Terceira - Praia da Vitoria

Starcross Fair Log
Ross Wilson
Thu 12 May 2011 17:42
 
Thursday 12/05/11
Praia Marina Terceira 38:43.8N  27:03.4W
Intention: to sail to Portugal/Spain (833NM approx) 
 
After 2 uncomfortable nights in Angra Marina with swell causing excessive surging and damaging a fairlead, we sailed round to the east coast and are now in the marina at Praia da Vitoria.  The marina entrance (not the main harbour which accomodates cargo, cruise and warships) is rather shallow with dredging in progress, but once in there is adequate depth for a 2.4m draft yacht.  This is a lovely location with friendly helpful staff, immaculate showers, toilets and laundry facilities, a sandy beach (hence the need for dredging) with beach bar, and a small town with an adequate supermarket within walking distance.  There is, however, no fuel dock and this has to be carried from a garage beside the supermarket.  (Note that the fuel pontoon at Angra located just inside the marina entrance was considered unuseable because of the swell at the time we were there). 
 
We will stay here until next week when an additional crew member is expected to arrive at Lajes International Airport located nearby (regular flights from UK with change at Lisbon).  This is also a military airfield and the flight path passes over the marina; great for plane spotting but it can be rather noisy!  We will then head for the Portuguese/Spanish coast, as far north as the wind will practically allow, noting that the High mid-Atlantic appears to be moving south towards the Azores.