At around 0730 Tjasa came out of her cabin well tempered. So I had nice surprise for her. “Let’s replace reef 2 in the main sail for reef 1 to gain speed”. As it is daylight we don’t need the safety measure of reef 2 any longer.

Short recall on how to steer MaRe into the wind and why. Then we went into action. First furling the genoa. Then while I prepared my work at the mast, Tjasa steered into the wind. As soon as MaRe’s hulls pointed into the wind, tension on the top lift, a short easing of the main, and the reef 2 line, reef 2′ s gooseneck shackle opened, reef 1 was in already closed, up with the sail head by few meters, tension on the halyard, tension on the reef line 2, easing of the top lift, and main sail was in reef 1. Back into the helmsstation.
With explanations Tjasa steered MaRe roughly into the right course. Genoa traveler a bit more forward, and unfurling of the genoa. The big junk of work was done. MaRe sailed already in the approximately right direction.

Then the tuning of sails and COG. This took a bit and then MaRe ploughed through the blue sea.

Today not a deep blue and when looking towards the sun’s direction the sea appeared as usual, in shades of grey color; the surface glistering. A few shadows of clouds. White horses here and there telling me that we have 4 Bft of wind. The swell is a mixture of at least 2 different directions; banging choppy waves sometimes on the tunnel.

The air is extremely pleasant. Warm, not hot and dry. Dennis took a stern shower a while ago, Tjasa just now, and i will do it later.

Route considerations were done until my head ached, meaning no clear facts for drawing conclusions for the next more the 2 days. Until that we continue with around 210 to 230 deg. This means we will pass Isla Española a bit further east then originally planned. That will be very fine.

How long will this run continue?