Our First Night Sail

A trip we had equally looked forward to and were very excited about, though probably without much reason. After a calm night in Maó, we pulled up anchor and sailed quietly out of the beautiful entrance, set our course, and let ourselves gently move forward in the early morning light toward Sardinia.

This account is a direct copy of our logbook. With raw data and, most importantly, observations from the trip.

**August 23, 2024, 07:59 AM (departed anchorage at 07:13)**

- Clear skies

- Wind: 3 knots from WNW (280 degrees)

- Speed: 4.5 knots

- Waves: 0.3 meters from the south

- Engine: 1800 RPM

- Course Over Ground (COG): 055

- LOG: 4161

- Coordinates: 39°52'13.7"N, 4°19'53.7"E

- Distance to Destination (DTD): 178 NM

**Observations:**

Beautiful departure from Maó. No other boats following us; it seems like we will be alone. The weather is calm, and the forecast promises smooth sailing until Sunday afternoon, when wave heights are expected to increase around Sardinia. We’ll be motor sailing today, with sails at night and increasing winds expected later tonight into Saturday. The forecast calls for 8 knots of steady wind and gusts up to 12-13 knots, with decreasing wave heights the whole way.

**11:08 AM**

- Speed: 5.7 knots

- COG: 070

- Wind: 4.4 knots from the south (175 degrees)

- Engine: 2000 RPM

- LOG: 4178

- Coordinates: 39°57'17"N, 4°39'57"E

- Waves: 0.3 meters, softening

- DTD: 165 NM

**Observations:**

We’re pretty much alone out here. There’s no wind, so only motorboats pass us occasionally at about 18 knots. We met one sailboat heading toward Menorca. Betina spotted a turtle 🐢 near the surface, less than a boat length away, but it quickly disappeared. The engine is running smoothly. We’ve set the mainsail half-reefed, waiting for more wind.

**3:04 PM**

- Speed: 6 knots

- Wind: 2.2 knots from SSE (210 degrees)

- Waves: 0.2 meters, decreasing

- Mainsail up, helping with stability

- COG: 079

- Coordinates: 40°03'54"N, 5°07'58"E

- LOG: 4199

- DTD: 142 NM

- Engine: 2000 RPM

**Observations:**

We’ve got good speed and are averaging over 5.5 knots with the engine at low RPMs and light wind. We polished the targa bar and railings, where some surface rust spots had collected. We cleaned the deck, where sand had accumulated, and tidied up the cockpit. We spotted a large pod of dolphins—about 20-30—but they never came close. We’ve also seen four sea turtles; the last one was quite large and very close to the boat. It’s interesting how they just lie on the surface, take a breath, and then quickly disappear when they notice us. We passed a large school of tuna (we think) chasing smaller fish, but unfortunately, nothing has bitten our fishing lines, which have been out since we departed. We passed several boats on opposite courses, but otherwise, we’re pretty much alone out here.

**3:45 PM**

- Speed: 5.9 knots

- Wind: 2.2 knots from SSE (220-240 degrees)

- Waves: 0.2 meters, flattening out

- COG: 071

- LOG: 4202

- Engine: 2000 RPM

- Sail configuration unchanged

- Coordinates: 40°05'01"N, 5°13'11"E

**Observations:**

We’ve broken out the licorice pipes, which has lifted spirits. The kids are watching a movie in the bow cabin, and we’ve cleared the top bunk for naps to get some peace from the engine noise. Betina and I are planning for the night shift routines.

There’s a ketch-rigged sailboat 3 nautical miles away on the port side, heading the same course as us. It’s nice to have another boat going in the same direction.

**6:25 PM**

- Speed: 6 knots

- Wind: 6.6 knots from WSW (240 degrees)

- Waves: 0.2 meters, very calm

- COG: 075

- Coordinates: 40°10'02"N, 5°32'18"E

- Engine: 2000 RPM

- DTD: 122 NM

**Observations:**

The sailboat that was following us is now out of sight. A motorboat is approaching from Menorca and will pass us in a couple of hours. The sun is lower now, and it’s warm in the cockpit. We just made a one-pot pasta with zucchini, tomatoes, and everything else from the fridge. We hope to sail most of the night and cover at least 100 nautical miles before turning off the engine.

**7:57 PM**

- Speed: 5.5 knots

- Wind: 2.0 knots from NW (310 degrees)

- Waves: 0.2 meters, very calm conditions

- COG: 077

- Coordinates: 40°14'56"N, 5°50'00"E

- LOG: 4230

- Engine: 2000 RPM

- DTD: 108 NM

**Observations:**

The sun has set, and it’s our first night sail. Darkness is taking over. The moon will rise at 10:25 PM and will be 77% full, so it will be nice to have something to follow. There’s a single ship to port, 4 nautical miles away, moving at 10 knots according to AIS. Another motorboat is heading toward us, but we are not on a collision course and will pass within sight.

**10:57 PM**

- Speed: 4.2 knots

- Course: 082

- Wind: 2.1 knots

- Waves: 0.1 meters

- Coordinates: 40°17'17"N, 6°01'41"E

- LOG: 4240

- DTD: 99.6 NM

- Engine: 1700 RPM

**Observations:**

It’s now fully dark. The moon rose at 10:30 PM. The kids are sleeping in the bow cabins, and we’ve lowered the engine RPM to 1700. The sky is clear, and the cockpit has quieted down. We’ve agreed to take the night together, alternating if either of us feels tired. We’re under 100 nautical miles now, which is great. We hope to be under 80 miles before sunrise.

**02:17 AM**

- Speed: 4.3 knots

- Course: 060

- Wind: 8.8 knots

- Waves: 0.1 meters

- Coordinates: 40°21'04"N, 6°19'27"E

- LOG: 4253

- DTD: 94.7 NM

- Engine: 1700 RPM

**Observations:**

The kids are still sleeping peacefully, and Patrick is resting. The wind has picked up slightly but remains unstable. We’ve adjusted our course slightly northward to find a good and calm anchorage, hoping to meet the two English boats tomorrow. This has added 6 nautical miles to the trip. No boats are in sight, but we can see two on AIS to port and a Maltese motorboat ahead

**04:01 AM**

- Speed: 4.0 knots

- Course: 058

- Wind: 5.2 knots

- Waves: 0.1 meters

- Coordinates: 40°24'53"N, 6°27'08"E

- LOG: 4260

- DTD: 88.1 NM

- Engine: 1700 RPM

**Observations:**

Patrick and the kids are still sleeping soundly. We’re approaching a transport route, and a large gas tanker briefly appeared on AIS but quickly disappeared. There’s no sign of lights from it yet. We’re now under 90 nautical miles, which feels really encouraging. The steering wheel is making some creaky noises, so we’ll need to check it tomorrow.

**04:55 AM**

- Speed: 4.5 knots

- COG: 049 degrees

- Wind: 5.6 knots

- Waves: 0.1 meters

- Coordinates: 40°27'06"N, 6°31'15"E

- LOG: 4263

- DTD: 83.8 NM

**Observations:**

Shift change. I’ve rested for a couple of hours, and Betina has gone to bed again. We’re about to cross a major traffic route. There are two large tankers on a southbound course, with no risk of collision. One northbound ship is also in sight, but we shouldn’t come near it based on our current course. There’s a slight smell of exhaust in the cockpit from the wind turbulence behind the boat, so we’ll need to open the sprayhood a bit for ventilation.

**06:41 AM**

- Speed: 4.9 knots

- Wind:

5.3 knots

- Waves: 0.1 meters

- COG: 055

- Coordinates: 40°32'08"N, 6°40'12"E

- LOG: 4273

- DTD: 75 NM

- Engine: 1700 RPM

**Observations:**

The daylight is returning, and the kids are waking up. Betina got about an hour and a half of sleep since the shift change, and the early morning hours have been calm. We briefly had 9-knot winds, but they disappeared as quickly as they came. There’s a sailboat approaching us, about 5 nautical miles away. No large ships are within a risk distance. The night has gone very well, even though we’ve been under engine power the whole time. We’ve had the mainsail up and are now setting the foresail to gain more speed. Continuing to motor sail.

**08:40 AM**

- Speed: 5.7 knots

- Wind: 7.5 knots

- Waves: 0.1 meters

- COG: 059

- Coordinates: 40°38'39"N, 6°53'09"E

- LOG: 4285

- DTD: 64.5 NM

- Engine: 1700 RPM

**Observations:**

Patrick is resting in the cockpit while I’m on watch. Konrad is playing in the cockpit, and the two older kids are watching morning TV in Konrad’s cabin. It’s a calm morning, and we’re making good speed with the engine still running, but now also with the foresail set. The wind has been stable between 7-9 knots for the past few hours, blowing across the beam. We haven’t quite managed to hold our course in the last few hours, so we’ve ended up more northerly than intended. We’re trying to hit the next waypoint and hope to keep wind in the sails. Everyone’s spirits are high, and we’re happy and relieved that our first night sail went well and calmly.

**11:00 AM**

- Speed: 6.1 knots

- Wind: 7.2 knots from SSE (150 degrees)

- Waves: 0.1 meters

- Coordinates: 40°45'01"N, 7°10'13"E

- COG: 075

- LOG: 4299

- DTD: 50 NM

- Engine: 1700 RPM

**Observations:**

We are motor sailing, with 50 nautical miles to go. No boats in sight. We saw a small bird flying around the boat a couple of times; we hoped it would land and travel with us for a while, but it disappeared toward the horizon, heading back to Menorca. We have some drift, so we’ve adjusted the course to hit the next waypoint. We’re aiming to get close to land for a visual sighting, then adjust the course more northward. The wind is expected to shift later, coming from NNE, so we’ll continue motor sailing as we approach land with a more northerly course. Two fishing lines are out—we lost a hook yesterday to something big, but no bites yet. No catch so far.

**1:35 PM**

- Speed: 5.8 knots

- Wind: 2.6 knots

- Waves: 0.1 meters

- COG: 079

- Coordinates: 40°48'24"N, 7°28'58"E

- LOG: 4313

- Engine: 2000 RPM

- DTD: 35 NM

**Observations:**

We’ve adjusted the engine to 2000 RPM as the wind has dropped. The foresail is fully furled, as it was just flapping. We’ve been sleeping in shifts the past few hours to catch up on sleep. Betina has started preparing lunch. We hope to sight land in 10-15 nautical miles. There have been more tuna hunting on the surface, but still no bites on the fishing lines. We’re not great at fishing, apparently. We probably need a rod where the fish can run with the line rather than a fixed line. The kids are doing well, but it’s clear they’re getting tired. It’s been a long trip for them, so it will be nice to reach the anchorage soon. Tomorrow, we’ll continue on to Vila Rossa, where we’ve booked a harbor spot for three nights. Then it’s pizza, red wine, and playing on the beach, so we can relax and recharge.

**2:15 PM - Land in sight**

- Speed: 5.5 knots

- Wind: 1.6 knots from the east

- COG: 075

- Waves: 0.1 meters

- Engine: 2000 RPM

- LOG: 4316

- DTD: 31 NM

- Coordinates: 40°49'11"N, 7°33'56"E

**Observations:**

We can now see land. Best guess is Monte Timidone Peninsula, which rises 644 meters above sea level. The wind has died down, and we’re now only motoring. In a moment, we’ll have less than 30 nautical miles to go, so we’re getting ready to hoist the Italian guest flag. There was a cheer from the kids when we spotted land, and it really feels like a big moment for us, as we can now see the end of the journey toward Sardinia. Despite the lack of wind and many hours of motoring, it’s been a perfect “first night sail.”

**4:18 PM**

- Speed: 6.3 knots

- Wind: 6.8 knots

- COG: 081

- Waves: 0.1 meters

- Engine: 2000 RPM

- LOG: 4327

- DTD: 20.4 NM

- Coordinates: 40°50'58"N, 7°48'25"E

**Observations:**

We spotted some suspicious buoys in the water that looked like they had been dropped from a very low-flying plane. The buoys were floating with some sort of ballast below them, in about 3000 meters of water.

We just passed a French sailboat that was motoring. We called them on VHF to ask if they’d seen us and if they’d pass behind us. They replied by asking why we didn’t speak French instead, and why they should pass behind us. We’re still motor sailing and just want to get to the anchorage and relax.

**6:26 PM**

- Speed: 5.4 knots

- Wind: 7.4 knots

- COG: 066

- Waves: 0.1 meters

- LOG: 4339

- Engine: 2100 RPM

- Coordinates: 40°54'52"N, 8°03'34"E

- DTD: 8.4 NM

**Observations:**

We’re almost at our destination. Land sighting has been a bit tricky, especially because our electronic compass is off by about 10-15 degrees. It needs to be calibrated. Everything is fine on board. Dinner was leftovers from yesterday’s one-pot pasta.

Next stop: anchorage.

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**8:16 PM - Arrival at the anchorage.**