February 2026
Getting Our Boat Ready for the Season
Text: Christian / Pictures & short films: Carola
A New Beginning in Winter
In the middle of a cold winter, we set off from home early in the morning. It’s time to kick off the 2026 boating season! Spring awaits us in Cartagena with pleasant temperatures. We head for the Mediterranean via Geneva and the Rhône Valley. The outside temperature rises by one degree every hour. We’re really looking forward to it.
After about nine hours, we arrive in Canet-en-Roussillon for a stopover. The next day, we continue along the Spanish coast to Cartagena.
Initial assessment: The boat weathered our absence well, thanks in no small part to our neighbors, who stepped in to help during the recent strong winds.
Time for a coffee break near Geneva
Overnight stay in Canet-en-Roussillon
Next morning
We've arrived—so far, so good 👌
The inspection will take place the next day
Workdays between Sun and Carnival
No sooner have we arrived than the seasonal work begins. Amid reunions with the sailing community and the colorful carnival, we mustn’t lose sight of our main goal: getting our boat ready!
We divide up the tasks: coffee in the sunny cockpit in the morning, a walk every other day with the crew of the SK Botticelli to the city beach, and work on board for the rest of the day.
We deliberately put off the most unpleasant task: the deck joints. On our knees, in awkward positions, we scrape, clean, glue, and refill everything. It’s tough, but in the end: done! And we’re relieved—the deck looks tip-top again.
Start your day with some exercise
The “Sports Team” – the Botticelli Crew with Thomas & Iris, and of course the Blue Wave Crew with C&C 😁
Grouting – a labor-intensive task
Carnival in Cartagena
Chris gets arrested for a short time 😆
The costumes are lovely to look at
With this beat, you can't sit still 💃
Guests, the car, and the restroom
There are more tasks to be done: cleaning the fenders, removing mold from the bimini, washing the lines, filling up with diesel, and a few other things.
Of course, there are some nice breaks too. My goddaughter is coming to visit with her sister and a friend, and the Shivaya crew is stopping by as well. It’s a perfect change of pace from the daily routine on board.
The engine maintenance mechanic finally shows up—of course, right in the middle of Caro’s Zoom meeting. Amidst tools and open hatches, she sits focused on her laptop while the engine is running. Later, she retreats to the “quietest spot” on the boat and finishes the call there.
The fenders need to be cleaned
The anchor box covers will be reinstalled after the grouting work is complete
The stick mold is in trouble
The result
While we work on the boat, unique natural spectacles unfold
The mooring lines are being washed—this removes the salt and makes them softer again
The linens are drying in the sun
Chris thoroughly waterproofs the bimini
Chris godchild is visiting with her sister and a friend
The Shivaya Crew Visits
My preparations for the upcoming online coaching session. Everything has to go perfectly.
Just when you think everything is perfectly prepared, the mechanic shows up for engine maintenance
Taking things as they come. Intensive online coaching while the engine is being serviced
Stocking up on supplies for a long trip
We’re stocking up on heavy supplies: water, drinks, and non-perishable food. This time, we’re keeping an inventory so we don’t buy things we already have. Everything heavy has to go on board now; there won’t be a car available during our next visit.
Goodbye and return trip
The three weeks fly by. On March 1, the morning is cloudy and cool, reflecting our mood as we say goodbye. To our great delight, a small farewell committee is waiting in front of the boat, as if they don’t want to let us go.
We leave the marina early, before the road is closed for a sporting event. One last jump from the boat onto the dock, the car is packed to the max, and off we go. Just like last time, we have breakfast in La Mata—a fitting farewell to the water.
Our first night’s stay this time is still on Spanish territory, in Colera. A lively, warm-hearted couple welcomes us to their family-run hotel. The next morning, we set off well-rested toward home, but first along the old coastal road: stops in small villages, coffee in the sun, taking in every bay one last time. Only after a final photo stop on the dam at Étang de Leucate do we finally head north on the highway.
Breakfest in La Mata
Colera Beach
Our Accommodation in Colera
We’ve barely set off when we stop in Portbou for a coffee in the sun
Phare Solaire du Cap Cerbère
Banyuls-Sur-Mer
Collioure – we really enjoyed our time here
Colorful alleys and promenades
Coffee is a must
Leucate
Kite surfers are having a lot of fun
Safely arrived home
And here’s a quick summary. Compiled by Polarsteps
Birthday and a New Beginning
We’re expecting visitors from the north: Caro’s mother is celebrating her 75th birthday on Lake Maggiore and enjoying a few lovely days in Italy before heading back to Switzerland and on to Germany.
Happy Birthday 🥳
We're enjoying spring in Bella Italia
It’s almost time for us to say “arrivederci” again—our flight to Alicante is waiting, and the next step of our sailing season is calling.
Until then, we'll practice with the Insta 320 and the new 3-meter pole 🤣