After another weather check, we decided to leave for our 465 mile passage from Rabat to the Canary Islands the next day (Monday Sept 29) at high tide which was 6 pm. So we had the day to explore Rabat and enjoyed the open market. Dave got a haircut at a local barber. The tramway which connected the marina across the river was clean, efficient and only 60 cents a ride. Anne and Stewart decided to wait another day to depart to let Anne's back rest.
After an hour to clear Moroccan customs, we followed the pilot boat out the river entrance into the Atlantic Ocean. We estimated our 465 mile passage to take 4 days, planning to arrive Friday evening. To our delight, the winds were excellent on the beam and we arrived Friday morning after only 3 ½ days. In fact, the boat speed was as high as 9.4 knots at one time. To avoid arriving in dark, we spent 3 hours the night before heaving to, which is backwinding the sails to go at zero speed.
All in all it was a wonderful easy passage and we were happy to be on the Atlantic where we finally had reason to have a sailboat, instead of motoring in the Med! We anchored in a small cove on the islands on La Graciosa, the northern most Canary Island at dawn on Friday, October 3.
Stewart and Anne who had delayed departure by one day were in touch by radio. They had less wind so were 2 extra days in passage. What a difference a day makes!