Up until 5:30 this evening everything was going
really well. We were averaging 11 knots and making good progress
towards San Blas. The wind was gradually increasing and we were
wondering whether it was time to bring the Parasailor down. A 35
knot gust made the decision for us - the Parasailor exploded.
Then it was everyone onto the trampoline to pull
down the tattered shreds of sail. Parasailors are normally hard to
douse, but it is surprisingly easy to get one down when it is in
ribbons.
Anyway, it was fun while it lasted. Here is a
picture of our wake from the time when we were still being pulled along by
the Parasailor. At times when surfing down waves we saw speeds of
over 20 knots registered on the GPS.
Tonight we just have the mainsail with two
reefs in it, proceeding at a more sedate 8 knots.