After 8 days and approximately 1700 miles non-stop on open ocean we have arrived safely in St Martin. The crossing included 3.5 days of winds up to 30 knots with 6 to 10+ft waves (very bumpy and tiring), a few squalls with much lightning, absolutely stunning sunsets, and gorgeous moon rises. We divided overnight piloting into three watches. I had the 12 to 3am watch. I learned a lot and despite how challenging and tiring it was, I am sad it is now over.


There is something to this sailing thing.


I hope I have the privilege of doing something like this again. The AraVilla is a wonderful boat.

He's close.

For those who want to follow Yermo's progress out on the ocean via his satellite tracker, here's the link:

First night watch done. Saw lightning on tge horizon that fortunately didn’t amount to anything and one ghost ship that didn’t show up on radar.

By the time I wake up I should be well outside of cell range.

Since I still have signal, I checked Winderground which shows a small storm line quite far away. I’m guessing lightning flashes are visible from a much greater distance on water,

I keep seeing flashes ahead. My suspicion is a small squall. 

First watch. Midnight. Gentle rolling waves. Beautiful half moon reflecting off the water.

Dana made a wonderful butternut squash soup for dinner. I swear I remember that butternut squash is ok, but I reacted to it very poorly. I’m not feeling all that great right now but far from bad enough to merit handing this shift to Dana, who is asleep now.

I hate being sick.

I have my first over night watch starting tonight at midnight. I am too tired to write. 

Unexpectedly, I still have signal as we're hugging the coast down to Cape Hatteras so I uploaded the photos and track from today. I am writing this little post from about 4 miles off shores in the North Atlantic gently pitching over rolling waves. There's no wind so we've been motoring on one engine in an effort to conserve fuel for the long journey ahead.