1. Part Transfer Trip

The Biskaya give us what other People predict to us. From one Storm in the next one and nothing followed our Plans…. and we have also Problems with the Sail… 

Some of the Crew comes 2 Days earlier, so had they more Time to familiarize with the Vessel. 

We start the 29. March 2018 with the Instruction for Safety, where they can find everything and what is to observe. Shortly after the Instruction we go to the Supermarket and buy the rest of the Food. The Things with a short maturity like Bread, Meat, Sausage, Fruits and Vegetables.

We have the First Test with the Crew in the Ijssel Sea, after the Lunch. We drive through the Lock and the Harbour from Medemblik. On the Sea had all Crew Members enough Time to try the Boat, then we go back in the Port. Before we leave Tomorrow go we to our favorite Bar ,,Cafe Brakeboer’’. The Rest of the Crew meet us there. A great Evening.

We start early in the Morning to Den Helder. Here comes the last Crew Member on the Boat. In this Time had we enough Time to check the Generator. The first repear, a Oil leak from the Dipstick. The Netherlands Customs where also at our Boat and check our Documents.

The English Canal and Dover arrived we 8 pm at 31. March. In Canal had we again a Customs Controll and they escort us outside from a Wind Park.

The Canal between France and Great Britain is a navigational Challenge and the Tides are not so easy.

We had our first Storm with 35-40 Wind and 3-4 meters Waves on the 01. April. The Navigation Lights leave us and the Main Sail had a cut. But we can patch it in Falmouth, where we stay 2 Days. The Sailmaker readjusted the Sail and we have Time to repair the Rest and buy some Things at ,,Bosuns Locker Chandlery’’ zu kaufen. 

The new Plan was to drive from here through the Biskaya. On the fist Day was all fine, but one the Second comes the next Storm. The Main Sail ripped again and we try to come on the fastest Way to Brest, in France.

When we arrived happens a lot. The Maxprop and other Things broken, the Crew are down. The most of it can we repair, but the Sail is for the Rubbish. After a short call with the Manager from the ,,Medemblik Yacht Service’’ become we a other Sail. We need to wait 5 Days, 3 Days more then the planned 2. We make the best of it. There was enough Things to repair. Navigation Lights,      Forward/ Backwaerds Gear, Propeller-  we need to change complete. 

The Crew has leave the Boat and drive back to Germany. I sail with a another Crew, from Brest, to Vigo.

We finished the most of the Distance, then comes a new Storm on the last 40 Miles.

Biskaya without Storm is like swimming without Water!!

In La Coruna had we short for refueling, Control and a great Breakfast. Next Stop Vigo.

The first Part is done, we can’t observe the Original Plan to Sail to Gibraltar.

At Sailing it is hard to make Plans. We learn our Lesson.