DrakeParagonvideo
Sailing the Coast to Avoid Orcas! - Sailing from Spain to Tunisia, Part 12 | DrakeParagon Sailing
October 18, 2026 · 18 min · 4K views · Orca Alley (Strait of Gibraltar)
What this video covers
The crew departs a river channel near Ayamonte, Spain, at dawn to utilize a three-to-four-knot tidal current for their transit toward Cádiz.1:55 To avoid potential orca encounters in deeper waters, the vessel maintains a course close to the shoreline, necessitating a dead-downwind heading that initially requires engine use to maintain five knots.4:41 The crew navigates a high density of crab pots while managing a rolly sea state.5:21 After a series of jibes to optimize the wind angle, the crew shuts down the engine and continues on a beam reach under jib alone, maintaining approximately five knots.8:37 During the passage, the crew monitors two large vessels, adjusting speed by furling and unfurling the jib to increase the closest point of approach (CPA) from 0.2 to nearly 0.4 nautical miles.13:43 The decision to sail with only the jib avoids the risk of the main boom swinging in the heavy, rolling seas.13:14
Boats in this video
More from DrakeParagon
From DrakeParagon — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analyzed video.
The Sailing Directory Newsletter
One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.