TRANSAT ABOARD THE BALI 4.5 “AURÉLIA”

After 6 months’ sailing in the Mediter- ranean to make sure our catamaran was in good hands, and fully reassured by its robustness and sailing qualities, we decided to continue our journey with our first TRANSAT! 

  Schoolwork is a daily occurrence and in charge is my wife Aurélia. First up, Pythagoras’ theorem. Tablets and dedicated games are only allowed on weekends! 

  Thus these free spirits have had the fun of creating their own show called “Le cirque de l’Atlantique” (The circus of the Atlantic). They were supported in this by our friend Antonio, an excellent director and complete sailing novice. 

 On the sailing side, we left on December 27th from the port of Mindelo. We decided to give everyone time to find their sealegs during the first couple days. On the third day, the watchkeeping routine was in full swing, with consistent tradewinds of 22 - 30 knots, the beautiful Atlantic swell and the sun combined to make us appreciate the comfort, the balance under sail and the safety of our Bali. 

  We really do not regret the quality choice we made with this boat, built with the same construction as CATANA catamarans. 

  Then came the right moment to give the boat a little Viagra: SPI HOISTED early morning and not dropped until 9 days later, on our arrival... What a fantastic experience. 

  We particularly appreciated the safety and comfort of the forward section of our Bali, the forward cockpit and its rigid platform that never slams in the waves. On the contrary it protects the boat from spray while also 

 imagined being able to play a game of chess (with cocktails and petits fours...), take naps or do yoga in all serenity in the fore cockpit, keeping totally dry, sailing under spinnaker in more than 20 knots of wind... 

  Stats: Our BALI 4.5 Aurélia surfed up to 

19.1 knots and crossed the Atlantic at an average of 8.96 knots (2,475 miles in 11 days and 10 hours). This is where you see the CATANA genes. 

  For the captain and father, a feeling of pride and also safety, being able to almost completely delegate the handling of the boat to his son Maxence, aged 11, and seeing that Mathis will soon become as capable as his brother. 

  My main activity on board revolves around the galley, my kingdom: I must admit that the large U-shaped galley with lots of storage, the gas barbecue and my wine cel- lar, all make my life easier. And the American fridge-freezer with over 600 liters capacity is an incredible comfort on a cat, and it also means we won’t have to run ashore to revictual immediately on arrival in St Lucia. 

  As for fishing, our lures have allowed us to land some respectable size dorados. We had a memorable sushi night and the freezer’s full. 

  One last confession: 

Following a night watch, we’ve all wanted to extend our time on deck, to the detriment of our rest time. Awakening one’s senses, savoring these moments of extreme happiness and fullness opens a whole field of possibilities... Beyond everything.