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Ramming Speed! - Sailing from Spain to Tunisia, Part 9 | DrakeParagon Sailing
August 8, 2026 · 14 min · Guadiana River
What this video covers
The crew of the sailboat Paragon manages passage timing and anchorage selection while sailing along the border of Portugal and Spain. To avoid arriving at an unfamiliar anchorage after sunset, the crew shortens their planned 40-mile day to 26 miles.1:16 They prioritize timing their arrival at a narrow, current-swept channel to coincide with slack tide, ensuring a favorable current for the final four-mile approach to the anchorage.9:25 By sailing under a staysail rather than the mainsail, they maintain a speed of four to five knots to avoid arriving too early and fighting an adverse current.6:03 The crew monitors tidal charts and current flow to plan a two-night stay in an industrial anchorage, noting that the subsequent departure must also align with favorable tides to reach the next destination 35 miles away.10:05 During the approach, they navigate a channel marked by buoys not present on their electronic charts and coordinate engine warm-up and sail handling to manage traffic from other vessels.12:52
Boats in this video
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