2025-1 | SPICA | Stockholm Archipelago Adventure
Join Andy in his backyard in Sweden for a week of cruising in the spectacular Stockholm Archipelago, aboard his and Mia’s personal Olle Enderlein 36 SPICA. There are literally thousands of islands to explore with spectacular nature and easy sailing. If the conditions are right and the group is up for it, we’ll venture out into the Baltic for an overnight sail to Gotland or Åland. Crew is limited to 3 individuals, or 4 if a couple or group of friends join and can share the vee-berth.
SAILING STAFF
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The Passage
Rough itinerary
All 59º North passages are very much subject to weather. We pick our routes based on the "correct" time of year to be sailing in the different regions we visit, and we always build-in enough time to give us some margin for weather windows. The skipper has final say on departure dates and weather windows, but generally speaking, the intinerary for this passage will look like this:
August 4, 2025
Crew arrive to SPICA at in Stockholm, Sweden. SPICA orientation followed by crew dinner. All crew stay onboard SPICA.
Prep Days
Between the joining and departure dates, all pre-passage preparation, provisioning, and safety briefings will be completed. The specific pre-departure schedule will be outlined and posted onboard SPICA by the skipper.
August 5, 2025
Scheduled departure, weather dependent.
August 11, 2025
Latest date (12:00 noon) for crew to depart SPICA from Stockholm, Sweden.
This is the first time doing a coastal passage on our new-to-us boat SPICA! I'm very excited to share the beautiful Stockholm Archipelago with everyone, and be so close to home in the process.
We'll start and finish this trip within public transportation of central Stockholm, and will let you know where that is closer to the date. But as far as travel logistics are concerned, you'll be in and out of Stockholm, and anything you book ashore in the area will be easily reachable.
The itinerary will be dependent on the weather and what we feel like doing in the moment, but there will definitely be some island-hopping and local culture, plus perhaps a longer sail. An adventure is guarateed!
TRAVEL LOGISTICS
Stockholm
Weather conditions
Expect classic late-summer sailing in the Stockholm archipelago—generally mild and pleasant, with a mix of settled, sunny stretches and the odd unsettled spell rolling through, plus enough breeze to keep things lively without ever feeling rough underfoot.
In-depth analysis, by WRI
WHY 59º NORTH?
The best boats
Professional, well-paid staff
knowledge & community
Why it costs what it costs...
"At 65, I was anxious about my first ocean passage from Antigua to Bermuda, but 59º North provided a unique opportunity to experience the magic of passage making while learning new skills. Mia Karlsson was inspiring and supportive while sailing FALKEN and cooking amazing meals, and Captain Chris Kobusch brought a wealth of knowledge and experience. This was truly the experience of a lifetime."
"I can’t say enough good things about the camp, August, and ISBJØRN. The format is perfect for someone like me—I’ve done some sailing, but not enough to feel comfortable on a passage. August is an amazing teacher and so patient! I learned an incredible amount and feel ready to take on a passage with 59º North."
"Adventure, education, majesty... I can't imagine a better pair to introduce people to the sublime enterprise of offshore sailing. This trip will always live amongst my cherished memories. Thank you!"
"I'm AKA Andy’s Dad, so my opinion of the skipper may be slanted a bit. I admit to being wrong on my initial reaction to FALKEN—at first sight she seemed like a hard-to-handle race boat, but she is easy to handle and shrinks once you get used to her. The refit work done below is flawless, with comfortable bunks, a spacious galley, and plenty of storage. A trip with 59º North on any of their boats is truly a life-changing experience. Highly recommended!"
"Andy & 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. I'd also like to thank Liz & 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'm definitely coming back."
"Our voyage was interesting because both ISBJØRN (which I was on) and ICEBEAR traveled the same route at roughly the same time. We had Matt Rutherford as our captain and Ben Doerr as first mate, and they were both chill, fun, and always happy to answer questions and provide advice. 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. If you are looking for blue water sailing experience and a fun adventure, I highly recommend that you sign up with 59º North."
"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."
THE BOAT
OE 36
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SPICA
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🇸🇪
SPICA is my (Andy, writing this!) and Mia's family boat here in Sweden. Well, actually it's Axel's boat, our six-year-old! It's a classic Olle Enderlein 36, built in Sweden in 1971, and very much a "mini" ISBJØRN, both in underwater hull shape, deck layout and interior style and arrangement. When you sail on SPICA you will be joining our family's summer home here in Sweden. When we have crew onboard, we sail with 3 plus me (Andy!) as skipper.