Cartagena to Mahon
Scott-Free’s blog
Steve & Chris
Mon 18 Aug 2008 20:57
29:53.56N
04:16.38E
We waved Cartagena a
reluctant goodbye, making a note in the log that this could be a possible
leaving place for the boat if needed. Having fuelled up, we motored out
into a fairly heavy swell but little wind and so began our longest passage to
date with just the two of us on board - under engine. The chart plotter
read 290 miles for this passage which was to take us North East, passing south
of Formentera and Ibiza, then Mallorca and Cabrera and finally round the
southern tip of Menorca to Puerto de Mahon on the south east
coast.
Eventually the wind
kicked in and we were able to sail for a while before it died again and the
engine went back on. This was to be the pattern for the entire passage,
with the engine on for probably half of the time. We settled into the
watch pattern of four hours by day and three by night that we had used on
the Biscay crossing, and it worked well, though of course this time there was no
third person on standby! It was an ideal opportunity to test out what can
be done single-handedly on deck, though the benign weather meant that it wasn't
a complete test. Reefing in the sails in a fairly flat sea is one thing,
doing it in a blow is a different matter altogether!
Both nights at sea
were lit by a very bright full moon, which made keeping watch easier - although
so far in the Med we have not come across the fishing marks that plagued us down
the Atlantic coast of Portugal. The AIS system which shows large vessels
on the chart plotter and very conveniently tells you how close they will come to
you if both maintain the same course is invaluable - although it also makes you
aware of vessels you may otherwise have been blissfully unaware
of!
We arrived in Mahon
at around four this afternoon, after 54 hours at sea, and the log showed 297
miles. We moored to a floating pontoon 'island' and decided to eat on
board this evening and get the rib out tomorrow and go and
explore.
Passing Mallorca
in the early
light
Rounding the southern end of Menorca