Conditions: chilly, though the rain stoped last night, but wind was 20-40kt SW and we felt it. Departed Norwalk 5am, immediately Spencer asked if we were dragging something in the water because boat was sluggish. Couldn't find anything visible though. There was a lot of wind and spray making visibility iffy through the dodger until the sun came out near manhattan. Got some wind break along the buildings, but it really picked up as we got towards the lower end. I was driving at that point and saw 38 true at least, but was pretty focused on the speed ferries (WTH are those things even?! They hardly leave a wake from planing I guess, but Jesus...) and then the massive Staten Island ferry showed up just as our speed dropped into the 3s. Skipper said that was when I started to look a little nervous, haha. We had room to bear away a little and got by before he got too close, but eeesh. My new profile pic for a while will be my selfie with that thing behind me. Wind picked up to 40 at that point and I didn't know where we wanted to duck into, so gratefully I handed off to the skipper. What a day. The diver just came up and said he pulled a balloon string off that was wrapped around the prop and shaft, as well as a bunch of barnacles. I can't wait to see the pics. Staying the night here in Jersey and will start again at daybreak.