Panama Outbound Day 11

Hi everyone,
At noon today we were at 04 20S 092 03W steering 240M, sailing under double-reefed main and full yankee at 6 knots.  The wind was 12G17 from the SE.  Our noon to noon distance by the log was 124nm.  We've logged 1238nm so far and our distance to go is 2813nm.  30% done, and hopefully most of the hard yards.

Into the rain

Yesterday afternoon and evening we sailed through cloudy and rainy weather.  Looking at the satellite imagery on PredictWind showed an extensive area of cloud with us heading into its S edge.  We went through several rainstorms with steady rain but not much wind.  When we got out from under each the wind died.  At 1600 the engine went on to prevent the sails slatting violently in the confused sea.

At 2300 the engine was turned off.  We had emerged from steady rain into drizzle and the wind had returned.  We could even see a few stars.  Since then the clouds have cleared, apart only from the normal trade wind small cumulus.  Overnight we collected 10 litres of water from the rain - not bad considering the heal we're on.  And we 'collected' a booby.  He's perched on the pulpit which doesn't bother us, yet!

Booby on the pulpit

So we are finally in the trade winds.  At last.  It took 11 days including 117 hours of motoring.  Most of the motoring was while motor-sailing, using the engine to help us point higher into the contrary wind.  Wind and current were against us for 9 of the 11 days.  We used 75% of our 280 litres of diesel.  More than we hoped and less than we feared!

We're now ripping along at 6 knots on a beam reach.  It is fantastic to finally have eased sheets.  The WindPilot vane gear is doing a great job steering.

Below is the usual plot of our nearby friends.  The smallest of them is a 44 foot cat.  We might be able to stay with the 49 foot Hallberg Rassy to our NNW, despite their much longer waterline length.

PredictWind GPS Tracks

Trust all's well where you are.