Hurricane
Well-Known Member
Having just written this up for our local marina forum, I just thought that I'd better copy a version for YBW as well.
There dont seem to have been many cruise reports recently anyway.
A group of us have been planning a cruise in company from Sant Carles to the islands. Planning a group event is always a problem - you cam never be sure of the weather. So, the suggestion was that anyone who wanted to go would meet in the bar on the 13th June and that we would plan it all then. If the weather was bad, we would simply wait or abandon the whole idea.
Well, we assembled as agreed in the Sant Carles bar for coffee on the Sunday morning.
Potentially it was to be 5 motor boats to cross to the islands and Ibiza was to be the destination but one boat developed engine problems whilst running some tests.
I had JW booked for a lift and wash for the following morning but she was clean enough to go without a clean so we were all ready.
Over coffee (etc!!) we decided that the wind was probably a bit strong for a comfortable cruise so we postponed for a few days.
Each morning we met in the bar at 11:00 as agreed (even if some of us were a little late)
Eventually it was decided that Wednesday morning would be the day - up early and leave before 09:00
So early on Wednesday 16th June, off we went - destination San Antonio - Ibiza
Our stop in San Antonio was pretty much a non event.
Most boats refuelled and we had an excellent meal out in a local restaurant that had been recommended by the Sant Carles harbour master.
So the following morning it was off to “check out Ibiza” in an anticlockwise direction.
Here is Jennywren’s recorded track for the week.
About a force 3 or 4 as we rounded the west side of the island and headed for a little anchorage. Stunning scenery – don’t know why I didn’t have the camera out.
Anyway, we decided to stop for a late lunch in Cala de Porto Roig and raft up together.
It was so peaceful that we decided to stay for the night – even though some weird boats arrived – this one seemed to have a bonnet like a car.
And a perfect sunset
The morning was calm and crisp for those of us up early enough for a swim before heading of to Formentera
We “drove through” Puerto de Espalmador ( the bay itself) and decided that there wasn’t room for the four of us together.
I’m afraid I didn’t take many photos of Formentera – things got a little more adventurous at this stage of the cruise. One of the more experienced boats scouted round to the east side of Espalmador only to find significant swell. South westerlies were kicking up the sea on the west side where the rest of us were. So, with lunch beckoning, we dropped our anchors a little further south before setting off to find a sheltered bay for the night.
The best place we could find was the little bay to the west of Sabina – tucked in and sheltered from the south westerly wind. The bay also gave us good protection from the forecasted westerly wind later. I'm afraid that I dont have any photos here – things started to go wrong at about 03:00 in the morning.
Our anchors weren’t holding very well boats were slipping all over the place. The following morning, I had to get my daughter and her friend up to Ibiza town so that they could catch flights home so it was agreed that the weather wasn’t good enough for us to stay in Formentera and we all headed north.
In the afternoon, we departed Ibiza town in search for a good anchorage for the night but firstly a lunch stop in Cala Llonga.
Whilst in Ibiza, SWMBO had been shopping and some of our fleet needed a resupply – French bread supplies delivered at sea!!!
Lovely place but not comfortable enough and the forecast wasn’t very favourable so, after a little further research, we decided on a comfortable marina for the next couple of days whilst the weather settled.
Our choice of safe haven was Santa Eulalia – what a really nice little port. Nothing like San Antonio – quaint, clean and comfortable – well worth a return visit.
SWMBO and I were a bit concerned that we were going to have a new crew member – apparently, he shows up at all visiting yachts that treat him to “titbits”.
Personally, I was a bit disappointed with the eastern side of the island – it may have been that the weather wasn’t good enough but there just didn’t seem to safe places to drop the anchor. Finally, I called everyone on the radio – “lets hit the throttles” I said “and press on to Portinatx”. We had been there a few weeks earlier with Timbad and FenderGirl of these forums and I was sure that it would be a safe anchorage as long as there was enough space. It sure was.
This little bay is just 98 miles from Sant Carles!!!
One of our boats had visitors arriving the next day in Sant Carles so they left us early while the rest of us spent a couple of days relaxing at anchor in this turquoise little anchorage.
All that was left now was to head north for home.
We decided on a slow crossing – SWMBO and I call it “pootling” - 9 knots and just enjoy the passage.
Here's a video clip of the return crossing that I've put on Youtube – sorry about the music in the background.
This is pootling speed
This slower, more relaxed approach to cruising, gave us more time to stop and play with dolphins – loads of them. Earlier in the year, with Timbad and FenderGirl, we were discussing what the collective nown for Dolphins is - I think we agreed that "SHED LOADS" of Dolphins was what we actually saw.
And SWMBO finally managed to photograph them
In fact at 9 knots it would have taken us 11 hours so we all agreed over the radio that it would be a good idea to arrive back home for dinner in the marina restaurant. This meant that some of the crossing was at 9 knots and some at 25 knots.
Anyway, a total of 320 miles and JW's tanks were still just under half full - what a difference this "laid back" cruising approach makes to the fuel consumption.
All arrived back safely at Sant Carles to dinner in the bar – no damage or injuries – a successful time away.
There dont seem to have been many cruise reports recently anyway.
A group of us have been planning a cruise in company from Sant Carles to the islands. Planning a group event is always a problem - you cam never be sure of the weather. So, the suggestion was that anyone who wanted to go would meet in the bar on the 13th June and that we would plan it all then. If the weather was bad, we would simply wait or abandon the whole idea.
Well, we assembled as agreed in the Sant Carles bar for coffee on the Sunday morning.
Potentially it was to be 5 motor boats to cross to the islands and Ibiza was to be the destination but one boat developed engine problems whilst running some tests.
I had JW booked for a lift and wash for the following morning but she was clean enough to go without a clean so we were all ready.
Over coffee (etc!!) we decided that the wind was probably a bit strong for a comfortable cruise so we postponed for a few days.
Each morning we met in the bar at 11:00 as agreed (even if some of us were a little late)
Eventually it was decided that Wednesday morning would be the day - up early and leave before 09:00
So early on Wednesday 16th June, off we went - destination San Antonio - Ibiza
Our stop in San Antonio was pretty much a non event.
Most boats refuelled and we had an excellent meal out in a local restaurant that had been recommended by the Sant Carles harbour master.
So the following morning it was off to “check out Ibiza” in an anticlockwise direction.
Here is Jennywren’s recorded track for the week.
About a force 3 or 4 as we rounded the west side of the island and headed for a little anchorage. Stunning scenery – don’t know why I didn’t have the camera out.
Anyway, we decided to stop for a late lunch in Cala de Porto Roig and raft up together.
It was so peaceful that we decided to stay for the night – even though some weird boats arrived – this one seemed to have a bonnet like a car.
And a perfect sunset
The morning was calm and crisp for those of us up early enough for a swim before heading of to Formentera
We “drove through” Puerto de Espalmador ( the bay itself) and decided that there wasn’t room for the four of us together.
I’m afraid I didn’t take many photos of Formentera – things got a little more adventurous at this stage of the cruise. One of the more experienced boats scouted round to the east side of Espalmador only to find significant swell. South westerlies were kicking up the sea on the west side where the rest of us were. So, with lunch beckoning, we dropped our anchors a little further south before setting off to find a sheltered bay for the night.
The best place we could find was the little bay to the west of Sabina – tucked in and sheltered from the south westerly wind. The bay also gave us good protection from the forecasted westerly wind later. I'm afraid that I dont have any photos here – things started to go wrong at about 03:00 in the morning.
Our anchors weren’t holding very well boats were slipping all over the place. The following morning, I had to get my daughter and her friend up to Ibiza town so that they could catch flights home so it was agreed that the weather wasn’t good enough for us to stay in Formentera and we all headed north.
In the afternoon, we departed Ibiza town in search for a good anchorage for the night but firstly a lunch stop in Cala Llonga.
Whilst in Ibiza, SWMBO had been shopping and some of our fleet needed a resupply – French bread supplies delivered at sea!!!
Lovely place but not comfortable enough and the forecast wasn’t very favourable so, after a little further research, we decided on a comfortable marina for the next couple of days whilst the weather settled.
Our choice of safe haven was Santa Eulalia – what a really nice little port. Nothing like San Antonio – quaint, clean and comfortable – well worth a return visit.
SWMBO and I were a bit concerned that we were going to have a new crew member – apparently, he shows up at all visiting yachts that treat him to “titbits”.
Personally, I was a bit disappointed with the eastern side of the island – it may have been that the weather wasn’t good enough but there just didn’t seem to safe places to drop the anchor. Finally, I called everyone on the radio – “lets hit the throttles” I said “and press on to Portinatx”. We had been there a few weeks earlier with Timbad and FenderGirl of these forums and I was sure that it would be a safe anchorage as long as there was enough space. It sure was.
This little bay is just 98 miles from Sant Carles!!!
One of our boats had visitors arriving the next day in Sant Carles so they left us early while the rest of us spent a couple of days relaxing at anchor in this turquoise little anchorage.
All that was left now was to head north for home.
We decided on a slow crossing – SWMBO and I call it “pootling” - 9 knots and just enjoy the passage.
Here's a video clip of the return crossing that I've put on Youtube – sorry about the music in the background.
This is pootling speed
This slower, more relaxed approach to cruising, gave us more time to stop and play with dolphins – loads of them. Earlier in the year, with Timbad and FenderGirl, we were discussing what the collective nown for Dolphins is - I think we agreed that "SHED LOADS" of Dolphins was what we actually saw.
And SWMBO finally managed to photograph them
In fact at 9 knots it would have taken us 11 hours so we all agreed over the radio that it would be a good idea to arrive back home for dinner in the marina restaurant. This meant that some of the crossing was at 9 knots and some at 25 knots.
Anyway, a total of 320 miles and JW's tanks were still just under half full - what a difference this "laid back" cruising approach makes to the fuel consumption.
All arrived back safely at Sant Carles to dinner in the bar – no damage or injuries – a successful time away.
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