OUTBOUND TO BERMUDA

Provided weather permits the rally to begin as currently scheduled, Wind Runner will depart Pier 65 Marina, Westerly, Rhode Island, sometime Sunday, June 15. We have chosen not to sail twelve hours to the formal starting point of the rally in Mamaroneck, New York, only to sail twelve hours along the reverse course to get back to where all boats will exit Long Island and then Block Island Sounds for the Atlantic Ocean. This is a rally not a race. It is just a collection of boats sailing together, and starting can be informal. We will depart so we remain part of the pack.

Once we exit Block Island Sound east of Montauk and west of Block Island, we will have about 620 Nautical Miles to go on a course of about 160 degrees Magnetic. However, our course will meander as we sail to take advantage of the current and wind, or to avoid uncomfortable seas and weather. We will arrive in Bermuda on Friday if our Velocity Made Good is 5 nautical miles per hour(knots). We will arrive in Bermuda on Thursday if our VMG is 6 knots.

Wind Runner carries 160 gallons of fuel and burns 1.5 gallons per hour motoring or motorsailing. We just might be able to drive the boat the whole way to Bermuda, but we will manage fuel to maintain a reserve. Given the price of diesel fuel right now, it would be grand if we could get to Bermuda using the engine only to charge batteries.

Once in Bermuda Wind Runner will be berthed at the new docks of Bermuda Yacht Services. Almost as soon as we arrive we will begin reviewing the weather and planning for the reverse voyage.