44:24.71N 08:55.55E

27 July 2011

Early morning departure was planned.  Fuel dock was supposed to open at 08:00.  Well maybe Italian time in the summer.  But no issue as a quick conversation with the mooring man and he called the attendant and we were getting fuel within 10 minutes.  Nice fuel dock with a hose that would sink the boat if it was set at full speed.  It has the ability to fill those 20,000 liter tanks on large motor yachts fast.  We only needed a trickle and a mere 410 liters @ 1.49 Euro per liter (call it 9 dollars a gallon).

Off we went north to Genoa.  Again no wind for sailing although I put up the mainsail.  The coast along here is fantastic.  Many of the famous towns like Rapallo, Santa Margarita, and Portofino are here.  Suprisingly very few boats along the way.  Passing Portofino there were several large yachts anchored off but not crowded.  Maybe things are cooling down a little this year.

The rest of the trip was just motoring with nothing of real interest.  It took 7 ½ hours to go 51 nautical miles.  Once entering the harbor at Genoa it becomes restrictive.  Yachts must enter from the eastern entrance and stay to the north side.  The Coast Guard will come over and provide better guidance if you wander off. 

We selected Marina Porto Antico as our spot.  I sent a email the previous day and they confirmed a slip for us.  I thought it would be very crowded in the summer but apparently many of the local boat leave to go other places leaving the marina is quite open for transient boats.  After a little chat on the radio the marina staff came out to help berthing and we had a spot right near the center of town.  Of course this far inland means the bottom of the marina is very foul and generates some interesting marsh mud smells (hydrogen sulfide).  But the wind kept most of it away.  Very calm and really just a few steps from getting into one of the largest old towns in Europe.

The waterfront here has been extensively redeveloped.  All the former wharves are now small apartments and stores, with the aquarium thrown in for fun.  Nice clean place with everything you need right here.

Our berth in the green waters.  Not really dirty just lacking in fresh water circulation.  Apartments and restaurants across from us and as well behind.