A Note From The Boat
(Our Managing Editor is the Navigator aboard US 68, "Vicki")

July 11th - 12:50
27 28 N, 137 38 W
Heading 250 at 11 knots
1160 NM to Hawaii, 40 miles from 1/2 way, 25 NM south of rhumbline

Life on Vicki is good and the laptop's improved attitude allows us to continue writing. To clarify earlier comments regarding "ovenizing" the computer, the situation is that the laptop's instructions specifically discourage operating it in a marine environment. Realizing we are in a marine environment we have no choice but to disregard the opinion of Mr. Michael Dell and make do. Regardless of our efforts of care, it gets dripped on and the air is damp causing it to freeze up, blow out and simply not work. The remedy to this situation is to preheat the oven to +/- 150, turn it off and insert the laptop for an hour or so. The results are always good with enhanced performance.

Back to the boat, we continue to be the definition of "leverage" as the wind direction has given us two options, gybe and duck transoms or dig in. We have chosen to dig in. Based on past races, a northern position at this stage is seldom good, but this year's weather pattern is not typical and we remain confident.

Last nights's dinner was Murt & Penny's Adrenalin Stroganoff with fresh green beans which was enjoyed by all. The interior of the boat is now fully dry and all systems are working well. Marine life has been scant, although the quantity of misc. flotsam out here is surprising.

Bye for now.

Vicki USA 68