Position: 05 degrees, 58 minutes North; 123 degrees, 20 minutes West

A short post today as it’s too bumpy to type very well. Here’s the highlights: -Squalls for the last 20 hours hitting up to 35 knots. Rain, wind, more wind and 8-10 foot very short period seas. I estimate the period is no more than 8 seconds or so. It’s more like dropping down an elevator than surfing. -Got up at 0400 to drop the mainsail as we were regularly hitting 10 knots surfing down 8+ foot waves. Way too fast for the wind vane steering and just inviting a wipe-out -We’re now sailing under 50% furled jib (or thereabouts) and the storm trysail. With 15-20 knots of wind right now, we’re still hitting 6-8 knots down the seas, but with much less stress on the wine vane. Less anxiety on the Captain as well 😉 -Passed our “half way point” at 1800 local time (whoo hoo!) We celebrated with some smoked oysters with our Charismas before dinner. -Took “showers” in the rain squalls. It rains so hard, you just strip down in the cockpit and soap up. Brilliant and refreshing (and clean!) Must safer than going up to the foredeck in these conditions for the bucket bath/campshower routine. More fun too! -Spoke to friends on the radio net tonight. Everyone is surprised at the bouncy conditions and all are reporting on miscellaneous bruises and bumps as they are being thrown around the boats. That’s it for tonight, hopefully more time tomorrow.