Lake #2: Crossing Lake Balaton, Day 2
by Selim E. on Tue, 18th, Sep 2018
At 6 am I get up to slip the boat into water. I have to paddle to get out of the little harbor. I am completely alone in the harbor except a beautiful white heron who keeps watch on the breakwater. I have to paddle towards the open water of Lake Balaton to catch the easterly morning breeze. My first way point is Tihany peninsula which separates the northern part from the southern part of the lake. A light wind blows at about 5 knots but I experience rather high waves. As I approach Tihany peninsula I enjoy my breakfast and the beautiful scenery of the peninsula with the monastery on top of a hill and the little ferry harbor. I keep an eye on the frequent ferries crossing my way as I pass by the peninsula at 9am. Meanwhile also other sail boats pop up on the lake.
Leaving Sziofok South of Tihany wind force increases and I am happy to proceed fast towards my next way point – the Badacsony mountain. Badacsony mountain has a peculiar shape and is therefore easily recognizable even from far away. It is located on the north shore of the lake and is famous for it’s wine and vineyards.
Approaching Tihany While I head towards Badascony I get an impression of the immense size of the lake. As the shore of Tihany slowly fades away I still cannnot see the shore at the southwestern end of the lake. In some moments I feel like I am at sea. Water is kind of cloudy but is not muddy as the water of Lake Neusiedl.
Approaching Badascony At latitude of village Balatonszepezd wind decreases and I somehow get a little worried whether I get to Kesthely before sunset – it is 2pm and I have only done have my way. Now I start to think about alternatives. I decide to proceed with my plan until 4pm hoping that wind will increase and give me the chance to arrive at Kesthely before sunset. After almost 9 hours on water and almost no wind I decide to lay down for a rest. I wake up as a light gust shakes the boat and makes sails rustle. With a light breeze in the neck I proceed until Badascony mountain as again wind decreases. As I am on the boat for already 10 hours I decide to finish my trip on the southern shore of lake Balaton. I change course towards Fonyód where I have spotted a small yacht harbor on Google Maps. With wind from abeam I am able to increase speed even with a light breeze.
Approaching Fonyod Around 5:30 pm I arrive at a beautiful small and private yacht harbor with a slipway. Although private and locked down, an elderly extremely friendly couple helps me bringing my boat ashore.
I call a taxi to get back to Sziofok, pick up my car and trailer and drive back to pick up my boat in Fonyód. It is 9pm when I start to drive back home.
Trip detailsTrip length: 24.2 nm (44.81km)
Hours on water: 11hours (6:30 until 17:30)
Start location: Siófok, Ezüstpart Yacht Harbor, Calypso Restaurant Harbor
End location: Fonyód TVSK-Port Lacaj Yacht Harbor
Some more photos ...
Fully rigged WETA and sleepy me before going on water at 6:15am Fully rigged WETA on water Passing Tihany peninsula Heading for Badacsony mountain Some weed on board Packing my WETA at night Read about the
"Seven Lakes Crossing" project..