Delivery trip – When a lack of wind leaves pride of place for nature

Leaving from Canet-en-Roussillon at 18:00 hours on 8th September, the Catana OC was setting sail on her delivery trip to take part in the Cannes Yachting Festival. The crew of 5 was aiming to cross the Gulf of Lion, covering a total distance of 220 nautical miles.   

The summer heat was still in evidence, giving the impression that the seasons are shifting. For several days, the sea had been refusing to offer any wind to sailors… and unfortunately, we were no exception… On the programme: a gentle sea breeze, which we hoped would propel us under sail towards the Cote d’Azur.    

Our departure from the harbour was straightforward, though it has to be said that the conditions were hardly Dantesque. The electric daggerboards were lowered to mid-height, which immediately improved the Catana’s turning circle as she left the harbour. The mooring lines were stowed in the aft locker and the 8 fenders were quickly distributed around the boat: some were stowed in the forepeak, others were deflated and the remaining one, the famous ‘roving’ fender, was stored beneath the helm station seat.    

The captain orchestrated hoisting the mainsail: the lazy bag was opened, ensuring the reefing lines were clear and the halyard wound onto the electric winch. Hoisting the main took on the appearance of a large, contrasting curtain against the still-clear sky. The wind locally was 11 knots, and to reach her goal, the OC had to point at 45° to the apparent, her favourite point of sail. The port daggerboard was lowered, the Code 0 deployed and instantly the boat accelerated to a speed of 9 knots.    

Later that evening, the wind eased and the OC managed to maintain a speed of 5 knots with just 6 knots of true wind. But the forecasted conditions soon caught up with us, leaving us with a glassy calm sea.    

Both engines are launched, propelling the boat along at a cruising speed of 8 knots in pretty calm water, in fact, very calm. Night fell gently, revealing Mount Canigó in its magnificent colours worthy of a Monet painting.    

The nighttime brings with it a coolness that heralds the end of summer. It’s a good time to close the large side and rear windows and enjoy the warmth still contained within the cabin.    

Feeling the call of hunger, the crew busied themselves around the saloon table, tilting up the extension to comfortably lay the 5 place settings. There are several seating options: the saloon can easily accommodate 4 people, while the skipper installed an armchair in the passageway to keep a direct view of the bow without obstructing the circulation. The conversation was lively, and so were the smiles. The night at sea was punctuated by the muffled ticking of the engines as the Ocean Class glided through the sleepy water…