May 14, 1400. 30deg 23min N/64deg 42min W. 120 miles to go.

The wind has become steadier, blowing from WSW at 10 to 11. We’ve got everything set now and are motorsailing, to keep our speed at 12.5 to 13 knots. The 1200 UTC (0800 EST) surface analysis (just received) shows us in a westerly flow – with the cold front probably 18 hours to the west.

The nice thing about these surface analysis charts is they include actual buoy or ship reports so you know they are not the figment of some supercomputer’s imagination!

Our barometer has jumped three mb in the last ten hours. This indicates the high to the SW is expanding this way and could in itself, in conjunction with the oncoming front, produce a compression zone breeze. The high will help to keep the breeze in the SW to W quadrants for a while and any increase would be welcome.

An expanding high is shown in the middle of the Atlantic, which will probably impede the progress of the front we’re watching. That front to the west itself is not a problem – there probably is not more than 25 knots of steady wind in it – if that (plus gusts of course). What we’re racing – and have been for the past two days – are the northerly quadrant winds which come after it. We simply feel we’ve done enough beating with Beowulf this year – and prefer keeping the wind in a more civilized quadrant. (The way things look in the middle of the Atlantic, between the expanding high and the huge depression over the UK, the boats at the end of their passages to Europe are getting hammered! Unless, of course, they are far enough north to be on top of the high and still on the the favorable quadrant of the depression – in which case they are rocketing downhill.

1530 – 100 miles to go.

The sky to windward has blackened and is lowering. Wind is still light – after teasing us with puffs to 12 we are back in the six to eight knot range – and motorsailing. No signs of a real blow. Barometer remains relatively stable and sea state hasn’t changed (calm) except we’re getting some small, short period swells from WNW – which indicate there’s been some wind in the last 12 to 18 hours – maybe 12/15 knots. We keep hoping. Be nice to finish the passage with a power reach for the last miles.

1800 – 76 miles to go.

Wind has come up a bit – now blowing 13/15 from WSW and we’re…sailing! Just carrying plain sail – no big reachers. Although we expect the frontal passage – if it catches us – to be moderate, we don’t want to get caught with an extra 2000 square feet of sail flying in the dark. So, we’re cruising along at 10.5 to 11 instead of 12.5 to 13. The difference is just a couple of hours on what is going to be a night approach, so light is not an issue. Better to be conservative with sail selection when they’re just two of us aboard.

1924 – 61 miles to go.

Wind continues to clock – now blowing from due W, still at 13-15. We’ve started to blade out the main and mizzen (flatten them) in anticipation of more breeze and further movement ahead. We’re about five degrees high of the rhumb line (to the west) so we’ve got some angle to give back as we approach Bermuda.

Normally we’d not consider a nighttime approach and heave to until first light – but Bermuda has good buoyage, and we’ve heard from the Neris that they are all in place. Coming up from the south, the way is clear of reefs until you are close ashore. From the States, on the other hand, there’s a huge area of dangerous ground.

We’ve both got long-sleeve shirts on and the hatches are closed. Even the watermaker is feeling the cooler climate. With water temperature down about eight degrees (F) from the tropics, fresh water production is down about ten percent (we’re filling the tanks now in anticipation of a week or two in harbor – where it may be a bit polluted).

2203 – First strong radar return of Bermuda at 34.4 miles.

0000 – 15 miles to go.

Breeze is still light, steady 12 to 13, occasional gusts to 15, from the WSW. All the concern we’ve had about beating the last 100 miles has been misplaced. The weather systems have obviously realigned themselves in a more favorable pattern. Sure could have been using our big reachers in front of the mizzen and main. But with just two of us aboard, and potentially inclement weather about, it is better to be conservative in sail selection and take a little longer.

Monday, May 15, 0042. 9 miles to go.

Cannot get radar target, gps way point and electronic chart to all agree. After slowing the boat down for a few minutes, found that the gps waypoint had incorrect longitude. Operator error had the waypoint 2 miles inland – which is why one should always confirm one position with a second, even with GPS!

0110 – Called Bermuda Harbor Radio on channel VHF 16, switched to working channel 27, and got an update on harbor lights. Received coordinates for sea buoy which are different than the chart. Then asked a series of questions about vessel, crew, and emergency gear – all very professional.

0142 – Abeam Bermuda sea buoy #1.

0226 – Hook down in “Convict Bay” in what appears to be an anchorage crowded with other yachts. We’re on the outer edge.

So ends this voyage.

(View the weatherfaxes at http://www.mpc.ncep.noaa.gov .)