It was a pitch dark moonless night, with the trades pumping up to 22 knots. We were flying along, gooswing poled-out staysail and No. 3.

We were running all night with staysail and 50% of the #3 genoa, both poled out. Made 5-6 knots with the wind averaging about 16 knots. Rolled the whole #3 out again at first light and now doing 7 to 8 knots boat speed.

We swapped the #3 Genoa and the staysail around 11am, poling out the Genoa on the port/weather side. This has significantly stabilised the boat and also allows us to sail a much wider wind angle either side of dead square. Running downwind to Cabo Verde in 20 to 25 knots and making good miles.

It was pretty much overcast the last two days, so our new solar panels are not giving everything they’ve got. Today we ran the engine a couple of hours to lift the batteries while running the water maker.

Morale on board is good!