Florianaplois
30/01/11 00:35 Filed in: Brazil
A tranquil day in Florianapolis. The yacht club restaurant does a good breakfast.
There are very few boats on the club moorings. Most owners haul out their boats after use. Fouling is very rapid here and the moorings are very exposed. Not a place to leave one's boat unattended.
This boat had coachlines matching his sidelights.
Today we planned to rent a car and tour Santa Catarina island. There is a car rental office just outside the yacht club. I didn't like the look of their cars and the one we were allocated turned out to have a number of faults. We returned it and got a new car for less from a rental outlet in the bus station.
There are very few boats on the club moorings. Most owners haul out their boats after use. Fouling is very rapid here and the moorings are very exposed. Not a place to leave one's boat unattended.
This boat had coachlines matching his sidelights.
Today we planned to rent a car and tour Santa Catarina island. There is a car rental office just outside the yacht club. I didn't like the look of their cars and the one we were allocated turned out to have a number of faults. We returned it and got a new car for less from a rental outlet in the bus station.
Florianaplois
29/01/11 00:40 Filed in: Brazil
Early start today as I am taking a coach to Florianapolis.
A new yacht being delivered to Veleiros do Sul while I waited for a city bus.
Boarding our Santo Anjo coach at Porto Alegre.
A modern and very comfortable coach.
Approaching Florianapolis from the south.
Traffic arriving on Santa catarina island via Pedro Ivo Campos bridge.
National, city and state flags.
Lovely park en route between the bus station and the marina.
City library.
Yacht club entrance.
After leaving my gear aboard "Cora Mae", where I was to stay for a few days, we were able to use
the member's swimming pool. Many Brazilian yacht clubs restrict visitors access to facilities. This was a real pleasure in the heat.
A new yacht being delivered to Veleiros do Sul while I waited for a city bus.
Boarding our Santo Anjo coach at Porto Alegre.
A modern and very comfortable coach.
Approaching Florianapolis from the south.
Traffic arriving on Santa catarina island via Pedro Ivo Campos bridge.
National, city and state flags.
Lovely park en route between the bus station and the marina.
City library.
Yacht club entrance.
After leaving my gear aboard "Cora Mae", where I was to stay for a few days, we were able to use
the member's swimming pool. Many Brazilian yacht clubs restrict visitors access to facilities. This was a real pleasure in the heat.
Porto Alegre
27/01/11 23:20 Filed in: Brazil
We spent a relaxing day on board and visiting nearby Shopping Barra, a huge newly built mall about 20 minutes walk from Veleiros do Sul.
It was very very hot.
Veleiros do Sul is a yachting centre of excellence and is hosting Brazilian sailors as they train for the olympics.
It was very very hot.
Veleiros do Sul is a yachting centre of excellence and is hosting Brazilian sailors as they train for the olympics.
Porto Alegre
26/01/11 23:09 Filed in: Brazil
Veleiros do Sul is about a 20 minute taxi ride south of the city centre but one has the option of using public city buses or private mini buses which are a tad more expensive.
Porto Alegre, capital of the State of Rio Grande, is a bustling modern city without the air of menace so prevalent in northern Brazil.
We only needed to visit the Capitania but when we went there after lunch they were closed. Opening hours are 08:00-12:00. Oh well.
Large church in the old town.
Cobbled street near the Capitania.
Mercado Central in Porto Alegre.
Old lake traders laid up in Porto Alegre. Much of the trade between Porto Alegre and the deep sea port at Rio Grande has been diverted to rail and road.
Porto Alegre, capital of the State of Rio Grande, is a bustling modern city without the air of menace so prevalent in northern Brazil.
We only needed to visit the Capitania but when we went there after lunch they were closed. Opening hours are 08:00-12:00. Oh well.
Large church in the old town.
Cobbled street near the Capitania.
Mercado Central in Porto Alegre.
Old lake traders laid up in Porto Alegre. Much of the trade between Porto Alegre and the deep sea port at Rio Grande has been diverted to rail and road.
Rio Grande to Porto Alegre Day 4
25/01/11 22:27 Filed in: Brazil
It was a bit cloudy this morning with virtually no wind.
Our anchorage off Praia de Pedreira as we weighed anchor at 08:00.
The Rio Guaiba channel is deep and well buoyed. There are however many shallow areas outside the channel. Big ship traffic is not heavy and there is ample space for them to pass.
Taurogas on her way back to Rio Grande.
Approaching Porto Alegre.
Entrance to Veleiros do Sul at Porto Alegre.
A sunburnt skipper.
On entering Veleiros do Sul visiting yachts moor alongside a waiting berth, check-in with the guardias, and then move to an allocated berth. Our berth, #343 was on the central jetty just one boat from the shore. We moored bow to a concrete jetty with lines to two fendered poles astern and were able to step comfortably ashore over the bow.
Veleiros do Sul is a very impressive club with excellent facilities including shore power and wifi internet on board. We were made very welcome and later dined in their excellent restaurant.
Our anchorage off Praia de Pedreira as we weighed anchor at 08:00.
The Rio Guaiba channel is deep and well buoyed. There are however many shallow areas outside the channel. Big ship traffic is not heavy and there is ample space for them to pass.
Taurogas on her way back to Rio Grande.
Approaching Porto Alegre.
Entrance to Veleiros do Sul at Porto Alegre.
A sunburnt skipper.
On entering Veleiros do Sul visiting yachts moor alongside a waiting berth, check-in with the guardias, and then move to an allocated berth. Our berth, #343 was on the central jetty just one boat from the shore. We moored bow to a concrete jetty with lines to two fendered poles astern and were able to step comfortably ashore over the bow.
Veleiros do Sul is a very impressive club with excellent facilities including shore power and wifi internet on board. We were made very welcome and later dined in their excellent restaurant.
Rio Grande to Porto Alegre Day 2-3
23/01/11 22:14 Filed in: Brazil
Rio Grande to Porto Alegre Day Two.
We weighed anchor at 08:30 after a relaxing night and were clear of the channel and into Lago Dos Patos at 10:00. Once in the lake navigation is pretty straight forward up to the Rio Guaiba.
We were able to sail all day and into the night but overnight the wind eased.
Gas tanker "Taurogas" which shuttles between Porto Alegre and Rio Grande.
In the early hours we passed a narrow point in the lake where a long sandbank restricts navigation. A down bound vessel came quite close to us at this point.
Rio Grande to Porto Alegre Day Three.
By 09:00 the wind had pretty much died so we decided to motor on rather than wait about. It was a lovely sunny day.
Motor sailing on Lago Dos Patos.
A curios wreck en route.
Brazilian gas tanker "Guaiba"
We made good progress and reached Punta Itapua at the entrance to Rio Guaiba at 16:30.
I did not want to transit this river after dark so we anchored off Praia de Pedreira, just inside the river, for the night.
After a swim, we enjoyed dinner al fresco with a lovely sunset.
We weighed anchor at 08:30 after a relaxing night and were clear of the channel and into Lago Dos Patos at 10:00. Once in the lake navigation is pretty straight forward up to the Rio Guaiba.
We were able to sail all day and into the night but overnight the wind eased.
Gas tanker "Taurogas" which shuttles between Porto Alegre and Rio Grande.
In the early hours we passed a narrow point in the lake where a long sandbank restricts navigation. A down bound vessel came quite close to us at this point.
Rio Grande to Porto Alegre Day Three.
By 09:00 the wind had pretty much died so we decided to motor on rather than wait about. It was a lovely sunny day.
Motor sailing on Lago Dos Patos.
A curios wreck en route.
Brazilian gas tanker "Guaiba"
We made good progress and reached Punta Itapua at the entrance to Rio Guaiba at 16:30.
I did not want to transit this river after dark so we anchored off Praia de Pedreira, just inside the river, for the night.
After a swim, we enjoyed dinner al fresco with a lovely sunset.
Rio Grande to Porto Alegre Day 1
22/01/11 23:41 Filed in: Brazil
Brazilian type 209 submarine S31 Tamoio.
Brazilian Naval vessels, Frigate F40 Niteroi. Corvette V33 Frontin and Fleet Auxiliary G25 Almirante Sabóia (ex RFA Sir Bedivere).
F40 is a Niteroi class frigate built by Vosper Thorneycroft in the UK in 1976. We last saw her off Cabo Frio on 5th November 2008.
A Falklands registered fishing vessel taking bunkers.
Wreck.
Barge overtaking us and bound for Porto Alegre.
Brazilian Naval vessels, Frigate F40 Niteroi. Corvette V33 Frontin and Fleet Auxiliary G25 Almirante Sabóia (ex RFA Sir Bedivere).
F40 is a Niteroi class frigate built by Vosper Thorneycroft in the UK in 1976. We last saw her off Cabo Frio on 5th November 2008.
A Falklands registered fishing vessel taking bunkers.
Wreck.
Barge overtaking us and bound for Porto Alegre.
Splash and Dash
21/01/11 21:31 Filed in: Brazil
An Argentine boat lifted for a quick splash and dash. Note the ships derrick haul-out arrangements.
Stern Tube and Coupling then Beach
19/01/11 23:11 Filed in: Brazil | Maintenance
Old stern gland packing.
Stern gland with new packing.
All sealed up.
Stern gland with allen bolts and grub screw fitted and tightened as far as I dare. The engine was run forward and astern in gear. All seemed OK.
In the afternoon we took a bus down to the popular resort of ....... There is a huge beach and locals drive onto it and park. From here down to Uruguay is pretty much non stop beaches.
Stern gland with new packing.
All sealed up.
Stern gland with allen bolts and grub screw fitted and tightened as far as I dare. The engine was run forward and astern in gear. All seemed OK.
In the afternoon we took a bus down to the popular resort of ....... There is a huge beach and locals drive onto it and park. From here down to Uruguay is pretty much non stop beaches.
Rio Grande
17/01/11 21:50 Filed in: Brazil
Nancy and the replica lighthouse at the entrance to Yacht Club Rio Grande.
Plaza Tamandare, Rio Grande.
Plaza Tamandare, Rio Grande.
Rio Grande
13/01/11 23:43 Filed in: Brazil
PP-EMJ BM6 manufactured by MD Helicopters originally part of Hughes aircraft. This one is operated by the Brigada Militar and was landing a photographer at the oceanographic centre next door to Rio Grande Yacht Club.
Time to try and sort out my shaft coupling problem. I purchased an allen key socket with a long lever. Also planned to drill out a small hole for the grub screw but this bit was not up to it.
Coupling awaiting allen bolts. The pin shown does not locate properly with the indent on the shaft.
Time to try and sort out my shaft coupling problem. I purchased an allen key socket with a long lever. Also planned to drill out a small hole for the grub screw but this bit was not up to it.
Coupling awaiting allen bolts. The pin shown does not locate properly with the indent on the shaft.
Rio Grande
11/01/11 22:37 Filed in: Brazil
Early morning return to Rio Grande.
Kiriwina has been moved to a different mooring at Rio Grande Yacht Club. One warp is missing and the mooring arrangements are a bit agricultural.
Kiriwina has been moved to a different mooring at Rio Grande Yacht Club. One warp is missing and the mooring arrangements are a bit agricultural.
Buenos Aires to Rio Grande
Cacciola ferry from Tigre to Carmelo, Uruguay and then on by coach to Montevideo.
Crowded Hidrografia moorings in Carmelo.
Carmelo lifeboat.
Aging tug and barge.
Very, very long queue for customs and immigration at Carmelo.
Arriving at Tres Cruces coach terminal in Montevideo. Fire damage from last year is currently under repair.
Our EGA coach service into Brazil is full. Passports are retained at checkin and will be returned tomorrow morning. This thoughful approach means passengers are not woken when crossing from Uruguay into Brazil.
CGA coach sparkling clean. Even the tyres are freshly blackened.
Comfortable interior with slightly lurid trim.
Fire damage at Tres Cruces.
Street scenes en route eastwards out of Montevideo.
Crowded Hidrografia moorings in Carmelo.
Carmelo lifeboat.
Aging tug and barge.
Very, very long queue for customs and immigration at Carmelo.
Arriving at Tres Cruces coach terminal in Montevideo. Fire damage from last year is currently under repair.
Our EGA coach service into Brazil is full. Passports are retained at checkin and will be returned tomorrow morning. This thoughful approach means passengers are not woken when crossing from Uruguay into Brazil.
CGA coach sparkling clean. Even the tyres are freshly blackened.
Comfortable interior with slightly lurid trim.
Fire damage at Tres Cruces.
Street scenes en route eastwards out of Montevideo.
