March
22 to March 31, 1998
St. Augustine, Florida to Colon,
Panama
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Our plan was to sail conservatively
as we learned the systems and characteristics of Thursday's Child. We were
lucky to have a gentle northeasterly breeze the first few days and make
a direct course outside the Bahamas to the windward passage (between Cuba
and Haiti). But we were soon hit with strong winds (25-30 k) and very confused
rough seas. We reefed sails way down and kept speeds in the 6-8 knot range.
Passing the island of San Salvador, winds eased and we turned more to the
south and had some beautiful running conditions with main and genoa "wing
& wing" or with spinnaker up. |
Top speed was in 15-17 knot range. Winds were light
across the Caribbean Sea to Panama.
About 100 miles out from Panama we caught our
only fish of the trip - a small and very tasty yellow-fin tuna. Dolphins
loved Thursday's Child and visited day and night - riding and leaping off
the bow - phosphorescent trails at night were spectacular.
We arrived at night and carefully made our way
through the busy shipping to the anchorage near the entrance to the Panama
Canal. The next day began the maze of paperwork and beaurocracy of checking
in and scheduling for transit of the Panama Canal.
March
25, 1998
Thursday's Child sets sail!
The boat is now en route from St. Augustine, Florida
on its way to California under the capable hands of Michael Reppy and his
crew. |
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March
1, 1998
MICHAEL REPPY BUYS “THURSDAY’S CHILD”
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The legendary 60’ monohull ocean racer
THURSDAY’S
CHILD will take over for the capsized trimaran NAI’A (see story)
in leading Michael Reppy’s joint campaign with EARTH ISLAND INSTITUTE
to save dolphins and whales. The deal was closed on March 1, 1998,
and Michael, with three crew Bob Dixon, Scott Shaffer, and Jason
Winkle, flew to St. Augustine, Florida on March 9 to prepare the boat to
sail back to California. |
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