Sardinia Summer 2015

[MapisM]

correction,
this is not Carloforte, but the Mainland of Sardegna at approx 10 miles from CF iirc

MapisM, thats where we had the cave dive and you "only" the snorkeling iirc

Guilty as charged! I did say "around CF", though...
...And I thought of that place because it's where an open water swimming context is held - as Hurric possibly remembers, 'cause we already discussed that via email.

 

[MapisM]

this old system works perfect for me

+1.
Mine has mechanical cables instead of hydraulic pipes, but it works exactly the same way.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

and yes every now and then there is a the funny guy who wants to fool the schipper who's helming from upstairs,
by moving one of the throttles on the lower helm station.

Which reminds me of an incident many years ago on a Princess 435 we used to own. We used to corral our baby son into a car seat strapped to the lower helm seat when we were cruising. One day, I was helming from the flybridge and we attached ourself to a mooring buoy in Chichester harbour. I put the throttles into neutral but then the boat suddenly started moving forward and we started to go clockwise around this mooring buoy. I was completely flummoxed as we circulated this buoy for a while and assumed that there must be some very odd currents in Chichester harbour. Eventually I went downstairs and found that our little darling had grown big enough to just about reach the lower throttles with his feet and he'd managed to push the port throttle into gear The little barsteward tried it several times after that but I was wise to him and eventually moved his car seat so he couldn't reach them. He was really put out by that

 

[BartW]

Eventually I went downstairs and found that our little darling had grown big enough to just about reach the lower throttles with his feet and he'd managed to push the port throttle into gear The little barsteward tried it several times after that

your son's first steps in to boating then,
and first symptoms of addiction


reminds me on the occasion that I was cruising from upstairs at planing speed, and wanted to slow down while approaching a harbour, but one throttle couldn't be lowered anymore, there was some mechanical blockage,
frightening feeling as I didn't dare to put her out of gear at that RPM (seperate levers on the other side)
quickly enough I decided to have a look at the lower helm, and there I noticed that the handle of our shopping trolly was blocking the throttles,
Our Crew girl usually stowes the trolly behind the thelm seat, but in this occasion she has put it in front of the helm seat, and it was fallen against the dashb.

 

[jrudge]

And then another little one scribbled in your aft cabin.

Not much luck with kids!

Our 4 years old turned off the electric power to the port engine from below which of course stopped it and then I could not restart. Which similarly took a bit of figuring out!

 

[jfm]

+1.
Mine has mechanical cables instead of hydraulic pipes, but it works exactly the same way.

The Silver Dee set up is mechanical cables too. "Pull only" ie in tension, running around pulleys, rather than flexible "morse" style push-pull cables

 

[jfm]

Thanks for the further pictures Hurricane, and congratulations to your son.
I quite like Alcudia. Been there a few times. The sea front has an air of kiss me quick hats about it but it's perfectly ok, and the old town behind is very nice. I found the fuel berth and marine team very helpful. I don't know Meson Dulcinea so will try it when I'm there again this August
Good luck for next leg of trip

 

[John100156]

Yes - he did really well Mike, just thinking of the Iron Man tires me out!

Mind you, consuming that T-Bone steak after numerous beers must have been a greater ordeal..... If you keep this up, you'll need to take a leaf out of your sons book and start training for next year!

 

[longjohnsilver]

That must be the largest steak I've seen on a plate! How heavy was it and did you finish it?!

 

[Hurricane]

That must be the largest steak I've seen on a plate! How heavy was it and did you finish it?!

Arrived in Mahon late last night.
No steaks today - got back from the Jap/Chinese restaurant after an even better meal - had too much to drink to post right now but there are some great pics from our crossing yesterday evening.
Will post them as soon as the computer screen gets back into focus!!!

 

[longjohnsilver]

Look forward to them Mike. Seems you're on a gastronomic odyssey!

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

That must be the largest steak I've seen on a plate! How heavy was it and did you finish it?!

That was the turf part, he didn't show us the surf bit!

We have eaten in Meson Dulcinea in Alcudia quite a few times and the steaks are delicious. I think the meat comes from Argentina but I may be wrong there

 

[Hurricane]

That was the turf part, he didn't show us the surf bit!

We have eaten in Meson Dulcinea in Alcudia quite a few times and the steaks are delicious. I think the meat comes from Argentina but I may be wrong there

Yes - it was you, Mike, that told us about it.
Since then, the Meson Dulcinea is one of Alcudia's attractions for us.

But the Jap/Chinese restaurant here in Mahon beats many.
Our second visit and it didn't disappoint.
We decided on a lunchtime dinner and we really aren't any good for anything else today.
SWMBO really enjoyed it.
Just as well that we washed the boat this morning!!

 

[Hurricane]

OK - fell asleep on the fordeck cushions but been for a walk - feeling a bit more stable now

So here's the next instalment - loads of pics.

Our son left us yesterday afternoon at about 15:30 to fly home so at the same time, we set off for Menorca.
Weather and sea was just as predicted.

Saw no wild life this time but after about 2 hours we wondered what this was.

It appeared on the radar as a huge target so I switched to the AIS screen.
This was the result

And this was our CPA screen at the time

WOW - lets go and have a look

We jumped onto the plane and headed off for further inspection.
At one stage, I lifted the VHF handset to call them - to reassure them that we were only looking but SWMBO seemed to think that wasn't necessary.
Although, through the bins, we could see the captain keeping a watchful eye on us.

Azzam is truly massive - and with the sun behind us looked fantastic - what an encounter.

Then we had to deal with her wake!!
But don't you agree - at sea she looks beautiful

But then, we had to get back on track for southern Menorca

The likes of DJEFABS, RickP and Jimmy the Builder may remember this - a good few years ago when we were all on board Jennywren heading for the same transit stop in Mahon.

The island on the tip on Menorca - 6m clearance so plenty of water between the island and Menorca.
Two years ago, we anchored next to the little island.

Weather slightly different on this trip - not so much turquoise water - still a little but not as much as usual - mainly because this was about 18:30 in the evening.

It is a beautiful coastline

Once at the little island (I can't remember its name) it is only about 7 miles on to Mahon.

Woosh - this passed - on charter - British built boats get everywhere!!
From memory, this one is "inch for inch" the same size as JW.
Can you see the long line - they were towing their dinghy - at that speed!!
SWMBO pointed out that was because they had a Jetski and a dinghy - well they should have bought a Princess then - that way they could have carried both!!!

Then - arrival in Mahon
Not much to say but it is very different than arriving in Dartmouth - don't you think?

Some pics that I took as we travelled up to the main harbour.
SWMBO had gone to sort out fenders - again the headsets are really useful - with just the two of us on board, it is reassuring to know that she is safe - whilst she is talking, there can't be much wrong!!

What would you give to keep a boat here?

Then, finally, at 8:00 in the evening we tied up on the Mahon fuel berth - DJEFABS will remember this one as well - thats where we had to deal with the fuel bug - not where we got the bug but where we had to do some cleaning before moving on.

So, only a short passage this time - about 5 hours.
Not time to hit the restaurants - just something out of the fridge - a couple of beers and bed.
Note the Crocs - ready to use

Then, this morning we refuelled - 2100 litres from Sant Carles - not bad - and that included the day trips around Sant Carles to check the boat out.

After that it was off to the main marina

WiFi is working so I emailed the office at Carloforte to tell them that we are currently planning to arrive there late on Wednesday
A reply came back within the hour - All seems OK - they want us to call them as soon as we get a GSM phone signal - then they will meet us and help us in.
I told them any time between 18:00 and 23:00.

So, the plan at the moment is to leave here as soon as the sun comes up.
It is looking like .5m swell for the first half and nothing thereafter - very light wind - lets hope that forecast doesn't change.
This looks like our window.
Late Thursday/Friday will be a no go
Mustn't annoy the weather gods though - must we.

Tomorrow, we have booked a hire car so that we can see what Menorca looks like inland as well.

So, hopefully, my next report will be from Carloforte.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Nice one, Mike. Azzam is beautifully proportioned unlike many top heavy superyachts these days and she is indeed a fine sight. Good luck with the trip to CF. Weather looks perfect

 

[Hurricane]

This just turned up - these Fairlines seem to be getting everywhere - and another 78 - and with a hard top!!
I bet some on here thought the hard tops were unique - JFM will be able to tell us how many they have delivered I'm sure.
So, we have had a Squadron 78 as a neighbour in Alcudia and here.

 

[jfm]

This just turned up - these Fairlines seem to be getting everywhere - and another 78 - and with a hard top!!
I bet some on here thought the hard tops were unique - JFM will be able to tell us how many they have delivered I'm sure.
So, we have had a Squadron 78 as a neighbour in Alcudia and here.

Yup that one lives there Mike - that's its permanent berth. It's hull #103. Owner (I won't mention name; a FTSE100 CEO) has had several previous Fairlines. The boat is this one (the one in the vid, but not in the still screen shown below) - has fin stabs and quite a few mods taken from mine (which is perfectly fine by me!)


I think they have done about 10 with hard tops. First HT was about hull 102, last boat to leave factory the other week was 112, and in between there have been one or 2 non HT boats but all the others have HT. Plus mine which is the only retro (so far) and the only "customised" HT (special lighting, wrap, antennae moved up, etc). I'll post update on my refit thread because my HT install was actually fully finished this last weekend

I hope you're enjoying Mahon. I really like it there and plan to be there weekend of 1 august. How much € was the fuel? And what's the name of the Chinese restaurant? I have heard of it but never been. Have a good crossing to Sardinia

 

[MapisM]

they want us to call them as soon as we get a GSM phone signal - then they will meet us and help us in.

Just FYI, I wouldn't hold my breath for mobile coverage, particularly when arriving from the W, as you are going to do.
More than likely, you will be within VHF range (the marina channel is 15) well before you'll grab any GSM network.
Otoh, I guess they told you to call on the mobile because whenever there's nobody in the office, they are out and about with handheld VHFs, whose range is just good enough for staying in touch while approaching...

Have a nice and safe passage, and keep your camera handy. The very extended high pressure area over the central Med looks indeed promising for wildlife spotting!

 

[Hurricane]

How much € was the fuel? And what's the name of the Chinese restaurant? I have heard of it but never been.

Fuel 1.41 euros - I did ask for discount but he said only on deliveries over 4000 litres.
Nice fast pump though - but no auto cut off so I had to watch it carefully.

Chinese restaurant - definitely worth a visit.
Name is Way - from the new marina walk past the Sunseeker berths and it on the left at the end - right next to the Princess offices
This Pic taken a couple of years ago - the Chinese restaurant is the red fronted restaurant

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

But then, we had to get back on track for southern Menorca

The likes of DJEFABS, RickP and Jimmy the Builder may remember this - a good few years ago when we were all on board Jennywren heading for the same transit stop in Mahon.

The island on the tip on Menorca - 6m clearance so plenty of water between the island and Menorca.
Two years ago, we anchored next to the little island.

Is that the spot where the local forumite (Oceandrive?) came out to meet us and run into Mahon with us?

Then, finally, at 8:00 in the evening we tied up on the Mahon fuel berth - DJEFABS will remember this one as well - thats where we had to deal with the fuel bug - not where we got the bug but where we had to do some cleaning before moving on.

I seem to remember getting a lot of stick here for my 'indian rope trick' to keep the fuel delivery hose off your cockpit teak...

Great posts btw Mike, safe passage for the big crossing.