Episode 20 | Sailing 45knt Gales in Catalonia

Hello Winded Voyagers.

This week’s episode is epic. As the title suggests, me and Galopin navigate in 45knt gales. I pass by Cape Creus where the wind is reputed to whip around the cape with fury. But it was manageable and actually fun surfing the waves with Galopin. Bix and Daniel had warned me about it and said this was the difficult point to get around. And we did.

The next day was to be more of a challenge. I left Estartit on the north coast of Catalonia with already 20knt pushing me out of the harbour. I unfurl a small bit of Genoa sail and the wind quickly jumps to 30knt and the waves grow bigger as I go around Cape Bagur. They have been growing from southern France by a powerful Tramontane wind with gusts hitting 45knt and more. It was forecasted and I knew it, but it was my window to go.

I thought I’d seen the worst of it once around the cape, but then the wind is up to 45knt again and hitting me on the beam. Galopin topped at a speed of 10knt. I’d open up the Genoa and had to run with the wind to keep control of the boat, yet still stay as close to beam as possible so I wouldn’t get pushed out to sea and back into big swell. I was mostly helming by hand, as it was hard on Otto the auto-pilot and I felt it was the right thing to do.

I eventually make it to the next marina with a gentle breeze and quite a story to tell. You are the first to see it. I wanted to test out Galopin, well Neptune sure put me and Galopin to the test. What an experience!

Big hugs and much love to you all for helping make this possible.

Alex.

Winded Voyage 2 | Episode 20 | Sailing 45knt Gales in Catalonia (YouTube)