Tag Archives: motor sailing

Seven boats race for Camarinas

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Camarinas

It was a mad dash to reach Camarinas while the wind blew from the northeast. Considerably stronger that I would have liked, but at least everyone made great time. Joining our small flotilla was Rowland in an English registered yacht called Voya (first spotted anchored off Vivero), and an assorted collection of route copy-cats.

In a steady 20 knots, Eileen of Avoca maintained an excellent pace, but liberal use of the iron top sail was required in the occasional lulls to keep up with the larger vessels.

Boats unaware of my motor sailing strategy are always surprised by how agile a Yarmouth 23 can be!

Especially because I never tell them that I cheat.

Oh Canada!

Now if you are wondering about Rowland’s Canadian connection (see his sail in the photo above), it’s a tale of true romance. He couldn’t leave the woman he loves, so he is sailing his boat alone across an ocean to be with her.

I could understand sailing across an ocean to get away… err… I better leave that train of thought there…. Lets just say I’m not the romantic type! 😉

But wait, what’s this? I stand corrected…. apparently he couldn’t bear to leave the boat he loves so he’s sailing it across an ocean to keep her.

Now that I can understand!!!

A last hop to Kos

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By 11pm I’d rested enough to brave the next leg. In light variable winds Eileen left Chalkis’ pretty little bay and we made our way NW toward Tylos. Rounding Chalkis’ eastern coast, a brisk westerly breeze had Eileen of Avoca zipping along at 4 to 4.5 kts. Four knots is a good speed for a Yarmouth23 and unless I want to play around with the topsail (something I never do at night) I don’t expect much more speed from her without motor sailing.

Less pleasant conditions arrived with the dawn. A one knot north setting current between Tylos and Nisyros made for a wet ride against the NW winds but it did not last. By the time I’d changed course to the NE (toward the eastern tip of Kos) the wind had eased.

Later that morning, several other boats appeared from the west and it did not take long to realize that Eileen was now part of the impromptu race for a berth at Kos marina. Time to hoist the iron topsail… (i.e. start the engine) and get that extra knot or two. A Yarmouth23 motor sailing in light winds can do over 6 knots so they didn’t catch me… nah nah, na nahh nahhh… (said with infantile gusto). Must also have been the sleep deprivation 😉