Cruising the central Azores islands – Horta

Wed 3rd July we sailed the 154nm from Ponta Delgada to Faial and the harbour of Horta. We decided to do this overnight. Leaving at 1300 the wind was a fresh 20+kts at the western tip of the islandThis acceleration zone under the high cliffs took us by surprise and a crash gybe damaged the mainsheet track.luckily nothing else was damaged and the wind eventually eased to the forecast 10kts for the trip.At dawn next day we could see Pico,the highest mountain in Portugal at 2,351m.The islands are volcanic and often create a wind shadow so we  had to motor the last 3 hours in the lee of Sao Jorge. We had up to half a knot of current against us at times

Horta was a noisy busy place.It has a population of 15,000 but a lot of the transatlantic fleet heading east from Bermuda fetch up here.There was also a sailing and rowing competition for the ex_whaleboats.Nice to see these boats,once used to hunt down the whales,now an attraction in themselves,a bit like our own hookers.We had to raft up outside another yacht against pier wall, and with ribs,fishing boats scooting by was not too comfortable. We planned to stay one night,sign up for the race next day to Velas, Sao Jorge and be out of there.

Pico.2,315m.a fellow race competitor in foreground

The famous iconic Cafe Sport is still there but was packed with tourists rather than sailors. Horta’s quayside is colourful with yacht graffiti and again we found a few friends who had left their mark.

No Mast No Worries!

midlife crisis cruise!

the red antirust paint on emulsion (ex ships stores)won’t last too long but we have the photo!

100 years ago, source National Geographic

There is great inter-island rivalry between the whale boats.they carry huge sail area and a lot of crew ballast.

 

Adding to the noise and general mayhem in the harbour was a small rib with a delta wing,monoplane engine,and outboard engine which could and did fly!