29th - 30th July - Palma to Formetera

Posted at 7:45 AM, Monday, August 1, 2005

We had Erich our electrician back on board yesterday morning in Palma and he’s finally clarified what he thinks are the two most likely causes to our charging issues.  He is still worried about the overall wiring on our 461 – finding a charge like he did running through the floor frame is not something he would have expected - but as he says, maybe it is designed that way?

But over and above anything else that might still be wrong – Erich has demonstrated under certain conditions the diode (battery management system) had a fault.  It is solid sate – not repairable – so a new one has been fitted.  He also showed me the alternator ‘reference wire’ - apparently the wire into the alternator which is supposed to advise it to adjust voltage output.  This wire was not simply disconnected - it was completley missing.  So this has now been installed correctly.

Erich is unsure if this second fault actually created the problem with the diode.....  He is still firmly of the belief someone sometime must have adjusted the original wiring as he can’t believe it would be produced in the way it has by a tradesman from his homeland.

But I’m pleased to report we now appear to be charging all three banks when under motor – slower than Erich or I would have liked – but better than we’ve ever had before.  So until we decide to add another battery or two to our domestic bank (something Erich seriously suggests as the standard 3 x 80's fitted are not enough for the kit / fridges we carry) - that will have to do for now.

We took advantage of our added day in Palma to arrange Swagmans berthing for the winter months. 

Both Erich and Michael (Hanse Palma) are pals of a chap named Franco who runs a smallish private marina located alongside the Port de Mallorca.  It is between our present position in the Port and the Real Club Nautico.  We’ve learnt that all these facilities use one uniform system of rating to calculate charges – the square metre of the length X breadth.  Swagmans rating comes out to 63.33, and both Club de Mallorca and Real Club Nautico charge about 58/59 cents per square metre per day.  Franco has offered a spot at a maximum of 50 cents – maybe more when we actually meet up and negotiate – but at it’s worse it could save me 18% over the other two.

As a matter of interest - we’ve also had a quote to pull the boat out at Albefura from an English chap who buys and sells moorings in the area.  Ian Foster – tel +34 971 546 998.  He has been known to rent out moorings at seasons end if they have not sold – but his quoted mooring prices did not seem truly competitive.

And finally for those who do stop over in Mallorca at marinas inside a public port.  Remember the total amount one is charged at ones first port of call includes a 10 day ‘fee’ to the local Govt / Port Auhority.  So if you then stop over for another night in another public port marina or indeed go back to the same one inside 10 days – you do not have to pay this Govt charge a second time.  If you can show them proof it was paid before inside 10 days, your second stay will cost less.

Anyway – Ian could organise for me to put Swagman on the hardstand at Albefura at a lower cost of 30 cents per square metre.  We’ve declined just for the winter – for once one adds on lifting and re-launching charges – there is not very much in it for such a short period. 

So we’ve booked in to this private marina in Palma and once Rob and Louise are dropped off on the 19^th August – we’ll tidy up the boat one last time – sort out a maintenance deal with Hanse Palma - and head back to the UK ourselves.

We left Palma yesterday around 1100 having to vacate the berth anyway due to the influx of Italian boats caused by that nations holiday start date on same day.  We planned to sail direct to Formentera but as sods law has it – we needed to sail on a SW course – and of course the wind was coming also from that same direction.  It only took two hours of admittedly nice sailing beating back and forth across the Bay of Palma for us to decide to delay this 90 mile trip until tomorrow (now today) – when  easterlies are supposed to arrive.

So we sloped off eastward along the southern coast – passing multiple Italian going towards Palma – and looked to find a quiet cala for the night well protected from current SW, and predicted easterlies in the morning.  We did not find the coast we sailed alongside  particularly attractive compared with the NW side, and dropped into Calas Beltran and Pi – just east of Cabo Blanco to see if either would suit.  Both were open to the SW swell – so we  carried on towards Puerto Colonia where the pilot described ‘a well protected anchorage’ just west of the town.

We arrived late afternoon and found it has changed somewhat since the pilots author had last visited.  It’s a small bay at the southern end of Playa del Trench where one should be protected from easterlies by the small headland occupied by Puerto Colonia – and protected from the SW by a couple of small rocky islands just offshore - and of course protected from the north by the shore.  The pilot suggests ‘tucking in close to the shore’ so one ends up protected on all three sides.

But the authorities have now roped off a wide shore-side swimming area with yellow buoys – and ‘tucking in’ is simply not possible.  The holding further out is also not too good.

We anchored where we could amid 15 or so other vessels – most there just for the day – and spent the evening on board watching the sun go down over Cabo Blanco as most of our neigbours departed.  It was not the most comfortable night with a light SW’ly swell still rolling in even once the boat swung round to hanging broadside on in a late evening / overnight  N’ly breeze.  That was picked up in any forecast we listened to.

As stated, the anchorage holding is not good – flat rocky bottom with sand filled hollows and weed.  I dived to ensure our anchor was set into such a hollow (and boy – it is heavy moving the anchor underwater), we let out loads of chain and settled down for the night.

I started typing this at 0900 local time, as we headed out almost due SW towards Formentera 90 miles away.  The breeze was still light from the N but clearly dialling east.  We chugged SW under engine.  It was a tad overcast earlier - the suns did break through and it got so hot and humid and we were miles fromn land - so I sailed au natural.  I could just see the Isla de Cabrera on our port side through the haze and also Cabo Blanco off to our starboard.  The GPRS connection can’t make it this far from shore – so am typing this in word in the cockpit with a coffee – whilst Sue sleeps on down below.

It is now 1300 and I’m back to the blog.  The easterly came in F5 at 1000 - so hoisted sails and have just had a rollicking run under white sails only but made a good dent in the journey at 8+ knots.  Sad to say it has just gone south and died - so it’s back on with the engine and if all else stays equal, looks as if we should arrive off Formentera between 1800 and 1900.

I think by then I’ll have a red bum.

And if I can get a GPRS connection there, I’ll post this to our blog.

Cheers

JOHN