Gulf Stream update # 4

Not much change in the GS routing.  Looks like there are still two options with the first being the most desirable - Essentially South from Beufort to approx 32N/077.4W and then find a fast heading to approx 33N/076W so we don't buck the current and then south to Abaco once we are out of the GS's strength.

This route gives us a good heading in the prevailing SE winds or westerlies and it appears that there is a southbound eddy that will give us a little kick.

The other route is more down the coast and crossing abeam of Charleston - the only advantage to this route is if there are questionable weather issues and it allows duck-in options.

Weather wise, it appears that some of the classic characteristics of autumn weather trends are starting to kick in - there will be a big High coming down through the lakes and slowly drift to the east.  This will bring stronger winds out in the NE area as a low passes up by Nova Scotia and northerlies off Hatteras - for our route this would bring a nice fair breeze - although a bit on the lighter side.

It's still too early to worry about weather right now, but we are continuing to watch the currents and infact there are some anomilies in the predictions which locates the GS in different areas on our route and also locates some eddies in different parts of our route but more importantly our speed through the water vs. speed over ground differential will give us the real story.