SAILING
#12 – Lessons learned on the High Seas
In sunny Marina di Ragusa, there is a sense of excitement in early May as boats leave the harbor daily. We feel a mixed mood of anticipation for new sailing adventures that await us, and sadness at the daily goodbyes to the new friends we have made in Sicily. But we are confident that we will see them again somewhere in the world.
Together with several other boats, we set sail towards the southeastern tip of Sicily to Portopalo, a picturesque fishing village with an idyllic harbor and a beautiful beach.
The next day, we set off towards Syracuse, an ancient city on the east coast of Sicily. We spend several days here, enjoying the company of our new friends. Together, we stroll through the narrow streets and historic buildings of Syracuse, enchanted by the ancient temples and ruins, and immerse ourselves in the colorful bustle of the city.
Our goodbye to Sicily is very difficult for us. But as the next good weather window approaches, we decide to take the direct route to Greece. Together with our friend Markus from the Nordre Rose, we leave the bay of Syracuse late at night in darkness. While Mount Etna spits fire in the background, we know that beautiful Greece lies ahead of us. With little wind, we set our sails and glide through the night.
Later that night, the wind picked up and the boat began to rock fiercely. The waves crashed against the hull with a force that could only be described as angry. As the lateral waves and strong winds took their toll on the boat, we were forced to reduce sail area by reefing in the hopes of achieving a more comfortable position. Given the height of the waves, we knew sailing into the wind would be unwise, even though it would have been the right way to reduce the mainsail.
After each wave, we clung to the boat for dear life and took turns cranking down the mainsail, careful not to lose our grip and fall overboard. It took us a grueling 20 minutes to reef down the main, and we were left utterly exhausted as we laid down onto the cockpit floor. Our hearts were still pounding as we watched the boat's movements finally calm down.
Despite the fear and discomfort we experienced, every tricky situation we overcome is a chance for growth and learning, even if it takes us out of our comfort zone.
We remember that at the beginning of our journey, sailing was only a means to an end, to get from A to B. But in recent years, our attitude towards sailing has changed. Today, we look forward to every opportunity to go out to sea and experience the challenges and joys of sailing.
As expected, the wind died down and there was no wind the next morning, so we decided to start the engine during the night to make some headway. Nevertheless, the waves continued to hit our boat sideways, a residual effect of the strong wind from the day before.
Suddenly, we felt a strong vibration from the engine, and we knew something was wrong. Burim quickly turned the engine off and decided to investigate the propeller.
He put on his wetsuit, tied a lifeline onto the boat, and jumped into the water. Armed with a knife, he disappeared under the boat in the middle of the ocean. As I waited anxiously in the cockpit, it felt like hours had passed, with the boat rocking up and down in the waves.
Finally, Burim resurfaced, holding a plastic bag that had gotten caught in the propeller. He had managed to clean it up in just one or two minutes, but for me, it had felt like an eternity.
This experience was a reminder that out at sea, anything can happen, and we must always be prepared for the unexpected.
During the rest of the crossing, we experience no significant events and steer towards the bay of Argostoli on the island of Kefalonia in Greece two days after our departure.
