Navigation #26 Hyères-Calvi (Corsica) 20h navigation, first night one!

 

This morning kicked off bright and early with a grocery run at 8 a.m. We stocked up on essentials—fresh produce, snacks, and plenty of water—to fuel our adventure. Back at the boat, we rolled up our sleeves and gave her a thorough cleaning, scrubbing the deck and tidying the cabin to make sure everything was shipshape. With the boat sparkling and our supplies stowed, we cast off from the dock, bound for Corsica, a 120-nautical-mile journey ahead of us, aiming for an average speed of 6 knots.

The wind greeted us early on, pushing us along nicely, so we took the chance to catch a quick nap under the sunny skies. But when we woke, the breeze had vanished, leaving us crawling along at a sluggish 3.5 knots, sometimes dipping even lower. Not ones to dawdle, we decided to hoist the spinnaker, and just like that, the boat came alive, picking up speed to a lively 5 to 7 knots. The sail billowed beautifully, and we were back on track, slicing through the waves.

As night approached, the horizon darkened with ominous clouds. Not wanting to tempt fate, we swapped the spinnaker for the genoa just before midnight, bracing for whatever the weather had in store. Nico took on the night watch, catnapping in 15-minute bursts but always waking to check our course. At one point, he adjusted our heading to steer clear of another vessel that had crept too close for comfort—a quick reminder of how vigilant you need to be out on the open water.

The trip, which we’d estimated would take 24 to 28 hours, ended up clocking in at a swift 20 hours and 30 minutes, thanks to a fantastic tailwind that kept us moving. But by morning, that tailwind turned fierce, pushing us to a thrilling 8 knots. Thrilling, that is, until the rolling waves got the better of me, and I started feeling seasick—definitely not the highlight of the journey!

About two to three hours before reaching Calvi, the rugged outline of Corsica’s coastline came into view, and we were awestruck by the sheer size of the mountains rising from the sea. They loomed larger and more majestic than we’d imagined, a stunning welcome to the island. Exhausted but exhilarated, we moored in Calvi and promptly collapsed for a well-earned nap. 

Our rest was short-lived, though, as the wind picked up to a relentless 20 knots with no sign of easing. Not wanting to take any chances, we made the call to head for the safety of the marina. Once secured, we breathed a sigh of relief, already dreaming of exploring Corsica’s shores and reflecting on a passage that was equal parts challenging and unforgettable.

 A little vlog of the Calvi visit: