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"Cause without the bitter, baby, the sweet ain't as sweet."
Cameron Crowe
Vanilla Sky (Movie)
"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth, a nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present. In this limitless nation, this nation of wind, light, and peace, there is no other ruler besides the sea."
Bernard Moitessier
The Long Way
"I am tormented with an everlasting itch for things remote. I love to sail forbidden seas and land on barbarous coasts."
Herman Melville
MOBY DICK
"What did we do all the time on this uneventful passage? Nothing, absolutely nothing, except live in communion with our boat, which was sailing happily towards the Marquesas, the Tuamotus, Tahiti, with plenty of wind, wind, wind. One must have sailed far away from any land to know how full and rewarding a day at sea can be without anything happening. It is so different from coastal sailing where one is always a little apprehensive, tense, prepared for anything. Out there, in the open sea, we were prepared simply to live."
Bernard Moitessier
The First Voyage of the Joshua
"Sail training continues to become more valuable because it is an opportunity to help people unplug from society and experience nature, the environment, and each other in a way that is irreplaceable."
Will Sofrin
Andy Schell's ON THE WIND Podcast, #503
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"There was no hurry now, Joshua was to spend the winter in Casablanca, where the local yacht club had provided us with a safe mooring in extremely pleasant and gay company. The club members are really keen sailors who go out every weekend even if a howling gale whistles through the rigging, and many of them perform quite admirable feats of seamanship in leaving their moorings under sail alone, without a hitch and as though it were the most natural thing in the world. A real pleasure to watch."
Bernard Moitessier
Cape Horn: The Logical Route
"The gratification that I get from coaching and teaching these guys and then finishing a Bermuda race is just knowing that I facilitated getting these guys from sort of point A to point Z... look at what these guys have accomplished, and I've helped facilitate that."
Jahn Tihansky
Andy Schell's ON THE WIND Podcast, #489
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"You'll be bothered from time to time by storms, fog, snow. When you are, think of those who went through it before you, and say to yourself, 'What they can do, I can do.'"
Antoine de Saint Exupery
WIND, SAND & STARS
"To me, seamanship is what we do. It's like breathing... It's not just a checklist of knowing how to tie a bowline... it's an attitude."
John Rousmaniere
Andy Schell's ON THE WIND Podcast, #36
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"The one place I know I belong is on the ocean. There is no question about that. You know, I have never felt like I belonged anywhere as much as I feel like I belong on the ocean."
Pip Hare
Andy Schell's ON THE WIND Podcast, #393
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"I knew that weather can turn concrete plans into vague abstractions, but that's no reason to forgo the pleasure of laying them."
Dallas Murphy
Rounding the Horn
"I live by a couple of rules concerning reefing when on long voyages. The first is that if the thought crosses my mind that I should reef, then I do it without debate. It's a great way for me not to push the boat too hard. The second is my 'cup of tea' rule. Wind, by its very nature, is unpredictable, so if the winds have eased to the point that I could easily sail with one less reef in the mainsail, I wait the time it takes me to make and drink a cup of tea before doing anything. The process normally takes around thirty minutes, so if the winds are still light when I'm done then I will shake out the reef and hoist more sail. More often than not, a gust will have come through that means I need to keep the reef in place to ensure I'm not overpowered in the gusts."
Lisa Blair
FACING FEAR
"There are few events filled with as much promise as the prospect of stepping ashore after a long passage."
John Kretschmer
Sailing a Serious Ocean
"The more you know, the less you need."
Yvon Chouinard
Patagonia
"I'm in the Northwest Passage, I'm cold, I'm wet a lot, I'm hungry, I'm sleep deprived, like properly sleep deprivation at times. I had every right and reason to be miserable, right? Cold, wet, tired, hungry, and miserable. But being miserable was not going to give me sleep. It's not going to give me a warm meal. It wasn't gonna give me a hot shower. It wasn't gonna give me any of those things. So you might as well enjoy the moment, you know?"
Matt Rutherford
ON THE WIND Podcast, #487
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"True riches cannot be bought...There is no buying the night flight with its hundred thousand stars, it's serenity, it's few hours of sovereignty."
Antoine de Saint Exupery
WIND, SAND & STARS
"You've got it in you, alright, everyone's got it in them, it isn't a special dispensation from a selective Providence. It is just a question of whether you have the guts to apply it. It struck me that I must be pretty dumb, for most people come by it naturally, but I had to sail across thousands of miles of ocean to find out that courage is the key to living."
Ann Davison
My Ship is So Small
"If you want to sail around the world to say that you've done it, well, don't do it because you have the wrong attitude. If you really, really want to do something because you love the ocean, you want to see the world as it is still now before it is too late, then do it."
Jimmy Cornell
Andy Schell's ON THE WIND Podcast, #502
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"Sharing the wisdom of the high seas, with those wise enough to seek it out."
Andy Schell
59º North Mission Statement
"Decision is the hardest part — execution is easy." Robin's consistent philosophy across every venture, from the Golden Globe to the Clipper Race, is that once the decision is made, the obstacles largely dissolve. He doesn't agonize; he acts. "The thinking about it is the hard part. It's much easier to make the decision and get on with it."
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston
Andy Schell's ON THE WIND Podcast, #163
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"I signed up for this passage hoping to spend an extended period offshore, learn new skills, increase my competencies and confidence, and sail with amazing crew mates—and this passage completely exceeded my expectations. The 59º North team brings impressive skill, experience, wisdom, and fun to each passage and crew, which is a huge part of why I returned for this second passage in twelve months. I recommend 59º North to all of my sailing friends who want to learn about offshore passage-making in a thorough and hands-on way from true professionals."

Margaret Arnold
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2022-11 | ICEBEAR | Marstrand-Portsmouth
United States
|
🇺🇸
1,974
Miles sailed
2
Passages sailed

"It was such an experience! Meeting all the people and being part of the crew is something very special. We were so lucky to spend the passage on FALKEN; the nature and weather gave us the best, and I really wish it could have lasted longer."

Margit Charlotte Rosengren
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2025-5 | FALKEN | Panama-Galapagos
Sweden
|
🇸🇪
980
Miles sailed
1
Passages sailed

"Sailing from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas with 59º North Sailing was an outstanding experience that I would recommend to anyone seeking offshore sailing combined with exceptional instruction and seamanship. The lead crew, Andy, Mary, and Ryan, created a professional and welcoming environment focused on safety, preparation, and teamwork. I came away with much more confidence in offshore sailing and a deeper understanding of ocean passagemaking. 59º North delivers an authentic offshore experience, expert leadership, and an adventure that builds both skills and confidence."

Kirk Schumacher
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2026-1 | FALKEN | San Diego-La Paz
United States
|
🇺🇸
846
Miles sailed
1
Passages sailed

"There are so few opportunities in our lives, unless we seek them out, for adventure, exploration, and personal challenge. Doing hard things results in personal satisfaction and makes life meaningful. If people don't understand that and want more creature comforts than 59º North trips offer, then they're not the right people for you. Keep doing what you're doing and there will be plenty of crew who share your values wishing to join you."

Susan Chandler
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2019-12 | ICEBEAR | BVI-St. Bart's-Antigua
United States
|
🇺🇸
254
Miles sailed
1
Passages sailed

"As this was my first major passage, I wasn't sure what to expect. You have to have a lot of respect for people who choose offshore sailing for their profession. Erik and Ben were top-notch professionals, and my experience with 59º North was great!"

Vera Whatley
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2023-14 | FALKEN | Azores-Lagos
United States
|
🇺🇸
1,812
Miles sailed
2
Passages sailed

"I’ve sailed with 59º North four times—each has been a unique and gratifying experience. Sailing with like-minded folks, captained by the best in the biz, in well-maintained vessels has been the highlight of my 40-year sailing career. I’ve learned so much about sailing and myself on my 59º North adventures."

Karl Westman
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2023-11 | FALKEN | Reykjavik-Kinsale
United States
|
🇺🇸
3,931
Miles sailed
4
Passages sailed

"This passage was literally my first time sailing. My goal was to get as far as possible from my daily life and desk-bound comfort zone, and Andy assured me I would be looked after. I could not have asked for a better skipper (thank you, Jon), better crew mates, or a more enjoyable passage. I'll be forever grateful to 59º North for this opportunity, and I hope to sail with them again soon."

Markham Heid
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2025-1 | ISBJORN | Bergen - Faroe Islands
United States
|
🇺🇸
540
Miles sailed
1
Passages sailed