Marseille to Torrevieja. Wish us luck.

[adey]

Well, we’re off in the new (to us) Astondoa 464.
Just filled up at 2.17 euros.

 

[markc]

Bon Voyage.... photos when you arrive, or it didn't happen!

 

[kashurst]

Well, we’re off in the new (to us) Astondoa 464.
Just filled up at 2.17 euros.

Good luck, should be an interesting journey. Are you just blasting it or making a trip out of it?

 

[adey]

Bit of both. We’ve got the Torrevieja berth from the 1st. We’re planning on enjoying the journey and dodging the weather.
Might stop at Empriabrava tonight just to see what bits have broken so far.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Nice trip, you could really make that very interesting if you wanted to, lots of great spots to stop and explore on the way. Best of luck, and hope you have good weather!

 

[adey]

Open to suggestions

 

[Seastoke]

Open to suggestions

Whatever hapens, if you see a ST34 either go WOT, or scuttle the boat . Do not approach, you can tell the boat !! he flies his g string and sketchers, at half mast. You motor at night or in a force 2 , as he does neither .

 

[jointventureII]

Best of luck, I'm sure you're well aware already but it's set to blow big time - mistral - starting tomorrow.

 

[Hurricane]

Once on the Spanish side, if you need to "dive for cover" - it might be worth having Port d'Aro on your list. Initially, on entering, it doesn't look big enough but right at the end of the marina there are large berths big enough for you - we squeezed in.
Might be worth a stop anyway.
See this video

And, of course there is Sant Carles on the way if you want a fully English speaking marina with services and local town - also fuel available 24/7.

 

[petem]

Lots of nice marinas once you round the corner at Denia (which is also nice)...

Javier
Moraira
Calpe
Marina Greenwich
CN Altea

Let me know if you want ant more info.

 

[roa312]

Congratulations on the boat, best of luck on your first trip and another vote from me for pictures if you get a chance!

 

[adey]

Thanks everyone.
So, day 1…
Get boarded by French customs. All ok but did ask for VAT paperwork.
Gulf de Lion a bit lumpy at first but better later.
About half way across all the electrics beeped and went out. Seems the alternator doesn’t charge the house batteries. Quite scary 60 miles from shore. Luckily the generator started and recharged them.
Got to Empuriabrava just now. Ropes supplied with the boat are all a bit short so we have a bit of a leap from passarell to shore.
Need a beer

 

[Seastoke]

Yes but when you get back and see the boat , you will smile.

 

[Hurricane]

Thanks everyone.
So, day 1…
Get boarded by French customs. All ok but did ask for VAT paperwork.
Gulf de Lion a bit lumpy at first but better later.
About half way across all the electrics beeped and went out. Seems the alternator doesn’t charge the house batteries. Quite scary 60 miles from shore. Luckily the generator started and recharged them.
Got to Empuriabrava just now. Ropes supplied with the boat are all a bit short so we have a bit of a leap from passarell to shore.
Need a beer

A coincidence. I helped with a delivery from the SoF to Sant Carles and half way across the Gulf de Lion, the engines overheat alarms came on so I can understand you getting scared. Our problem was that the water intakes are scoops so the solution to our overheat problem was "to go faster".

Anyway, thats probably the most worrying part of your trip done.
The other place where you will probably leave the sight of land is crossing Valencia Bay. The only thing to watch out for there is the Columbrettes - volcanic islands but not very large and easily seen on the charts.

Enjoy your delivery trip - don't go too fast - enjoy the places on the way.

 

[petem]

The other place where you will probably leave the sight of land is crossing Valencia Bay. The only thing to watch out for there is the Columbrettes - volcanic islands but not very large and easily seen on the charts.

Would be a shame not to spend at least one night at Valencia.

 

[adey]

Valencia’s on the list. Maybe even as a plan B if we can’t get all the way this week. We can fly home from there if we need to.
We’re currently on the move again. I’ve booked 2 nights in Marina Port Premia (near Barcelona). If the apps are correct we should avoid the wind

 

[petem]

Valencia’s on the list. Maybe even as a plan B if we can’t get all the way this week. We can fly home from there if we need to.
We’re currently on the move again. I’ve booked 2 nights in Marina Port Premia (near Barcelona). If the apps are correct we should avoid the wind

If you're not in a rush then take your time doing the northern Costa Blanca (Denia down to Alicante). It's a nice coastline and some great towns (as I mentioned above).

 

[Sticky Fingers]

If you're not in a rush then take your time doing the northern Costa Blanca (Denia down to Alicante). It's a nice coastline and some great towns (as I mentioned above).

I totally agree with this, it's a fantastic coastline. One day I hope to get back there with a boat instead of a villa!

 

[Hurricane]

When you pass Barcelona, say "hi" to (what we call) "Fridge Door Corner" - just outside the port's western entrance.
We were once approaching there at about 20 knots, hit a huge wave and went airborne.
It is amazing what the sea can do - we are close to 50 tons and I left my seat.
The door fell off the fridge which emptied its contents everywhere.
Our boat is fully carpeted - even hatches under the carpets on the lower deck moved out of their locating slot.
We limped into Port Vells which was our intended destination anyway.