Trip Lop 1319 nautical miles.

We have recently passed 100W. We started at 81W, and the Marquesas Islands are at 128W. We've had steady winds of 15-20 knots. Until this afternoon, we were just using the poled out jib. Now we've added the main, reefed, which has increased our speed by a knot at lest, so we're steadily above 7 knots, and often above 8 knots. We mark our distance run for the last 24 hours at 4:20pm each day. The latest 24 hour run was 153 nautical miles, our best yet. We're hoping for even better as we try different sail configurations and make adjustments. Of course, just as we get it right, I'm sure the wind will change!

The morning body count on deck was 33 flying fish and one squid. Again, I ask, how do the squid get there?

We've settled into a routine of just two meals a day. It's now quite difficult to prepare meals --- the boat is rolling quite a bit. You'll just set something down and a really big roll will hit, so it goes flying across the cabin. Doing dishes is quite an experience when things are at their liveliest, as you can't set anything down to dry.

We have been watching a movie most evenings. As long as the computer is well anchored and we're seated on the "down" side of the boat (relative to the lean), it's quite comfortable watching. Reading is one of the main activities right now---you wedge yourself into a corner first, of course, and then go to it.

Although there's a certain amount of exercise just hanging on and moving about, we're also doing a daily exercise routine. This, too, is fraught with danger right now. Pushups are quite interesting --- the first one might be really easy as the boat drops, and on the next your face is smashed to the floor.

The engine repair is still holding up, and we're keeping our fingers crossed.

The navigation software gives us constant updates on our arrival date and time. If we kept the current pace, it claims we'll get there on the 20th or 21st. On the other hand, it has told us in the past that we'll be there in mid may!