Emily, Vilgot, and I have been taking turns writing the daily blog. During last night’s dinner, when we shared the comments from the blogs, we told the crew that they can chip in and write as well, and we had some eager voices. Derek got the keyboard out last night and started typing, and over the next days the crew will be sharing what it’s like to sail our 65-foot machine across the ocean!
-Mia
January 22, 2025, 12:30 UTC | Savoring Every Moment
There is a point on an extended passage when everyone on board settles into the unique rhythm of time on the ocean and becomes untethered from the usual routines of our lives on shore. Here on FALKEN, we are now firmly established in the watch routine: three four-hour watches from 1800 to 0600 local time, and two six-hour watches from 0600 to 1800. On watch, we take turns to helm the boat, typically for 30-minute rotations. It is refreshing to find that the autohelm is not used, and that we have the opportunity to collectively hand-steer this magnificent yacht across the Atlantic Ocean. Think about that for a moment. It affords all of us the chance to get a real feel for this boat and to hone our helming skills.
Last night, the conditions allowed us to steer for some hours by the glow of the stars, before the clouds came across the night sky and our focus shifted to the compass. Every hour, as is typical on yachts, we complete the ship’s log, recording the essential information that marks our progress across the Atlantic: latitude, longitude, compass course, speed, and the like—all the details that are now the focus of our attention.
Of course, there is plenty of time on watch to chat and to meditate on the expanse of the ocean, and we are all getting to know more about each other as the days progress, our daily routine punctuated by dinner at 1800 local time—an opportunity for everyone on board to come together and share their perspectives. We are savoring every moment of our time on the ocean.
-Derek, crew on FALKEN | Trans-Atlantic 2025
crew@59-north.com
View more passage logs
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.