Besides, that problem won\u2019t have much of a near-term effect on Pandora for the next two years, at least, as we plan on being in the eastern Caribbean for two seasons.<\/p>\n
For now my focus is on getting back to CT, the upcoming SSCA three day event, the SSCA Summer Solstice Gam<\/a>, that I am planning for June.\u00a0 I\u2019ll also be remodeling two bathrooms and a laundry room (Important that I get these done, for the continued health of my four decade marriage), perhaps a cruise to Maine and some projects on Pandora, etc., etc,\u2026\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Did I mention that the lawn will need cutting too?<\/p>\n Well, you get the picture.\u00a0 Lot\u2019s happening and so little time.<\/p>\n Anyway, I spoke to Chris Parker, the weather router, this morning and it looks like we can make a run for CT on Saturday as the north winds are falling out at some point around that time.\u00a0 However, behind the front is well, there\u2019s not much wind, so we will be doing a lot of motoring.\u00a0\u00a0 The good news is that Pandora carries 150 gallons of fuel in three tanks.\u00a0 However, I have not tested that to see exactly how much I can actually burn in each tank before the level of fuel gets too low to be brought up by the pickup tubes.\u00a0 \u00a0However, with the additional 20 gallons that I carry in cans, I should be able to motor all the way without a fill-up.\u00a0\u00a0 And, hopefully, we will be able to sail at least part of the way.\u00a0 Fingers crossed.<\/p>\n I expect to get an update from Chris in the morning again to determine if we should leave first thing or wait till later to make a \u201crun for it\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0 He has also mentioned that another cold front, perhaps a weak one, that is expected to exit the coast around Wednesday.\u00a0 However, that\u2019s a long way off and details could change.\u00a0 And, to complicate the picture, there will be very light winds behind the most recent front so we will likely find ourselves motoring for days on end as we make the run north.\u00a0 Keeping in the current of the Gulf Stream much of the way will be a big advantage as it will give us a 2-3 kt boost in speed until we exit the Stream north of Cape Hatteras.<\/p>\n It\u2019s great to have someone to talk to about weather as keeping on touch of such an important topic that changes day to day, makes for much more pleasant passages.<\/p>\n Oh, before I sign off.\u00a0 I have mentioned in prior posts that I continue to be struck by a bit of \u201cculture shock\u201d now that I am back in the States after two months in Cuba where life is so different. \u00a0Of course, I love living here in the \u201cland of opportunity\u201d.<\/p>\n I was again reminded of the stark contrast between our countries as we made our way past one of the largest megayacht yards on the East Coast, the Rybovich Yard near Palm Beach.<\/p>\n But before I show some of these amazing yachts, how about a reminder about what a private \u201cyacht\u201d looks like in Cuba. And, if you want to get out on the water there\u2019s always the Grand Celebration cruise ship moored nearby. OK. \u00a0 And, speaking of the super wealthy, and I am very unfortunately not one of them, I do have to worry about what Pandora costs so I always want to be sure that I am able to stretch my \u201cboating kitty\u201d as far as possible.\u00a0 So, with that in mind, I shopped a bit for fuel today and was able to find it for $2.15 a gallon, a lot cheaper than it was down near Palm Beach and the \u201csuperyacht set\u201d where it was around $3.00, a savings of nearly $100.\u00a0 Good deal and that\u2019s nearly 1\/10 of a \u201cboat dollar\u201d!\u00a0 Such a deal!<\/p>\n Palm Beach prices or not, fuel is a lot cheaper than in Cuba where it was the equivalent of about $5 a gallon and REALLY high in sulfur.\u00a0 The sulfur content was so high that the fuel has a brown tint and smelled strongly of sulfur.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I understand that sulfur is actually good for the engine as it adds extra lubrication even though it smokes a bit more. \u00a0\u00a0In the U.S., fuel is very low in sulfur due to environmental concerns.\u00a0 Cuba doesn\u2019t seem to be particularly focused on that and the air quality in the cities reflects that.<\/p>\n Soon we will be in Ft Pierce and will put the final touches on Pandora to get her ready to head offshore.\u00a0 And, depending on the evolving weather forecast, we will head offshore on Friday or Saturday to begin our run north.\u00a0\u00a0 With a cold front due to arrive later next week, it\u2019s at best a guess as to when we will round Montauk and enter Long Island Sound. \u00a0\u00a0I\u2019d guess around a week or perhaps a bit less and we should be there.<\/p>\n![\"OLYMPUS](\"http:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/4-28-16a-042.jpg\")
![\"OLYMPUS](\"http:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/4-16-16a-188.jpg\")
Perhaps not the largest one in the yard but huge.\u00a0![\"OLYMPUS](\"http:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/5-6-16a-003.jpg\")
Or, to put it another way. \u00a0Huge, huger and hugest.![\"OLYMPUS](\"http:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/5-6-16a-008.jpg\")
His and hers? \u00a0So hard to choose. \u00a0No wait, the one on the left must be “his” as it has a large, er… crane sticking upon the bow. \u00a0Yes, of course.![\"OLYMPUS](\"http:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/5-6-16a-007.jpg\")
It is Mother\u2019s day in a few days. \u00a0All wrapped up. \u00a0\u201cHoney, I got you something nice\u2026\u201d\u00a0![\"OLYMPUS](\"http:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/5-6-16a-012.jpg\")
And, certainly the \u201cbelle of the ball\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0 Venus, designed by Phillip Stark <\/a>the famous designer, for Steve Jobs. \u00a0Two HUGE egos working with each other. \u00a0That must have been interesting. \u00a0Unfortunately, Jobs didn\u2019t live to see it launched.\u00a0 His widow and family use it now days.\u00a0 It was reported to cost $100M to build.\u00a0\u00a0 Want to learn more?\u00a0 Click here\u2026 \u00a0![\"OLYMPUS](\"http:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/5-6-16a-010.jpg\")
<\/a>That yard has perhaps one of the largest concentrations of \u201ctoys\u201d belonging to the .001% gang just about anywhere.\u00a0 Something to aspire to.\u00a0 Not really, but something to dream about for sure.<\/p>\n![\"OLYMPUS](\"http:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/5-6-16a-015.jpg\")
And, if you don\u2019t have as much $$ as you want you can always eat your weight at the buffet table and become part of the \u201csuperweight set\u201d.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0No wait, how about training to become the \u201cheavy weight champion of the world\u201d?\u00a0 \u201cStop it right now Bob, that\u2019s not funny!!\u00a0 Well, not that funny.\u201d<\/p>\n