Second Reef and Staysail

The low pressure system has moved down a little earlier than expected. Its center is approximately 400 miles north of us at the moment. We are catching the tailing winds of its southern edge. The seas and winds have steadily increased throughout the day. We just woke up to take down our large jib and hoisted a smaller staysail in its place. We've been running all day at 8 to 10 knots with our main reduced down to its second reefing point. The winds are now gusting above 30 knots and the seas are swelling over 10 feet.

Yesterday, the bolt that we replaced to keep the mainsail in the mast sheered off again. We've been on the same tack for several days now and the lines and sails are showing some signs of wear. We've been adjusting them and changing course every now and then to keep the wear even.

Forecasts are calling for the low pressure system to follow us east for a few days before heading south. We are currently setting a pace that hopefully will allow us to outrun it (as my mom asked, "It's a racing boat, isn't it?"). We should reach the Strait of Gibraltar just as it falls down behind us. We have our storm jib and trysail ready, though, in case we have to weather it.