Overnight with Repairs to Valencia
06 September 2014 | Valencia Spain
Linda
Conditions were calm for leaving Sant Carles at dusk, so we motored efficiently with our new bottom paint and clean propellers. However around 10:30 pm we noticed with surprise that the batteries were discharging instead of being charged by the engine’s alternators. After some investigation, Dave decided to stop at the small port of Vinaros where we tied to a high concrete pier designed for large commercial fishing boats, which were luckily out at sea for nighttime fishing.
Dave and Carl were working to sort out the problem when the local Coast Guard drove up. We were able to communicate our problem and after assuring them that we were not going to leave the boat and that we would be gone by morning, they left us there. Dave and Carl diligently worked to isolate the problem and ended up re-wiring the alternators direct to eliminate the faulty regulators and we were back enroute by 1 am. Yawn!
Good conditions and a bit of favorable wind allowed us to arrive in Valencia’s America’s Cup basin by 2:30 pm the next afternoon.
Valencia was delightful. We explored the old town by local metro and walking the first evening. The second day we did a full city tour on the Hop on/Hop Off bus. One highlight was the America’s Cup museum with amazing videos of the history of the America’s Cup.
While in Valencia, there was huge Triathlon held right in the harbor. There were more than 500 contestants with very high-tech bicycles….and lots of energy.