aaargh - novice in the med

[jcmb]

Yes thats me !

Got my ICC certificate last year, I dont own a boat, but am about to charter a Sealine F36 with friends in mallorca next week, for a week.

I was planning to circumnavigate the island sleeping mostly at anchor. Is this a bit ambitious ?

thanks..

 

[MapisM]

A little bit, IMHO...

Do you have at least some experience of those islands, moorings, weather conditions, etc.?

 

[jcmb]

Re: A little bit, IMHO...

hmmm,
well I've been a land lubber there many times.

I have doen plenty of research into marinas around the island, nice places to visit and such but I guess I dont really know enough about the weather - other than I have been told that the sea breezes can get pretty choppy!

I have read books that say it is perfectly fine to drop the anchor in a well chosen spot for the night

Perhaps I would be better just going to and from the home marina daily ?

 

[ccscott49]

Panic not! You will be fine!! The weather is now settling, you are never far from a safe haven, study your charts relax and enjoy yourself!!

 

[Guest]

In general the mornings are calm, and the wind blows up in the afternoon. This wind then tends to die away towards dusk.

Hardly any navigational hazards around the Island.

I think your biggest problem will be lack of electrical power if you havnt got a generator-you gotta keep the beer/champagne very cold !!

Watch the weather forcast, make sure your on the sheltered side of the island for the wind/waves and you should be fine.

 

[MapisM]

Re: A little bit, IMHO...

See, my previous (very generic actually) viewpoint was based on my understanding that you never had similar experiences before. I'd recommend everybody to try that with some more experienced friend, before undertaking the full responsibility of a boat and all its crew.
If you are not lucky enough to have such friend handy, go ahead and give it a try anyhow - it's worth.

 

[Guest]

Re: marina hop

I would concur with the delights of dropping anchor in a quite sunlit bay for the early evening but would prefer
to head for a Marina for the night for following reasons. One if the weather did turn in the night then your
guests/family would not appreciate being woken by such conditions, With that in mind you cant really have a
good old drink before bed, in case yer have to take action in the night. At least in a Marina you've got the facilities
lectric etc, and sleep knowing no ones at risk.

CGN

 

[stewart]

Did it myself last year

Passed ICC, bought a 46' boat and sailed around Mallorca and Ibiza. Actually didn't anchor out at night, always went to a marina, but have done since without incident. Biggest problem tends to be if you do decide to go to a marina for the night getting a berth. Virtually none will let you book in advance so it's just a matter of calling on the vhf when you get close.

There aren't many places on the north side of the island to spend the night, though Soller might be a possibility. Having just come back from Menorca today for the first time I strongly recoomend taking that into your tour - it's only 22 miles from Mallorca and some good places to spend the night.

The sailing itself is easy - go somewhere in the morning before the wind gets up, laze around in the afternoon and then if you want to move on do it early evening - definitely the best time to sail round there.

Anyway, you shouldn't have any problems at all as long as you choose your night stops with care.

 

[jcmb]

off to the windy med today, thankyou all for the helpful advice - really put my mind at rest.

Gonna try going round the island and stay a night or two at anchor.

JB