You are a good and experienced sailor, your boat is equipped with up-to-date navigation software. Hence there is this moment when you are sailing around a cape, and you were wondering, if it was the right decision and if you really have chosen the perfect bay to drop the anchor.
Sardinia has some special behaviour, and sometimes it’s good to ask someone who has already been through that.
- Local wind phenomena – Most famous is the Strait of Bonifacio / Bocche di Bonifacio. When the north-westerly Maestrale blows, it can be very very windy, and the gusts are nothing for average crews. There is no need to stress crew (which might be beloved ones), boat and material, if you read the weather precisely. And, suprise suprise: We are not only talking about the Mistral. Also easterly winds go through the strait with higher speed and increase at the exit. Both wind directions have influences on the winds in the Gulf of Asinara. A region that most people underestimate because it’s on the leeward side of the island are the downwinds in the Gulf of Orosei. The wind increases around Capo Mannu and under the high mountains of the (beautiful!) Supramonte. Those are cape effects mixed with thermic winds. Speaking of thermic: I have experienced the so-called „afternoon breeze“ between 14 and 18 o’clock where wind increases even if not predicted and gusts are nasty. It will determine your day and maybe with a smaller boat you chose to stay where you are or sail ahead in the evening, when the wind calms down.
- Local sea states – There is a cross sea in the south, that can be very annoying. And there are currents and higher waves in the Gulf of Orosei. In general not difficult to sail, but nice to know. And, if it adds some bad weather it’s good to know the coastline and to know, that certain harbours are not welcoming you and some bays that on the map look good for mooring are really uncomfortable because of high onshore waves. So you might have to go some twenty or thirty extra miles to reach a safe port or mooring bay … better to know that in advance.
- Idiot and tourist traffic in high season – You have to deal with people that rent a rubber boat with 40 hp and go out to the Maddalena Archipel and have no idea of what it means to be out at sea. There are people who sail once a year and are thinking this is just fun and in holidays there are no rules. There are motor vessels that overtake you just for the fun and so close that your sailing boat gets into trouble. I cannot help you with these people and those moments. But I can give you some hints, where these „tourist boaters“ do NOT go, and where to drop the anchor to stay relaxed and private even in high season.
- And other things …
I will tell you what I know along your planned route and will figure out a plan that works for you and your boat.
