Quick stop ashore in West Palm and we arrive 8 hours ahead of plan. The moment we tie up the pace accelerates with all the required onshore tasks. We chaffed a whole in the skiff coming around the Keys so repairs needed, checking on the arrival of our downwind sail and airlines for arrival of last crew member. Provisioning list is made for a quick trip to the store and the boat now very well provisioned for the trip south, Lasagna, Pizza and some BBQ ribs for tonights meal are just some of the additions.

Sail arrives, boat is stocked and we get the call our last crew has a cancelled flight, bummer. So, we ready Untethered to push off the dock as hastily as we landed. Eighteen knts of breeze on the dock makes maneuvering over to the fuel dock to top off the diesel an unattractive proposition. We had stocked the lazarette with 50 gallons of diesel in Jerry cans, so we weigh the options and decide to cast lines and head into the Atlantic. Next stop is 1,200NM+ on St Thomas.

The coastline fades quickly with an onshore haze and a clear blue Atlantic ahead. We angle NE to clear Bahamian waters and plan to turn straight East, heading to the Longitude of the USVI, for a turn South and to pick up the Eastern trade winds.

Finally open ocean, with a stiff breeze blowing 20knts on the beam from the North and building seas. As the sun sets off the stern and only open water on the horizon in every direction, no doubt now we are offshore!