![\"Pete-at-helm-838\"](\"https:\/\/setsail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/pete-at-helm-838.jpg\")
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To the detail oriented amongst SetSailors it will be obvious your seagoing correspondents have lost track of the calender, a sure sign it is time for a break from cruising. Part of the problem is the change in time zones that occurs when you are voyaging. Do you adjust the clocks on board, leave them on GMT, the time of the departure point, or change to the destination?<\/p>\n
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Wind Horse has two GPSs, three computers, and four clocks, and as so ably demonstrated, it is easy to get confused.<\/p>\n
Our normal plan of action is to leave the GPSs and computers on GMT. But departing Saint Lucia, headed for the East Coast of the USA where Wind Horse will spend some time, we switched everything to GMT minus five (Eastern standard time) and got the computer used for e-mail out of kilter. Keeping track of time was a lot simpler in the olden days. One quality watch a second back up, no computers or long range nav aids, but a little more challenging to keep track of one’s position.<\/p>\n
Which brings us to the just transited Mona Passage between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. The last time one of us was here it was blowing a gale, a huge sea was running, rain was obscurring the lights, and we had not had a celestial observation in 36 hours. Looking at the pencil lines on our 40 year old chart does bring back memories, and reminders of what we like about modern cruising<\/p>\n
It is a lovely Monday morning, the sky is clear, sunset and sunrises were their usual resplendent selves, and we are running along at eleven knots, looking forward to the Gulf Stream and its boost.<\/p>\n
We have a third crew aboard for this leg, something we’ve never done on a long passage with Wind Horse. Pete Rossin (photo above) is an experienced hand and it has been a pleasure for both of us to have somebody new with whom to chat and share watches (two on and four off at night).
\nPete is used to cruising these waters and we have been debating the merits of the Gulf Stream in a northerly breeze (steep waves) versus navigating through the Bahamas (longer, smaller waves, nav issues). Our decision point is Great Inaugua Island and will depend on the forecast.<\/p>\n
We have been following the ARC fleet with interest. Moonshadow is in the trades, her big kite is up, and she is grinding down the boats ahead. We are guessing that she has spent a lot less time under power than those ahead, and this will show up in the results. It is going to be interesting.
\nPosition: 18 49’13.67 N, 068 13’35.11 W<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"