Josin’s 2024 cruise, # 8

Hardbakke to Måløy. (61 55.9N / 005 06.8E)

A fine welcome!

The wind blew again, strongly, and we made such good progress that we just had to carry on past Florø, which was plan A for the day, and all of 62 nm to Måløy. Almost all the way was in protected waters so no waves and no problems keeping a straight course which was a relief. Sailed with just the genoa, slightly rolled in, which gave more than enough speed and easier steering.
Much ships traffic in and out of Florø, including these fast ferries doing 25 knots and more, which are there before you know it. Lookout almost continuous therefore.
The weather forecast had said showers and this time it was correct. The clouds scudding across the sky would occasionally grow fratricidal and together deposit a lot of rain, very cold too. Then the sun would reappear and dry us quickly out again. Repeat.
The most interesting bits of the trip was in the long fjord after Florø, where firstly this suddenly appeared:

Looks like a very local shower was illuminated by a narrow shaft of sunlight. Squashed rainbow!

And secondly the winds blowing along the fjord forced-guided by the high mountains on both sides competed with the fall-winds from the winds over the mountains at another angle. Made for sudden and large changes in windspeed and direction. Never a dull moment. Quite energetic in unfurling then furling the genoa in a hurry.
Round the “U” turn at the end of the fjord, dominated by the near 1000 meter high wall of Hornilen mountain, which caused complete confusion in the winds, so we motored the hour for the rest of the way. Including over 3 kn current in the narrow Skatestraumen, fortunately going our way. (Quite unplanned!)

I had to struggle to tie up in Måløy’s guest harbour as the wind was blowing hard, of course away from the pontoon, it was also raining just then so all help was sheltering down under. I made it at the third attempt just as there was a lull and the rain stopped. Phew!
11 hours, a new max for the trip, and very satisfied, but somewhat weary.
Did one tired-stupid thing though, about half an hour before arriving, and I forgot to re-hang the fender which covers the cabin-heater exhaust when in cruising position, before turning the heater on. Exhaust hot. Plastic melts. Fender deflates and is uselessly sorry-looking. Saved by helpful lady in the boat-things shop on the quay, who found an identical one and inflated it.
Although the guest harbour is surrounded by pontoons and should be calm, those fast ferries drag their significant wake when they slow down at the last minute before docking, close by. Then the pontoons and all us poor boats dance and roll for a few seconds. Fenders vital!

Showers (lots) and Bright Periods, (few), continued unabated so a rest day yesterday, and most other sailboats stayed put too, awaiting weather more suited to rounding the peninsular at Stad, always a weather challenge. My several weather forecasts agree that things will calm down later this morning, (more BP and less S) and further into the afternoon and later, so I plan to depart after lunch, (it is friday), leaving some artistic Måløy walls.

Alls well, form a well-showered JosinJohn.