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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The Penultimate Blog from Adrienne II
After 20 days, and 3000+ nautical miles, we're back on land. The motley crew of Adrienne II, consisting of 7 happy amateurs supported by 3 professionals, have completed an epic journey many dream of but few realize. So much of this trip has been about being present - with nature, with each other, with this boat. My biggest takeaway from this trip is the amazing crossing of the ITCZ (Inter Tropical Convergence Zone). We all hope you've enjoyed the blog as much as we've enjoyed creating it.
Mother Nature, you’ve outdone yourself!
It’s been a great experience to have a non-traditional trans-Atlantic, as it’s been packed with genuinely cool features. The Doldrums!! A place sailors have been talking about for centuries. The unpredictability is what made it such an exhilarating experience. While some might be frightened or alarmed by this kind of weather, I was embodied with a sense of calm and awe. There’s something wildly beautiful about being reminded how small you are, while feeling so incredibly alive.
A Heavenly High
As you have probably figured out at this point, the drug of choice on board is, of course, celestial navigation- an art which has hooked offshore sailors for centuries. Once addicted, navigators will emerge from down below only to get their fixes two times per day, and spend the rest of their days and nights down below doing complex spherical mathematics. On Adrienne II, our skipper is our dealer. I must confess that I myself gave in to the strange urge which I’ve felt witnessing my crewmates practice this fine art, and yesterday felt an amazing sensation as I was able to wield the sextant for the first time and with it, bring down the tip of our starboard spreader to the top of our front sprayhood, presicely measuring the angle between the two (35deg, 38,8’ min). This afternoon, Naxo then showed me how to get my fix from the very sun itself - and I now fear there is no turning back.