During our 5 day journey, out and back from sea, we did not once start the engine, (not even leaving Mazatlan port), until day 4 when the wind died completely. Until that day, while under sail, our avg. speed was probably 5.5 to 6 knots, with steady winds and a stable heal to port. Radiance was actually beating a bit into the wind, which was mostly out of the west north-west (WNW), but she has always excelled sailing 60 degrees to the wind on a starboard tack. It is probably her favorite tack, and we were impressed by her gentle motion and speed.

The way Radiance performed at sea reminded me of the single time I drove a Ford Mustang; not to say that Radiance is built for speed, because she is not. No, I was reminded of the sensation I felt when the Mustang...the machine, seemed to turn into a living thing, pawing the ground at stoplights, just waiting to be turned loose onto the open road. Radiance is similar in that she seems to 'want' to be turned loose, onto the open sea, to sail with all her heart and not look back.