Our very first navigation!!!

We stayed at Narbonne Plage for a full month, as it’s where the Oceanis 40CC was berthed.

We gave up the berth and will apply for a new one in several harbors for next year, when we return from our sabbatical.

We left on April 1st, 2025, at 7:30 AM, greeted by a beautiful sunrise as we exited the harbor.  

April 1st was the only good day for departure this week, so we seized the opportunity.

We managed to avoid the sandbar at the exit of Narbonne Plage harbor, which left us all smiles.

Itinerary

We headed to Cap d’Agde, not too far away—just over 16 nautical miles (30 km).  

It should have taken a little more than 4 hours.

However, we faced headwinds.  

We decided to leave in the morning when the wind was lighter, which was safer for our first trip, but it meant using the engine along with the sails for the first few miles.

We ended up zigzagging the entire way, doubling both the time and the nautical miles.  

Our average speed was 3.7 knots, peaking at 8 knots with the current.

How did it go?

I was at the helm while Nico hoisted the sails and adjusted our course for the first 5 hours.

I took advantage of calmer seas to go to the front of the boat and snap some pictures… before the wind picked up.

After the 5th hour, I vomited the little breakfast I’d had.  

The wind intensified, and from then on, everything inside the boat started falling over. It was a rough ride!

Puking into the sea was tricky with the boat leaning over—I didn’t want to fall overboard, and the wind kept blowing it back onto the boat. LOL.

I wasn’t in any shape to help Nico anymore.
He took over, zigzagging on his own. Honestly, it might have been better that way—I still can’t figure out where the wind is coming from!

I was also freezing. I tried sleeping in the cockpit for the rest of the trip.

Then I had the “brilliant” idea to sleep in the saloon because I was so cold. It’s not cold inside, but the ups and downs are much more intense there.  

It didn’t take long before I had to rush back to the cockpit and puke a second time, after 6.5 hours on the boat.

I didn’t have much left to vomit—just bile.  

Next time, I’ll eat more before we set out!

Nico was handling the helm and the genoa on his own, changing courses like a pro. He was happy.

After 7.5 of the 8.5 hours, I puked one last time—what a relief! I had nothing left to throw up, and we were finally near Cap d’Agde.

So, I started maneuvering again (badly, I’ll admit).

Nico burped a few times but only after we safely arrived at our destination! What a guy—no seasickness at all! :)

What we could have done better?

• Obviously, I should have eaten more, but I didn’t expect 8.5 hours instead of 4. Apparently having an empty stomach doesn't help with sea sickness.

• I need to learn how to take the wind, I do have visual aids, but my hands and my brain are still not connected... 
  
  
• I should have worn leggings under my pants to keep warmer. I had the heater jacket on the whole time but it wasn't enough. More than 8 hours under the wind and not moving doesn't help. 
  
  
• We should have secured our belongings better. We thought we had, but apparently, there was a lot of stuff flying around.
  
  
• I will have a bucket on the cockpit so that I don't have to vomit on the deck... 
  
  
• I will have a bottle of water with me so that I don't have to go down the boat to get one to rinse my mouth after each time I vomit. 
  
  
• And I will wear my seasickness wristbands... I don't believe it'll change anything but my sweet friend gave it to me so I need to try these in extreme conditions. 

• Check out the circle we made when we arrived at Cap d’Agde! After talking to the harbormaster, we realized we hadn’t prepared the mooring lines or fenders for berthing.

  So, we circled around while we got everything ready.  

  I forgot how to tie the knots, so Nico handled that while I set up the mooring lines and fenders.

  It was pretty silly, but now we know for next time!

Once at the Cap D'Agde port, I had to clean up my mess!