Sunday 29 March 2009

Wet n wild in Gibraltar

Sailing in Gibraltar is always interesting, whilst it is not the most easiest of places on the eye, the wind rarely fails and the straits themselves can be challenging. With a mixed bunch of Day and Coastal Skippers on board, we set off across the Straits, destination Marina Smir in Morocco. Strong winds allowed us to make the crossing in just over 2 hours and we enjoyed an excellent meal ashore having declined the ´Carpet tour´. The following day we spent the morning performing marina drills before setting sail for the Spanish mainland, the plan was to arrive in Duquesa, have some dinner and go for a night sail. Just outside the marina we blew the impellor and coasted very gingerly onto the waiting quay. Impellor fixed we tried to start the engine only to have a jammed starter motor. Time was ticking by and I called it a day, frustrated but determined not to be beaten, we fixed the problem in the morning and were back out on the water by 11am, the winds were blowing well and we took a trip upto Estepona where they tried to charge us for having a coffee on the waiting quay. Needless to say we moved on quickly and popped into Sotogrande where we had the same experience. We did manage to squeeze an hour out of them as we were planning the postponed night sail. Heading back to Gib, the light went about 5 miles short of Europa Point and finally we were sailing in the dark! Dodging the anchored ships and those entering the bay is always challenging, chuck in a force 6 gusting 8 and we really needed to have our wits about us. Friday was already upon us, we had kept the wind all week and had a fantastic weeks sailing.

Sunday 22 March 2009

Straits of Gibraltar

Everything can change with a phone call, a quick 5 min conversation and I as on my way to Gibraltar to help out Peter from Power and Sail Academy. In true Gibraltar fashion the winds were blowing and we had a fantastic week sailing between Gibraltar, Spain and Morocco. The second week was a mile building trip upto Portugal, with gales forecast things were not looking good. Storm bound and going stir crazy we finally made it out of the Straits on Thursday morning. With 40 knots of wind, a favourable tide and 2.5 m swell we were spat out of the Straits before the conditions eased and set a course to Chipiona. Passing Cadiz bay is always a pleasure and this time was no exception, due to time constraints we literally touched and went from Chipiona and headed back to Barbate. After doing battle with the Tuna nets laid outside the harbour we touched and went again, back through the Straits, by now the wind had eased and changed direction, out came the cruising chute and we achieved 10 knots over the ground. By the end of 2.5 solid sailing we managed 286 Nm and had a thoroughly fantastic time. The area is always challenging and the shipping movements are continous so you need eyes in the back of your head. Anyoe lookig for a challenge in warm tidal waters should contact me for more details