Viana do Castello to Povoa de Varzim
26/06/07 13:20 Filed in: Portugal
Well that was fun. We cleared Viana harbour at 11:40 and were snug in our berth at Povoa de Varzim by 13:25.
The forecast was for northerly winds of 15 knots (F7). What we got was up to 30 knots (F7). Leaving Viana we had one reef in the main and full yankee which was OK but as the wind increased we went to one third then no yankee.
With the wind virtually dead astern and a 2m swell we were almost surfing at times and made good speeds up to 6.1 knots. Dame Kiri (our Aries) steered the whole way and coped admirably. Our speed was enhanced by a southerly current of about 1.5 knots.
Approaching Povoa de Varzim the winds were F7 and while there was no problem with the harbour entrance I made a complete hash of getting into my allocated upwind berth. I got the speed wrong going in and was blown off line. It then proved impossible to turn the boat and try again so I slotted into a downwind berth with the throttle almost full astern. It's times like these when one can see why current production Vancouver 28's have been supplied with 30hp engines rather than the 20 we have.
Day's run 16.4 miles. Marina cost €8.99 per day.
The forecast was for northerly winds of 15 knots (F7). What we got was up to 30 knots (F7). Leaving Viana we had one reef in the main and full yankee which was OK but as the wind increased we went to one third then no yankee.
With the wind virtually dead astern and a 2m swell we were almost surfing at times and made good speeds up to 6.1 knots. Dame Kiri (our Aries) steered the whole way and coped admirably. Our speed was enhanced by a southerly current of about 1.5 knots.
Approaching Povoa de Varzim the winds were F7 and while there was no problem with the harbour entrance I made a complete hash of getting into my allocated upwind berth. I got the speed wrong going in and was blown off line. It then proved impossible to turn the boat and try again so I slotted into a downwind berth with the throttle almost full astern. It's times like these when one can see why current production Vancouver 28's have been supplied with 30hp engines rather than the 20 we have.
Day's run 16.4 miles. Marina cost €8.99 per day.