Madeira to Caribbean - Day 1

Our 3-person crew pushed off the dock at Quinta do Lorde Marina around noon. We left in the lee of Madeira so the wind was light for several hours but by evening the winds increased enough to enable us to maintain an average of 7.5kts and log 180nm for the first 24-hrs. Rolling seas caused our fully battened main to flog and the boat to pitch which made for a noisy and bouncy night but our short watch system helped keep spirits high. We continue to be on a run with the wind at 150° true. Mostly cloudy skies with a few showers. Only one ship sighted near Madeira suggests we are off the beaten path. Increasing sea temperatures - 20°C/68°F - so we must be headed in the right direction.

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