Maritime Valencia

View over the MRJCI superyacht basin

Port side bar opposite the superyacht basin, MRJCI

In addition to the intermittent clunk noise the engine made when it was refusing to start it was now puffing out white and blue smoke when it finally roared into life which then refused to dissipate. Not only did we need to find a reasonably cheap marina fast, a rare commodity in August, we also needed a Volvo Penta engine agent. Valencia, on the east coast of Spain, ticked both boxes. We set off in the afternoon for the 90 mile passage from Ibiza and thankfully managed to sail most of the way only starting the engine at dawn for the last few miles to the Marina Real Juan Carlos I (MRJCI). It is a huge modern marina with a superyacht basin as well as two marina basins for yachts. We soon discovered that it took about 40 minutes to walk from our berth to the superyacht area not to mention the shops/bars/restaurants which were further still. When we were feeling lazy our dinghy or the marina RIB came to the rescue! The Volvo guys promised to visit in a couple of days so we set about exploring our neighbourhood.

Rotating swing bridge MRJCI

Our dinghy dock in front of the Port Clock building, MRJCI

Alinghi, the 32nd America's Cup winner

Alinghi V, the 33rd America's Cup runner up

The port area was revamped in preparation to host the 32nd America's Cup in 2007 and the 33rd America's Cup in 2010 and also includes the European Grand Prix Formula 1 street circuit which was held in Valencia between 2008 and 2012. We checked out our free laundry facilities hidden away at the back of the south marina and across the road we spotted a rather large hulk lying on the concrete. On closer inspection we discovered the monohull, Alinghi, the Swiss 32nd America's Cup winner and the monster multi hull Alinghi V, the 33rd America's cup runner up. For anyone interested click here to see Alinghi in the very exciting deciding race. How sad to see these once incredible boats abandoned. We continued along what was once the F1 race track imagining Massa racing to victory at the inaugural event. Unfortunately the 140m rotating swing bridge across the port, also part of the F1 track, is left open so crossing to the other side was impossible. 

Abandoned Alinghi V

Tinglados, most recently used as the F1 pit stop!

Tinglado

Inside the King of Aragon's shipyards

The Royal Marina is one of the city's most important landmarks, not only due to the events that are held there but also due to its unique buildings. The quayside of the superyacht harbour is also the home of large impressive modernist warehouses or Tinglados, which were originally built in 1911 to store unloaded materials, mainly vegetables and grain. Of the original six, only three are still standing. They have been refurbished and two of them were used as pit stops during the F1 days. We also passed the elegant early twentieth century Port Clock building which was originally built to serve as the Maritime Station and entrance to Valencia. Just back from the port, but once on the water's edge, we discovered the King of Aragon's shipyards. The five huge sheds with Gothic arcades were originally used to build and arm the King's galleys. 

King of Aragon's shipyards

Passing the Veles e Vents building in the dinghy

Walking up to the Veles e Vents building

Valencia's huge beach

Game of Thrones on Valencia beach

The Port of Valencia is the largest in Spain and in the Mediterranean basin. The marina is not just surrounded by the vast cranes of the port and reminders of the past. The Veles e Vents (sails and wind) building, designed by David Chipperfield and Fermin Vazquez for the America's Cup, is an innovative minimalist architectural statement. It also offers restaurants and bars with wonderful views over the marina, beaches and city. Valencia is also known for its huge expanse of beach lying right next to the marina, the start of which is marked by two enormous flagstaffs flying the national and Valencian flags. Next to the beach the Paseo Maritimo is a popular walkway for both cyclists, joggers, skateboarders and promenading pedestrians and is flanked by restaurants all serving the ubiquitous paella of which Valencia is the home.

Busy Valencia beach

Meanwhile back at the ranch the engine has been condemned. The pistons are worn, the compression is down, the sea water pump is leaking again and the list goes on.....RIP!!