Gibraltar to the Canaries!

Gibraltar- The Canaries

From Cartagena down to Gibraltar, it would take approximately two days sailing we estimated. The wind was supposed to go easterly so the decision was made to go. Fuel was getting low, but I wanted to wait to refuel in Gibraltar where it is nearly a third of the price compared to mainland Spain. I allowed 5 hrs per day motoring to get to Gibraltar which should have been more than enough if the predicted Easterly came to the fore, but being the Med it doesn’t always work out that way!

We spent the first night on a local mooring at Cala Higuera, just in the Lee of the wind sheltering under the rock there. One of the locals there kindly said to use it. I snorkeled over it to check its size, put an additional line onto it from the boat and felt pretty secure on it. It’s always nice to go to sleep at night knowing you aren’t going anywhere J

The next day the wind was up and we had a couple of reefs in and were humming along quite nicely. As we got within 60 miles of Gibraltar the wind decided to do what it does and drop away to nothing. The motor was switched on and we motored most of the remaining way there. The seas around Gibraltar are like a washing machine and it wasn’t pleasant the last few miles, especially running low on Fuel. We were running on fumes when we got into Gibraltar after dodging the barrage of tankers etc waiting at sea to get in. Once there, we filled the boat and the four 20 litre jugs that we plan to use if necessary for the Atlantic crossing.

We spent over a couple of weeks in Gibraltar, getting some work done there and checking the place out. The highlight was going up the ‘Rock’ and taking in the view from the Top, exploring the vast Tunnels that past Military forces had put in and saying Gidday to the local inhabitants, ie- the Monkeys!

Having a drink with Audrey and Tony at the oldest Pub in Gibraltar

Our crew member Dave was supposed to meet us here in Gibraltar, but there was no sign of him. After a bit of investigation, we found out he had been involved in a Motorcylce accident and was in Hospital with punctured Lungs and many broken bones. Sounded like he was lucky to be alive, but what that did was leave the leg from Gibraltar to the Canaries down to just Shelly and I. 

We left Gibraltar early hours of the morning on the 7^th November. The wind was forecast to be on the nose to start with but within the first 24 hr period going to the north for 4 days, so we wanted to catch that window.

Coming out of Gibraltar, we had to hug the coast quite close to make way as when you are out towards the Shipping lanes there, you are swimming very much against the tide. There is an incoming Current flowing into the Med on the surface and along with any westerly wind, it is almost impossible for a Yacht to make way. At Tarifa we hoisted the sails and headed the boat over towards the Morrocon Coast line. When you cross the Shipping Lanes there, you have to do so as quickly as possible and at a right angle to them.

Once over on the African side, it was back hard on out through the entrance to the Med. The wind was funneling through there and we had two reefs in the Main and a big reef in the Genoa and we were still making over 9 knots in 30-35 knots. There are areas of ‘Overfalls’ (waves kicking up and breaking) to contend with as you go along this Coastline, which doesn’t make for a pleasant transit but we had no option but to take them on.

Once out, we had to tack out into the Atlantic as the wind was still South West, but was a lot more benign compared to the Straits of Gibraltar.

The wind dropped off just in time for the night and the next day saw the expected wind change starting to happen with a Swell stating to build.

By the end of the day, it had only come round to the west, but we were finally able to lay for the Canaries.

Morning saw the seas getting bigger and the wind increasing to 25-30 knots. We had big seas of 6-7 meters and winds gusting to over 35 knots for the next couple of days. And while we had to make progress, I took the Main down completely at night and run with a severely reefed Headsail, which made it a lot more pleasant down below and we were still making 6 knots.

Falshator handled the big seas with ease, but it was not easy on ‘Wally’ our Auto Pilot who was working pretty hard as the side on seas were knocking the stern around and he was using some energy to keep us on course.

This brought another thing to watch out for- the power consumption.

The weather was cloudy at best with occasional showers for three days so the Solar Panels were not working as well as they could have been, and with the Freezer and Fridge, the Auto Pilot and the Chart plotters running, the Battery levels had to be watched. We would hand helm for a bit during the day and run the engine just before night to top up the Batteries.

So along with the big seas, wind, lack of Sun and Shelly being seasick for the first three days, it was a little bit challenging.

We made it down to Grand Canaria in just on 4.5 days, and aside from Wally making a funny noise now, she had gone well and it was a good lead into the Atlantic Crossing for us.

I stripped Wally down and he was showing a few signs of fatigue. I took photos and a video and sent them to the Jefa Manufacturer to have a look at them.

Stig, from there assured us there was nothing wrong with him and so I repacked it with grease and reassembled it. We took the boat out briefly to test it and it all seems fine so lets hope the crossing doesn’t bring any problems!

We have been here in Las Palmas now for 9 days now. Ally, our replacement for Dave has been on board now for a few days and we are waiting for Alex, our second crewmember to show up tonight. Ally is a 26 year old Canadian Female who has done so much already in the short span of time she has been here on this Planet. She has her RYA certification and has experience with just about all aspects of boats, from sailing, mechanical, Gelcoat repairs to cooking. She has settled in well and we have had a few laughs and is a good sort.

Alex is a 31 year old US naval officer and also has several Certifications. We are looking forward to meeting him and are looking at heading out for the Caribbean either late tomorrow (20^th) or early the next morning.

I have been right through checking the boat including donning my Dive gear and inspecting/cleaning the Hull and the motors had another service with all the Filters changed, and aside from the last big Shop, we are ready for the crossing and looking forward to it.

See you on the other side in approx. 20 days!!!