February 11, 2025 | Crew Blog
Sailing under a luminous full moon, ADRIENNE II crossed the Tropic of Cancer, marking another milestone on our voyage from Saint Maarten to the Canary Islands. The crew is finally healthy and complete again after some early bouts of seasickness, and spirits are high as we settle into a steady rhythm at sea. With fair winds of 15-20 knots pushing us forward, the jib is up for the first time, adding to our momentum. Life aboard has found its balance—good camaraderie, shared laughter, and another excellent dinner featuring pasta, fresh vegetables, and a hearty bolognese sauce.
Of course, no passage is without its challenges, and today’s came in the form of a clogged shitter, a less glamorous but inevitable reality of life at sea. Still, with smooth sailing and a strong team spirit, we take it all in stride. The Atlantic stretches endlessly ahead, but with ADRIENNE II cutting through the waves and the crew in sync, every mile brings us closer to our destination.
- Ken Cascio, ADRIENNE II Crew
crew@59-north.com
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HMS Night Watch Party
Wing on wing worked well until the wind shifted then the helm became the cone of despair for our night watch crew of three (H, M and S) Alex made the decision to drop the pole, shifting wing on wing to a close reach. Wind increased to low teens and speed picked up to a flying pace. Day spent wandering toward Ensenada. Alex, Adam and David got us into port under another starry night.
No Kitemares Today
After a night marked by sudden wind accelerations peeling off Point Conception, and a vibrant, pulsating sky blistered with shooting stars, the off-watch woke to commotion on the foredeck. The wind had gone light and the swell had tapered just enough to raise the spinnaker. The sail filled with an urgent pop, the sheet strained and Falken charged down the face of the next wave. By mid-day, we doused the spinnaker and set our minds to the more precise task of safely punching through a gap in the notorious Cortez Bank. The border to Mexico looms ahead.
The California coast
We had a very lively first day of sailing with steady winds between 25 and 30 kn gusting to mid 30s. All of the crew got experience at difficult downwind helming as we covered 200 nautical miles in the first 24 hours. This morning brings winds in the teens and calmer seas. The sun is still shining, and the green monster has been slayed by those afflicted!