Smita Mahrt

Left Cala Bona with hardly any wind but once we got out, we suddenly had 8 knots building to 14 by the time we got to Portocolom. So the last day gave us the best sailing and we clocked 7.9 knots under sail going upwind. It would have been a shame coming home with the speed record being recorded while motoring. Parking the boat was the final challenge with 12 knots of wind from the side. Lifting keel and twin rudders is not exactly making reversing any easier but we managed without too much drama.

We motored out of the bay of Pollença. There was a nice breeze but straight on the nose. Once out, we set sails and had a lovely day crossing Alcudia bay in 6-10 knots of wind. At 5:30pm we had still only just got across the bay so we had to start the engine to get to Cala Bona. Cala Bona turned out to be a very small marina - we were the only guest that night - with a bunch of bars and restaurants for mainly British tourists. But Rafa Nadal also has a restaurant there and the food was excellent.

We were very happy to leave Sa Calobra. Now of course the wind had disappeared and we only had a light breeze pushing us up towards Formentor. We stopped for lunch in Cala Figuera which is a gorgeous place. After lunch, we motored around Far de Formentor but could sail down the bay of Pollença as there is nearly always wind here.

Left Soller in very light winds. Heading out, we put up the staysail and the main with one reef to see how it works. As soon as we were done, the wind died completely so we motored to Sa Calobra where we anchored up to spend the afternoon and night there. It was a very peaceful afternoon and evening so we had no idea what was to come. We got woken up at 2pm by the wind howling down from the mountains. All the boats were spinning around uncontrollably and a couple of them had to move not to hit the rocks. We were ok but we kept the engine running for about an hour when it was at its worst to be ready to move should the anchor snap. I spent a very peaceful night here last year but not sure I’ll risk again. I have heard about this wind suddenly coming down from the mountains and it is completely unpredictable mountains 😵‍💫

Lovely weather but no wind. Motored all the way from Andratx to Port de Soller. That’s not why you charter a Pogo is it!! Stopped in Sa Foradada on the way. At least we remembered not to park in the posidonia 😇

Left Colonia with a nice breeze that carried us on a close reach most of the way. The Pogo felt great. After passing the Bay of Palma we had to put a tack in and I started wondering if we should have set the staysail which should point better. By the time we got to a second tack, it was getting late so we instead went the last bit motoring.