⛵ Cascais 🇵🇹 to Peniche 🇵🇹

After ten days waiting in Cascais, restlessness got the better of judgment. The forecast showed light northwest winds - surely the boat could handle pointing upwind? I was eager to test the autopilot’s new wind mode.

Reality arrived quickly. The swell remained significant from the previous weather system, creating uncomfortable conditions. Several tense moments developed when sheets jammed on winches while the mast pumped n the seaway more than I felt comfortable with.

Fatigue convinced me to take the first prepared exit - Peniche. I anchored outside the breakwater, which meant another rolling night. The next few days were spent inside the industrial harbor, waiting for more settled conditions.

Weather Conditions

• Wind: Northwest, building to 20 knots
• Seas: 1 to 1.5 meter waves with leftover swell
• Weather: Clear and sunny but choppy conditions

Navigation

• Departure: Bahia de Cascais
• Arrival: Peniche
• Distance: 59 nautical miles (about 109 kilometers)
• Duration: 16 hours

Technical Notes

• Waves smashing against the anchor face with enough force to bend the roller and chainplate, raising concerns about the forestay. This had already happened before Ibiza and before Sardinia
• Mast pumping noticeably in the swell - setting running backstays would help
• Learned the value of waiting for proper weather windows

Highlights

• First extended use of autopilot wind mode in challenging conditions
• Passed Cabo da Roca - mainland Europe’s westernmost point
• Encountered dolphins along the way

Photos

Cabo da Roca - the westernmost point of mainland Europe

A happy pod of dolphins — Auto-generated track key: 20250422 | GPS track: 20250422.geojson