The wind gusts reached fifty knots on the anemometer making it the second windiest sailing ever for me. Freed from racing, the storm was not an issue. Water flew everywhere and since I was the only one wearing a wetsuit under my foul weather gear, I drove the most. Every so often a sideways wave dropped a waterfall on us that filled the cockpit. That was the first time I ever saw two cockpit drains swirl in opposite directions. The spray stung my face when I looked back into the wind.

I tied one of the heavy genoa sheets to a winch, put a big loop in the other end and threw it overboard. The extra drag slowed us down some and made the boat easier to steer. Also, if anyone fell overboard they had a small chance to grab onto something. Small.

One other boat sailed along with us about a quarter of a mile to starboard, its red running light occasionally appearing above the waves. I think they turned toward Port Madison. We didn't bother with the radio and never found out who it was.

April and Josie were fantastic in those conditions, working well together. April wedged herself next to me for almost two hours. I sailed with one hand on the tiller and one arm around April. She hummed most of the tunes along with me making for more atmospheric Ethan burn.