The motor was grinding along at 5 knots until around midnight when a light east wind appeared. The barometer had dropped a miniscule. We were on the other side of the High. Slowly the wind filled in and, with all sails up, Taonui's speed increased. By dawn it was up to four knots. By 10:00 we were charging along at 6 - 7 knots, one reef in the main and the #1 genoa bellowed out and pulling like a train. Only 14 or so knots of wind, but on a beam reach Taonui just loves it. 130 miles noon-to-noon, with 569 miles to go.
The forecast is for Hurricane Michael to turn north in a few days so no problem there, though I hope some poor sailor making an end of season Atlantic crossing doesn't get an unwanted surprise.
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