GryphonSolo2 continues slow passage to Portland

by Joe Harris on 1 Jul 2014 GryphonSolo2's Joe Harris reports on the continuing slow passage back to Portland from Bermuda.

Hello sports fans-

We are coming to you live today from 38’10 North x 67’17 West with breaking news regarding the passage of GS2 from Bermuda to Portland. It is happening… Unfolding slowly… with little drama or fanfare… simply an ocean passage in a 40’ boat with two guys, a little food and a lot of books.

It is way different than racing as there is none of the constant performance/speed anxiety, which is replaced by reading and a side order of boredom. We still have to navigate and sail the boat and try to keep her going near maximum speed, but the stress level is way lower. It is actually pretty relaxing when the boat is not being tossed around in the waves, which makes it hard to move around or get comfortable anywhere but strapped into a bunk horizontal. The wind has been pretty constant out of the East so there have not been any sail changes and were are just chugging along on a sparking clear day with bright sunshine and the occasional freighter crossing our path to remind us that the rest of the human race still exists.

One of my pre-occupations is keeping a list of potential improvements to the boat which I add to periodically and provides food for thought and conversation between Rob and I. The primary items on the list are installing solar panels on the cabin top and two hydro-generators hung off the transom, as well as some new batteries and an energy monitoring/control system. By making these improvements, I hope to make the boat nearly energy independent while racing offshore so we would potentially burn zero diesel fuel. I am very keen to make this happen and look forward to turning GS2 into a 'Green Machine' which will be able to sail indefinitly without fossil fuel. I am hopeful that I can find a clean energy company i.e. wind turbine, hydro-generator or solar power- whose message of reducing our carbon footprint through the use of clean energy technologies is consistent with ours that might like to partner with GS2 and provide sponsorship support.

So if you know of any companies in the 'clean energy' sector looking to extend and enhance their environmental image, please send ’em my way. In the meantime we will continue our relaxing non-racing sail with and ETA of Tuesday in Portland and I hope everyone is also enjoying a lovely GryphonSolo2 website