can we help
+44(0)1983 296060
+1 757-788-8872
tell me moreJoin a rally

Menu

Celebrate - Mossel Bay Fuel Stop on Passage from Durban



We are continuing our passage down the South African coast after our a great stay in Durban. Two other rally boats left shortly behind us, Sweet Pearl and Polaris. To get a break from motor sailing into the wind and bumpy seas they decided to have stopover at East London. The next boats coming out of Durban right after were Andromeda, Chika-lu and NDS Darwin. We decided to keep going as the wind had dropped to under 15 knots and the sea state was better as well, for a while we were enjoying 3 knots of Agulhas current under us bringing our boat speed up to over 10 knots.

We can report leaving the Indian Ocean and entering the Southern Ocean having now passed Port Elizabeth and St. Francis Bay and are sailing towards Plettenberg Bay. The only noticeable changes are that the sea temperature has dropped by 10 deg(F)the favorable current has gone and we need even more extra layers for the night watches. To welcome us into a new ocean this morning we had a visit from dolphins, seals and possibly a shark's fin popped up beside the boat. Our track now takes us to the fishing port of Mossel Bay (about 90 miles) for fuel and probably a day of rest before proceeding to Cape Town. We have been motor sailing since Durban so our fuel consumption has been high. Looking at the latest weather reports or grib files we should have more favorable winds to take us round Cape Agulhas and onto Cape Town.

For those sailors amongst you the compass variation in these waters is over 26 degrees adding an extra challenge to our navigation and the auto helm's track.

Charlie, Cathy and Peter

Previous | Next