36:49.18N 28:18.61E

I should have mentioned in the last note that Kerkova Rhodes was our further eastern point on this trip. We are now heading slowly west. Good and bad but just a point of reference that everything now is geared toward getting to the Canaries in November.

Anyway, we checked the weather again and decided to shoot for Marmaris and get there by 15:00 to beat the strong winds predicted. Since we were not in a real rush we left at 09:00 in sunny calm conditions. Again we motored out of our protected cove and out into the large bay outside of Göcek. By surprise we actually had wind to sail with. So up with the sails and almost due south we ran. Between a beam reach and a little forward in 15 to 18 knots of apparent wind we sailed 8– 9 knots. This is faster than by motor so life was great. Down to the southern point and then we needed to head east. As normal at capes and point the winds and seas are stronger. True here also. Of course the winds were from the east also so the headsail came down, engine back on. A few minutes later the mainsail came down and we pounded into the seas.  This is getting to be an old story. Crossing the bay between Göcek and Marmaris was entirely against the seas and winds. Winds reached 35 knots apparent. Seas were not that bad but still around 1 – 2 meters.

So we got closer to Marmaris and the winds grew and the spray on the boat made vision a bit difficult. As we approached the narrow channel between an island and the peninsula the seas were classic gale force with airborne spray. But with enough engine power we motored through safely behind the island and the winds dropped to almost nothing. Punching out the backside the winds again grew to 35 knots. Looking at the marina in the distance I did think about dropping anchor close to shore instead of trying to maneuver in a marina. A little discussion and we chose to approach the marina and check it out. They said they would help and we thought we have done this before in this kind of weather. So in we went and we were asked to wait for five minutes while the dock crews attended other boats. Good time to practice close quarter maneuvering in high wind. Not an issue, actually very calm once inside the protect waters and the winds dropped to 20 knots. When time came to berth the dock guys assisted very well, one coming onboard to help with the lines. Berthed with no incident and we got to sit in a calm but howling wind marina (winds grew again).

More on Marmaris later. No pictures, forgot to get some good high wind pics but we were not thinking about that.