What a terrific sail, for five days the Maltese Falcon has sailed, from Istanbul to Malta, in that time the sails have been set and furled 380 times with only two minor glitches. The main engines clocked up another five hours on the couple of occasions that the air became to light, and we experienced a good range of winds from trickling along at 6/7 knots in 10/12 knots of breeze, to hard on the wind with only a few sails set in 35 knots of breeze and doing 15 knots.
So it really can be considered fact, the Maltese Falcon can perform and perform well, she does it in a graceful effortless style, that treats her guests and crew to a sublime sailing experience......... it sure is a great way to cross an ocean!!
So on to Malta..........
Captain Gartner trickled the Falcon alongside the berth in the lee of Fort Angelo at around three, it seemed very fitting that Malta an island so rich in maritime history should be our first port of call and the name demands it really. After berthing we bunkered fuel and then later in the evening the yacht club where the Maltese Falcon has her berth hosted a party for the Owner, his guests and crew. During this the Commodore made a speech that bought up a very interesting point regarding the evolution of square riggers and the lack of development in this area of sailing since before the wars.
This has off course been turned around by the arrival of the Dynarig which has taken the square rig concept to another level and kick started the evolution again, and as the owner said in his reciprocal speech lets hope other yacht owners will see the benefits of the Dynarig and also have a go at building one. It would also be great to have someone to race against!!!
So as a salute to the island of Malta, the fifteen sails were set and the Maltese Falcon lowered her leeward rail and sailed out of Grand Harbour, Valetta, quite possibly the first square rigged vessel in a hundred years to have done so. As I write this Malta fades away astern of us, the bow is pointed to the East of Sicily as we go in search of fair winds to enjoy the sailing addiction further.
I bid you all farewell and have a nice evening.