Wednesday June 22, 2016

Photo: Canty sailing west downwind "wing & wing" approaching the Rion - Andirrion Bridge at the western entrance to the Gulf of Corinth. It was built in 2004 and is the longest cable-stayed bridge in the world at 2,252 meters with three navigable channels each 560 meters wide between 4 pillars giving an air height of 24-45 meters. Canty's air height is 18 meters.

We departed Navpatkos at 0635 with wind! Forecast is for it to die later and since we want to put on some miles today, it's best to get the wind when we can. Wind begins from the ENE at 17 knots and our speed is around 7 knots. We are sailing downwind with the jib winged out on a pole. Later we use the spinnaker and had a nice steady sail til the wind died around 1300. We powered til about 1700 and then had wind to sail til we reached Ormos Andisami or "Little Sami" at 1810. Sami is a larger harbor just around the peninsula to the north.

Max wind 35.1 knots. Max speed 9.9 knots for our 65 mile trip.

We anchored first in 24 meters just outside the swimming buoys. This harbor is quite deep even close to shore. A "harbormaster" on a jet ski came to tell us and another boat that we have to move "200 meters!" from the swim buoys. The other boat put up a bigger protest but we both moved. We actually found shallower water to the SE and anchored in 12.6 meters. It's a lovely small cove with very wooded, steep sides and a nice sand beach. We checked the rules and it is somewhat confusing about the distance and type of beach.

Our evening swim brings temporary relief to the heat. It was 86 F at 2200. Canty had A/C when we bought her but we took it out in favor of Espar heat for our northern sailing. We do have small fans below but have to be plugged in at a marina. We are looking forward to our return to Maine!