Weather on the Ocean

The sailors report they have experienced
"everything the ocean can throw at them" so far. This, of course, starts with the weather and they've been through a few storms so far. Prior to departing, they prepared this post about how they're "managing' the weather on the ocean:



It's always good to know what the weather is going to be like. We can't change it, but with enough knowledge, we can alter our course to avoid the worst of it, and if avoidance is not possible, we will have advance notice so we can get smaller sails up and put away our 7-course meals and get ready to eat Met-Rx meal bars for a couple days.

Remedios has two weathermen, not counting Tom's left foot bunion. Our first is our resident weatherman, Rob who has been studying weather now for a few years and also procured the fine, German-made barometer that is the largest gauge on the boat. A good barometer, and the knowledge to interpret what it is telling you, is the single most important weather tool you can have on the ocean. Only Rob is allowed to touch the barometer.

Next, we have the ability to receive weather faxes. These will show us the size and movements of low pressure systems that constantly move across the Atlantic. Rob will route us to the best spots, and away from the worst. All we have to do is promise him beer when we hit land.

As a backup to Rob, and for Pat and Tom to use on their portion of the trip, is Herb Hilgenberg. Herb is a remarkable person in Canada who has become a world-known expert in forecasting the weather systems in the Atlantic.

http://www3.sympatico.ca/hehilgen/vax498.htm

 We can get his forecasts with our Single Side Band Radio (SSB) on a daily basis. The ABC report they link to is a nice summary of what he does. Every person we talk to swears by this guy.  Of course, they haven't met Rob, which is why we have both Rob and Herb. And, Rob isn't going anywhere very far from Pat and Tom, for quite some time.

Posted by Peggy, on behalf of Pat, Rob and Tom, aboard Remedios, Atlantic Ocean