Voyage 2012: Chapter 2

27 Nov 2012, Getting our Sea Legs ?, 33 17.718 N/ 075 24.87 W

Tuesday turned nasty. Winds were still OK at N@15-20 kts but the seas were getting larger and steeper maybe at 2.3 m (7 feet). We believe that the winds and the Gulf Stream were now interacting which produced the steep seas. It was not comfortable but not serious. Later in the afternoon, Sammy got really sick and then retreated to her berth (shared with Capt. Ann). Yesterday's clouds became today's squalls. As the squalls passed the winds increased by 5 kts but subsided rather quickly.

28 Nov 2012, Possible problem, 32 23.03 N/ 072 05.746 W

Tuesday evening found the wind near 20 kts most of the night while the seas leveled off at 7 to 8 feet. Once in a while we would take a 45 degree roll. Sammy continues to refuse everything. She is showing some signs of dehydration. Jule III is doing fine and the crew is coping but the Jane is worrying us. We made coffee yesterday and it is still warm. Getting difficult to cook. Ann took a spill during a large roll. We received the 1800 UTC GRIBs and the next 4 days just got worse. Bob did not think Sammy could take another 4 days. He suggested a Plan B. We looked at Puerto Rico, DR, Bahamas, and Wilmington. The best route for Sammy would be to turn tail and head back. Hard decision but we had no stomach for a burial at sea. We sent a message to Moony, Winlink, and SPOT that we were turning around. We started the turn at 1500 ET.