⛵ Islas de Arousa 🇪🇸 to Vilagarcia de Arausa 🇪🇸

Six weeks ashore for saildrive repairs. Cold northerlies had been blowing strong for days, but visitors were arriving in Villagarcia that evening. Time to sail.

The track tells the story. Got out to the channel with genoa only, then spent an bit tacking back and forth on the spot against tide and wind. When I went to raise the main for better pointing, discovered all reefing lines were missing—removed for sawing of the sail cover, forgotten to reattach. Wind gusting 15 knots. Anchored off Cabo de Cruz to sort the mess properly rather than fight weather and equipment failures together.

Noon brought thick fog rolling in from the southwest. Completed the run to Villagarcia with the wind behind, but visibility dropped to nothing. Stood on the bow the whole way, whistle every two minutes, listening for engines. At least anchoring practice remained sharp—easiest part of the day.

Weather Conditions

• Wind: Gusty NE, later W up to 15 knots
• Seas: Flat
• Weather: Clear, then thick fog with drizzle

Navigation

• Departure: Illa de Arousa
• Arrival: Villagarcia de Arousa
• Distance: 11 nautical miles
• Duration: 3 hours, with a break

Notes

• Check all running rigging after extended non-use
• Heavy fog navigation: whistle, AIS, radar reflector

Highlights

• First proper fog navigation

Photos

Ready to sail after six weeks ashore

Fog rolling in from the southwest

Auto-generated track key: 20250709 | GPS track: 20250709.geojson