"DONNYBROOK"  Delivery, 2007.

I received an E-mail a few weeks ago asking if I would be interested in helping deliver the maxi ocean racer "Donnybrook", from Newport Rhode Island to St. Maarten and then Barbados. After some initial indecision due to use of vacation time and proximity to Christmas, I thought this would be a great opportunity, perhaps unlikely to be repeated, so I really didn't want to pass on it. I also hoped to open some doors regarding racing on "Donnnybrook", which has happened...I've been asked to do the Heineken and Rolex Regattas. I took lots of photos and kept a daily log. It was a great experience not to be missed...hope you enjoy the pictures and my daily log.

Click images for a larger image.

Heading for Rhode Island

Mike from Brewer's

Stern shot

Welcome aboard

Stepping the mast

Lifting the mast in Newport

Out of paint shop

12' draft

Getting closer and getting colder

First sunrise

Up and at it Fred!

One of perhaps 4 hot meals in 8 days!!

200 miles from Newport. More wind but still cold.

Seas are starting to build.

Building to gale force.

Almost 180

Hey Eric, thanks for getting us there safely

Steady 45 with gusts to 50

Slamming wave action

Out of the malström

Carl and Eric (Captain) in lighter air (300 miles from Newport)

John and Eric

Fred motor-sailing in some light air  (getting warmer)

Sunrise with squall. 400 miles from Newport

No luck capturing the "Green Flash". 500miles from NA.

Getting into the trade winds. Warmer but rougher

I love sailing at night. Enjoying a major rise in temp!!!

13 Knots in a cobalt blue sea

Into the trades and very physical conditions. Wet boat.

Land-fall St. Maarten

Simpson Bay

Much needed swim

Donnybrook beside Mirabella III in Simpson Bay lagoon

Palapa Marina

100' "daysailer" in

Simpson Bay Lagoon

John driving

Sailing in the trade winds

Eric and Fred after a squall

Waiting to enter lagoon through lifting bridge (pale blue)

"Gliss" at Palapa Marina

Tender to aforementioned

100' daysailer

Something big

Palapa Marina from the

"Soggy Dollar"

Waiting to enter

Simpson Bay lagoon

Clothes never really dried out