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Seraphina of Chichester - Seraphina arrives to Las Palmas




We had a great run down from Gibraltar to Las Palmas. Having left on Monday 10th August we tracked across towards the NW corner of Morocco and set a SW course to a point around 100 miles of the coast at El Jadida. In doing so we found we picked up the smoother Atlantic swell than the chop that is found in the shallower waters closer to the African coast. From there on it was a clear downwind run all the way to the port of Arreceif on Lanzarote. On the way we encountered very strong winds with gusts well into the 40 knots. Seraphina handled it all beautifully and took it all in her stride. We had ample opportunity to try out various downwind sail combinations and found a poled out genoa and main on a preventer to be ideal in the blustery conditions with steep following seas.

We spent a slightly longer weekend in Lanzarote than we anticipated. We moored up at Marina Lanzarote in Arreceif a place we can thoroughly recommend. Staff were extremely helpful.

We had some engine problems and found we had contaminated fuel. There was around 150 litres in the tank. In no time the marina office had arranged for local engineers to visit the boat remove the fuel, clean the tank. We replaced all our filters and fully checked the engine. The engineers went to the local Cespa fuel station for us and supplied by cans 50 litres of clean fuel. More than enough to get to Puerto Calero their sister marina down the coast to fill up there. There is not yet fuel available at Arreceif as the marina is new and they are awaiting a licence from the government. However, as we found out, there are some very good marine engineering business in Arreceif and everyone was extremely helpful and went out of their way to help and get us back on our way.

We left Lanzarote Tuesday lunch time and again had a superb downwind sail to Las Palmas. We met the famous wind acceleration zones at the southern end of Lanzarote. As described in the pilots the wind more than doubled on an instant. Once out of the zone things were much smoother and we had a very enjoyable overnight sail. We arrived in Marina Las Palmas lunch time Wednesday.

The staff at Las Palmas were very welcoming and as we checked in they presented us with the ARC early arrivals pack. This contains some very useful information.

Safely now moored up in Las Palmas we have enjoyed meeting other ARC participant.
There is certainly a buzz of activity here. Everyone is friendly and always happy to offer advise and tips. Even though it's early in the year you can already sense the excitement and anticipation amongst the cruisers of the adventures that lie ahead

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