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OceanPlanet News - 2009
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| The snow has finally started to stick to the ground
at my house in Maine, a brisk reminder to finish sealing things up for
winter. |
| Here in Maine, Fall is in full swing. The blazing colors of the forests and fresh, chilly air invite you outdoors to make the most of any free time you can find. Boat owners and yards are rushing to get the boats out and prepped for winter storage. This seasonal frenzy still amazes me...having originally come from California where there is hardly such a thing called "winter". |
| As promised, there is an all-new website at www.bruceschwab.com, (or www.rigworld.com). It will let you know more about what I actually DO for a living. Have a look and let me know what you think! And be sure to contact me if you want to know more about my rigging & systems services, or Genasun and RaceCell lithium batteries. That's LiFePO4 batteries, to be more exact… |
| If you haven't already heard, OceanPlanet has passed into the hands of a new owner. My last trip on OP was taking her from Robinhood to Portland Yacht Services with the owner's rep on a beautiful sunny Maine day. |
| Just a few years ago, no one would have thought it possible to sail across the Atlantic Ocean THIS FAST. The monster trimaran "Banque Populaire" shattered
the transatlantic sailing record (New York to England), to set a mind-boggling new mark of THREE DAYS, 15 hours, 25 minutes, and 48 seconds. |
| I'm sitting in the car going through Canada on the way back to Maine. I'm riding shotgun for Fred Writt of Portland, who is the primary tech support for Electrathon Challenge record holder Mike Lewis (also from Portland). We are returning from the Human Powered Speed Championships at the Michigan Proving Grounds, where a host of world records fell over the weekend. |
| It's been a long, long trip. Along the way
I learned a lot...and am still learning. |
| It's been several days since OceanPlanet arrived to
Portland Yacht Services in Portland,
Maine. It was an eight-day trip from Antigua, which isn't bad considering
we spent more than a day going as slow as we could. |
| If you had thought of going along on the Run
to Maine, you really missed it. Aside from the first night's
nocturnal swim (see previous update), this has been the smoothest, easiest, most
idyllic ocean passage I've ever done. From Antigua to abeam of Bermuda in
four days flat, in winds that I don't think were ever over 15kts. All the
T-storms missed us (they usually hunt you down), and the biggest waves were
maybe four feet high. Unbelievable. Well, so far that is… |
| We are en route to Maine at last, having departed
Antigua May 22 around 6pm. I'm doublehanding with long-time OP friend
& supporter Richard Stevenson of West Bath, Maine. We're almost
neighbors, and are both hoping for a quick trip. |
| Just in case you didn't notice in the last update's
pics, I should tell you how white OceanPlanet's bottom
is: |
| Since the last OP News I was back home in Maine for
just a week, now having returned to Antigua to manage repair work on a
friend's Beneteau. Have to make a living, you know! Alhough I'm away
from home I'm lucky this job is close to OP so I have an inexpensive place
to crash... :-) |
| If I didn't have the fan going here at
OP's nav station, it would be even hotter than the 90F showing on the
digital barometer. On deck it is great however, with the insistent
Atlantic trade winds providing welcome relief. The nights and mornings are
at the perfect temperature for the Classic Week festivities which kicked off
last night. |
| Ok, ok! After repeated requests I FINALLY got around to it and put up a Facebook page for OceanPlanet (and me). I've started building the archive of pictures, and will be posting sailing and events, etc. Have a look and let me know what you think. |
| Well, the fastest yachts in the Caribbean 600 race have finished... leaving us to wonder how we would have done! As we didn't land on a racing team for the race, OP must patiently wait in Antigua for another adventure. I'll be heading there in April to do some previously scheduled doublehanded ocean training, and will also be there through Antigua Classic Week where OP will be available for some fun sailing and to watch the legendary event. |
| Not far from where I live in Maine, there is a place Camp Chewonki. Run by the Chewonki Foundation, they have many inspiring programs for boys & girls, along with a really impressive sustainable energy program. Having seen their hydrogen fuel cell system, biodiesel, and solar programs myself; I've been really impressed with their operations. |
| It's always nice for musicians (or a sailor/guitarist) when a show
sells out early... My storytelling & guitar performance in
Sausalito on Feb 7 filled up, so some friends that missed
getting in have arranged another performance: It will be at
the Encinal Yacht Club in Alameda,
California on Friday February 6th (yes, the night before the Sausalito
show). |
| Winter has really kicked in for real here in
Maine, making the prospect of Caribbean Sailing all the more
attractive... ;-) |
| If you were planning to go to my music &
storytelling show in Sausalito on Feb 7…you're too late, the show is sold
out! We are thinking of adding another show if there is
sufficient interest, perhaps at another venue. Drop a note to myself or to
organizer Julie Lucchesi at… |
| Ready or not...2009 is here and all those things you planned to do in 08 (and didn't get done) are now added to your new list. If your investments had a meltdown in 08, remember that having a good time is your best revenge...
Coming up is a wicked good time (as we say in Maine), especially if you are a fan of music, sailing or both (or if you are anywhere near Sausalito, CA)! |
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