26-11-2025 02:13 UTC 32’53.9N 014’54.8W // course 186’ speed 7.2 kn
Since last night, we’ve had it all. Starting with lots of wind, then no wind at all. We had waves, we had showers, we had persistent drizzle, and then downright downpours. We made 2.5 knots under sail, and we made 9.9 knots under sail.
So it’s safe to say: it has been quite a day!
Early in the morning the wind tried to shift to the North or Northeast, but instead lost all its identity. The waves, already running ahead of the wind, rocked us so heavily that at 05:30 we started the engine to prevent anything from breaking. Around 08:00 I poked my head out of the hatch to see if the wind had returned… it had not. And so it wasn’t until lunchtime that we were able to set sail again. We unreefed both mainsail and mizzen and off we shot!
Sheets out, canvas flying!
With all that sail drawing, we finally enjoyed some well-deserved sunshine. Bare feet on deck, T-shirts, and even the occasional pair of shorts were spotted! It didn’t last long, but what we had was sweet.
Then the rainbows chased us again. Showers moved in and once more we applied our golden rule: thinking about reefing is reefing. Within 15–20 minutes both mainsail and mizzen were reefed again. What teamwork!
Now, as more showers pass over us, we’re averaging 7.5 knots and sometimes even 8.5 knots downwind — especially when we surf down a wave. Just 280 more miles to Tenerife!
The first hour of steering I was alone on deck while Rena was busy turning vegetables and peeling the carrots that needed using. And as Tecla surfed down a wave, the whole ship shuddering beneath me, I found myself with the biggest smile on my face. Smiling at the stars, the wind, and the rainbows I couldn’t see in the dark.
Sailing with that gentle breeze of last week is still my favourite kind of sailing — but this… this is pretty spectacular too.
All is well on board,
Jet
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