- Distance
- ~390 nm
- Crew
- Steve Bell, Brian Bell
- Target departure
- 10 Sep 2026, Valencia
- Arrival
- 14–15 Sep, Queensway Marina, Gibraltar
- Motoring estimate
- ~68 hrs if no wind
- Diesel estimate
- ~544 L (8 L/hr incl. genset)
Warm days (80°F+, swimming weather); nights cooler (~65°F, min ~55°F) — hat/sweater on watch. Burn 5.2 L/hr at 1900 rpm (5.8 kn) or 7.2 L/hr at 2300 rpm (7 kn), plus ~1.5 L/hr genset.
Itinerary
| Date | Plan |
|---|---|
| 10 Sep | Depart Valencia AM — night at sea |
| 11 Sep | Arrive Cartagena AM — rest / explore (155 nm) |
| 12 Sep | Depart Cartagena AM — night at sea |
| 13 Sep | Arrive Motril AM — rest / explore (150 nm) |
| 14 Sep | Depart Motril ~04:00 |
| 14 Sep | Arrive Gibraltar (100 nm) |
Sample watch schedule (10 Sep)
| Time | On watch |
|---|---|
| 06:00–12:00 | Steve |
| 12:00–18:00 | Brian |
| 18:00–22:00 | Steve |
| 22:00–02:00 | Brian |
| 02:00–06:00 | Steve — arrival 11 Sep |
To-do before / at departure
- Customs control — exit paperwork
- Passport control — get exit stamps
- Loosen mainsail leech line
- Raise main halyard one click
- Clean eisenglass on the bimini
- Check drain openings are open on the Viking life raft valise
- Redo the wifi network on Nellie
- Check in advance online for Gibraltar
- Steve: complete beacon registration — EPIRB
Provisions & safety brief
- Provision for 5 days
- Brian brings from home: nuun electrolytes + Nalgene bottle, Cliff bars
- Winches — minimum 3 wraps (4 on the outhaul)
- Clutches for main sheet (both sides) and outhaul — ALWAYS OPEN so they can fly; return to open after any short-term use
- LI battery fire risk — no charging of any LI battery in an unattended cabin; use the salon charging area; no no-brand LI batteries aboard
Navigation rules: study Rules 11–18. Keep minimum CPA to any large vessel at least 3 nm.