It's 0830 and I'm sailing in winds ranging from 20 to 25 kts, chugging along broad reaching at 6+kts with a tiny piece of jib and reefed main. I'm happy that Fairtide is staying on her feet in these conditions.

It all started about 0400 when the wind picked up and I felt the boat accelerate, by the time I could get to the helm we were going balls out east back to Mexico. Fairtide was spun around 360 degrees at least 3 times before I could get things under control. None of the models predicted this increase in the wind but I guess that's part of the unknowns about the ITCZ.