Motor Yacht Balou, from Saint Tropez to Elburg

On March 21st we started with the delivery of this stunning 19 meter Sturier Yacht, build in 2014. It was a familiar reunion with a magnificent yacht that we had sailed to the Mediterranean two years earlier. The weather forecast was looking good and with a sailing directive with stops in Valencia Mar, Gibraltar and Bayona we cruised away early in the morning with first light.

The reason for a stop-over in Valencia was another yacht, Santa Maria T. On the 23th we had a visit planned from a broker with interested clients that had already viewed the yacht a few weeks earlier. Now it was time for a test drive and give these potential buyers the cruising feeling of this magnificant 37 meter explorer yacht. The next day our crew continued again with the first port of call Gibraltar. Here we refueled the yacht to her absolute maximum because this price of gasoline will not be found soon again.

After a choppy ride along the Portuguese coast with strong winds on the bow and accompanying waves we arrived at our next port of call, Bayona near Vigo. Here we refueled the yacht for the last time to cross the Gulf of Biskaye with full tanks. The weather on the Gulf was superb, no winds, no waves only a gentle long 3,5 meter high ocean swell.

Entering the English Channel and passing the Channel Islands the wind picked up again. Nothing this yacht cannot handle and with the stabilizers doing their works it was hardly noticable. The reminder was the splashing sounds of the waves on the front windows.

Four days after departure from Bayona we sailed into the Netherlands via the locks of IJmuiden. Sailin on till dark we moored her between two mooring poles and gave the lady a good night rest. The next morning the only obstacle was the Nijkerkersluis and the bridge of Elburg. After passing this bridge we entered the small canal towards Elburg and berthed this beautiful lady in front of the sales office of Elberg Yachting.

This yacht is highly recommended for anyone who wants to make beautiful long voyages and have all parts of the world within reach.