#2. ADRIENNE II | Brazil To Gran Canaria | Burgers n' sunsets

October 4, 2025 | 20:55 UTC | 6°10.915' S 031°36.916' W | -

In some ways the beginning of day 4 was the beginning of our offshore passage. This is because at night on day 3 we could still see the glow of Brazilian cities on the western horizon. All light pollution is now gone. The moon is still waxing and in the evening sky, but early in the morning the moon sets and the stars have been amazing. Orion in particular stands bright overhead and we have seen the southern cross across the stern. Hoping there will be more clear moonless nights to come!

Today was a day of mixed weather. Several squalls required that we change course and dodge around them. With squalls on the horizon in most directions, the ocean seemed small, as if we were in our own little seascape for sailing. We got some rain, which felt good. Lance set up the freshwater garden hose and some of us took quick showers on the deck. We had chicken Cesar salads for lunch and will have hamburgers for dinner. Morale is generally high, yet some are still suffering from some sea sickness. The rough sea state and strong winds don’t help of course.

In a calm period between squalls we decided to replace the jib with the genoa. This was a fun operation after flying the same sails on the same tack since the beginning of the voyage. Within minutes we were speeding along at over 10 knots. But all good things must end, and within an hour the winds started picking up due to another squall. We took down the genoa and reefed the main, which went smoothly. The winds continued to pick up to over 25 knots and Adrianne II was soon sailing fast again. It is an exhilarating experience on deck right now.

- Andrew Elmore | ADRIENNE II Crew