Gibraltar to Porto Santos

It was sad to leave Gibraltar (who would have believed it). But we came away with a prize; Moira is a graduate of Hercules Sailing School, a fine sailor and fun company. She will be staying with us until Gran Canaria where she hopes to join a boat for the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers.

Departing the coast of Morocco was a busy evening; if each one of those fishing boats catch just one fish each …. they haven’t caught them all, Moira caught a Bonito the following day; a very tasty lunch.

The task of steering for the five day crossing was assigned to Carly. We have two kinds of self-steering: the Autohelm (George) and Hydovane (Carly Simon – You’re so Vain). George operates the main rudder to follow a pre-programmed compass course, this requires battery power: Carly uses a vane to control her own rudder in order to keep the boat at a constant angle to the wind. As wind direction is rarely constant for long it is necessary for the crew to periodically check the course.

We are now sat in the marina at Porto Santos (a small rocky island some thirty miles north of Madeira). The marina is next to one of the nicest beaches I have seen; topless seems to be the norm. Afternoon sorted.