A winter journey of nearly 2000 miles in 2 weeks

Departure Sequence

Finally, the big departure: heading to Canet-en-Roussillon aboard our brand-new BALI 4.1 “ALIZA,” with family members Evelyne and Jean-Claude, a colleague Damien, and our skipper Marc. A two-week journey from La Rochelle, sailing around the Iberian Peninsula with a few nights of rest in ports, taking us to Avilés (Asturias), Porto, Moraira (near Alicante), before reaching Canet.

For over six months, we had been preparing for this adventure, eagerly awaiting the moment to take possession of our new BALI 4.1 ALIZA and set sail, closely monitoring the weather conditions in the Bay of Biscay to find the right weather window.

We set off on Sunday from La Rochelle under relatively favorable conditions: moderate winds, sunshine, but winter temperatures, making us appreciate the comfort of the boat’s spacious saloon. But at sea, especially at this time of year, the weather can change quickly, and conditions deteriorated rapidly by nightfall.

Extreme Sports Sequence

The wind picked up, waves grew larger and started breaking. ALIZA handled it well... the crew, less so, with some experiencing the first signs of seasickness. Overnight, the weather turned into a winter storm, with 5 to 6-meter waves, steady winds over 40-45 knots, and gusts reaching 55-60 knots. We took the third reef. Since it was nighttime, we decided to drop the mainsail and continue under engine power at low speed, facing nearly head-on waves. ALIZA continued to perform well.

However, in these conditions, and despite the boat’s (relative, given the sea state) stability, moving around became difficult. We remained confident in our boat, though we felt for it each time it crashed into the troughs before rising to meet the next wave. After this extreme night, we decided to change course slightly and head for the port of Avilés (Asturias), near Gijón, for a well-earned rest.

The next morning, we woke up under a heavy sky and poor weather, with headwinds. We set off again toward La Coruña and Cape Finisterre with determination. Despite the challenging conditions, we appreciated the comfort of the saloon and never felt cramped, even with six adults on board. The navigation station was very practical, allowing for active and efficient watchkeeping with a breathtaking view of the sea. We also enjoyed the spacious, functional galley and the large dining table, as well as the boat’s stability, which allowed us to have hot meals almost... like at home.

After a good dinner break, we rounded Cape Finisterre at night, still close-hauled with the support of the engines. Then, we set course for Porto, where we resupplied and bid farewell to Damien, who had to fly back to work.

Emotional Sequence

After this first week of harsh and wet conditions, a wonderful reward awaited us: sailing down the Portuguese coast with the wind astern under a bright blue sky. We were finally able to enjoy the forward platform, and, as a cherry on top, we were accompanied for over two hours by a large pod of dolphins playing in front of ALIZA’s bows—an unforgettable sight and pure joy, the kind that can only be felt at sea.

Rest and Gastronomy Sequence

The nighttime passage through Gibraltar (thank you, AIS) was effortless, carried along by the current at 10 knots. Sailing up the Spanish coast felt like spring, allowing us to open the tilting door (a brilliant invention) and let the winter sun flood the saloon. The crew went about their activities under a clear sky and a nearly motionless boat: navigation, DIY, reading, and even a pancake party at sea!

We finally got to enjoy the vast forward space as well as the spacious aft bench, taking well-deserved breaks. We continued our journey up the Mediterranean for a third and final stop in the beautiful port of Moraira, where we indulged in an unforgettable seafood dish!

Our last leg to Canet-en-Roussillon was under a beautiful blue sky, with a brief encounter with two fin whales offshore. But as we neared our destination, the spring-like weather faded, and winter returned with a few snowflakes falling as we arrived in Canet.

During this journey, we tested and appreciated ALIZA’s performance in all possible weather conditions—from light winds to storms, from close-hauled sailing to downwind runs. There were a few moments of fear, but above all, pure moments of joy.