Bruno dreamed of a Loxo 32. This trawler built by the Structures shipyard (from which the Pogo sailboats originate) is a particularly economical 30-foot boat. For this yachtsman who has always sailed, a Loxo represents the Grail for his old age with his wife. However, this model, which is quite rare in second hand, is too expensive when new.
A used Loxo in Corfu
Finally, it is the shipyard that will offer him a second hand, a single engine Loxo with a Volvo inboard of 75 hp. But this boat is in Corfu, Greece in the Ionian Sea, where it was rented. Bruno decided to buy it and even to make the return trip by himself. He took delivery of the boat in October 2021, before wintering it dry on the island, in the port of Gouvia. It is only on March 31, 2022 that he returns to launch his boat. The boat has undergone an engine overhaul during the winter (oil change and filters) and is ready to go to sea. The diesel tank (150 l) is full.
Solo crossing of the Mediterranean
Bruno is now taking to the sea, alone, with the crossing of the Adriatic Sea to start with! Departure at 8:30 am for an arrival at 4:30 pm in Santa-Maria Leuca. Then the stages in the South of Calabria in Italy follow one another: Crotone, Rocella Ionica and finally Messina, in this channel which separates Sicily from Italy. For this first part of the navigation, the weather is good with a nice sea, except in the stage between Crotone and Roccella where the tail wind blows strongly, associated with a swell which allows the Loxo to surf. While she usually sails at 9 knots (1800 rpm), the boat will surf that day at 16 knots! A cloud of dolphins came to celebrate this magical moment by making spectacular goodies around the boat. Great memories for the sailor.
Day sails and nights in port
Bruno does not sail at night and allows himself nights in port every night even though he always sleeps on board. His legs are between 60 and 70 miles each day, which he covers in about 8 hours of sailing at a cruising speed of between 9 and 11 knots.
After Messina, he goes up along the Italian coast to Cetraro, then Acciaroli and finally Salerno. In this stage towards Salerno, he had to reduce his speed considerably. Indeed, a wind in the nose at about 45 km/h raises a strong swell of 2.50 to 3.00 m. To avoid the boat getting too wet, he reduced the speed to 6 knots. In these somewhat rough seas, Bruno settled inside. Still under autopilot - he does not have a helm station inside - he can monitor the course through the front windscreens. He has a plotter inside and outside with an AIS to track nearby targets. This allows it to correct course with the pilot.
Hangers that don't help the arrival at the dock
This strong wind at the arrival in Salerno will make the approach to the quay a bit difficult. Indeed, even if this Loxo has a bow thruster, the single engine and especially the lightness of the hull (2 tons) do not facilitate maneuvers in crosswinds. It is all the more difficult as the Mediterranean ports are not always easy to catch when you are alone on board.
After the gale, it was time to leave for Amalfi. This will be the most expensive stopover of the trip: 55 euros that Bruno pays in cash, otherwise the port adds 25% VAT for payment by cardeuros Even if it is the off-season price (it is 120 euros in high season!), this port has no sanitary facilities, no services and no help when mooringeuros To keep his freedom, Bruno never booked a place in a port, always hoping to find a place (which was the case) given the spring period in low season.
A crew member for the crossing to Corsica
The trip up to Italy continued with a stop in Ischia, San Felice Circeo and finally Fiumicino, the port of Rome. After all these stages carried out alone, Bruno embarks his brother who joins him in Rome. They left for the island of Giglio where they had to stay for 2 days, blocked by capricious weather with wind and swell. It was the first time that the weather was too strong to prevent Bruno from going to sea. So the crew took the opportunity to visit the island and its famous castle.
Then comes Corsica with the splendid port of Macinaggio, then the bypass of Cap Corse and Calvi where Bruno meets a friend from his years in boarding school. Once in France, the price of the berths becomes reasonable (between 15 and 22 euros) with clean toilets and showers.
After the sea the Canal
The crossing to the mainland was done by leaving very early (5am) because the weather forecast announced swell in the afternoon. Bruno and his brother arrived quickly in La Ciotat without any problem. Then direction Sète to start the Canal du Midi episode. There, his brother arrived, replaced by Bruno's wife. Without any break (but often blocked by the closing time of the locks), the Loxo arrives in Toulouse in 1 week. This time, it is the son who embarks to Castelsarrasin. The adventure on the Canal Latéral à la Garonne continues alone with a total of 93 locks crossed. After the stop in Bordeaux, the boat finds the salt water in Royan. A stage for which it is necessary to take into account the tide in order to have a downstream current. Bruno left at 1:30 pm at high tide and arrived at 5:30 pm in the port of Royan, still solo. Then it will be La Rochelle with a long stage (7:30 am - 5:30 pm). At the Vieux-Port, Bruno embarked his brother-in-law for the last stages towards La Trinité-sur-Mer with a stopover at Port-Joinville (Ile d'Yeu).
1600 miles and 218 engine hours
This beautiful cruise lasted 6 weeks between April and May 2022 and no less than 1600 miles. The 75 hp Volvo that powers the Loxo is really economical. Bruno was able to verify the shipyard's claims: the boat consumes 0.5 l/mile at 12 knots. For this trip, the engine ran 218 hours. No breakdowns to deplore. Bruno just added some coolant. The engine was checked every week.
As for comfort, this Loxo has on-board heating, hot water and a small kitchen. This is more than enough to spend a nice vacation, or even long cruises. The night before inside was comfortable and Bruno admits that he did not need a crew to feel good. From now on, the boat is moored on a buoy in the river of Crac'h, ready for cruises that are probably less far away, but just as pleasant
Stages and distances covered
- Gouvia (Corfu)
85 M - Santa Maria di Leuca 85 M
73 M - Crotone (Italy Calabria)
66 M - Roccella Ionica
65 M - Messina (Italy Sicily)
145 M - Cetraro (Italy)
58 M - Acciaroli
35 M - Salerno
8 M - Amalfi
34 M - Ischia
51 M - San Felice Circeo
56 M - Fiumicino (Rome)
69 M - Giglio (Italy Tuscany)
76 M - Macinaggio (France Corsica)
46 M - Calvi (france Corsica)
146 M - La Ciotat
87 M - Sete
1096 M in the Mediterranean
Canal des 2 mers from Sète to Bordeaux: 525 km (284 M)
- Bordeaux
54 M - Royan
51 M - La Rochelle
66 M - Port-Joinville (Yeu Island)
56 M - La Trinité-sur-Mer
227 M in the Atlantic
