Carl – Page 4 – Sailing Mist

Den Helder

Posted on September 22, 2021September 22, 2021 by Carl

There was a nice weather window for continuing south. We left Helgoland at noon the 13^th of September.

One reef in the main to start with but after a couple of hours the wind dropped and in the evening there was a lot of swell but almost no wind. The sails were flapping and took in all sails and started motoring. In the morning the wind picked up again and we could start sailing once more.

The last six miles into Den Helder we had to motor against a strong tide, it took almost 2 hours. We arrived just before seven pm and was shown a good spot by the harbour master.

After a walk to the supermarket it was time to hit the sack, we did not sleep much during the crossing from Helgoland so we were really tired. When we woke up the next morning our friends on sy Star had arrived from Cuxhaven. We had a nice evening meal together onboard Mist. The facilities in the harbour includes washing machines and tumblers so we managed to do all our laundry.

Sailed distance 164,8 nautical miles.

Helgoland

Posted on September 17, 2021September 22, 2021 by Carl

We arrived late at Cuxhaven and left early the next morning. The conditions for sailing to Helgoland was good.

We had a close reach all the way. Full main to start with but as the wind increased we reefed the main and ended up with a bottom reefed main and full jib. Good speed, we had the current with us most of the way.

The marina was packed with boats as we arrived at the weekend so that meant rafting, we were six boats at the same spot, Mist as number four.

Duty free shopping and lots of tourist, at least between one and five a´clock when the ferries arrive and depart.

Sunday morning boats began to leave and after moving Mist around a couple of times we found a spot of our own. We took a walk around the island and had a look at the gannets, you got really close to the birds.

Sailed distance 36,4 nautical miles.

Cuxhaven

Posted on September 12, 2021September 12, 2021 by Carl

Together with our neighbours on sy Josephine we planned to go to Cuxhaven together. The tide was right at 1800 and an our before that we motored out to the waiting point and half an hour later we were let into the lock.

Almost no wind so we motored together towards Cuxhaven.

The current got stronger and stronger and when we reached Cuxhaven we had at least 4 knots of current with us and it was really getting dark which made entering the marina a bit tricky but all went well and we stopped at the fuelling pontoon to fill up with diesel and water before finding a suitable spot to for the night.

Sailed distance 17,3 nautical miles.

Brunnsbüttel

Posted on September 12, 2021September 12, 2021 by Carl

When we got out of bed in the morning around six thirty there were some boats circling at the canal waiting point, when we had finished our breakfast they were still there so we quickly made the boat ready and motored to the waiting point and we made it just in time.

So no waiting for us just following the other boats into the lock.

There is almost no height difference between the Baltic sea and the canal so we were soon on our way again.

After almost exactly ten hours of motoring we reached Brunnsbüttel at the western end of the canal. Not much to see on the way, some nice old bridges, ferries and of course some shipping. We moored alongside another Swedish sailing boat, “Josephine” with a really nice family onboard.

It was only a short walk to the supermarket and we got some provisions.

We took a walk to look at the locks and the river Elbe, we even had a evening meal at a restaurant for a change.

Sailed distance 52,2 nautical miles.

Kiel

Posted on September 12, 2021September 12, 2021 by Carl

We left Spodsbjerg at seven a´clock. Light winds right in the nose so no sailing.

Keldsnor lighthouse at the southern tip of Langeland

When we got closer to Kiel the traffic intensified and there where several sailing ships, some naval ships and the usual shipping.

We moored in Holtenau just north of the Kiel canal locks. A walk to the supermarket and a short evening walk.

Sailed distance 44,3 nautical miles.

Spodsbjerg

Posted on September 8, 2021September 8, 2021 by Carl

After some boat jobs which even included a trip up the mast we left Vejrö.

Again no wind and motoring. Really sleepy place, no shops, no restaurants, no nothing.

Well a few fishing boats.

Sailed distance 22,1 nautical miles.

Vejrö

Posted on September 8, 2021September 8, 2021 by Carl

After a good nights sleep we left Hårbölle and motored westwards, no wind at all and absolutely flat water, a nice change from yesterday. We decided to go to Vejrö.

A really nice harbour. Everything was in top condition. WC, showers, washing machines, bicycles, barbecue grills and even charcoal was included in the harbour fee. There was a small shed in the harbour where one could bye locally produced vegetables (and of course beer, this is Denmark).

We took a bicycle tour round the island, pheasants and brambles everywhere. Vejrö is a place we will visit again.

Sailed distance 29,2 nautical miles.

Denmark here we come

Posted on September 7, 2021September 7, 2021 by Carl

We left Skanör quite early in the morning. Easterly winds and we started with just a reefed mainsail. A bit too much wind and big steep waves. We had the wind just before the beam and made good speed but it was uncomfortable.

When we rounded Möns Klint we could ease the sheets and life became a little easier. When we entered the very narrow buoyed channel towards Grönsund we started the engine and took down the mainsail. Really nice to be in flat waters again.

There was a available spot at Hårbölle harbour, just a foot of water beneath the keel.

A meal, a walk and then it was bedtime.

Sailed distance 52,8 nautical miles.

Skanör

Posted on September 4, 2021September 7, 2021 by Carl

An early start and easterly winds. Full main and the code almost all day. Really good sailing.

A lot of current against but we made good progress anyway. When we sailed past Helsingör we were doing eight knots through the water but only five knots over ground.

The last couple of miles before Skanör we changed the code for the jib and even had to take in a reef in the main. Skanör harbour was really crowded and we moored alongside a Danish 29 foot motorsailer.

A meal, a short walk and an ice cream before retiring below deck.

Sailed distance 56,4 nautical miles.

Mölle

Posted on September 4, 2021September 7, 2021 by Carl

We left Glommen early in the morning expecting a nice broad reach towards Denmark.

Leaving Glommen, Morups Tånge lighthouse

There was a nasty swell and almost no wind. Sails flapping, very uncomfortable and very slow progress. We changed plans and motored along the Swedish oast instead of going to Denmark.

Late afternoon we reached Mölle.

Not many boats but quite a lot of people visiting the bars in the harbour. We went ashore for something to eat and a beer.

Sailed distance 44,7 nautical miles.