2016 Sail Las Palmas to Arrecife

1500 hrs Saturday 3/12/16 we left our berth in Lasp Palmas and, after filling the diesel tanks at the fuel pontoon, 

 

we set off on our 115 nmile voyage to Arrecife on Lanzarote. We chose to start our trip mid afternoon so as to ensure that we would sail through the gap between Fuerteventura and Lanzarote during daylight - there are often wind acceleration zones in the gaps between the islands and it is much easier to handle these in daylight.

Passed close to a ferry boat

 

Sailed for an hour or so after leaving Las Palmas but the wind then dropped to a light WNW 1 to 3 Bft, so we had to motor for a few hours

 

Beautiful sunset

 

By 2345hrs we had cleared the shipping lanes between Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura

 

For some time, we had seen lights directly ahead of us but there was nothing on our radar nor anything on the AIS. Finally, when we were a few miles from each other, our AIS told us that the lights were from the cruise ship Mein Schiff 2 and that it was on a reciprocal course making 12 kts - all lit up like a huge Xmas Tree. So when we were 3 nmiles apart, we called them up on VHF Ch16 and they politely agreed to change course - we passed a mile apart at around 0030 hrs.

 

By 00200hrs the wind had increased to a pleasant WNW 4Bft so we unfurled the Genny and started sailing

Dawn breaking as we approached the gap between the islands

 

Broadreaching in 15 kts apparent wind making over 6 kts

 

Grip files showing also our position ( blue dot)

 

Entering the gap

 

Shortly before this photo was taken we entered one of the infamous accelleration zones with the wind speed increasing fronm 15 to 30 knts in a matter of seconds giving the autopilot a problem ( we had too much sailup for these gusts) requiring a bit pf hand steering. Luckily the wind soon died down again to its previous speed.

 

The south coast of Lanzarote

 

1400hrs entering Arrecife harbour

 

We moored in Arrecife's new Marina de Lanzarote on berth K16 with the help of the very friendly marina staff after a trip of 115 nmiles in 22.25 hrs of which 9hrs motoring. Average speed 5.2 kts.

 

 

Sail Agadir, Morocco to Arrecife, Lanzarote 21 - 23 Nov 2012

Would have preferred to spend another week in Agadir but the Grib Files indicated that 21 November would be a good day to start our two day trip to Lanazarote in the Canaries - leaving it later, the wind was likely to drop and then be against us.


So we checked out first thing on the morning of 21 November and by 1330 hrs the lengthy but friendly check out process was complete and we cast off our lines helped as always by the very friendly helpful marina staff Hassan.
The wind was too light to sail for the first few hours and then picked up gradually from the NNE, as predicted

passed a local fishing boat. Luckily , unlike last year, there were not so many nets barring our exit from the marina

sailing into the sunset

once more AIS proved invaluable , allowing us to contact several ships who were almost on a collision course and who agreed to change course for us

approaching Lanzarote on the morning of 23 November.

Arrived at the anchorage in Arrecife on Lanzarote at 0930hrs 23 November after a very good trip. 

Total distance 226nautical miles covered in 44 hrs , motored 16 hrs 

Wind mainly from the NNE force 3 to 6.

Only issue was one of the straps in the Lazy Jacks broke allowing the reefed mainsail to sag over the boom - did an emergency job to secure it.

The holding here is very good - 5 meters water and sand.
This is fortunate as the first couple of days the wind was strong from the south - then we are on a lee shore and rolling a lot - reassuring to know the holding is good. With the wind in the normal northerly direction, the anchorage is very safe and comfortable

Used the old dinghy and outboard engine for the first time in a year - amazingly the 4HP Yamaha started first time

first time we landed the dinghy in the Naos port - a long dinghy ride.

thereafter we moored the dinghy off the rocks at the north end of our bay - had to be careful though as with a 2 meter tidal difference the first time we found the dinghy high and dry on the rocks!

Lydl and Ikea are close by

 our friends Riens and Ineke from S/V Zeezwaluw are anchored close by - last time we met was in the Azores in Horta

Sail Lanzarote to Las Palmas, Gran Canaria 25 to 26 November 2011

Las Palmas on Gran Canaria is 95 nautical miles WSW of the Rubicon Marine on Lanzarote,  so is just too far to be able to sail during daylight hours. Consequently, we checked out of the marina at 1200hrs 25 November (have to pay extra day if leave after then) and anchored just outside the marina to wait for 1600hrs, the ideal departure time.

As the Grib Files indicated that the wind would veer from NNE to NE during the night, we rigged up the pole on Starboard so that when the wind veered such that we were more or less on a dead run, we could furl the Genny which would be on port and pole it out  easily on starboard from the cockpit without having to go on deck.

By 16.30hrs we raised anchor and shortly afterwards were briskly sailing on a broad reach in a NNE 5 to 6 Bft with 2 reefs in the main and 2 reefs in the Genny making over 7 knts SOG.

Bye bye Lanzarote

 Fuerteventura to port 

 During the starry, moonless night the wind slowly lessened to a 4 Bft and veered as predicted to the NE. So we furled the Genny and pulled it out on starboard on to the pole and goosewinged our way running downwind.

During the night the faithful AIS warned us of potential close encounters with in total three ships which we called up on Ch16 and confirmed that we had been seen and that avoiding action would be taken. 

By 0715hrs dawn was breaking

 and at 0735hrs we were treated to the sunrise

 0940hrs Las Palmas comes into view

 By 1130 hrs we had checked into Las Palmas Marina and were back on the same Pontoon L just a few boatslots away from where we spent last winter, having had a very pleasant nightsail.

Distance covered 97 nMiles in 19 hours of which only 2 under motor, average speed 5.1 kts

Below is overview map of Las Palmas