The solo around the world yacht race and other sailing related items.
Progressing, Hope Merchant born
Skipper's Log #32
14 18S 31 31W at 19:45 GMT
From January to March, in junction with the Charleston County District Schools and the University of Charleston, I taught a credit hour program to teachers, maintaining their learning curve, on the applications of math and science in sailing. Twenty teachers became No Barriers Teachers. They wrote the lesson plans that are on our website. Some of the things we discussed were weather systems, their movements and implication of gradients. This leg has been my implimentation of this knowledge. Commander's Weather has provided the fleet with weather information. Their forecasts have been accurate, the best that I have encountered (Thanks Ken Cambell, Bill Bewinga and the rest of Commander Weather team.) As predicted, the wind has gone into the East at 12-15 knots. In class, I spoke about the waterline length's impact on boat speed, and we discussed various sail configurations, hull and mast materials in relationship to the vessels in this race, particularly mine as they would sail aboard this vessel. Today I have been under full sail, and averaging about 7 knots, close to my theoretical hull speed. We discussed the benefits of high tech sails over what early sailors used. Since I changed my sails, to North's high tech spectra material, I have had a one knot increase in my speed, due to the superior material and fine cut of my sails. (Thank Brian Cole and North Sails, Cape Town). All of these things have played a major role in my progress, and will continue to play major roles as I negotiate the South Atlantic high pressure system to the SE of me. In about a weeks time I hope to begin making my turn for Cape Town. The quickest way is not neccessarily the shortest distance. I estimate that I will sail about 400 miles more distance from where I am to get to Cape Town. Soon I will start to make arrival predications based on my knowlegde and experiences. I hope my arrival will leave me time to give some Cape Town teachers an overview of what I taught our No Barriers Teachers in America. Knowledge is power.
********************************
Skipper's Log #33
16 50S 30 33W at 19:30 GMT
Nothing has changed out here, except for one delightful e-mail from a lifetime friend, Dr Lewis. It is the same today as it was yesterday and the previous days, just daily making progress homeward. I am reading my last book. It is nothing stimulating, just entertaining. I don't want to just be entertained, I want to learn something when I read. This book seperates me from reality and I don't want that. I want to be stimulated, provoked into deep thought. I am nourishing my body with simple foods. I don't feel tired. I have physical and mental energy. The physical energy I can channel into the sailing. The mental energy I am putting into writing The Journey of a Hope Merchant. But this boat is not in Ireland, where I wrote my two previous books. I know I will return to Ireland to finish this book. There is something about being up on Knockroe Mountain and writing that gives me fire. I can sit in the kitchen or in the gazebo, both which Gwen's dad built, and write for hours not noticing time. Out here I am learning about investing. I have to invest in my body, soul and mind. These things need to be nurtured daily. We all need to do these things to live and advance, but I am concerned about our investments in our youth. If we do not invest in our youth, and teach them to invest in themselves and others (I am not talking about money), then society could be in greater trouble. We are the pivotal generation. Every year life goes faster and divides between people widen. It bothers me. Our youth are our future. They need to acquire the skills to lead well and wisely. It is up to everyone to help each other, in turn, helping society. I need your help. I need to know what areas I need to focus on in my writing. What is important to you. Is it more sailing, is it more emotion, what is it that you want to read? How can I serve you from out here. I need your feedback.