Notes from a Bermuda 1-2 First-Timer Paul Grimes, March 2018 Contents Notes from a Bermuda 1-2 First-Timer ......................................................................................................... 1 Why Write This?? ...................................................................................................................................... 4 How this is Organized ............................................................................................................................... 4 Our Race ........................................................................................................................................................ 5 Singlehanded Leg to Bermuda .................................................................................................................. 5 Notes from Bermuda .............................................................................................................................. 20 Our Race Back to Newport ...................................................................................................................... 24 Preparations – The Real Race ..................................................................................................................... 33 The Elephants . .................................................................................................................................... 33 Qualifying ................................................................................................................................................ 34 The Boat .................................................................................................................................................. 34 Sails ......................................................................................................................................................... 35 Rigging ..................................................................................................................................................... 37 Mechanical .............................................................................................................................................. 38 Electrical .................................................................................................................................................. 38 Electronics ............................................................................................................................................... 39 Satellite Communications ....................................................................................................................... 40 Self Steering ............................................................................................................................................ 41 Plumbing ................................................................................................................................................. 42 Logistics, Customs, etc. ........................................................................................................................... 42 Dockage in Newport............................................................................................................................ 42 Dockage in Bermuda ........................................................................................................................... 42 Customs............................................................................................................................................... 42 Safety Gear .............................................................................................................................................. 42 Life Raft ............................................................................................................................................... 42 Abandon Ship Survival Kit ................................................................................................................... 42 Emergency Water ............................................................................................................................... 43 Distress Signals .................................................................................................................................... 43 EPIRB ................................................................................................................................................... 43 Class 1 Lifejackets ................................................................................................................................ 43 Safety Harnesses & Tethers ................................................................................................................ 43 Lifelines ............................................................................................................................................... 43 Radar Reflector ................................................................................................................................... 43 Emergency Tiller .................................................................................................................................. 44 Alternative Steering System ................................................................................................................ 44 Man Overboard Pole or MOM ............................................................................................................ 44 Second Throwable PFD or Lifesling ..................................................................................................... 44 Heaving Line ........................................................................................................................................ 44 Cockpit Knife ....................................................................................................................................... 44 Two Anchors, Suitable Rodes .............................................................................................................. 44 Fog Horns ............................................................................................................................................ 44 Nav Lights ............................................................................................................................................ 45 Flashlights ........................................................................................................................................... 45 Deep Reef in Mainsail ......................................................................................................................... 45 Leeboards, Storm Shutters ................................................................................................................. 45 Buckets ................................................................................................................................................ 45 Race Numbers ..................................................................................................................................... 45 Manual Bilge Pumps ........................................................................................................................... 45 Water .................................................................................................................................................. 46 Fuel for Charging & Motoring ............................................................................................................. 46 Fire Extinguishers ................................................................................................................................ 46 Plugs .................................................................................................................................................... 46 Medical Kit and Medical Book ............................................................................................................ 46 Shut-off Valves on Fuel Tanks ............................................................................................................. 46 Tools and Materials for Repairs .......................................................................................................... 46 Hack Saws & Drift Punches ................................................................................................................. 47 Heavy Equipment Secured .................................................................................................................. 47 Fire Blanket ......................................................................................................................................... 47 Heel of Mast Bolted to Step (a “Bermuda Bolt”) ................................................................................ 47 Steering Compasses, Deviation Table ................................................................................................. 48 Depth Sounder, Speedo, Distance Measuring Device ........................................................................ 48 Paper Charts ........................................................................................................................................ 48 Two Electronic Position-Fixing Devices ............................................................................................... 48 Safety Equipment Location Chart ......................................................................................................