All the projects that we need to do are done, and the last of the stowing and packing is happening. We have our crew aboard, and the weather looks good for an afternoon departure tomorrow for a non-stop trip down the bay and out into the ocean straight down to Port Everglades, Florida.

Yesterday we mounted our new jib. After over 50,000 miles the old sail has been getting a bit tired and out of shape. This new sail is also a little bit bigger than the retiring canvas and matches the original dimensions that Amel used on the boat. It has been built with a radial design and specially adapted cloth designed for long life in this application, D-P Pro Radial. An all polyester woven cloth, it was a mid-price point that came well recommended from the sailmaker for a sail of this design.

Dave Benjamin at Island Planet Sails has done a good job on our Amel canvas in the past. We expect this one to be just as good.

For the first time in a long while we will be traveling with crew. Our friend, fellow sailor, and fellow Amel owner, Aras will be along to help stand watch. Having a watch schedule of 3 on/6 off is a lot more relaxing than 3 on/3 off.

Our weather forecast looks excellent. All the models agree that we should have 3 or 4 days of good fast passage making weather. It is a bit unusual that all the weather models agree in detail so far out, especially this time of year. Almost makes me suspicious of what they are saying, but we will take what we get!

One more frontal passage tomorrow morning, the wind then turns around to the north west, and off we go toward points south.

The weather routing software has us staying inside of the Gulf Stream this trip. We’ll see if that holds up.