Sunday 15th March

In Travemunde until May 2020
Nick Pochin
Sun 15 Mar 2009 13:08
position 39:50.96S 73:19.08W.
We arrived in Valdivia midday Saturday and moored in Marina Alwoplast. It was 196 n miles from Puerto Montt.We had a lively journey through Canal Chacao which is the pass between the mainland and the Island of Chiloe taking us out into the Pacific. We travelled the length of the pass 20 nm at a speed of 15.5 knots!! with the spring tide running at 10 knots.This was fun until coming out of the narrow pass with sand banks either side and 30 knots of wind against tide.You can imagine the confused sea with 8 to 10 metre standing waves. For an hour it was not a happy ship! All is well that ends well.
Today is a rest day with sightseeing in the beautiful University town of Valdivia before setting sail on Monday to Valparaiso. One small problem is trying to repair or replace the regulator on the engine alternator which means we can only charge the batteries using the generator or shore power.