headway, 4 boats around me.

Another warbler has joined the crew and is on bug patrol.

Cheers, g

06/03/2011 - 07:13 EDT
Greetings, Sailing friends and family- It's the morning of the start. We will have brisk North Westerly winds for the first 6 hours, possibly longer, then things will die down as we get near the Gulf Stream. This is a much nicer forecast than 2 years ago- no storms in sight. The thunderstorms and tornadoes that devastated Massachusetts fortunately missed Newport, although we got some spectacular lightning and some gusts into the 30K range.

My strategy for the first part of the race is to head East of the Rhumb (or direct) line, to hopefully hang on to the wind longer, and to hopefully avoid some adverse current.

There are about 30 boats in the race, many flat-out racers who will be carrying minimal weight (just what gear and supplies that is absolutely required); others, like Bluebird, are more comfortable cruising boats- I'm glad to have a warm dry cabin to get into! I do have a little competitive streak in me, but try to remind myself that it is the experience out there that counts, and that is what brings people back to this race year after year.

There are only 2 women skippers this year, OneGirl'sOcean, an open mini in Class 6, and Lindsay on Flying Tiger in Class 1. We lost all of the Open 40's save one to a transatlantic race. On the return race, there are many family pairs: couples, father/son, and several father/daughters (16 and 18!).

Cheers to all, gust

05/31/2011 - 21:41 EDT

Bluebird docked safely in Newport at 7PM today.

05/31/2011 - 13:31 EDT

Bluebird is sailing again after a delay at the Cape Cod Canal with our old gremlin, air in the fuel system knocking out the engine. At least temporarily cleared; should make Newport this evening. Will be on regular email then.

Remember, when replying to Skymate, don't send the original message back. Cheers, Gust

05/29/2011 - 05:55:22 EDT

A good night- fog lifted till after 2 AM, beautiful stars. Now foggy, wet and drippy again but boat is warm and dry, the dodger is doing it's job and all systems are good! Swept the radar every 15 minutes, along with the AIS, encountered mostly fishermen and a few sailboats and motorboats overnight. Am clear of the Boston shipping lanes now, a little less than 30 miles to the canal. Winds from the S-SW, 15-20 K, on the nose- I'm going with just staysail and main to keep things easy, along with the engine.

I've had my breakfast kibbles and coffee. Very happy to report no seasickness so far- a good start.

A big thank you to everyone who worked on getting Bluebird ready- esp. Bill at Ocean Pursuits for trouble shooting all of the electronic bugs; John at Gemini Canvas for the snug dodger; Doug at Pope Sails for the excellent sails. And of course, Chuck Paine and Morris Yachts for designing and building such a seaworthy, safe and comfortable boat (not forgetting the fast part either!) Bluebird standing by...

42° 15.39' N

70° 24.18' W

05/28/2011 - 18:45:25 EDT
About 85 nm from the Cape Cod Canal, motor-sailing in light SE winds. Has been foggy, cool and damp all day, the sun is out briefly now. A yellow capped warbler landed on the boat, rested, flew in and out of the cabin and around the boat, landed on my head several times! After hanging out for a few hours, he eventually left.

Am rested, well fed (Jan's chicken soup) and not seasick. Hoping for a quiet night- g

43° 07.24' N

69° 40.59' W

In addition to these positions sent directly from Bluebird, progress and position in the race can be tracked at www.iboattrack.com. Each boat carries a transponder that updates positions every 2 hours.

Position Updates

Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at 10:55 AM GMT