Looking at the weather forecast this morning, we decided to keep sailing on the P-tack.

Current plan – it can change with the weather forecast – is to continue this way until about 17 deg N. Then we will go back on the S-tack.

As of Wednesday afternoon we expect 20+ kn wind from E. This hopefully will be the wind to zoom in to Sint Maarten. But it needs to be seen if the wind really comes like that.

Today the wind speed plays a bit jokes with us. As long as the TWS is below 18 kn we keep the genoa fully out. Therefore the wind increases to 18 kn and bit above and we put the first reef into the genoa. 10 min later the wind goes down to around 15 kn and we take the reef out again. 10 min later the wind increases….

Beside this, temperatures getting warmer. Today we logged for the first time 28 deg air temperature. The big bathtub from which we take buckets of water for our showers at the stern, is really warm now. It’s already a comfortable feeling when pouring a bucket of water over the head.

Yesterday evening, before going for reef 2 for the night, we discussed the upcoming weather situation.

If we continue on the S-tack, (starboard tack, German ” Backbordburg”), we have a high probability to get winds of only 10 kn but we sail a bit more directly towards Sint Maarten.

If we go on the P-tack (port tack, German “Steuerbordbug”) we have a chance to keep our 15 kn wind and a chance to get even 20 kn winds on the final stretch to Sint Maarten. As on this course the drift by current and wind is not so much in our favor we will sail a bit more S.

Decision was to go on the P-tack to avoid the low wind area coming up in the N.

During the night, the wind changed direction in our favor and blew also from a few degrees with of E. Also the drift helped sometimes. We are on a lucky boat.

Right now we have no wind because a rain front passed over MaRe and it takes a while until the wind comes back. Its a bit nerve nagging because sails flap and this is not a good sound at all. Let’s hope it comes back soon and from the best direction.

Although it’s more 1055 local time in board (UTC-3), bright sunshine, dark blue sea with white decorations, the next lines are about sailing at night.

Since 2 nights the moon is increasing from half to full. Thus, the moon is, with a clear sky, an incredible illuminator of the sea and what floats on it; e.g. our nutshell MaRe.

The sea at night does not turn blue like during daytime, but all the little wavelets can very well be seen. The white crests of the bigger wave shine. And the moon river makes the surface of the sea very special.

The clouds are clearly visible. It’s even possible to recognize low hanging clouds, which could carry rain. Even the rain falling out of clouds in the distance can be seen.

A wonderful scenario. It sometimes gets something special on top, when the moon disappears behind a cloud and makes the clouds look like Halloween lantern; a bit mystic.

Whoever has the chance to sail at night should take it.

Sailing in the trade wind is very relaxing. Beside changing from reef 2 in the main to reef 1 in the morning, nothing more needed to be done until about 30 min to sunset.

For the night again reef 2 in the main, and the genoa still in full size, MaRe is well prepared for the night and we are sailing with a nice speed at 5 Bft wind from E. If needed, the genoa can be reefed from inside the cockpit.

The swell could be a bit more pleasant, but when 2 swells coming from different directions it’s s bit choppy. But every one off watch will sleep very well while being gently rocked into sleep.

The night brought good progress towards St Maarten while running with reef 2 in the main. Depending on the windspeed we put a reef in genoa as well. This was needed serval times when the wind increased above 20 kn.

After breakfast in the cockpit we changed to reef 1 in the main. Genoa size will be adjusted as wind requests it. And we make about 90 % of our SOG velocity good towards St Maarten.

I expect that in the next days the ETA for St Maarten stabilizes because the main directional component of our SOG is W.

As the seawater got really warm in the meantime, taking a seawater bucket shower at the stern gets more and more pleasant. It seems we reached the warmer waters of the barefoot route.

Sorry for not being able to write yesterday.

The night before was normal. We were well prepared. Sometimes the wind was on the lower side. In the morning we used the gennaker for a while to gain speed. But wind increased again and the gennaker was replaced by main (reef 1) and the genoa. We kept this configuration for the rest of the day.

We celebrated the 1000 NM point; less than 1000 NM to Sint Maarten.

G got another dolphinfish; his biggest. It took him about 30 min

For this night we used the same sail configuration as last night.

Just now we had a squall and low hanging clouds. With a reef in the genoa, we were very well prepared.

During the night the pretty good wind continued. In the morning we set the gennaker for a very short time until the he wind reached the threshold speed. We changed it sails to main with reef 1 and the genoa fully out.

AWA of 120deg makes a COG of around 265 – 275deg while we have a BTW (bearing to waypoint at Sint Maarten) of 272deg.

Averaged over a few hours we are running 5.5 on STW with and SOG just bit higher because a current of 0.8 kn helps a bit.

The autopilot in wind vane mode keeps MaRe well on course. In about 20 h we are closer than 1000 NM to our destination, Sint Maarten.

As usual, just when we sat down for breakfast, a fish bit the bait. Unfortunately it got off of the hook. So G needs to get another one or change his plans for today’s meal.

A few minutes back, B called us because a bird – more than 1100 NM from the nearest coast – attacked the pink colored lure being pulled 100+ m behind MaRe. We are wondering what kind of bird it is. It’s neither a normal seagull not comoran, birds able to fly in high seas. Impolite as birds are, it neither introduced itself, nor did it handover it’s business card.

For the rest, the relaxed atmosphere on board continues. A bit overlayed by the feeling that we finally got the trade wind back and we are sailing fast and direct towards our destination.

One crew member is particularly happy because there will be a charming lady awaiting him in Sint Maarten.

MaRe is happy as well because she sails through a marvelous, blue sea with the white horses of a 5 Bft wind.

During the night the wind stable around 15 – 16 kn TWS, resulting in 4 – 5 on STW.

The sky is covered with clouds. Nothing special. “Are we back in the trade wind?” was a comment by A.

The day was not exciting but with the gennaker we made good progress towards W.

We kept the gennaker until 16 kn TWS and then put it down. This was just the right timing in respect to windspeed.

With TWS of around 15 kn (until 1945) we can expect 4 – 5 kn STW.

Let’s see were we are tomorrow morning.

MaRe runs as good as she can with wind in COG of about 260 deg. Thus we make good way towards W.

However a bit more wind would be nice to get some more speed. But this is sailing.

Today it’s quite on board. One after the took a nap. Sea is gentle.

No fish on the hook until now. Will one bite during dinner? What will the next fish be? With our current STW many fishes can bite the bait. Actually G offers two different baits on 2 fishing rods.