[no_exit]

Ahoy Mates!! It’s been a few days since I last checked in - nice to see that the DJ is making good progress. Our fantastic shipmates KL2DC and flatcher969 are doing a terrific job keeping us apprised of the DJ's position. As always - nice work guys.

This has to be the best ship tracking thread ever.

[fletcher969]

Well...by my estimations, I believe the DJ will make port in Halifax around 11pm, 24Feb06 EST...

Fletch!

[KL2DC]

no exit: thanks for your kind words...I am sure Mr. Fletch (and I) can attest that it has been rather fun tracking the Don Juan, even at the risk of being committed by our respective spouses/partners/friends/CAs

Fletch: How'd you figure the specific arrival time?

W W L reports ETA of the D J as 02/25/06 which is in line of our estimates / guesstimates...everything is looking as it should...

[KL2DC]

At the time of the last reported sailwx.info report:

DON JUAN
Last reported at 2006-Feb-22 18:00 UTC: position N 44°30', W 041°12'
Wind from 270 at 26 knots
Barometer 1001.3 mb
Air temperature 13° C
Water temperature 15.5° C



At the time of the last report, the D J is 1,095 miles / 952 nautical miles from Halifax ...

As of 21:30 EST 02/22/06 ... the D J would've gone an additional 178 miles.... meaning another 43.67 sailing hours (1.82 days) - based on her average top speed of 21mph- until she hits Halifax N.S. ... I have her guesstimated to arrive Halifax on the 02/24/06 around 22:00 EST ... if her average speed holds and weather and traffic permitting.

With everything else factored in, my esteem ship tracker and fellow poster, Mr. Fletch would be correct in his estimation of an 23:00 EST arrival ....

That would mean that the D J is 1 day ( well a 1-2 hours, really) ahead of the W W L's schedule or maybe the Halifax Port traffic control will have the D J is a holding pattern until dayligh when port activities begin? ... hence W W L's 02/25 scheduled ETA ...

[fletcher969]

Originally Posted by KL2DC

no exit: thanks for your kind words...I am sure Mr. Fletch (and I) can attest that it has been rather fun tracking the Don Juan, even at the risk of being committed by our respective spouses/partners/friends/CAs

Fletch: How'd you figure the specific arrival time?

W W L reports ETA of the D J as 02/25/06 which is in line of our estimates / guesstimates...everything is looking as it should...

Yes, I must mirror KL2DC's sentiments to exit and others also...and yes, it has been quite fun! Can't speak for my girlfriend, but whatever she thinks, she's already in the habit of asking me where the ship is before I have to mention it!

My estimate was, in all honesty, about 3-4 hours on the optimistic side, but I looked at some weather forecasts for the area, and decided that the DJ could possibly average 17 knots henceforth, so I took the remaining miles, and factored it in. I just couldn't put myself to estimate anything on the 25th!

Ya had to ask...didn't ya? Good show!

[KL2DC]

Ahoy Shipmates....

Latest from www.sailwx.info ...

DON JUAN
Last reported at 2006-Feb-23 12:00 UTC: position N 43°30', W 047°54'
Time now 2006-Feb-23 14:50 UTC.
Wind from 290 at 31 knots
Barometer 1009.7 mb
Air temperature 0.2° C
Water temperature 4.2° C



As of 10:00 EST ... the Don Juan is guesstimated to be about 654 miles away from Halifax N.S. (assuming she kept to her top average speed of 21mph) .... that's slightly over 31 sailing hours to go?

We can soon start tracking through the local AIS radar map...

BTW for the truly obsessed, you might want to set some time aside, for your webcam viewing pleasure ... Mr. Fletcher and I will 'try' to give a better estimate of time, closer to the D J making landfall. Happy Tracking!

Lately, when I start posting on this thread... I can't get the darn theme song of 'Love Boat' out of my head ...

[fletcher969]

Good work Sir KL2DC...

Ok then....let's see where we stand with estimates...

Zulu time - 5hrs = EST...

So...you're in essence estimating port around 2pm EST on the 24th (I like that!). I on the other hand, based on a 17 knot estimate (using your miles-to-go estimate), would estimate the DJ's arrival at about 9pm EST on the 24th Somewhere in between wouldn't be bad either. The mates and unloading crews can then work diligently all night long for our benefit, and get the DJ sailing again the next morning....say 6am??? I think that's possible given they took 2 days to empty your stowaway kegger in Southampton, and therefore, should have no reason for further delays like that one!

[KL2DC]

G'morning Mr. Fletcher...

Actually, the last estimate would place it at a 17:00 EST landing (31 hours) ... optimistic at best...

I think our guesstimates of 22:00 - 23:00 land fall (+/- a coupla hours) would be more realistic ... hard to account for weather and traffic patterns ... I would expect the D J to cut speed sometime within the next 24 hours.

The other concern is weekend/late hours/weather loading/unloading schedules. I am feeling a +1 day on her departure from halifax. How's the forecast for halifax NS??

The kegger were for the (efficient) Bremerhaven crew ... the D J crew had a grand time hitting the pubs of Southampton so the fault/delay lies solely on the D J crew (wrt Southampton delays). Leave those hardworking Southamptoners out of this, I say.

[fletcher969]

Originally Posted by KL2DC

G'morning Mr. Fletcher...

Actually, the last estimate would place it at a 17:00 EST landing (31 hours) ... optimistic at best...

Good morning to you too sir!

Ok...some confusion. I was using the UTC time posted on the map you provided, and went ahead 31 (and 38 for my estimate) hours from there, then subtracted 5 hours (the difference) for EST vs UTC. It doesn't matter anyway. The DJ is getting closer, and we're counting down the hours to Halifax, not the days! Of course we're still talking DAYS until we reach our final port, then DAYS after that to actually get our hands on our new babies.

I think our guesstimates of 22:00 - 23:00 land fall (+/- a coupla hours) would be more realistic ... hard to account for weather and traffic patterns ... I would expect the D J to cut speed sometime within the next 24 hours.

Cut her speed? Ehem...I think she should do a full-on-reverse-engine landing at the pier to make up some time. Our cars are, after all, tied down, and I'd think the Halifax surfing crowd ( )would love the result!

The other concern is weekend/late hours/weather loading/unloading schedules. I am feeling a +1 day on her departure from halifax. How's the forecast for halifax NS??

Hmmm...not sure, but according to W&W's website, Halifax only operates their autoport M-F, 8am-4:30pm. That wouldn't be good if that applies to unloading/loading crews, because the DJ would sit in port until Monday at the very least...but if those hours don't apply accordingly, I don't think it would be unrealistic to believe they can get whatever they need unloaded, and leave port on Saturday sometime. Weather forecast...clear but cold on Friday, possibility of snow on Saturday, good weather thereafter...

The kegger were for the (efficient) Bremerhaven crew ... the D J crew had a grand time hitting the pubs of Southampton so the fault/delay lies solely on the D J crew (wrt Southampton delays). Leave those hardworking Southamptoners out of this, I say.

So noted!

[fletcher969]

Interesting....for what it's worth....

Not counting sticky's, this thread ranks 8th overall in total views for the "New Car Ordering + Tracking Information Forum." Not bad for a simple "who's onboard" thread, and we've not yet made landfall on the North American continent.

[KL2DC]

Originally Posted by fletcher969

Cut her speed? Ehem...I think she should do a full-on-reverse-engine landing at the pier to make up some time.

Aye aye ... I'll be sure to ring up the bridge

I just called up Halifax Autoport (Iknow, I know), spoke to someone in traffic department:

PHONE & FAX
Tel: (902) 465-6050
Fax: (902) 465-6007

It is their office that adhere to : 0830 – 1630, Monday through Friday...hours also apply to pick-up and drop off

BUT loading and unloading continues through the weekend!!!! so no worries ...

[KL2DC]

Originally Posted by fletcher969

Not counting sticky's, this thread ranks 8th overall in total views for the "New Car Ordering + Tracking Information Forum." Not bad for a simple "who's onboard" thread, and we've not yet made landfall on the North American continent.

An obsessive lot, we truly are...has helped with waiting anxieties though I swear sometime I seem more obsessed / involved with the waiting and the tracking than the actual car itself (for now at least)...

BTW with all this ship-tracking about ... have decided couldn't possibly hold out any longer and have duly notified CA to cancel my PCD (copping out for the 2nd time this order - first was changing from arktis to SG) ... oh well So now I have a genuine vested interest in the timing of the ship...on the same boat, so to speak.

[b311lee]

PCD? is that the parking distance control? So that option is stalled at prep center? What other options are installed there if so? I thought it was all done back in Germany.

BTW i do owe it to you guys for doing all the research i hardly have time with midterms right now, sooo lucky to be on the same ship with ya'll!

[Beto Pereira]

man... you guys are more obsessed than me. that's good though... i try to not think about it too much, but i can't stop wondering when i'm actually going to see my car.

and you wanna know what the worst part is?

i can't track my car on that boat. the sales guy told me it was on DJ... so my fingers are crossed.

and there is something else too. i got a terrible, terrible deal. let's just say, i could have leased a $6k more expensive bmw the same amount i'm paying a month (considering everything else the same)

so here is my idea... i'm going to try to renegotiate. i've called other dealers around here (50 miles away) and just over the phone, not negotiating, they gave me a better quote. what do you guys think the best approach is?

[b311lee]

ooo nm i see that PCD is Performance center delivery....what does that entail tho? What were the differences in timing for you getting your car?

[KL2DC]

b311lee: Performance Ctr Delivery is one of 3 delivery options ( the other being traditional dealer delivery, Euro-Delivery and I guess you can count Courtesy Delivery-buying from another dealer but taking delivery in another). More information on the BMWUSA site at http://www.bmwusa.com/Vehicles/3/200...n/programs.htm For more insight, check out this fellow Bimmer owner/poster's site http://blien-pcd.blogspot.com

Basically, you (and a guest) pick up at the BMW center/factory in S Carolina...one night at the Marriott, meals, transfers, performance driving instruction and 2 hours with an assigned delivery specialist who will present your new Bimmer to you in an enclosed area are all thrown in free (well your $695 destination charge pays for this)...just pay 1-way airfare.

The only thing is that they will have to pencil you in a time slot (M-F only) - usually minimum 2 weeks from the time the car arrives at the VPC. My tentative appointment was initially for 03/30 but negotiated to a 03/23 but between my suddenly busy schedule and my impatience decided to cancel out the PCD and take delivery here in DC metro (car will be trucked)...I'll leave this for the next one.

[KL2DC]

Beto Pereira: I'm no expert but right up to this point your deal is not finalized, in fact your deposit is refundable so the ball is still in your court. I would try to re-negotiate by showing quotes from other dealer. You should really be comfortable with leasing and all its intricacies...be careful, do your research and ask other posters' advice. Good Luck!

[no_exit]

Originally Posted by KL2DC

BTW with all this ship-tracking about ... have decided couldn't possibly hold out any longer and have duly notified CA to cancel my PCD (copping out for the 2nd time, this order - first was changing from arktis to SG) ... oh well So now I have a genuine vested interest in the timing of the ship...on the same boat, so to speak.

Time to update your signature...

[fletcher969]

Beto...Mr K is correct....if you've not actually signed your lease agreement, you're still in the negotiating seat. Sit down , and as was suggested, research all the details of leasing, and when you are confident you know a good deal when you see one, meet with your dealership, and renegotiate your deal. I'm sort of in the same boat, except I got a decent deal...only that my CA (dealer rep) added the destination charge into the MSRP BEFORE figuring everything else. It should have been added as a cap cost instead. He essentially racked his profit margin up by doing so, but in any event, destination charge is to be added to the figures later, not up front at MSRP...

Not a problem though...I'll just make sure the numbers are corrected, or walk. He'll know he made a "mistake?" and just correct it instead.

[KL2DC]

Originally Posted by no_exit

Time to update your signature...

Duly noted ...

[fletcher969]

Here's the latest...18:00 UTC, 13:00 EST

2006-Feb-23 18:00
N43°12' W050°24'
NM Travelled: 111
Avg Speed: 18.4 knots
Winds: 290@35
Pressure: 1012.1

Sorry no closer up, but sailwx.com is rather burdened at the moment.

[Beto Pereira]

yeah, i know. thanks guys. it gives me more confidence talking to you guys.
basically he is asking me for $445 a month instead of $359. that is a big difference.