Isola Ventatene – Baia del Buon Dormire

13 June 2024

Entering Baia del Buon Dormire

On the way to Isola Ventotene, we noticed that the autopilot continued to overcorrect for the course. We deduced that the Hynautic steering might be low on pressure or oil. Upon arrival in Ventotene, we checked and filled the reservoir, adding about 38 psi of pressure. Today, the autopilot seemed to work correctly, so we didn’t have to manually correct it. With following seas, we averaged 7.6 knots for the entire trip. The sunny weather made for a very enjoyable journey. We made excellent time and decided to anchor in what Navily describes as one of the top 50 recommended anchorages in Italy.

Baia del Buon Dormire was absolutely wonderful! There were only three other boats there, and we anchored over a sand bottom, surrounded by beautiful cliffs forming a picturesque bay area. After anchoring, we turned on the generator to keep the batteries full, as the previous night we needed to turn on the generator at 23:30 because the inverter stopped due to low battery levels. I experimented with turning off more systems to only draw 15 amps per hour, but still, the inverter stopped around midnight. We did not run the generator this time and will try another strategy tomorrow.

Baia del Buon Dormire, also known as the Bay of Good Sleep, is a stunning coastal gem located on the Tyrrhenian Sea in the Campania region of Italy. It is situated near the town of Palinuro, which is part of the Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Overall, Baia del Buon Dormire is a hidden paradise that offers a unique blend of natural beauty, tranquility, and historical intrigue. It is a perfect spot for those looking to experience the unspoiled beauty of the Italian coast in a serene and secluded setting.

Shortly after arriving, Brian went swimming while I cooked some pasta with tomato sauce and sausages I purchased in Viareggio. I would give it a C+ on my scale of tasty food, but it was filling and sufficient for us to enjoy. While anchoring, we noticed that the steering was very soft—it took many more turns of the wheel to make the rudder change direction. We discovered that the steering reservoir pressure was zero, so we pumped it up again. We may have a small leak in the reservoir where air is escaping, as we are not losing any fluid. More investigation is needed.

All in all, it was a good day and a great anchorage. We were off to bed by 21:30 for an early start on the 14th, on our way to Messina, Sicily.