Sam Holmes Sailing · video

What this video covers

A solo sailor transits the Algarve coast of Portugal, navigating from a marina near Lisbon toward Gibraltar while managing light winds and heavy fishing traffic. The passage involves frequent spinnaker use, though shifting conditions necessitate constant adjustments to the sail plan and preventer. During the transit, the sailor monitors battery levels via the ViaCrew app after a high-draw spotlight incident triggers a low-voltage alarm. The route includes stops at coastal anchorages to explore sea caves by dinghy, requiring careful navigation around unmarked fish farms marked by yellow buoys. The sailor tests new EZC anodized aluminum winch handles, which allow handles to remain permanently attached to the winches. Throughout the trip, the sailor maintains a lookout for orcas, which are frequently sighted near the Gibraltar approach. The journey highlights the challenges of coastal hopping in light, variable winds and the necessity of constant vigilance for unlit fishing vessels and aquaculture equipment.

More from Sam Holmes Sailing

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From Sam Holmes Sailing — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analysed video.

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