Updated 9/30/ 23

Mallorca Cruise Wrap-up

The Mallorca Cruise was great fun. In the end we had 121 CCA members and friends on 23 boats and one car.

Since our last report to waypoints, we had been successful in securing two-night moorings in the Cabrera National Park for the majority of boats and single-nights for the balance. The Commodores Aphrodite led the Tuesday boat party, where Aphrodite, Howie Hodgson’s True, Rod Hearne’s Keewaydin and Kit Tatum’s chartered IIkiagi were each hosting a quarter of the participants until Howie’s signal to move on to another boat. The hors d’oerves were excellent and Howie’s Mahon Gin provided some extra spirit to toast our event flag high in the castle.   

At the opening party, we decided to re-brand the cruise “The Mallorcaville Cruise” in honor of the late Jimmy Buffet. Crews were commissioned to re-write the lyrics to a Buffet song for presentation at the party the following Saturday night. Lyrics were to be sent in before the event so that song sheets could be drawn up, allowing everyone to sing along with the lead crew. Dawn McPhee of Sublime provided the biggest boom box anyone had seen, which supplied the karaoke music. Fifteen crews presented songs full of CCA stories and spice. It was impossible to choose a best song.

The wind got up from the northwest as we made our way along the north coast to Soller, leaving some of the calas a bit rolly. At the cocktail party in Soller, Charles Henri Magnin introduced his crewmate, Gerard Chambre, a well-known French chansonnier who knocked us out with his powerful voice and ability to hold the audience despite the language difference.

Reports of a strong southwest wind Thursday led everyone to seek shelter. Many choose Andratx, giving rise to an impromptu party for 6o aboard and beside Aphrodite.

The final party was at the Real Club Nautico in Palma. Our event flag flew high over the terrace cocktail party. Dinner was followed by an impressive Flamenco presentation backed by an incredible musical group. Several of our crowd were enticed to join the pro’s, The prize certainly went to Greg Wessel of Prevail.

All in all it was a great two weeks. An extensive portfolio of photos can be seen in this dropbox

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/7grxvjts9myayd4pz8ybz/h?rlkey=n2fsk9k1xmswkth6zlwtjplxz&dl=0

   The Mallorca Cruise Book has now been published and is available at this link 

Les Crane & Howie Hodgson – Co-chairs