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Sailing to Panama - Day 9
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April 23, 2008 - Day Nine Towards Panama
by Steve & Linda Dashew

Coastal Explorer Nav program

We've been testing a Beta copy of the new Coastal Explorer Nav program, and it has real possibilities. You can see Wind Horse's position above off Central America

Here's a new personal best for this boat. We were hoping to get a true 90F (32C) but grew impatient and settled for this - and we are well offshore at this point!

Wind Horse interior with shades drawn

Mentioned earlier about measures taken to reduce heat load on the "great room". You can see the side awnings here and the forward window shades drawn about half way. Without these measures in place we would need at least double the air conditioning capacity, and a much larger genset which would have to run underway.

Outside, looking forward on the aft deck.

exercising on boats

One of the crew is not letting the heat stop the exercise regime. As long as we have eight knots of apparent wind, the flying bridge remains very pleasant.

dinghy as life raft

The power dink with two full fuel cans and a pair of fresh water containers. This is our first choice for abandoning ship - much preferred to a life raft. We also have two water tight duffle bags with supplies and gear. However, it is so hot outside we are keeping these bags inside (but in cooler weather they stay in the power dink on passage).