Now that the summer crowds have thinned out and Marco is back to remind us all that passages are good for the soul, I have been thinking about organising an informal long weekend cruise. Palma to Cabrera on the Friday, a night at anchor in the harbour there, then across to Portocolom on Saturday and back to Palma on Sunday.
The route is about 25nm on the first leg, maybe 20 to Portocolom, and then 30-ish back to Palma hugging the south coast. Nothing extreme but enough to feel like a proper trip rather than just a day sail. September weather permitting of course — we would need to pick the right window and have a bail-out plan.
I can take three crew on my Bavaria. No experience requirement but you should be comfortable with the idea of an early start and spending a night at anchor. Cabrera in late September is magical — hardly anyone there, crystal water, and the old castle lit up at night.
Anyone interested? Thinking last weekend of September or first weekend of October depending on the forecast.
Count me in Carlos! After two weeks back in Sardinia eating my weight in culurgiones and then that crossing home, I am ready to get back on the water properly.
Cabrera in late September is special — last year I anchored there mid-October and had the whole harbour practically to myself. The park rangers are more relaxed too, much easier to get a mooring permit this time of year. One thing though, if you are routing via the south coast to Portocolom afterwards, keep an eye on the shallows off Colònia de Sant Jordi on the way out. The channel markers are fine but if you cut it too tight leaving Es Port you can get some surprises at low water.
Carlos, I would be very interested in this. The Cabrera mooring in late September is a lovely idea — I did it solo last October and having the harbour almost empty was magical.
One thought on the routing. If the wind is from the north or northeast that weekend, the Cabrera to Portocolom leg can be a bit bumpy with the swell wrapping around Cap de Ses Salines. Might be worth having Porto Petro as a bail-out option if it turns nasty — decent shelter in there and a nice restaurant on the quay for consolation.
I can bring the Rassy down from Pollença on the Thursday if numbers look good. How many boats are we thinking?
Oh we are so in for this! Put us down Carlos. We have been itching to get back out after the UK trip and a weekend cruise sounds perfect.
James good shout on Porto Petro as a backup — we ducked in there in July once and it was gorgeous.
This sounds like a brilliant plan Carlos. I might be able to join with one of the charter boats if the schedule works out — end of September is when bookings start dropping off so I sometimes have a free weekend.
James is right about Cap de Ses Salines, that corner can be nasty with any northerly swell. Porto Petro is a good call as a backup. If we end up with a few boats it might be worth agreeing on a VHF channel to stay in contact between Cabrera and wherever we end up on the east coast.
This sounds amazing! I know I am nowhere near ready for something like this yet but out of curiosity — what level do you need to be to join a trip like this? Like would a Competent Crew who promises to stay out of the way and do exactly as told be allowed on board, or is this more of an experienced sailors thing?
No pressure at all, I am just trying to understand what I am working towards!
Anna, you would absolutely be welcome on board. The whole point of something like this is to get people out on the water and learning, and honestly a Competent Crew who listens and follows instructions is worth their weight in gold.
You could crew with me on the Bavaria — there is plenty of space and I promise you the sailing between Cabrera and Portocolom is some of the most beautiful water around the island. Nothing like open ocean, just island hopping with the mountains behind you. By the time we get back to Palma you will wonder why you were ever nervous.
Let me sort out the dates and I will post them here. Anyone else who wants to join just shout.
Carlos, I genuinely nearly teared up reading that. Thank you so much. I would absolutely love to crew with you on the Bavaria if the trip happens.
I will be the most attentive crew member you have ever had, I promise. I am already making mental notes about everything we covered in the Competent Crew course — my Steuerbord and Backbord are almost automatic now, though I still catch myself saying the German words sometimes when I panic.
Is there anything specific I should bring or prepare? I have never done an overnight-type trip before so I am not sure what the etiquette is for food and provisioning and all that.
Right, this is shaping up nicely. Carlos, if you are looking at next weekend I am free Saturday through Monday. Wind forecast is looking like light southerlies which would be ideal for the run down the coast.
Katrin if you do manage to get a charter boat free we could make a proper little flotilla of it. I would suggest Channel 72 for inter-boat comms — it is usually quiet around here.
Anna, do not worry about provisioning, on trips like this everyone just throws in for supplies and someone does a Mercadona run the day before. The important things are sun cream, a decent hat, layers for the evening, and a head torch. Nights on anchor in September are still warm but the dew can be surprisingly heavy.
Right, I have spoken to the charter company and I can free up the Oceanis 38 next weekend. She is just back from a turnaround so everything is freshly checked and the engine got a service last week.
James, Channel 72 works perfectly. I was going to suggest the same.
Anna do not worry about being inexperienced — honestly having crew who are keen to learn makes the whole trip better. And the stretch from Cabrera down to Portocolom is gentle enough that you will have plenty of time to practise without any pressure. Just bring sun cream and something warm for the evening, the temperature drops faster than you expect once the sun goes down this time of year.
Okay I cannot believe I almost missed this thread! Count me in please Carlos, if there is still room somewhere?
I do not have my own boat obviously but I am happy to crew on anyone who needs an extra pair of hands. I did my Day Skipper in May so I can take a helm watch if needed, and I make excellent coffee which I feel is an underrated crew qualification.
Katrin if you end up bringing the Oceanis and have space I would love to sail with you — I have never been on one and it would be great to see how a charter boat compares to the training yachts. Will bring snacks.