Return from Colonia
19/08/09 21:03
The forecast was for light easterlies increasing to 17-21 knots but we already had over 20 knots on the berth. We cleared Colonia just after 09:30 and hoisted the main outside the harbour. In the process we were hit by a gust of 35 knots.
Things settled down and with the 2 reefs in the main and preventers rigged we set off for San Fernando with the wind more or less astern.
Looking forward with about 20 knots of wind astern. With short steep seas we rolled a bit but the Aries steered without problems.
Jordan preparing lunch.
Towards half way we were experiencing regular gusts over 30 knots. With the wind almost dead astern three reefs rather than two would have been better in the gusts.
Progress was excellent with the log often indicating speeds in excess of 6 knots in winds averaging 25-28 knots. Very good for Kiriwina.
Tanker Mediator 2 in the channel off Buenos Aires with low rain cloud.
Canal Costanero, 2 metres under the keel, speed of 5.9 knots and 25 knots of wind.
Buoy KM 21.7, Canal Costanero between Buenos Aires and the Rio Lujan. With the easterly wind holding up water levels there was a least a metre more depth than on the outbound leg on a rising tide.
By 16:45 we were safely moored in CNV San Fernando just over 7 hours from Colonia having covered 36.7 miles. A very good passage time and much quicker than in March.
Previous
Things settled down and with the 2 reefs in the main and preventers rigged we set off for San Fernando with the wind more or less astern.
Looking forward with about 20 knots of wind astern. With short steep seas we rolled a bit but the Aries steered without problems.
Jordan preparing lunch.
Towards half way we were experiencing regular gusts over 30 knots. With the wind almost dead astern three reefs rather than two would have been better in the gusts.
Progress was excellent with the log often indicating speeds in excess of 6 knots in winds averaging 25-28 knots. Very good for Kiriwina.
Tanker Mediator 2 in the channel off Buenos Aires with low rain cloud.
Canal Costanero, 2 metres under the keel, speed of 5.9 knots and 25 knots of wind.
Buoy KM 21.7, Canal Costanero between Buenos Aires and the Rio Lujan. With the easterly wind holding up water levels there was a least a metre more depth than on the outbound leg on a rising tide.
By 16:45 we were safely moored in CNV San Fernando just over 7 hours from Colonia having covered 36.7 miles. A very good passage time and much quicker than in March.
Previous
Day Sail - Colonia
17/08/09 21:06
After three days of violent weather we woke to a mirror calm. After an early breakfast we walked round to the Buquebus terminal where Nancy and Nicola caught the 09:30 ferry to Buenos Aires.
There is some confusion on whether non Mercosur visitors arriving in Uruguay aboard yachts need to clear in with immigration. Today we were told this was necessary and received entry stamps.
Back on board and chatting to Bram from the lovely Dutch yacht Duende when Jordan showed up with his two new friends Nair and Clara. We decided to go out for a day sail.
It was more of a day drift. There was very little wind so we ghosted along the coast for a couple of hours, had lunch on board and motored slowly back.
Jordan and friends went forward leaving the skipper to navigate.
Nair and Clara.
They caught the evening Buquebus back to Buenos Aires while Jordan and I enjoyed some Dutch hospitality on Duende.
next previous
There is some confusion on whether non Mercosur visitors arriving in Uruguay aboard yachts need to clear in with immigration. Today we were told this was necessary and received entry stamps.
Back on board and chatting to Bram from the lovely Dutch yacht Duende when Jordan showed up with his two new friends Nair and Clara. We decided to go out for a day sail.
It was more of a day drift. There was very little wind so we ghosted along the coast for a couple of hours, had lunch on board and motored slowly back.
Jordan and friends went forward leaving the skipper to navigate.
Nair and Clara.
They caught the evening Buquebus back to Buenos Aires while Jordan and I enjoyed some Dutch hospitality on Duende.
next previous
Colonia - Bad Weather
15/08/09 22:26
Colonia Weekend Day 2
29/03/09 21:01
There was supposed to be a dinner last night but I forgot to get the address before leaving and missed out.
Colonia is a pretty little place and I took a quick walk around this morning before returning to CNV.
Most of the streets near the harbour are cobbled and the buildings well cared for. Colonia is a Unesco world heritage site.
A calm Rio de la Plata.
Tiled reproduction of an early French map of the Rio de la Plata.
Lots of lovely tree lined streets.
I dropped the mooring at 09:50 and had a good sail back until just after 13:00 when the wind died away. Sadly it was necessary to motor back to CNV where I arrived at 19:10.
Boats returning to the Rio Lujan from a very calm Rio de la Plata.
Colonia is a pretty little place and I took a quick walk around this morning before returning to CNV.
Most of the streets near the harbour are cobbled and the buildings well cared for. Colonia is a Unesco world heritage site.
A calm Rio de la Plata.
Tiled reproduction of an early French map of the Rio de la Plata.
Lots of lovely tree lined streets.
I dropped the mooring at 09:50 and had a good sail back until just after 13:00 when the wind died away. Sadly it was necessary to motor back to CNV where I arrived at 19:10.
Boats returning to the Rio Lujan from a very calm Rio de la Plata.
Colonia Weekend
28/03/09 22:52
CNV Victoria had a weekend rally to Colonia in Uruguay so I decided to go along.
I got under way at 08:00 and by 08:30 I had cleared the Rio Lujan, stopped the engine and was proceeding slowly under main and poled out yankee.
At first it was slow going in light winds but by about 10:30 the wind settled down to NW F3-4.
The argentine boats were all noticeably faster and cleared off into the distance. I think I was the last in after a relaxing uneventful sail across. I was all fast on a visitor buoy by 17:00 having covered some 35.29 miles (GPS track.)
I got under way at 08:00 and by 08:30 I had cleared the Rio Lujan, stopped the engine and was proceeding slowly under main and poled out yankee.
At first it was slow going in light winds but by about 10:30 the wind settled down to NW F3-4.
The argentine boats were all noticeably faster and cleared off into the distance. I think I was the last in after a relaxing uneventful sail across. I was all fast on a visitor buoy by 17:00 having covered some 35.29 miles (GPS track.)