Emerald Tales

Currently sailing the eastern Atlantic visiting Maderia, the Canary Islands and the Azores

15 May 2013 | Burnham-On-Crouch, Essex, UK
13 May 2013 | Burnham-On-Crouch, Essex, UK
01 May 2013 | River Crouch, Essex, UK
22 February 2013 | Brandy Hole, River Crouch, Essex
18 February 2013 | Ocean Safety, Southampton
08 February 2013 | Brandy Hole, River Crouch, Essex
01 February 2013 | Brandy Hole, River Crouch, Essex
25 January 2013 | River Crouch, Essex, UK
01 January 2013 | Brandy Hole, River Crouch, Essex, UK
08 July 2012 | River Crouch, Essex, UK
09 May 2012 | Brandy Hole, River Crouch, Essex
11 April 2012 | Brandy Hole, River Crouch, Essex
22 February 2012 | Brandy Hole, River Crouch, Essex
31 January 2012 | Brandy Hole, River Crouch, Essex
16 December 2011 | Brandy Hole, River Crouch, Essex
16 October 2011 | Brandy Hole, River Crouch
05 October 2011 | Brandy Hole, River Crouch
02 October 2011 | River Roach to Brandy Hole, River Crouch; 9nm travelled
26 September 2011 | Osea Island to River Roach; 27nm travelled
26 September 2011 | River Orwell to River Blackwater (Osea Island); 41nm travelled

Sail to Terceira From Santa Maria via Sao Miguel

26 August 2024 | Terceira, Azores
Nichola Wright
We dodged squalls as we set sail from Santa Maria to Sao Miguel. After an overnight stop at anchor, we departed Sao Miguel with an unexplained uneasiness, however we had one of our best sails in a long time. Arriving in Terceira, we anchored in Praia da Vitoria, the best anchorage in the Azores.

To read the full blog, please click here to visit our website.

Two of The Anchorages of Santa Maria, Azores

18 August 2024 | Sao Louenco Bay, Santa Maria Island
Nichola Wright
After two weeks in the harbour at Santa Maria, we took an opportunity to try out some of the anchorages.

We had a perfect day anchored in Sao Lourenco Bay, with a BBQ, and kayaked to explore a cave. I climbed the Fajazinha Steps for stunning views before the rising wind moved us on to Praia Formosa. The anchorages reminded us of the best bits of life on a sailboat.

To read the full article, please click here to go to our website.

Love at First Sight With Santa Maria

08 August 2024 | Santa Marina, Azores
Nichola Wright
We had a memorable 18-day stay on our first Azorean island. I fell in love with Santa Maria for its rural interior and rugged coastal beauty, and the warm and welcoming community. We enjoyed various adventures, including a picturesque bus tour, coastal walks, and a scooter ride through stunning landscapes. To top it all, we discovered the island has its own very tasty craft ale.

Click here to read the full article on our website.

Sail Canary Islands to the Azores: Full Passage Report

13 July 2024 | Santa Maria, Azores
Nichola Wright
We set off to sail Canary Islands to the Azores on Saturday 29th June, arriving in the early morning of 6th July. Read on for a full report of the conditions we encountered and the experiences we both endured and enjoyed.

Two years ago, we sailed to Porto Santo from mainland Portugal, arriving with a dead engine. At some point, salty sea water had forced its way into the engine from the exhaust, wrecking damage as it sloshed around for several days.

Porto Santo was only meant to be a pitstop on the way to the Azores, but what followed was the hardest and most stressful period of our sailing life so far. We chose to rebuild the engine on the island, with no previous experience. We did it, which was amazing, but it also took more out of us than expected, never mind the lost time.

Now we were back on track. Could we make "a successful navigation across an ocean to a tiny target?" (Thanks Mark for the quote).

During our months in Gran Canaria, we'd updated and upgraded Emerald's safety inventory and felt ready to head out onto the ocean.

To read the full article, click here.

What Next for Emerald, Having Escaped Porto Santo?

22 March 2024 | Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Nichola Wright
What next for Emerald and our ongoing adventures, now that we'd escaped Porto Santo?

Having spent the last 20 months stationery, you'd think we would be raring to go, exploring the anchorages and harbours around the Canary Islands. Well, we are raring to go, but, practicality has sadly trumped sea adventures and we've taken a berth in the marina at Las Palmas de Gran Canaria for a couple of months.

Read more in the latest blog on our website by clicking here.


Vessel Name: Emerald
Vessel Make/Model: Kelly Peterson 44
Hailing Port: No fixed abode
Crew: Colin 'Skip' Wright, Nichola Wright
About: One from Northern Ireland, one from Yorkshire, UK
Extra: Emerald has been our home since 2004. We've sailed around the UK, the western Baltic and have spent 7 years in the Med. We're currently in Portugal, planning a refit. Lot's more information about us and the boat can be found at www.yachtemerald.com
Home Page: https://www.yachtemerald.com/
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