Alcedo Blog, 30/06/2013 28.12.44 N 14.01.59W Morro Jable to Gran Tarajal

Alcedo
David Batten
Tue 2 Jul 2013 19:22
Well, have to admit it has not been a good 24 hours. As stated in the cruising guide, Morro Jabl is subject to sudden, very strong gusts in the early hours and that is just what we got. A combination of poor holding, a sudden strong gust and not enough chain out because of the lack of swinging space gave the skipper's wife a nasty moment around 3.00am, when she looked out to find we were gently nudging one of big tourist catamarans instead of lying in the middle of the harbour. Instant action and lots of engine meant we were safely away very quickly. This was followed by much whistling and shouting from the shore while we tried to sort out what to do next, until a very kind local came out in a rib to tell us that we must either follow him to tie up to the fuel berth or we must go. As it was inky black and we could not establish where exactly the fuel berth was, which side to put out fenders and warps and the wind was gusting with vigour, we decided eventually to go. Once out and around the breakwater, it was suddenly quite peaceful, so we motored quietly into the bay beyond the harbour where we found 2 other yachts at anchor behind the low sandy promontory that forms the Punta de Morrow Jable and we joined them for the rest of the night.

This morning, sunny and warm again, we up anchored in good time and set off hard on the wind for Gran Tarajal. After a surprisingly good sail, not all hard on the wind, but we did find ourselves on the opposite tack as we approached Gran Tarajal not having altered course at all, we motored into the harbour at about 13.30. We were then directed to one of the short term stay berths facing NE with a gusting wind from just south of east. OMG! We nearly made it with a good backward approach, but with a very short pontoon finger, a Murphy's law gust at the critical moment and not quite enough speed for said gust, we lost the bow at the last minute and hit the downwind corner of the finger. More repairs needed to a small area of the topsides and a major sense of humour failure from the skipper's wife ("this boat is too BIG for us, especially when we are short of sleep!"). However, a large Ricard and siesta improved things and Gran Tarajal is essentially a really nice place, even if it is not really suitable for anything much over 50 foot.

Alcedo
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