P2 Crew Log

June 1, 2009

The way north!

After 2 months in the Eastern Caribbean, P2 departed St. Maarten bound for Guana Cay in the Abaco Islands, Bahamas. Aboard for the voyage were TP2 permanent crew Tom Masterson, Eliza Prevost, Tracey Bamforth and Sam McCarthy. Veteran race crew Maurice Kurg, Randy Reynolds, and Peter McNaughton sailed as delivery crew on what would be a 970-mile, 4 day, light wind voyage.

Despite the excellent conditions that persisted the month before, P2 departed on the front end of a very weak trade wind regime. Fortunately for us, the forecasters were not entirely correct and the light and variable conditions predicted did not materialize. Instead, we sailed Northwest for most of the trip with 10 to 15 knots out of the SE, allowing us to deploy the P2 A sail for two days before being headed by a pre-frontal SW flow.

Though he vowed not to bring his camera, Peter McNaughton fortunately did so and captured numerous special moments on the way north. Thank you, Peter!

Peter’s video clip from the trip will be on the website soon. But here are a few photos…..

: P2 chomps at the bit at her slip in Port de Plaisance Marina, St. Maarten

: We wait for one last bridge that leads out of the lagoon and into the Caribbean Sea. Zimbabwe eyes up the gap while Randy, hands on hips, looks aft incredulously.

: Chef Eliza and Zimbabwe press the P2 fenders into submission.

: One of numerous mainsail hoists handled by Eliza. Due to changing conditions and one monster squall, we hoisted and doused the main 3 times on the way. This proved to be great practice for the core crew.

: Our new Aussie mate, Sam (aka Gigi for “gentle giant”) gets his sea legs on park avenue. At 6’6” 230 pounds, Sam plans to achieve whatever Dave White and Scoffie dictate. Their wish is his command. “Not a problem, mate,” he often responds. And it usually isn’t.

: Shortly after departure, a few small dolphin gambol on our bow wave. Note the new non-skid design visible on P2’s very sexy nose. Thanks, Randy!

: With the light trades, we had quite a few “friends” drop out of the clouds.

: At last, enough breeze to fly the kite.

: Tracey flies the A-sail…

: And then collapses from the strain of concentration

: On out first take down, Zimbabwe learns the hard way what it means to “smoke” the halyard. Initially thinking this term somehow meant that Marlboro Lights were involved, Tracey was excited. Then a wrap jumped off the winch and the halyard got away. Quick crew work prevented any more serious injuries and only half the sail went over the side before the running halyard was stopped.

: Admiral Kurg provided his fatherly advice to Zimbabwe as she clutched her burning hand. “You can be dumb, but you gotta be tough.” Tracey let these pearls of wisdom sink in for the rest of the voyage.

: The calm and a beautiful sunset after the monster squall. Hidden by humidity and haze the line squall struck quickly. Fortunately, the team was able to get rid of the kite and the main just minutes before the 40 knot blasts and 180 degree headers began.