Mallorca

[whisper]

We will be four old twerps (mid 50s & somewhat knackered) with a bareboat 42 footer - daren't mention the brand. None of us have sailed off Mallorca before so, apart from browsing a Pilot, don't know what to expect.
Question 1 is :- Do we bother with an outboard for the dinghy at a cost of circa £50. We would intend to have 3 or 4 nights in marinas and the other 4 or 5 at anchor.
Question 2 is:- Is it reasonable to circumnavigate the island with a 1 night detour to Minorca in 7 full sailing days.
Question 3 is:- What sort of temperatures are we likely to get , 1st week in November - i.e. Are we likely to need our "thermals"?

 

[ccscott49]

You reaslly need longer, but will enjoy 7 nights ok, if going tom Menorca, I would go to cuidadela, lovely place, tie up alongside and some great restaurants, but ou are probably thinking Mahon. You have a fast boat I guess, so should do quite a few of the high spots, the NW coast, doesnt have a lot to see or do, only Puerto Soller really and its not great, but the other coasts are fine. Weather should be kindish, but pullys needed for evening. Have a good time!

 

[whisper]

Wow that was quick. Thanks very much CCS, Cuidadela was the place I had hoped to include.

 

[cynthia]

Cuidadela can be very sheltered, but I've been there when the waves have rolled into the narrow entrance, ripping mooring cleats out left, right and centre! Moor as far down as you can, keep Mahon as an alternative if the weather blows up.

Usual to get a large school of dolphins between Majorca and Menorca who are skilled entertainers.

If you have time Porto Petro is good, great restaurant at bottom of inlet, that is if it's open in November.

Have a great time! (Hope it's a Bav!!)

 

[sailbadthesinner]

My caveat would be see what the wind is doing. plan by all means but follow the good weather and listen to local advice. if it is sunny in the south head that way to Ibiza. it will make the trip more enjoyable. But if you can make for menorca, we got storm bound in alcudia five weeks ago. should have gon to ibiza where it was sunny. there is less on the n side of majorca than south. avoid visitors pontoon in poollensa in a nw is quite exposed. head for alcudia in a blow

Seeks woman with boat, for sailing only arrangement, send photo of boat.

 

[tonywar]

Take your thermals. The weather around the med has been so unpredictable this year.

 

[ruthhobson]

Public quay in Pollensa isn't too bad in a blow, we were there for a couple of nights (not sure of wind direction), and take your ollies!!! We were there for a week at Easter and needed warm wet weather gear for 4 days!

 

[vyv_cox]

There can be very considerable swells on the paseo moorings. People sometimes get stuck there for days, boat pulled as far off the wall as possible and too rough to use a pasarelle.

 

[sailbadthesinner]

Re: quite

put it this way i would not want to be there.

Come on brain.get this over and i can go back to killing you with beer

 

[tcm]

Question 1 :- yes, i'd have dinghy + outboard. some marinas also quite massive or weird shape need miles of walking, nice anchorages. Outboard - depends how knackered you are. Outboard quite a good idea for gentle lifesaving, ensures you get to correct shore when poxy exhaust fills the boat, and the bilge pumop doesn't work as nearly happened for us last time sailing charter.

Question 2 is:- Is it reasonable to circumnavigate the island with a 1 night detour to Minorca in 7 full sailing days. Possible. I wd go clockwise from palma. Supermarket at club de mar is over the dual carriageway near the capitainerie. I wd get everything cos not great this time of year for supplies but fine to eat out. Cab into town in the old town for authentic olde spanishness in narrow streets. Short hop from Palma is Puerto Portals, glitzy, protected anchorage right outside one of europe most expenisve marinas. Good restaurants, my fave is Bismarque, not mega-expenisive, not crap, bout 30 euros for best blowout on the island, needs booking, radio capitenerie for the number praps. Andraixtx another option along the way south side. Beautiful screnery, nip thru dragonera? gap and can hang close in all along north shore. Soller nicely undeveloped in bowl-like harbour, anchor anywhere - yes i'f d want o/board there. Next is round the corner in pollensa bay, bit nothingish town, but option to choose to go to cuidadella or not. Mahon not really wortth the hack imho unless you want top sailing values in terms of miles, cuidadella used to be capuital i think till all the ships used the bigger harbour at mahon. Rotten sleep in cuidadella if any east in wind. Back on east coast of majorca the places are mostly cheapy housing estates, bit empty and dead out of season, eg good protection from wind in cala d'or and v english full breakfasts a possibility. again need dinghy to cross the harbour, though not o/b in this case. South coast Es Trenc is a good sandy anchorage, blue water close in behind the reef which stretches from the east side of the bay. Good bash up south coast ends at Arenal marina, just inside bay of palma, well used by long-distance travellers, free swimming pool may be closed (may be not) but ace clubhouse will bring you massive drinks for 50pee in comfy armchairs.

Question 3 :- In sun you'll get 20degrees c, but colder in evenings. make sure you take/get provide 12v light on long lead for sitting on deck cos it's dark earlyish and sharp. Massive dew/condensation so keep windows cracked open. Thermals not needed unless you are greek/egyptian used to hot temps.

have fun

 

[sailbadthesinner]

18o miles say to circum nav majorca plus say 45 mile detour to Menorca.
you do the rest of the maths

if you want to sail all day every day then go for it. but i there aint much chance for owt else
what is purpose of trip? to build up miles and slog it out or gentle sails with lunch stops.

I did 2 weeks in majorca on a cat out of palma and did 280 miles. obviously a few forced days in bays due to stuff going wrong and a few days to soak up a particular area.



Come on brain.get this over and i can go back to killing you with beer