10/30/08 1351 - Long Island Sound - 041 12.1N, 072 21.8W

Crew: Glen Ballou, Al Skinner, John LaBonte, Bill Littell, Dick Saunders. Left PPM gas dock at 1240. SOG 8.3Kn, COG 119°M, TWS 20.7Kn, TWD 337°M

10/30/08 1508 - Through Plum Gut -041 09.0N,072 07.7W

Broad reaching. SOG 9.1Kn, COG 115°M, TWS 21.4Kn, TWD 325°M

10/31/08 1434 - 039 12.6N, 070 34.2W

Deep Blue Sea - SOG 7.3Kn, COG 165°M, TWS 18.5Kn, TWD 297°M - From ship's log at 1240; Back on stbd gybe, AWA 089 S, clear skies, deep blue seas,w whitecaps, XTE 11.95 L, BRG 159M.

10/31/08 1435 - Plastic sheet & snacks.

Clear plastic sheet, normaly tied to windward. Really cut the wind for the night watch crew, especially the first 3 nights.

10/31/08 1435 - Sparkling seas to windward.

Shows the zipped on side curtains.

10/31/08 1436 - Gorgeous reach.

10/31/08 1442 - Lovely wake.

10/31/08 1746 - 038 53.1N, 070 17.3W

Cold sunset. SOG 6.6Kn, COG 153°M, TWS 23Kn, TWD 263°M - From ship's log at 1915; Starry night, wind veered to W, seas choppy & confused,. Shortened main & jib, AWA 75 S.

11/1/08 0956 - 37 15.7N, 68 51.4W

Getting the asymmetrical chute ready. SOG 6.3Kn, COG 156°M, TWS 15.4Kn, TWD 295°M

11/1/08 1059 - 37 09.4N, 68 45.5W

Asymmetrical flying. SOG 7.7Kn, COG 160°M, TWS 14.6Kn, TWD 307°M - From ship's log at 0407; Starry night, much warmer,moderate seas, beam reach stbd tack. - From log at 1235; Motor sailing at 1230L, spinnaker set at 1000L then dropped at 1230L. Avg speed 24 hrs 7.36, distance 176.1. - From log at 1535; Shutdown engine & set jib. Contacted Herb for weather.

11/2/08 0713 - 035 01.9N, 066 59.0W

Sunrise. Motorsailing. SOG 5.7Kn, COG 156°M, TWS 10.7Kn, TWD 325°M - From ship's log at 0000; Starry night, motor sailing w main & jib since 1853L yesterday. Need to make Bermuda by Monday per Herb.

11/2/08 1745 - 034 12.2N, 066 04.4W

Dinner in the cockpit. Note the short sleeves, 3 days out. SOG 7.6Kn, COG 147°M, TWS 16.5Kn, TWD 39°M - From ship's log 11/2/08: 0905; Motor sailing w main, haven't gotten the windshift from NE forecasted by Herb, wind too light to sail. (Navlog time 1 hr less beginning this AM time change). 1305; Motorsailing more easterly w main & jib. Forecast to veer to NE then ENE. 1400; Stop engine, spinnaker up. 1645; Wind veering to 030M, take down spinnaker, roll out jib. VMG 7.6Kn to waypoint just off St. Gerorge's Harbour.

11/2/08 1745

11/3/08 1136 - 032 34.2N, 64 37.9W

Rough seas, leading edge of coming storm. SOG 7.8Kn, COG 172°M, TWS 21.9Kn, TWD 72°M - From ship's log at 0615; Reefed main & jib, wind gusts to 30Kn early evening & veering. Ran engine to aid reefing during shower, wild ride, lumpy seas.

11/3/08 1334 - 032 22.8N, 64 38.7W

Approaching Bermuda. SOG 7.5Kn, COG 200°M, TWS 24.9Kn, TWD 73°M - From ship's log at 1158; "LAND-HO!" sighted by eagle eye John Labonte. Still reefed main & jib. (Navlog time now matches this log as Glen reset PC time to AST around 0855).

11/3/08 1335 - Approaching Bermuda.

11/3/08 1347 - 032 22.7N, 64 40.4W

In the aqua waters of the channel to St. George's Harbor.

11/3/08 1348 - Midway through the channel.

11/3/08 1349 - Through the channel.

11/3/08 1350 - Into St. George's Harbor.

11/3/08 1435 - Waiting at the Custom's dock for the custom's agent. Late lunch I guess.

11/3/08 1658 - Neighboring boats at the St. George's Dinghy Club.

Berthed stern-to with anchor out forwrd, Mediterranean style.

11/3/08 1659 - The infamous plank.

One of us crawled on hands and knees.....

11/3/08 2135 - Night shot of the cement dock & neighboring boats.

11/4/08 0932 - View to the right from the 2nd floor deck of the St. Georges Dinghy Club.

Synergy is to the left of the big catamaran.

11/4/08 0932 - View straight on from the deck of the St. Georges Dinghy Club.

11/4/08 0932 - View to slight left from the deck of the St. Georges Dinghy Club.

11/4/08 0932 - View to more left from the deck of the St. Georges Dinghy Club.

11/4/08 0932 - View to way left from the deck of the St. Georges Dinghy Club.

11/5/08 1319 - Hamilton Harbor dock at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club.

OceanPlanet & Virgin Money (Speedboat) berthed there.

11/5/08 1320 - Hamilton Harbor. Cruise ship.

11/5/08 1325 - OceanPlanet.

Info about the skipper Bruce Schwab and the boat at http://www.bruceschwab.com/index.asp.

11/5/08 1325 - OceanPlanet.

Bruce Schwab (eating) and guests.

11/5/08 1325 - Virgin Money.

Info about owner Sir Richard Branson and boat at http://uk.virginmoney.com/virgin/challenge/ and a YouTube video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nTrgQ2a-us&feature=channel reporting that they abandoned the attempt for a TransAtlantic record and pulled into Bermuda.

11/5/08 1325 - Virgin Money.

11/5/08 1327 - Virgin Money.

11/5/08 1349 - Royal Bermuda Yacht Club.

11/5/08 1600 - Hamilton City Hall & Art Center

11/6/08 2020 - Slippery when wet

11/6/08 2021 - Planning the leg to St. Thomas.

Left to right; Bill, Glen and John.

11/6/08 2022 - Galley slaves.

Looks like Al is making a salad and John is ready to pounce on what ever is in the oven.

11/7/08 1216 - Leaving St. George's Harbor, Bermuda.

11/7/08 1456 - 32 10.1N, 64 28.3W

Partial rainbow. Motorsailing. SOG 7.0Kn, COG 177°M, TWS 7.8Kn, TWD 300°M.

11/7/08 1721 - 31 55.3N, 64 24.7W

Sailing at sunset. SOG 7.0Kn, COG 198°M, TWS 12.2Kn, TWD 299°M - From ship's log at 2000; Motorsailed until 1550 then sailed until 1946, motorsailed until 2000. Now sailing nicely. Several sailboats that were in Bermuda remained in sight during daylight.

11/8/08 1725 - 29 40.0N, 64 24.7W

Sunset. Motorsailing. SOG 6.5Kn, COG 183°M, TWS 1.6Kn, TWD 227°M - From ship's log at 2300; Motoring since 1455. Now rolled up main & jib w spinnaker lashed on deck. Glassy rolling sea, but nice moonlite night. Wind variable up to 3Kn at times.

11/9/08 0635 - 28 25.6N, 64 02.3W

Sunrise. SOG 5.4Kn, COG 177°M, TWS 6.3Kn, TWD 053°M - From ship's log at 0720; Motored all night in very light winds first at 2300 rpm, then 2000, some w main & jib out after sunrise at 1500 rpm. Stop engine at 0700 to refuel w 3 5gal jugs.

11/9/08 0726 - 28 21.8N, 64.00.9W

In-flight refueling. Motoring slowly. SOG 3.8Kn, COG 179°M, TWS 9.0Kn, TWD 047°M - From ship's log at 0758; Finished refuel w 15 gals. Al strapped in on swim platform, assisted by Glen & John holding lashings to each jug with me as go-for & cleanup guy. Gage = 3/4 now.

11/9/08 0956 - 28 15.5N, 63 59.5W

Under asymmetrical. SOG 6.7Kn, COG 182°M, TWS 11.6Kn, TWD 0452°M - From ship's log at 1200; Spinnaker port tack reach since 0830. NE wind 12-14. Keeping E a bit for expected veer to ENE, E, ESE and maybe SE.

11/9/08 0956 - Bill, sea stories.

11/9/08 0956 - Al & John, sea stories.

11/9/08 1314 - 27 45.4N, 63 54.4W

Synergy's boat speed terminolgy. SOG 6.7Kn, COG 190°M, TWS 10.2Kn, TWD 064°M - Cap'n Ballou was always asking us if we were "hauling ass". The crew decided we needed to develop terms that would more accurately describe Synergy's boat speed. Note the incorrect month in date on my notes. It was a silly time.

11/9/08 1323 - 27 44.7N, 63 54.4W

Ship ahoy! Second of two that went across our bow. SOG 5.2Kn, COG 197°M, TWS 9.2Kn, TWD 058°M

11/9/08 1409 - 27 40.8N, 63 53.7W

Early dinner. Chef 1st Class Al slicing meatloaf. SOG 4.8Kn, COG 184°M, TWS 9.3Kn, TWD 049°M - On this leg we decided to have dinner in mid-afternoon so that all could partake at one sitting.

11/9/08 1409 - Al & Glen.

11/9/08 1409 - Bill.

11/9/08 1409 - Chief Chef John 1st Class.

11/9/08 2106 - 27 06.7N, 63 57.6W

Asymmetrical at night. SOG 5.7Kn, COG 203°M, TWS 9.8Kn, TWD 088°M - From ship's log at 2107; Wind died, started motorsailing w main & spinnaker abt 1630. After a few hours was sailing smartly still w main & spinnaker at angle of 70-75 deg. In a gorgeous moonlit night.

No photos from 10/10/08, but it was a busy day. Here's entrries form the log:

From ship's log on 11/10/08 at 0007; Took down spinnaker and rolled out jib as was overpowerd when wind veered and couldn't sail a higher than 225M. Still port tack.

From ship's log 10/10/08 at 0610; "Smoking Ass" w full main & jib w autopilot vane steering. Another beauty of a night w 3/4 moon and tons of stars after it set.

From ship' log on 11/10/08 at 1920; just reefed main & jib. Lumpy seas & stiffening breeze.. Still port tack beam to close reach autopilot to the vane.

11/11/08 0820 - 22 55.2N, 64 21.6W

In the trades. SOG 7.5Kn, COG 199°M, TWS 17.1Kn, TWD 088°M - From ship's log at 0222; Boat speed up to 9+kn "blazing Ass". Been running MG set a lot cuz haven't used boat engine for a couple days, Lot of clouds tonight , still bright with waxing moon.

11/11/08 0820 - Cap'n Glen expounding....

11/11/08 0838 - 22 49.7N, 64 22.1W

Flying fish casualty. One hit me last evening after ricochetting off of the side screen. None the worse for wear (its and mine), I threw it gently back.

11/11/08 0902 - 22 49.7N, 62 22.1W

Yep, proof that I was there. SOG 7.3Kn, COG 201°M, TWS 18.2Kn, TWD 087°M - From ship's log at 1000; Full jib, reefed main. Pretty morning, but stuffy cabin with hatches & most portlights closed. Running MG set to charge batteries.

11/11/08 1752 - 21 44.7N, 64 30.8W

Sunset. Storm clouds a-brewing. SOG 7.1Kn, COG 195°M, TWS 13.7Kn, TWD 089°M - From ship's log at 2250; MG running to charge batteries. Dodging little squalls. Ran engine some to aid. Wind lighter than the last 2 nights except in squalls.

11/12/08 0624 - 20 14.7N, 64 38.0W

Daybreak. Most squals behind us, now. SOG 7.1Kn, COG 201°M, TWS 13.2Kn, TWD 079°M - From ship's log at 0815; What a night. Nice sailing after last entry, then a series of big squalls w heavy rain and wind. Peak gusts 38kn. Clamaties include loose main leech line which caused a huge clatter & shaking of the rig when sail luffed. Then during big one we accidentall gybed trying to ease downwind and ended up hove-to for 10 minutes. Finally cleared last squall by 0730L.

11/12/08 0709 - 20 09.9N, 64 38.2W

Rainbow. SOG 7.1Kn, COG 178°M, TWS 15Kn, TWD 061°M

11/12/08 1728 - 19 00.8N, 64 46.3W

What? Motorsailing when there's enough wind? Cap'n's orders. SOG 7.6Kn, COG 201°M, TWS 14.3Kn, TWD 052°M - From ship's log at 1557; Added another 5 gals diesel w Al doing acrobatics from transom. Started motorsailing as winds have fallen off to 10-12kn and we want to make port tonight.

11/12/08 1756 - 18 56.9N, 64 46.8W

Sunset. SOG 7.7Kn, COG 200°M, TWS 12.4Kn, TWD 062°M - From ship's log at 1640; "Land Ho" - islands at 11 o'clock port bow, Tortolla etc. From log at 1640; Stopped engine, started sailing in 17-20kn winds on broad reach. Thankfully we didn't have to power the remaining distance.

11/12/08 2324 - 18 20.5N, 64 47.5W

Moored in Caneel Bay, St. John. From ship's log at 2310; Picked up a mooring in Caneel Bay on St. John's.. Rolled in sail and came in between Jost Van Dyke and Great Tobaga islands. Exciting 'cuz Glens' laptop wouldn't work in the cockpit.. So had to relay course instuctions frim the nav station to helm via Intercom

11/13/08 0826 - Caneel Bay in the morning.

11/13/08 1007 - Custom's Office at Cruz Bay, St. John.

11/13/08 1054 - VI National Park Visitor Center at Cruz Bay.

11/13/08 1106 - Motoring to St. Thomas across the way.

11/13/08 1122 - Approaching Sapphire Beach Resort & Marina.

11/13/08 1150 - Arrived in St. Thomas.

11/13/08 1224 - View of Sapphire Beach from the dock.

John, Glen and Al ambling over to check it out.

11/14/08 1635 - Backed in, dinghy launched.

11/14/08 1637 - Dock and condos.

11/14/08 1637 - More condos.

11/17/08 0829 - Sapphire Beach looking towards the pool.

11/17/08 0842 - The pool.

11/17/08 0842 - The pool.

Alas, a little too early in the tourist season, as the pool-side bar was not open.

11/17/08 0844 - A little peninsula adjacent to the pool.

11/17/08 0845 - View from tip of the peninsula.

11/17/08 0845 - View from the peninsula towards the marina.

11/17/08 0845 - View from the peninsula on the other side.

11/17/08 0918 - View from Synergy's "back porch".

John, Al, Bill and I sadly departed from this paradise on the 19th to fly back to reality, cold Connecticut. Glen wasn't lonely, though, because Debbie flew in the night before.