Kiwi Spirit Reached Home Port in St. Augustine, FL on Saturday

We made great time from Antigua in the Caribbean to St. Augustine, some 1,320 miles. The winds were 14-22 knots and around 100 degrees true most of the time, so boat speed was some 9 and often 12 knots. No squalls-clear sky and fine sunsets.

Along with me was Steve Pettengill, a fellow St. Augustine resident and extremely experienced solo, off-shore racer. His presence and knowledge will contribute greatly to changes planned on the boat and to my ability to sail faster. Steve has done some 315,000 miles at sea, which has included 15 solos across the North Atlantic, one circumnavigation with crew, and three times around Cape Horn. I am fortunate to have his assistance.

Having two on-board meant that someone was always awake and on watch. Through the night (12 hours) we took three-hour watches, so we could each get an hour or two of sleep. Then, during the day, we each took a 6-hour watch, and thus the other had another chance to nap. It’s when fatigued that jobs are put off and accidents occur.

While in St. Augustine, Kiwi Spirit will be docked at my home, just opposite the City Marina and will be clearly visible from the Bridge of Lions.

The boat will remain in St. Augustine for a month to six weeks, then will have some work done on her at Lyman Morse before heading north to Maine for some of the bigger jobs that need doing. Then to Newport, Rhode Island for sail work and testing, and finally back to St. Augustine in August for a planned circumnavigation departure circa November 8th. Incidentally, had the first attempt not been abandoned, my arrival Saturday was the intended date of arrival and celebration - ah well.

(Photo Credit: Jaye Lunsford)