Ocean passages are not always what they are planned to be as above all they are weather dependent. We spend a lot of time looking at the forecasts and planning, but just sometimes the forecast is completely wrong.
This last week was a really good example – take a look at a précis of our log book for the trip from Lanzarote to Madeira
Day 1 – Forecast NW 4/5 – Day sail to Puerto Calero – 15nm Max wind force 5
Day 2 – Forecast NNW 5/6- Day sail to La Graciosa – – 52nm Max wind force 6 – fabulous show of dolphins
Bumpy night at anchor at La Graciosa
Day 3 – Forecast N5/6 – Set off on passage towards Madeira – within 2 hours wind gusting to Force 8, rain squalls and big seas – back to Marina Rubicon as a port of refuge. 40nm
Day 4 – Forecast N5/6 – wind still gusting in the marina to 35 knots, day of skills and drills in the shelter of the straight. 24nm Max wind force 7/8 in shelter
Day 5 – Forecast NE 3/4 – finally wind from a sensible direction and smaller sea state – this time we can set off, 27 hours of glorious sailing on a close reach with the wind and waves on the bow at about 70 degrees apparent
Day 6 – Forecast N2/3 – the wind died at lunch time and so on with the engine
Day 7 – Happy Easter – bacon sandwiches and real coffee for breakfast, land in sight on the horizon. Tie alongside in Quinta Do Lorde marina after 54 hours of passage sailing
By waiting for the wind and weather to improve we had a great passage from Madeira to Lanzarote – all on board were new to passage sailing and mighty pleased that we had not attempted the passage in the Force 8 winds.
We covered a total distance during the trip of 422 nautical miles, spent 2 nights at sea, made a bonus circumnavigation of Lanzarote and arrived in Madeira in time for a well earned Gin and Tonic – thanks all!
