2024-3 | FALKEN | Cape Verde-Barbados
The Passage
Synopsis
typical Weather Pattern
The "typical weather pattern" is meant to be a big-picture overview of expected conditions to help you plan for your passage. They are researched & provided by our good friends at Weather Routing Inc. and even initialed by the forecaster who created them. Once at-sea WRI provide all of our forecasting and routing for all trips and have done so since we started 2015!
packing lists & notes
LANDFALL (Postscript)
I’ve had 5 days to decompress since we first dropped the hook here, and wow, Barbados is a nice landfall! There’s everything we need here in Speightstown and nothing we don’t. Just enough civilization to make re-entry comfortable, but not no overwhelming. Beautiful beaches, nice little cafes and bars, laundry, groceries and a reasonable anchorage (though there really aren’t any harbors on Barbados, so we’re just tucked behind the island, and it can be swelly at times).
Day 10 At-Sea
We’re on the home stretch towards Barbados, 30 miles from the northern tip of the island, the loom of the lights ashore now visible off the port beam. FALKEN is still under spinnaker, our second straight night flying the big pink kite by the light of the moon, and we’re getting our money’s worth tonight. We are flat out FLYING, easily averaging 11 knots in the lulls and hitting surfs over 16. It’s the ride of our lives tonight with the moon bright overhead, stars all around and a perfect tradewind breeze at the perfect angle propelling us through our own outer space.
Day 10 At-Sea
This will be the night that sticks with me from this crossing. I just got off the helm after my half-hour stint, fingertip steering, keeping the luff of the spinnaker just in line with Orion’s belt. In the lulls I’d head up a couple degrees until the belt disappeared, then soak down in the puffs until I could see the entire constellation. Normally at night you’d use the steaming light to illuminate the kite and check trim, but with not a cloud in sight, the light from the stars is plenty to keep tabs on the big spinnaker without ruining the illusion that we’re actually our own little spaceship hurtling through the galaxy.
Day 9 At-Sea
We’ve slowed down a touch today with some lighter winds, but are still above our 200 miles per day threshold over the past 24 hours. You get spoiled when you top out at 220+! We’ve crossed the 400-mies-to-go barrier. While it’s still a long way off, talk has begun of landfall and arrival procedures. I’ve been quick to quell it to keep people in the moment, but by dinnertime tomorrow night it’ll be inevitable
Day 8 At-Sea
The last 24 hours have been spectacular for many, many reasons.One, the breeze picked up to make the conditions perfect for surfing down small mountains of waves. We have an ocean swell going that makes it feel like you rise up from earth and then surf down the wave. When it feels like a big one and the speed starts escalating, the crew start cheering while calling out top speeds. At the helm you can feel when the transition goes from sailing THROUGH the water to surfing ON the water and that’s when the top speeds come.
Day 7 At-Sea
Welp, that’s not only the first time I’ve eaten ice cream offshore, but also the first time I’ve eaten hand-made ice cream on a boat! Manot outdid himself in the galley last night, spending several hours whipping — literally — a batch of homemade chocolate ice cream together by hand. I’m not even sure how he got the recipe. Nonetheless, to celebrate crossing the halfway mark yesterday, we had hand-made chocolate ice cream for dessert tonight, topped with fresh, cold pineapple, and what a treat.
Day 6 At-Sea
As if to top off the day with one last highlight, Jen and Rene served up a lovely couscous at sunset, with spices that Rene brought us straight from Morocco.This was our first true sunset, after the northeasterlies finally managed to clear the dusty haze that has now clouded the horizon for days. And as the day merged into the moonless night, the stars appeared brighter than ever before, revealing our Milky Way.
Day 5 at-seA
Flyin’ the Kite! The stargazing continues on what’s been a series of completely cloudless nights since we departed Mindelo. We’re over 850 miles distant from the dusty shores of Cape Verde and yet the sky remains hazy with the orange tint of Saharan sand. FALKEN hasn’t seen a drop of rain in weeks.
Day 5 at-seA
It is the start of day 5, which is officially the longest I have ever sailed at one time without seeing land. I am Captain Jen, normally a skipper of one of the two schooners, Woodwind and Woodwind II in Annapolis, MD. This is also my first trans-Atlantic crossing.Tonight (slightly after midnight), under wing and wing sailing, it feels more like we are sailing through the night sky than sailing through the water. There is a mesmerizing ocean swell that is rocking everyone to sleep below.
Day 3 at-seA
Day 3 today, the day it always turns around, even for the worst of the seasick. Sara had been feeling less than 100% since the start, but props to her for continuing to stand her watches and do her stints at the helm. Tonight was her first full meal at dinner and the first time she actually felt like herself. I’ve long said that it takes three days for everyone to acclimate to life offshore, whether seasick or not
Day 2 at-seA
Today was a project day for me. Last night I’d spent my midnight watch sorting out why the watermaker was only giving us half the expected output (easy solution — clogged pre-filters). Now I wanted to figure out why the Watt & Sea wasn’t outputting the full amount of amps I’d expect at 8 knots boat speed, and why it was making a horrendous vibration, despite the new motor I’d installed just before departure.
Day 1 at-sea
We left Mindelo in a dusty haze around 1000 after a leisurely breakfast and after checking off the last of the pre-departure items. As expected, the winds built in the channel and by noon FALKEN was surfing down waves and touching 14 knots, with just the mainsail set. Windspeeds topped 30+ in the sharp acceleration zone where the gentle trades are squeezed between the high peaks of the neighboring islands and shot out like a cannon.
pre-departure
I was surprised to find half the Sahara desert at the top of the mast today during the routine rig check. I was also surprised at the elevator ride the crew on deck gave me. Rene and Veiko jumped my primary halyard at the mast while Sara and Nigel took up slack aft on the winch, and I barely had to climb. Each heave sent me 6-feet up the mast in one big jump, and I had a bird's eye view of Mindelo. Anyway, from the 'Calima' dust storm they sailed through on the last passage, the sand has accumulated on lines and rigging aloft where we couldn't wash it off and everything is stained red (including now my shorts).
FAQS
THE BOAT
Farr 65
'
FALKEN
'
🇬🇧
FALKEN is a 65-foot Bruce Farr-designed racing yacht, built in 1999 for a round-the-world amateur race. After the race, she was used for sail training before being purchased and refitted in 2022 for offshore sailing and crew comfort. The refit included a new Lithionics battery system and redesigned interior for a 10-person crew. More details and media at 59-north.com/falken.
CREW TESTIMONIALS
At the age of 65, I was a bit anxious about my first ocean passage from Antigua to Bermuda. We spent seven days at sea in a variety of conditions, including 20 to 30 knot winds, squalls, and storms. 59º North provided a unique opportunity to experience the magic of passage making while learning new skills. Mia Karlsson was inspiring, supportive, and encouraging while sailing FALKEN and cooking amazing meals for the crew. Captain Chris Kobusch brought a wealth of knowledge and experience with over 165,000 nautical miles at sea. This was truly the experience of a lifetime and one that I will always cherish.
Grueling and unforgettable! I knew I would be inspired by Nikki and Alex—true professionals. But it was the inspiration I took away from my crewmates that will stay with me for a lifetime. As a blue water cruiser, this experience definitely made me a better ocean sailor!
Our voyage was interesting because both ISBJØRN (which I was on) and ICEBEAR traveled the same route at roughly the same time. I knew when I signed up that I would not be on a boat with Andy and Mia, but I wanted to experience the smaller boat, so I was fine with that. We had Matt Rutherford as our captain and Ben Doerr as first mate. The bonus was how chill and fun they both were throughout the trip. There were lots of fascinating stories, and they were both cheerful about answering questions and providing advice. The other three crew on my trip (Ted, Laz, and Chris) were great company too, so I feel pretty lucky about that. But regarding Matt and Ben, it says a lot about Andy and Mia that they attract people of that quality to their business. For me, it was mission accomplished. I feel I got the experience I need with the ocean and Gulf Stream to pilot my own boat from Florida to Bermuda in the future, which was exactly my goal. I wouldn't tackle Bermuda on my own yet, though. It's far! But one step at a time. For now, thanks to 59º North and all of their good people for a safe but true ocean adventure. If you are looking for blue water sailing experience and a fun adventure, I highly recommend that you sign up.
This passage was literally my first time sailing. It felt a little nuts to sign up for something this intense and immersive without any experience, but 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 felt some trepidation going into the trip, but all those concerns stayed on shore, because as soon as we left port in Bergen I was enjoying myself too much to worry. I could not have asked for a better skipper (thank you, Jon), better crewmates, or a more enjoyable passage. I've been home a week now, and I'm already planning my next sailing adventure. The expression "life-changing experience" is thrown around too loosely, but this surely was for me. I'll be forever grateful to 59º North for this opportunity, and I hope to sail with them again soon.
It was such an experience! Meeting all the people and being part of the crew is something very special! It is all about sharing, daring, and trust in your mates! 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.
I’m AKA Andy’s dad, so my opinion of the skipper may be slanted a bit. Andy and I have shared many offshore miles together. I taught him the basics of seamanship, and he ran with it and now teaches me. I admit to being wrong in my initial reaction to FALKEN. At first sight, she seemed like a hard-to-handle race boat. Wrong! While FALKEN can outperform any boat I’ve sailed on, she is easy to handle and shrinks once you get used to her. The equipment is large and handles the tremendous loads with ease. The refit work done below is flawless—comfortable bunks, a great spacious galley, and storage space for all gear in lockers! First mate Vilma did an outstanding job making sure the crew were well fed and comfortable. A trip with 59º North on any of their boats is truly a life-changing experience. Highly recommended!
My time on FALKEN crossing the Atlantic was highly rewarding and incredibly enjoyable. A unique adventure for sure, it was made that much more gratifying given the wonderful crew with whom I shared the experience. The trip was routinely challenging and always a lot of fun, allowing me to stretch myself and enjoy being absent from the rest of the world for a time. Unforgettable.
59º North runs the most professional offshore training program you can find, and it shows in their professionalism, leadership, skill, and service. Anyone considering stepping into the realms of offshore sailing should take a passage with 59º North first—trust me when I say you won't regret it. I felt honored to be part of the maiden voyage of FALKEN, and wow, did she deliver! The winds were strong, the sea was high, and FALKEN sailed through swimmingly. She's a beauty—well done to the 59º North refit crew for doing an amazing job! Shout out to Nikki Henderson (Captain) and Alex Laline (Mate) for such amazing leadership. I can't sing their praises enough—they were inspiring, knowledgeable, caring, and resourceful at all the times they needed to be. I can't imagine having a better experience with any other. Thanks, Nikki and Alex!
Before 59º North, I didn't know my bowsprit from my binnacle. I suffered from low sailing esteem and a general lack of tide-driven energy. After two weeks of 59º North, what a difference! I now know my sheepshank from my scuttlebutt, I'm more attractive to mermaids, and I have whiter teeth and a full head of hair. But seriously, I wouldn't consider sailing with anyone but 59º North. As a longtime podcast listener, I arrived for my Bermuda to Horta transatlantic with high expectations. They were not just met but exceeded. I could not imagine a skipper and mate more professional and enthusiastic than Andy and Emma. I would need a lot more space to list all of the things I learned, but suffice it to say, I'll be back!
Andy and Paul were amazing from the practice sails to the race itself; I never thought I'd be able to participate in such an exciting event—thank you. I'd also like to thank Liz and Lee, your first mates, who were always on hand to encourage us, teach us, and swap stories. I came away with tremendous respect for ISBJØRN, her captain, and the excellent crew she attracts. I learned more and had more fun in those racing days than I'd ever thought possible. I'm definitely coming back.
Gathering with 10 other like-minded women aboard FALKEN was amazing! I learned more than I ever expected from Nikki and Emma. It was super inspiring to see how they ran the ship and how they interacted with each other and the rest of the crew. Being "allowed" to mess up and actually learn from your mistakes without anyone getting stressed was freeing! No matter your skill level, I'd recommend this trip to any woman with a desire to sail.
It was an honor to be onboard FALKEN for her crewed maiden voyage. This was my third trip with 59º North and it did not disappoint. We sailed in challenging conditions on our five-day romp in the English Channel. The crew rose to the occasion, inspired by our skipper, Nikki, and first mate, Alex. If you have the desire to experience real-world offshore life under expert supervision with like-minded folks, look no further than 59º North. I look forward to my next trip. Hold fast.
I can’t say enough good things about the camp, August, and ISBJØRN. It was fabulous from start to finish (and the hot tub out in the middle of nowhere didn’t hurt). The format is perfect for someone like me. I have done some sailing, but not enough to feel comfortable on a passage. Stopping each night in a different place and having dinner together and a full night’s sleep was great and much needed. The days were packed with so much learning. August is an amazing teacher and so patient! I learned an incredible amount and feel ready to take on a passage with 59º North. Highly recommend this camp to anyone considering an offshore passage.
Huge thank you to the 59º North team, especially Captain Emily and First Mate Mia, for taking me and our crew safely across the Atlantic Ocean. A daunting dream to have turned into an amazing reality under the expert supervision of a skilled and experienced team, on the beautiful, fast, and well-equipped boat, FALKEN. I feel very grateful to have met and worked with the wonderful, international crew aboard. I will cherish the starry nights chatting (or enjoying in silence), the 360° horizon, and the beautiful sunsets and sunrises. No matter how feisty the wind and sea state, all crew members took the helm, sometimes with the support of the captain or first mate by your side, coaching you. Amazing! I learned so much, and I'll be back for more!
The trip delivered on all my expectations and more. I wanted to experience sailing beyond my current boundaries of mainly coastal sailing. I wanted to apply skills I already have and to learn more from those around me. And while sunshine, night watches by moon or starlight, and dolphins are beautiful and were part of our passage story, so were gale-force winds and “proper” (5m) waves. I felt able to embrace the whole experience because we had an excellent 59º North team that shaped us into a great crew on a well-prepared boat. The team (Nikki, Emma, Mia) struck such a perfect balance. If you are seeking ocean wisdom, you could not be in better hands. I’d go again in a heartbeat and can’t stop thinking about all the memories we made. Thank you is not adequate!
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. Life-changing and eye-opening, to say the least. I feel I completed this adventure with the best of the best. Erik and Ben were top-notch professionals, and my experience with 59º North was great!
The experience was more than I hoped for in every way. I felt completely at home on the open water in our mighty vessel and with a wonderful crew that quickly became family. Hiking in Bergen and the Shetland Islands was amazing. Hiking in the Faroe Islands was indescribable. I felt so close to nature the entire time. All of the staff at 59º North were kind, professional, fun, knowledgeable, and friendly. I will be back!