[p]pjr4728
[s]
pos: 05 29.621n 080 18.156w
sp: 4.9
h: 210m
w: 8-10kn SW, cloud 7/8, SS 0.5-1m SW
d: 15/06/20 12.00 GMT-0500
We have covered around 211nm over ground since starting (220nm through the water as current against), but actually had a cheeky 4hr stop off at San Jose, the southernmost island on the first afternoon, to attend to a few forgotten boat chores, enjoy a last flat evening meal - and wait for the Sbnd tidal current to start again. Leaving at dusk saw us heading broadly for a point about 40nm E of Malpelo, a very small Colombian island in the mouth of the Gulf of Panama. We'll try to maintain this course for a further 250nm or so, until about 2N. As well as taking us towads the SE trades, this will mean we'll minimise the time under the cloudbase where the ICTZ seems to extend further S and E than normal, bending around across the Gulf of Panama towards Ecuador (this carries the risk of thunderstorms and lightning, particularly at night, so we are keen not to hang around under it!). It will also give us the chance to still decide at that point whether to route N, S or through the Galapagos Islands, depending on a more up to date forecast to come.
Fortunately, we seem to have got the departure time reasonably right and have kept ahead of any black clouds moving towards Panama, with the only lightning being well in the distance. Also fortunately the SW swell (against us) hasn't really amounted to too much, although Sue has uttered a few choice words already! Still, pretty happy with the start!

Distance covered=211nm,last 24=116nm, DTF=4,113nm (projected track on departure=4,324nm)

[END]