Time zone UTC + 0.00
Local time (Italy) +2.00
The only spot available for a boat our size was a difficult one, considering our bow thruster doesn't have batteries since last season. An inside corner berth, with another yacht, docked alongside just in front of our spot.
After a quick assessment of what happened at sea during the passage that should have taken us to Siracusa, we concluded that one of the batteries needed to be taken out of the boat due to damage, while the remaining ones seemed to be okay.
We decided to proceed with our trip and use this leg as a test to see if there was an issue with our alternator not being able to regulate the power input or if it was something else causing the problem.
As a precaution, we switched off the solar array.
The weather forecast was a calm one just enough wind for us to be sure we could politely sail to Siracusa, even though the goal was to motor most of the trip to test the system.
08.35 - Departure Rocella Ionica Marina
Coordinates 38º19’425N 16º25’658E
08.55 - Mainsail up, engine on
Coordinates 38º18’553N 16º25’185E
Heading: 205 degrees
Wind speed: 4 knots
Wind direction: 35 degrees from port
Cloud coverage: 10%
Visibility: 90%
Barometer: 1031
Sea state: calm
SOG: 5.4 knots
14.00 - Mainsail under engine
Coordinates 37º54’934N 16º06’361E
Heading: 210 degrees
Wind speed: 5 knots
Wind direction: 25 degrees from port
Cloud coverage: 10%
Visibility: 90%
Barometer: 1025
Sea state: calm
SOG: 6.2 knots
17.40 - Mainsail under engine
Coordinates 37º35’869N 15º49’076E
Heading: 210 degrees
Wind speed: 2.5 knots
Wind direction: 10 degrees from starboard
Cloud coverage: 10%
Visibility: 90%
Barometer: 1025
Sea state: calm
SOG: 5.6 knots
Batteries seem okay, we can’t detect any overheating situation. Alternator seems to be working normally reducing its input as the battery bank gets full.
Mount Etna puts on quite a show at sundown.
00.40 - Arrival to Siracusa
Coordinates 37º03’550N 15º16’740E
Total hours of the trip: 16h
Total hours sailing: 00h30
Total hours motoring: 5h
Total hours motor-sailing: 10h30
Maximum Speed Over Ground: 7.6 knots
Distance: 96.6nm
***In the spirit of sharing our dreams and experiences we have shared this blog post in the NOFOREIGNLAND.COM website sailors community.