Distance to go 2200NM

Position – 16:38.62N 26:48.02W

Daily run 124 NM

 

We left Mindelo at about 1000, along with many smiles waves and good luck wishes from people we had met since arriving here.

Straight into a NE gale that was being accelerated between the two island, the wind was steady 30 knts with gusts much higher, and the seas were huge. The latest weather forecast didn't show strong winds so it was obviously a local anomaly, but one we could have done without for the first day of our longest passage to date. 

 

The big swells were breaking in patches so Mark had to hand steer for the first 6 hours or so just to keep us safe as neither the windvane or the electronic autopilot could be trusted in potentially boat breaking conditions. After about 7 hours the wind dropped leaving us flopping around in a big swell with little forward motion.

 

The wind eventually filled in and we were off for our first night at sea.

 

There were a few other boats that left the same time as us, so it was odd to see other lights around us pretty much all night, comforting though. 

So not a pleasant start to our journey as it was pretty scary and uncomfortable, but we are off and things can only get better,