40:37.91N 14:35.90E

5 July 2011

Early morning departure in hazy hot weather.  Of course no wind to sail with so another motoring adventure.  We put out the main for at least a little help but most of the time winds were below 5 knots.  As we headed not we passed a couple of beachfront towns.  Full tourist season with tour boats running along the coast.  This coast is very pretty with cliffs, caves, sandy beaches, rocky beaches and postcard towns.

As we rounded the cape to enter the Gulf of Salerno a squall line appeared.  Not that bad just wind at 25 knots and no rain.  Made the Gulf choppy but no issue.

Entering Amalfi we called the marina on the cell phone.  I had spoken with them the day before and got a email confirmation of a berth place for three nights.  When we got there the squall had hit Amalfi harder with 35 knots of wind and all the larger powerboats of course refused to leave.  One of the nice things here is the folks at Coppola marina will find a space and they did.  We snuggled inside the dock with about 3 feet to spare before we hit bottom.  These guys know every rock and can fit into really tight places.  Their saying seems to be “slowly, slowly, slowly” meaning just take our time and slowly move the boat into the tight places.  Four guys assist, jumping all over the boat and the ones next to us.  This marina does not attach the boats to the dock but instead has forward and aft mooring lines.  This works well as it handles the surges and waves better in this not well protected marina and still are place appropriately to allow access off the boat onto the dock like normal.

Once in place we now blocked about 10 other boats from getting out so we were moved to the outside the next day then back inside again then back outside.  Four moves in three days, all well handled and allowed everyone who needed a space to get one for the night.

Since we have been here before it was more of a relaxed place.  We took the dinghy out two days to secluded beaches for a swim during the heat of the day.  Huge yachts come here along with tiny sailboats.  Everyone is welcome and the people are all very nice.  Good shopping and interesting neighbors over the several days.  Polish, Belgians, British, French and even a Turkish boat from Göcek when we spent the winter.  In fact they were in the same marina and on the same pontoon.  But a 68 foot Azimut power boat that burned fuel at a rate that makes every refiner and marketer of fuels happy.

Amalfi as we entered the harbor.

One of the reasons the harbor did not have large waves is because “Rising Sun” was anchored off.  Originally built for Larry Ellison (Oracle software and America’s Cup winner) it is now owned by David Geffen of the record and video fame.  481 feet long and I think quite ugly in its proportions.  80+ rooms and everything you can think of onboard.  Its beam (width) is greater than our boats length.

Our quiet beach for two days for a swim.  Taken with the underwater camera so not the best but you get the point.