Trip log: 893 nautical miles.

Although we thought we were close to ready, it still took us all day to complete the tasks needed to get going.

We left the marina at a little after 5pm local time, and motored for an hour (mostly to run our engine-driven refrigeration). Just about a mile outside the bay, a killer whale (Orca) crossed our bow, about 20 yards away. This is the first time Tane has seen one. We've seen a great sunset, schools of jumping spinner dolphin, a cruise ship, and a tuna boat. It's now a little after 11pm and we've been sailing. However, the wind appears to be dying, so it's probably engine time again!

We've decided to cross directly to El Salvador, and not go "one foot on the beach" as is often recommended. This is normally considered a bad idea, but we're assured by Enrique, and all of the weather forecasting sources, that this weather window will last at least until Friday, and we will almost certainly have to motor most of the way. This passage, at nearly 400 miles, will be the longest either Sal or Tane has done.

A number of other boats will be leaving on the crossing tomorrow morning, and we've set up a shortwave radio schedule with one of them.

So... here's hoping our trust in the weather forecasters is justified! I'll post a number of position reports on the passage.