Les Sables d'Olonne to Cannes - Pete's Log (20/08/13 to 15/09/13)

20/08/2013

Pete’s Log:

Depart Les Sables d’Olonne to sail to Cannes Boat show. Eric is on board to help sail Havachat to Cannes. First 2 days and nights light winds and calm seas.

 

 

 In the night 23^rd to 24^th, wind and waves increase to 49knots and 3 to 4 metre waves. Hit 16.4knts speed with wind and waves pushing. Through the day winds gusting to 51knots. We left our track and headed into Lisbon to shelter from the winds now gusting up to 64knots by now. Even at anchor the wind was still 45knots, but the anchor held firm. Left Lisbon in the evening at 2:30 after refuelling boat. Wind had gone back to force 4 on a 3m swell.

 

 

 

 

25^th of August: No swell, no wind and no fish... motoring! But then finally: “Black Marlin!!” Yee Haa!!

 

 

Should come past Gibraltar in the morning and into the med. 9:15 – just passing Gibraltar. 100’s of ships!! Great to see! No wind.

Fresh Marlin steaks for lunch. Wind coming straight at us. Cartagena in 1 hour – Coronas and the best Paella in Spain I’m told!

Friday 30^th of August – Cartagena to Cannes

Leaving Cartagena, wind directly in front then no wind and no waves only millions of boats in the med. Stay overnight in the Port Porquerolles on the Island of Porquerolles , fuel up and then leave for Cannes. Arrive at Cannes on the 5th of September.

10^th to 15^th of September: Cannes Boat show

 

 

18^th to 22^nd of September – Cannes to Alicante

Leaving Cannes at 10:54, with Karl (we met Karl in France, has the same boat as ours ordered with Privilege) joining me on the trip. Winds gusting 38 to 50knots. Main, 3^rd reef and stay sail. Wind 60˚ to starboard and boat sailing nicely at 7 to 8 knots. White caps, sell 1 to 1.5metres. anchor for the night to see what weather is doing. Leaving again, but weather not great. Motoring very slowly into 2 to 2.5m waves and wind. Need to keep going to get to Alicante in time to pick up Martina, Jack and Lisa... For the rest of the trip the wind was on and off good and bad or front on! Arrived at Alicante on the 22^nd of September and picked Martina and kids up from airport at 20:35!