Puerto Santa Maria - 36:35.26N 06:13.92W
Seaflute
Wed 28 Sep 2016 08:01
We arrived here in Puerto Santa Maria late last night after a long days sail
(motor) from Portimao. The forecast had suggested we would have a steady
fifteen knots of northerly wind for at least half of the hundred and
fourteen mile trip. However, an hour of twenty five knots then nothing, sort
of upset our passage plan. To predict the wind strength and direction for
each of our legs, we have been using a combination of predictions from
"Passage Planner", "Wind Guru" and "I'Grib". They all differ slightly in
their forecasts so we choose the one that best suits our needs! However
there is clearly very little cooperation between these agencies and the wind
herself. I really don't understand why there isn't closer liaison between
them all and I will lobby strongly for this to happen in the future! We had
intended to berth in Cadiz itself but unfortunately the marina there doesn't
cater for yachts with deeper drafts. The next best option was the Real Club
Nautico Marina in Puerto de Santa Maria, a short ferry ride from Cadiz and a
one hour train ride to Seville. The chart and pilot guide confirmed a
minimum depth of 5 metres at low tide. Our draft (depth from the waterline
to the bottom of the keel) is 2.5 metres so a clearance of another 2.5metres
is a luxury. Cadiz is a very busy shipping port and the approach is strewn
with anchored ships of all descriptions awaiting loading and unloading and
maybe just their next commission. The shoreline is a blaze of light and it
makes it very difficult to pick out channel and hazard marker lights against
this backdrop. We picked our way through the motive and emotive shipping and
bypassed two areas of shoal ground on the approach to Santa Maria. The
channel entrance was easily found and we headed up river towards the marina.
We were two hours into a flood tide so there should have had an excess of
water over the 2.5 metres charted. I began to get slightly concerned when
Sea Flutes depth gauge was reading 0.8 metres beneath the keel when it
should have been 3.5+ , I reduced our speed considerably and asked Tom to
double check the charted depth in the channel. He confirmed there should be
loads, just as the depth reading on the gauge reduced to 0.5! We proceeded
gingerly onwards with the small comfort that if we ran aground the flood
tide should float us off again and we could scarper back from whence we
came. Fortunately the depth slowly increased and we safely berthed at 23.30
on an outer hammerhead at the Real Club Nautico. The marinere who had taken
our lines, instructed us to check in with the office the following morning
and so after a cold beer and a change of underpants for me at least, we
retired for a good night's sleep.
On awaking this morning, a quick wander around the facilities revealed an
elegant, if not slightly dilapidated facility. A quick, friendly and
efficient check in belied the pilot guides description of the clubs
"reluctant welcome" to visiting yachtsmen. After a lazy start, we have all
taken the day to explore the town of Santa Maria which has proven to be a
charming, authentic, Catalonian Spanish town with all the requisite ancient
churches, castles and brilliant Tappas bars!
We are all heading off exploring tomorrow. Liz and Ian to Cadiz on the
ferry. Lindy, Tom and I on the train to Seville.
I am conscious that we haven't said much about our stay in Portimao
.....well it was OK. A lovely stretch of coastline. The usual generous
welcome from the Portuguese locals, delightful food and great wine. The
heart of the town has obviously suffered from more than its fair share of
British stag parties, hen parties and golf parties, judging by the number of
Irish bars, kebab shops and gentleman's clubs in existence. But despite
this, it still retains enough of its own original character and some
sophistication to still make it a compelling destination.
The highlights of Portimao for me: A sand sculpture crocodile on the beach!
Outstanding.
Seeing Alex Thompson and his Hugo Boss team prepping for the Vendee Globe
Race.
A report on our next city excursions will follow.
Cheers for now
Skipper Peds
