41:12.648N 008:41.092E

UTC 1541

 

As our voage progressing...

We have done 120nm from the moment we started in Portoferraio.
And at the moment we are dealing with the Bonifacio passage.
We have entered it in the morning on the East side, close to Corsica, and now we are 18nm away from the most W point of Sardinia... As soon as we reach this point – we should turn left a  bit and take the straight course to Minorca...  Simple...

As one of the friend text me in the morning – ‘ Michael, with forecasted winds  -- it is going to be  fun! Simple and fast! ‘  Absolutely true!  A lot of fun!

 

The key word, however, is ‘forecasted’.  And indeed, the forecast was very close... But the devil is in details!   Most of the way – until now, actually,  -- the wind was about 20+ knots... And... 180 degrees – straight into the stern... Changing constantly plus minus 10 degrees...  No problem!  I put a preventer on the main sail,  and we started...  But I can not put any front sail... The wind so exactly behind – the main is blocking everything...  Putting the yankee / geneker on a pole --- thought about it .. But rejected the idea because too much traffic around,  too windy, the passage is relatively narrow... Especially, at its eastern part – till the point where everyone – including ferries – are making crossing towards Bonifacio...

And here we go – nice strong breeze,  plus generated swell,  beautiful boat... handicapped to only one main sail, doing  about 5.5 knots...

As soon as one escapes the ‘shadow’ of  Corsica on the north – you are open to ‘corsican sea’, or, in plain words – to Northern part of the Mediterranean... till Marselle...  From that point to the most western point of Sardinia – 45 nm...  The miles which you have to do – if you are going to Minorca/Mallorca... but as you are doing them – you are not coming closer to you goal...  You just have to turn around Sardinia...

The fun with ‘forecasted’ winds  started when we have 24 nm to go... We have reached that point with  6 knts speed... and computer politely noticed – you will reach your destination in 4 hours....
As the distance dropped to 20 nm... The speed dropped to 4.9...  Yes, computer politely said –  you will reach your destination in 4 hours... .

As the distance was 16... our speed was 3.5...  And computer... Ah, you do not want to know...

At this point, the difference is – I can SEE the point, where we are going to turn... It is just on the Sunset road on the water...  But are we going to make it ?   The wind is getting weaker and weaker every moment... and backing...  meaning it is not from behind anymore... But more like into our face... I checked a few forecasted models, trying to find the one which corresponds to reality... Failed to find...  But what the point ? It is not going to change the real wind...

 

As the main sail was blocking the front of the boat from the wind... It has been also blocking the solar panels from the Sun... Plus, the swell – was making the autopilot to work hard... Which took the load on the batteries...  Reality of boat sailing!  

Of course, we will make it! Of course, we will find the right wind! Everything will be ok!  I have no reason to complain about how the passage is going!  Just a bit more patience... ;-)

 

Everything is good. Dinner is ready. boat is set to continue ...

Talk to you soon!

Michael.