Transatlantic Leg 3: Lisbon to Gibraltar, 06 May - 15 May 2025 (10 days)

The trip will be focused on cruising and training. In total, we should log up to 400 nautical miles and 70h in tidal waters.

Anticipated route:

Lisbon - Tróia - Portimao - Vila Real de Santo Antonio - Cadiz - Gibraltar

We will be maintaining a watch system to ensure everyone is well rested, meals are prepared on time and maintenance is undertaken when necessary. There will be 3 watches with up to 2 people in each watch.

HANSE 575 "GALINI"

Galini is fast and sporty. She was designed by Volvo Ocean Race Designer and is the fastest yacht in her class. She is well-equipped and prepared for ocean sailing. She has some premium equipment on board like Starlink (high-speed satellite internet) and a washing machine. So if you have to stay connected with your business while you are away sailing, this is possible.

We will inspect the boat thoroughly before the voyage to ensure that every bit of equipment is absolutely ship-shaped.

General info:

• Year: 2014
• Type: sailing
• Hull: monohull
• Length (LOA): 17.15 m (57 feet)
• Waterline length (LWL): 15.15 m
• Hull speed: 9.45kt
• Berths (Bunks): 8+1
• Cabins: 4+1
• WC / Shower: 4
• Beam: 5.2 m
• Draught: 2.25 m
• Air draft: 25.3 m
• Engine: 110 HP (4JH110)
• Fuel capacity (Diesel): 520 L (tanks) + 3x20L (jerry cans)
• Water capacity: 840 L
• Displacement: 19.5 t
• Single spade rudder
• 2 steering wheels
• Sails: Fully battened mainsail 74.54 m2 (3 reefs), Furling genoa 66.25 m2 (optionally self-tacking), Asymmetric Spinnaker (Gennaker): 121.00 m2, spare sails

Equipment:

• Autopilot
• Starlink - High-Speed Satellite internet (200 Mbit/s and small ping), mobile-gobal package (unlimited data close to the shore and 100GB offshore), 70-90 W
• Iridium GO! satellite terminal (weather forecast, emergency communication)
• Air condition
• Swimming platform
• 2 Refrigerators
• Freezer
• Stove
• Washing Machine
• Sprayhood
• Radio/CD/MP3
• 12V and USB sockets
• DSC VHF radio
• 2 Handheld VHF DSC radios
• EPIRB
• AIS
• Radar
• Radar reflector
• Compass
• Sonar
• Log
• Wind instruments
• Stainless steel anchor and 100m of chain
• 2 electric winches
• 6 flex solar panels (150W per panel)
• 6KV Panda generator
• Inverter Victron multiplus, optionally providing 230V in every cabin and salon
• Watermaker (30 L per h, 12V)
• 2 B&G touch screen chartplotters behind steering wheels
• Computer with navigation software in the navigation table
• Plastimo drogue
• Sextant Astra IIIB Deluxe
• PredictWind Offshore app
• Dinghy with electric outboard
• Complete set of pilot books, almanacs and charts
• Pillows, bedlinen and towels for each crew member
• Extensive set of spares and tools: Filters, impeller, sealings, tool kit etc.

Average weather conditions:

• Lisbon (May)
• Gibraltar (May)

Air and Sea temperature

The weather conditions in May are generally favourable for sailing in the area with average temperatures of about 21° C during the day and 15° C at night. As we move south towards Gibraltar the climate will be a bit warmer.

The sea temperature can be up to 20° C in Algavre so we should be able to enjoy swimming in the ocean at least in the second half of the route.

Wind and sea state

The average wind speed in May is 4-5 Bft. Prevailing northerly wind and south-going current should enable fast sailing.

The sea state is expected to be slight to moderate. Atlantic swell is common along the West Portugal coast but should disappear as we enter the Algarve on Portugal’s south coast.

See details in the pilot charts for May.

The route is divided into several coastal and offshore passages with some night sailing. You will receive a certificate of passage to prove your sea time for sailing licenses. You will be an active member of the crew, and we will provide practical training on board to ensure safety and improve your sailing skills.

We give a great amount of responsibility to each crew member in running the ship so that you can gain a good experience and learn new skills as much or as little as you want. The skipper is an instructor and will find it difficult not to teach or coach anyone who shows the slightest bit of interest.

RYA qualifying passages

If you are an aspiring Skipper or Yachtmaster, it will be an excellent opportunity to gain bluewater miles, practice navigation, pilotage and COLREG skills so that you can be more confident and comfortable when taking a boat out to sea on your own. During the voyage, we can evaulate your current knowledge and provide suggestions for improvement. We can evaluate whether you are at the right level to pass an RYA exam and practice any gaps in your knowledge.

The opportunity will also be there to act as a skipper (with guidance if needed from the captain) for your RYA Yachtmaster Coastal or RYA Yachtmaster Offshore qualifying 60M passages.

Main topics that you can learn or brush up:

• Maneuvering under sails & engine: berthing, hoisting and lowering sails, reefing, tacking, gybing, sail trim
• Safety: use of liferaft, lifejacket, EPIRB, PLB, AIS beacons, emergency procedures
• Equipment: use of Autopilot, Radar, AIS, VHF, Satellite communication
• Weather forecasting and weather routing
• Anchoring in swell (bridle, stern anchor)
• Offshore & coastal navigation: digital and traditional (including the use of Sextant)
• Night navigation
• Pilotage and passage planning
• ColRegs
• Storm tactics and use of a drogue
• Use of Asymmetric Spinnaker (Gennaker)
• Life on board: organization of watches, nutrition, sleep and risk management

Joining day - Lisbon (06 May)

We will spend the first day on training, preparing and victualling the yacht, going over the safety routines and practices, getting up to speed with the boat and learning or refreshing all the basic sailing skills before we embark on the journey. Once we slip the lines there will be plenty of occasions to practice tacking, gybing, reefing, boat handling under the engine and all the other key skills we must have.

Lisbon is the capital and largest city of Portugal. It is an ancient city remarkable for its beauty and maritime past. Lisboa is among the top tourist preferences in Europe. The city enjoys a Mediterranean climate and is a mix of character and charm with 20 centuries of history.

Lisbon harbours

Lisbon

Perhaps the most memorable parts of Lisbon are in the Belem area close to the Marina Doca de Alcantara where we will finish our trip. These include the Torre de Bellem monument and the impressive Jeronimos Monastery. Vasco da Gama and his crew spent their last night in Portugal in prayer here before leaving for India and their historic voyage.

Tróia (45 NM)

Tróia has beautiful white sand beaches facing the Atlantic Ocean. It has important archaeological sites dating from the time when the peninsula was an island called Acalá, settled by the Romans.

Tróia Peninsula

Marina de Tróia

In the Marina of Troia, it is possible to watch dolphins that are present in the area. People often dive and swim with these animals.

Portimao (120 NM)

Located in the estuary of the River Arade, Portimão is known for its excellent sandy beaches with plenty of warm, calm waters, which make it a perfect holiday destination. Portimão has a long fishing tradition that developed particularly between the 19th and 20th centuries with the advent of the canning industry and tourism.

Landscape near Portimao

Portimao

The Praia da Rocha Fortress provides an excellent view over the city, the river and the sea, which acquires a special charm in the evening, in the light of the setting sun. You shouldn't also miss the styled Chapel of São José de Alcalar or the impressive Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição (Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception), built in the 15th century on top of a hill.

Vila Real de Santo Antonio (65 NM)

Vila Real de Santo Antonio is a traditional Portuguese town situated on the bank of the mighty Guardian River at the border between Portugal and Spain. The town has a peaceful ambience and a truly unique appearance that is reminiscent of Lisbon.

Fishing harbour in Vila Real de Santo Antonio

Beach near Vila Real de Santo Antonio

To appreciate the town planning that was followed in Vila Real de Santo António, you have to walk around the city's streets. It begins in Praça Marquês de Pombal, in the heart of the town, that contains a square with three of the major urban features commonly found in the eighteenth century: the church, the Town Hall and the old guardhouse. Afterwards, you should walk a few blocks and see the privately commissioned buildings. You can end your tour at the former Customs House, next to the gardens planted along the bank of the River Guadiana.

Cadiz (68 NM)

It is said that Cadiz city in Andalusia is the most ancient in the Western world. In fact, it was founded by the Phoenicians in 1100 BC.

Cadiz Cathedral

Cadiz

The different people who settled here left an important cultural imprint, whose influence still remains in the character of the city's people. This peninsula, right on the Atlantic coast, has been able to preserve an important historical legacy, the result of its commercial importance, together with excellent beaches and exquisite regional cuisine.

Gibraltar (90 NM)

Before we reach Gibraltar, we will cross the Strait of Gibraltar which is known for strong winds and currents. This will be a perfect occasion to practice tides to work out the best transit strategy.

View from the Rock of Gibraltar

Gibraltar

Gibraltar is a British overseas territory occupying a narrow peninsula of Spain's southern Mediterranean coast, just northeast of the Strait of Gibraltar. A tour of the Gibraltar Rock is recommended, as is a visit to the museum, which displays of Gibraltar in prehistoric, Phoenician and Roman times. The WWII tunnels are testament to the most extraordinary feats of mining and engineering.

Gibraltar, Finishing day, 15 May

We will finish leg 3 in Gibraltar and spend a day in this iconic place. The exact marina will be know a few days before arriving in Gibraltar. We may also finish the trip in Puerto Deportivo Alcaidesa Marina on the Spanish side of the peninsula. It's a easy and short walk to Gibraltar from there.