As of 0800 today, the Patriot State was at 30 degrees 018 minutes, north latitude, 078 degrees, west longitude, or about 450 east of St. Augustine, Florida. We are steering a course of 048 degrees true at a speed of 09 knots. The wind was out of the southeast at Force 8; a wind speed of 34 to 40 knots. Needless to say, the seas were very heavy. The air temperature was 71 degrees under cloudy skies and thunderstorms. Seawater temperature was 70 degrees.

 Captain's Log:

The big story today, is the sea state. We've been blessed with very little in the way of rough seas since leaving Buzzards Bay on 10 January. That is changing as we now head home. The large weather patterns moving into the Atlantic Ocean, have really stirred things up. From the forecast, conditions will probably get much worse before they get better. I knew that we were going to taste it sooner or later, and we are getting a mouthful now. We are punching through an occluded front that stretches out to sea off the coast of Georgia. The winds are blowing at Force 8 on the Beau fort Scale. For those of you on the beach, that equals a sustained wind speed of between 34 and 40 knots.

The surf is up! We are experiencing waves in the neighborhood of 18 to 25 feet. Visibility is greatly reduced as the howling winds slice the tops off the waves and turn the curl into high velocity spray. To add to the excitement, the heavy rains are punctuated by occasional claps of thunder and brilliant flashes of lightening.

The Patriot State, renowned for everything but a smooth ride, is doing very well. Even though we are taking the seas and swells nearly on our starboard beam, she's rolling only through 5 to 7 degrees. The pounding wave action is knocking her around somewhat but she is rising and falling through the swell quite nicely. Under very difficult conditions, she is actually giving us the most comfortable ride possible. That view is obviously, not shared by all.

Regardless of sea going experience, last night was a tough one for sleeping. Most of us are just not attuned to the constant rolling, pounding, yawing, shuttering, and hesitating actions. Up we go and then... and then...and then...down with a crash. Until last night, most didn't know that stomachs do fly.

You guessed it. Some are experiencing the exquisite "joys" of seasickness - a most uncomfortable illness indeed. There are as many remedies as there are sailors. One says, work through it. Another says, stay in bed. Yet, another says, watch the horizon while breathing fresh air. They all say, keep food in your stomach. Good trick if you can do it. Saltines are the prescription of choice.

After looking at the weather maps and forecasts, I expect that we will ride this weather all the way home. We will arrive in Cape Cod Bay on the heels a of strong, northeast, low. There is nothing like the sea to teach Basic Humility 101.