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27
40.55 N 016 00.74 W
Mileage from 8am to 12 noon: 16.5 nm
We left the marina today at 8 am. The waterway between pontoons in
the marina has about 1 boat length of clear space in which to maneuver. If
there is any wind blowing, it is extremely difficult to get into and out of a
slip in a safe and seaman-like manner. We were a bit apprehensive because
yesterday we watched the boat next to us, a 40 ft. Beneteau, hit another boat
and then get pinned against several other boats on the next pontoon before the
skipper managed to get the boat under control in the middle of the waterway and
back out into the fairway to exit. We did not want to be this morning's
"entertainment". We're proud to say our departure went
smoothly. Tom's boat handling was super. He really has the
"backing and filling" technique down to a science. Garry handled
the lines very efficiently and I stood ready with a boat hook and had nothing to
do.
We motored away from Gran Canaria for about 5
miles, where the wind picked up dramatically and has remained steady at 20-25
knots from the northeast. We are sailing on a broad reach under a reefed
mainsail and yankee, and "Bob", our wind vane, is steering nicely
through 10 ft. waves. It's cold - we're wearing chamois shirts and jeans-
but sunny and clear. The boat is rolling side to side as it moves up and
down waves, and it will be a few days before we have our appetites back.
All's well on board-
Tom, Peg and Garry
s/v Starboard Home
