There comes a time in any build when you let go of the reins. Be it a custom home, a company, or a yacht, at some point, it's time to test the reality of what has been built. That simple act causes anxiety, sleeplessness, remorse, and a host of other less-than-positive emotions. But in hindsight, it's not all that bad.
Our first hop was to leave Setur Marina in Antalya and dash to Didim Marina, 250 miles to the west—the first proper trials of our drivelines and, in reality, just about everything else. Didim gave us a safe harbor for 6 weeks, allowing a trip to the USA and then two weeks of solid work, best described as the "Fix It" variety. We were also able to commission the John Deers engines fully, our Wills Rudley Steering, and most importantly, an untested Furuno autopilot. Our crew arived a week before departure, three seasoned sailors, one Ukranian Captain (Valeriy) one Russian (Vasilii) one Brit (Ban). Along with myself we will deliver to Palma for final works and whatever corrections are needed.
Leaving Didim, we wound our way through the Greek Islands, heading for Athens and the Corinth Canal. The weather was fine, with a 20-025knot wind and rising swell on the starboard beam. In the lee of each Island and the mainland, we had the peace to play with systems, switch off stabilizers, run one or two engines, and generally get a true feel for Vanguard.
After Athens, we passed through the Corinth Canal, 20 years since my last visit. Transit was not the cheapest activity we had witnessed recently at Euro660, but the sight was quite memorable. The inland sea between Corinth and the Ionian past Kafellinia was also pretty calm and easy sailing. 8-8.2KN, one engine, no stabilizers, 50% fluids or thereabouts.
The Ionian passage from Kefallinia to Messina was a different experience altogether. A sharp 25KN north wind and considerable fetch had generated some short steep swells, 2-3.5M, often cresting. We shipped a lot of green water over the bow, but it did not slam. The forepeak hatch is sealed well, but the flush cabin hatch is not so despite our best efforts and will need to be replaced. 12 hours of this on our starboard bow and we turned south, abandoning thoughts of Messina and instead heading around southern Scility in more sheltered waters. Vanguard was comfortable in the swell on the beam or aft quarter but did tend to throw us around rather with steep seas of the forward quarter on the bow. She also tended to round up in the short swell when on the stern, a situation that did not repeat later the next day when we experienced much longer gentle swells, and she added 1-1.5KN surfing. We need to think about the steering control a little, perhaps.
Rounding the eastern point of Sicily, we headed west again through the Malta Channel towards Di Ragusa. This channel gets quite busy, and inshore, there is a swarm of fishing boats often with AIS switched off. Our track at night followed these fishing boats in an attempt to avoid their nets. Not to be, early dawn, we heard a sharp bang from the starboard shaft. Presumably, the Brunton's rope cutters are doing their work. We finally tied up, we donned a mask and flippers to inspect the props, no signs of damage (sorry to whomever about your fishing line).
At Di Ragusa, we took the opportunity to bunker some 5000l. I've been suffering from severe range anxiety stemming from tank gauges that need attention before they earn our trust. In Palma we will also probably fit a mechanical flowmeter for the day tank fill as a backstop. We also now know for certain the
pumping limit in each tank and can reset the gauge zeros. By our estimation we have used 4700l of diesel in 7 months and dead on 1000 miles of operation. High if calculated by a simple division 4.7l/NM, but that also includes charging batteries when not on shore power, running HVAC (5kW), and sea trials including a reasonable distance at high load on 2 engines. Vanguard's sweet spot appears to be one engine with 90% load, giving 8/8.2kN in calm seas. For planning purposes, we will estimate 3.5l/NM and see how that shakes out once we have better figures to work on. 20% fuel on arrival was also tested; she rolled a little more easily, but that was as easily calmed by the very effective DMS stabilizers.
So, after a shower ashore, washing dried on the rails, all sea salt washed off, pizza, and some super Sicilian wine to follow, we grabbed a good night's sleep before setting off for Sardinia, about 300 miles further West.
Chris Leigh-Jones