Jane & Darcy goes back to sailing after three weeks of shipyard work.
It was finally time to move out of MCI shipyard. Early on Saturday, I set sail from a desert dock. I was single-handed because my second was knocked out by a gastro-intestinal infection. I sailed towards Trogir to meet the rest of the crew. Once we had cleared the Galija LH, we found a nice wind of 14 – 18 Kn. We set up the sails, starting with a broad reach. Then we adjusted to a beam reach. Getting closer to the narrows I grew uncomfortable. The wind was now 24 – 28 Kn and increasing. It was backing rapidly. This forced us to tack. Finally, we started the engine. As we approached Ciova head, we encountered a strong current. It was up to 2-3 Knots. The SE wind was pushing the waves inside the gulf of Kastela. I decided to stay well away from the head, as I saw races and overfalls. The wind had passed 30 Knots by the time we left the cape to STBD. It was great to turn the bow to NW after some 30 minutes of breaking waves straight against our bow.
Proceeding along the S coast of Ciova, the sea conditions improved gradually from moderate to slight. When we entered the gulf of Trogir the situation improved greatly. It improved especially after the Okruk head SLM when the sea was calm.
Docking in Marina Trogir, we discovered it is a canal dock. The strong current we had encountered at the exit of the gulf of Kastela was pushing the water through the canal. This made it riverlike.
Passage Notes
When leaving Split harbour, it can be quite busy. There are shipyards, commercial docks, huge tugs, a petroleum dock, and on the south side several obstacles. You first meet the Plic Silo IDM, then the Heidi Galija LH, followed by the Plic Galia IDM and NCM. Past the NCM it is possible to aim directly at the narrow delimited by Marjan (N) and Ciova (S) heads. Clear the Galija LH and head to the narrow to clear Ciova Head to your STB, then you will be out of the Gulf. Proceed along the coast until you reach the Zaporinovac SLM and head NNW to enter the gulf of Trogir.
Haiku of the day
Charts spread on the deck
New hands learn the skipper’s craft
Mljet’s green shores await
S/YJane & Darcy 
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