Marseille to Torrevieja. Wish us luck.

[adey]

Trip abandoned!

The weather’s just not playing ball.

450+ miles was probably optimistic at this time of year anyway. I saw the Mistral forecast so had to cross Lion on day one without any time to get used to the boat.

The trip to Port Premia from Empuriabrava was not so fun. Surfed into the harbour entrance (Haulover Inlet style) with one engine playing up (it stopped twice!). Blowing a hoolie and not much space at the entrance to get the engine going again. Only the port engine would transfer to the fly so had to park from downstairs. Lucky it went well (got a chef’s kiss from the marinero )

We could have moved one more hop today but the wife really likes this port so we’ve paid for a month. There’d be no chance of getting further after today. We’ll fly home for Easter (work) and continue in a few weeks.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Sounds like the right decision on multiple grounds!

 

[jrudge]

I have parked my boat from down below once. The fly helm was totally removed resulting in alarms. There was a storm ( so much so I had 3 marineros on the boat ). It is fair to say it did not go very well !

 

[kashurst]

Sounds like a bit of a wild ride into the last port. It's always disappointing when the boat conks out, but fingers crossed it's nothing serious. Probably either fuel supply or a poor electrical connection that the bouncy ride has revealed. Hopefully easy to sort with some filters and or contact cleaner etc after a rest.
You did well moorng up on one engine from the inside.
How did the Astondoa handle the big waves?

 

[westernman]

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.

I prefer Estartit to Empuriabrava.
Also L'Escala (between the two) is worth the walk from the marina to the town centre with some excellent restaurants (much better than those in Empuriabrava).
We like Palamos - just anchor in the bay unless conditions are poor. There is a fanstastic tapas bar up the steps from the near where you can leave the annex. And some good restaurants upmarket but affordable, such as the one in Hotel Trias (open to non-guests).
Also St. Felui de Guixols,
And of course Barcelona if you can get a berth at Port Vell (they have gone upmarket and they might not cater for anything less than 100m long now), or maybe even better Reial Club Marítim Barcelona.

 

[adey]

The boat was ok. It seems really solidly built, no creaks or anything like that. I get the feeling it was built by engineers and not interior designers.
But, it’s fat and tall to get three berths into 46 feet without bunk beds. My previous Azimut 37 seemed to slice the waves better. She seems to ride quite bow down as well. There’s no real hump getting up in the plane. The wipers got a workout.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

They've got a reputation as well built but unflashy. Sounds like she did you well on that trip.

 

[Alicatt]

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.

Our yacht club chairman over winters in Calpe, he has just returned from there for the summer season here in Belgium. In fact quite a lot of our club stay in Calpe for a month or so during the winter, it is very popular here!

 

[adey]

For anybody still interested I’m back on the boat.

I arrived a few days ago to get to know the boat a bit better before the wife joined for the next legs. .

The engine issue seems to be a dodgy connection at the fly helm edc levers. A bit of contact cleaner sorted it for now but I think I’m going to have to remove and strip it.

The next thing I did was inspect the raw water cooling system. The good news is the lack of anodes doesn’t seem to have done any harm. Bad news was the amount of scale build up.

[/url]

Barnacle buster did a great job. More than can be said for the £10 bilge pump that ran for an hour then shorted out. I just let it stew for a few more hours then flushed it out. The result was miraculous to be honest.

[/url]

With a calm forecast for yesterday and the boat back together I decided to solo it from Port Premia to Port Segur de Calafell (a similar distance the other side of Barcelona) with the wife flying in that evening.

During the night a big red (marine salvage?) boat tied up along side us with lots of guys in overalls climbing over the boat. Turns out they were delivering a dead body to a waiting private ambulance on the quayside. Lots of police and people waiting. RIP whoever you were.

Currently en route to Castellon.

 

[Hurricane]

For anybody still interested I’m back on the boat.

I arrived a few days ago to get to know the boat a bit better before the wife joined for the next legs. .

The engine issue seems to be a dodgy connection at the fly helm edc levers. A bit of contact cleaner sorted it for now but I think I’m going to have to remove and strip it.

The next thing I did was inspect the raw water cooling system. The good news is the lack of anodes doesn’t seem to have done any harm. Bad news was the amount of scale build up.

[/url]

Barnacle buster did a great job. More than can be said for the £10 bilge pump that ran for an hour then shorted out. I just let it stew for a few more hours then flushed it out. The result was miraculous to be honest.

[/url]

With a calm forecast for yesterday and the boat back together I decided to solo it from Port Premia to Port Segur de Calafell (a similar distance the other side of Barcelona) with the wife flying in that evening.

During the night a big red (marine salvage?) boat tied up along side us with lots of guys in overalls climbing over the boat. Turns out they were delivering a dead body to a waiting private ambulance on the quayside. Lots of police and people waiting. RIP whoever you were.

Currently en route to Castellon.

There are a few of us here in Sant Carles at the moment if you cant get as far as Castellion. JW is in the boatyard having annual maintenance - relaunch Friday. I'm living on board but this year contractors are doing the work. Fuel here was relatively cheap a couple of days ago - AFAIK 1.75 euros /l . I will check price if you like.

 

[adey]

I’m just passing St Carles now.
Booking for Castellon is confirmed via Navily app.
Filled the tanks this morning at 1.716
Hi to everyone in St Carles

 

[Hurricane]

I’m just passing St Carles now.
Booking for Castellon is confirmed via Navily app.
Filled the tanks this morning at 1.716
Hi to everyone in St Carles

Just seen this. I was about to offer you my 20m empty berth for the night. Completely FOC with all the electric you can take. I'm afraid you will find Castellon a bit commercial. Apart from the club bar very few restaurants near the marina.
Have a safe onward trip.
From all at SCM

 

[Boaty_Pete]

That's an offer I'd turn around for!!

 

[adey]

Turn around? I’d just need to turn right
Very generous offer but we’re trying to get the miles in while the weather’s good.
It’s pretty flat right now.