We are now 9nm off the south coast of Cozumel, 4am here and will see customs ...

We are now 9nm off the south coast of Cozumel, 4am here and will see customs and immigration as soon as they wake up.

This has been the toughest passage we have ever done. 280 nm in 39 hours. Certainly a fast passage.

Winds were 30+ most of the way, the main was always in the 2nd reef, the genoa out only for the first 6 hours. Yet I was still looking for ways to slow the boat down.

With the freshly painted bottom even through we we're taking 2-3m waves on the stbd corner Ad Astra kept pushing hull speed. Lots of 8s and 9s.

At one point got a very strong squall with the largest wind and rain I have sailed in. Simply ran with it due west and we we're doing 11.x+ for 25 minutes. We used up 5nm of sea room looking at lighthouse reef.

At several points I was thinking I am letting Ad Astra down for feeling wimpy, when she was sailing so we'll - and at the same time wondering about RVs

Originally posted on Facebook on December 08, 2018.