Sailed Valparaiso

Where Next?
Bob Williams
Tue 12 Oct 2010 23:23

Position: 32 51.5 S 071 35.7 W
Course: North Speed: 3
Wind West F2 Slight Breeze
Weather: overcast, mild

I enjoyed my time in Valparaiso, definitely one of the world’s more interesting cities, but I did not enjoy the port, in particular the marina and am very glad to be away.

After much deliberation I have come up with a plan. In the end I did not like the idea of sailing back and forth for several days going nowhere, especially as the wind is forecast to blow quite fresh from the south for several days in a day or so from now. Consequently I am now sailing to Quintero, 15 miles north of Valparaiso. It looks like a well sheltered bay for southerly winds. There is no marina there so I expect to either pick up a mooring or anchor, should save a bit of money this way. I have been warned to be careful in Quintero, not to go ashore at night as it is dangerous. I presume it must be a poor part of Chile. If all goes well and I don’t feel like I am going to have my throat slit while there I will stay for about a week then move south to a place called Concon. There is supposed to be quite a good marina here so it seems a good place to leave the boat while I go to Buenos Aires to collect the new headsail.

For now we have a light breeze from the west, and have about seven miles to go to Quintero. I will tack back and forth overnight about four to six miles from the entrance with a view to going in tomorrow morning.

All is well.

Bob Cat:

The creaking and groaning noises have stopped, movement is not quite so jerky as it has been, now it sounds like some sails might be flapping around. All much of a muchness to me. (No tuna.) …zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz