Hallberg Rassy 44: Sailing Mallorca. Sailing Breezy Ep12 4K

Palma, Mallorca was an ideal staging spot to resupply and address warranty issues. This is the second stop where I was warmly greeted by Hallberg Rassy representives. Unfortunately, I was surprised by an overflowing holding tank, but the services available on the island really came though and a pump out was the cure. The large Tohatsu 9.9 was really too big for my RIB so I sold it and purchased a Honda 6. Much better fit on the stern and easier to handle without a crane. I'm a minimalist when it comes to adding poles and large cages on the stern and love the clean lines of the 44 as she was intended. A suction cup jig on the stern port for the starlink was perfect. Nicole arrives July 4th and after a couple days in Palma we embark for the first time on our own to Santa Ponça, Cala Blanca, St Elm and Andratx. Anchoring in a crowd has always been a bit of a phobia of mine, especially in a brand new Hallberg Rassy. It actually wasn't that bad and I found sailors at the anchorages to be helpful, welcoming and cautious. Powerboaters, not so much. I found that the number of boats in a confined space demands a much shorter scope 3:1 vs the typical 5:1 which is fine with light winds as the boat usually hovers above the chain. However, a firm reverse is essential as some of the sandy patches can be a thin, light dusting over a rock bottom. Inspection of the anchor with snorkel gear is helpful to ensure your anchor is dug in and to avoid hooking the Posedonia, a protected Mediterranean Sea plant. This practice also helps build confidence and knowledge when anchoring. Santa Ponça was a pleasant town with all amenities. The crowd was young and vibrant. The food was mostly "meh" but we found excellent Chinese food at "Good Taste." There is also a place that all refer to as the "Chinese store" which has everything. Not an exaggeration. At our very first anchorage, we also learned the importance of locking your dinghy as ours was gone when we returned to the dock. A few minutes of panic later we found it a few hundred yards away on a small beach being tended to a gentleman who swam out and retrieved it. I could not thank this man enough. He would not take cash reward but if he is reading this, thank you again. Nicole and I then headed to Cala Blanca for a night where we had a beachfront gourmet meal at Maria 5. We then headed to Andratx but there were no moorings so we sailed to Sant Elm, a pleasant town with a lovely hillside street lined with shops and cafés with a lovely view of the anchorage. Andratx, is the most lively town we visited. You need to reserve a mooring there which is done online. Although the swimming is not as inviting, the town is bustling and there always seemed to be late night festivities and bar activity. After a few days in Andratx we returned to Santa Ponça until returning to Palma to meet the kiddos who were all flying in for a visit.