Mairmade - Day#1

From the cockpit:. It's 3am here, and finally getting a chance to check in; been a little intense 🤪

We were expecting stronger winds as we rounded the island and intentionally stayed offshore to minimize the gusts. The promised "moderate to strong" trade winds delivered... (If sustained wind up to 39 knots, and gusts close to 50 knots counts as "moderate to strong" 😱)

The boat and crew have handled it well, although the green bucket has been officially christened for the trip 😂. We sailed well with just our headsail, and recorded a maximum boat speed of 18 knots surfing down waves 🌊

Still more fun to be had before the end of day#1: We lost our instruments and autopilot around 10.15pm; in the dark of night in 35+ knots of wind!!! Harry did a fantastic job manually helming the boat using the compass and stars while I poked around the boat desperately seeking a solution.

After an hour or so of trying various things, including pulling up the boats wiring schematics, re-seating a network bus connector deep in the Starboard cockpit lazarette brought the instruments back to life, much to everyone's relief.

We're now sailing along in much calmer winds in the shadows of the Canary islands. It's blowing 10 knots, and we have the mainsail back out to keep us moving along at a respectable 5-6 knots.

Lots of cleanup to do after sunrise!!! 🤪🤣

All is good.

Over & Out - Hugh


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