N. Atlantic: Circumnavigation!

Sunday Feb 3 2008 4 pm (FL) 20* 57' 45" N X 073* 40' 73" W

On March 15, 2007 I left the little 200ft x 200ft harbor of Matthew Town on Great Inagua Bahamas for Jamaica, San Blas and Panama.

This afternoon I arrived back in the same bay I left 11 months ago, or exactly 10 months and 23 days to circumnavigate the world!

The new Hunter 49 "WanderLust 3" and I are officially "CIRCUMNAVIGATORS" having been one lap around our globe.

With the advantage of constant trade winds and a fast boat, I am about one week ahead of schedule into Miami.

The Miami Boat Show starts on Thursday 14 Feb. I will be in the Mia Marina on Feb 7 or 8.

I will leave here tomorrow for the 450 miles into Miami via the "Old Bahama Channel" along the north edge of Cuba

Since San Juan Puerto Rico I have been receiving Sirius Sat Radio and 'MargaritaVille with 'Super Bowl Sunday'.

Mike Harker
'WanderLust 3'
Hunter 49 BOTY

North Atlantic: Position Report

Wed 16 Jan 09:00 UT
10* 10' N X 47*10' W

I am 900 miles SE of Antigua and now that I am in the Trade Winds I am making better than expected progress.

The winds are weak, 10 -12 knots from the ENE, but I have the main up to second reef and the stay-sail down wind, but I have the Genoa out into the wind on the Selden Graphite pole giving me the "Wing-on-Wing" effect so that I can maintain 7 knots.

At this rate I will be at anchor in Antigua in 5 days. I may be just in time for the famous "Steel Band Sunday Afternoon Party" at Shirley Heights. At any rate I am ahead of schedule.

I only run the engine in neutral at idle, about 900 - 1000 rpms, just to top off the batteries for 3 hours a day. Because I do not have the use of my F-P generator, I can only charge the battery system with the engine alternator, and it is re-wired provisionally just to get me into port.

Needless to say, I am doing everything cautiously, I can not afford another breakdown, I have no reserves. But I am sailing well, fast and smooth.

The GRIB weather files show the wind and weather to be constant for the next week, typical trade winds, and I am happy to be in them.

Mike Harker
WanderLust 3
Hunter 49 "BOTY"