Bypassing Bermuda
Day 4 November 18, 2009
32 31.3 N
64 31.9 W

It is almost 6:00 pm AT. We can see Bermuda, but we are not planning to stop. We have had another day of heavy air sailing with the winds averaging 30 knots all day. We sailed just under 200 miles! It was way too rough for fishing, bathing, and just about everything else. However, we had a work party after lunch and made quick repairs to our water maker, a block on deck, and furniture in the salon that got bumped in the rough sea. What a team! Chris and Peter handled the furniture; Chris the water maker and deck block; Leo steered and kept the boat going. Jake and Kim both got some much needed rest. Kim appeared part way through the projects and pitched in to help, while Jake appeared just as we were testing the water maker. Aside from the fact that we were heeling too much to actually make water, the repair was perfect. As for me, I took various areas apart; moved things to secure places, then reversed the process. We did good work! Three repairs made in less than three hours, the boat restored to order, 2 crew members rested for their watches, and the others taking a rest.

We made the decision to bypass Bermuda after talking to Herb at 4:00 pm. We have just less than 1000 miles to go. That means we have just less than 6 days remaining at sea. We are going to have strong winds through tomorrow thanks to the remnants of Ida and the high pressure system you are probably enjoying. We should have 2 to 3 days of good sailing, and then will have to find wind for a day or so. We have enough fuel for 2 days of motoring. We are betting we will find enough wind to make it! You will know how we make out.

Because we’re rolling so much and heeled over I’ve had to be somewhat creative in the galley. For example, even when the oven is gimbaled items in it will slide around. One year the spare ribs slid off the back of the oven rack and lay on the back wall of the oven. To avoid a similar occurrence I haven’t used the oven in this windy weather. Tonight I heated the lasagna in the double boiler! It worked fine it just took longer than expected.

As I’ve been writing Jake and Leo just got hit by a huge wave. Leo had water up to his knees, while Jake was sitting in a mere 6”. The wave shorted out the auto pilot momentarily, and left piles of Sargasso weed on the deck, caught under lines, looped over the lifelines and piled up against the life raft. If it’s still there in the morning we’ll try to send you a photo.

All the best from the crew of Avalanche, carrying on toward Antigua.