June 23
        
        Subject: Log 6/23
        Date: Wed, 23 Jun 1999 20:22:51, -0500
        From: MYPE43A@prodigy.com 
        
        
        Well, its' been a while since I updated this web site and a lot has happened.
        Everybody is safe, a little frustrated (VERY!), tired and armed with another set of
        experiences.
        
        We are back at square one......Norwalk. We had some problems with our
        electronics that couldn't be corrected. The Auto Pilot and Single Side Band(SSB
        Radio) were the major problems. Without the Auto Pilot we would need to steer
        the boat 24 hrs a day for almost 3 weeks. While doable it would be a significant
        drain on the entire crew. On top of this we had not been able to get adequate
        weather information to insure our safety. The Magellan unit, the one for E-Mail,
        was extremely difficult to use. It worked fine while the boat was stationary but
        infrequently while it was in motion. This was primarily due to the transition
        between the unit getting a G.P.S. fix and finding a communications satellite. The
        delay was usually long enough so that the G.P.S. fix for our location was no longer
        valid...... the satellite was trying to communicate with where we used to be.....clear?
        Well, the bottom line was that we were not receiving weather forecasts via E-Mail
        as planned. We had planned to use the S.B. as our prime weather source. Voice
        communication as well as Weather Fax through SSB. Neither of these was
        successful either. Hence, my decision.
        ....turn back and try another day.
        
        We were 400 miles East of Cape Cod when I decided to turn around. I didn't like
        the decision but it was the correct decision. Without our weather forecasts we didn't
        know that we were turning back into the face of a formidable ridge of weather. We
        had 2 days of 20-40kt winds with max seas in the 15-20ft range. It was cold and
        wet and we had to steer the whole time. The boat became full of foul weather gear,
        boots, jackets, sweaters and the like very quickly. We were in and out of these
        clothes frequently so they were all piled up in the main salon..... .it was a mess but
        it made things a lot easier. We really didn't get this cleaned up until we got back to
        port.
        
        We left the US just North of Cape Cod. This was due to a weather briefing prior
        to our departure. The winds from the storm were out of the NE. If we went back
        the way we came the winds would have been on our beam....not a good situation. 
        
        
        Therefore, we sailed a bit South East to take the wind and waves on our rear
        quarter.....much safer and more comfortable. We were still a little green.....except
        for Faith and Jim. This direction took us South of Nantucket and Georges Banks.
        We encountered many fishing boats on the banks. At night this is a challenge. We
        actually got back to land on June 19. We stayed in the Harbor at Block Island on
        Saturday night. We didn't know it but Pete and Donna Dayger were there the same
        night! The next day we left Jim off at Old Saybrook, CT. and spent the night
        anchored at the Thimbles.....a neat set of Islands just East of New Haven. We left
        early in the morning and arrived back at Norwalk just after 2:00pm on Monday,
        6/21.
        
        Our total trip was almost 1400 miles. It took us just under 12 days. We spent 5 of
        those nights at anchor and we were on the move for 24 hrs a day for the rest of the
        time. Not bad as we look back at what we did. We will save the wine and
        champagne for Europe though. 
        
        What really caused the problem? I really wanted to make the trip this year. I had
        continued to make significant changes to the boat up until we left. This didn't leave
        enough time to do an adequate job of testing ALL of the new systems and
        additions. I was wrong to take that risk. Many small things didn't work or didn't
        work correctly. We were able to deal with these as they occurred but under more
        strenuous conditions than required. The boat performed well.
        
        What's next? It is now too late in the year to attempt another crossing. Faith and I
        will likely spend the balance of the summer cruising New England, probably
        through Maine. In the fall, after hurricane season, we are currently planning to sail
        to the Caribbean. Next Spring we will likely plan a trip to Bermuda, The Azores,
        and Portugal. First though we are going over the boat again to strengthen the weak
        spots, to better organize our storage and supplies, to be sure we have gone through
        and verified all our systems are ready and to insure we have adequate
        communications to insure a safe passage.
        
        Faith and I were really touched by all of your prayers and support. It has meant a
        lot to us to know that all of you were wishing us the best throughout our voyage.
        It is changing shape a bit but we are still on our way.
        
        Thanks again!
        Love to you all!
        Faith and Rudy