2025-3 | FALKEN | Antigua-Colombia
For the first time in 59º North’s history, we’ll touch the shores of South America! From Antigua, we’ll sail west and downwind, angling ever further south towards our rendezvous with the Panama Canal and the gateway to the Pacific Ocean. We’ll stop in Colombia, a once off-limits South American country that in the past couple decadehas opened its coast to cruisers on their way west!
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:
February 12, 2025
Crew arrive to FALKEN at 1300 in Falmouth, Antigua and Barbuda. FALKEN orientation followed by crew dinner. All crew stay onboard FALKEN.
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 FALKEN by the skipper.
February 14, 2025
Scheduled departure, weather dependent.
February 21, 2025
Latest date (12:00 noon) for crew to depart FALKEN from Cartegena, Colombia.
TRAVEL LOGISTICS
Falmouth
Cartegena
Weather conditions
Expect warm, tropical sailing with the trades filling in nicely behind you—this'll be a lively, downwind romp across the Caribbean, generally settled but with plenty of breeze to keep things fun and the miles ticking by.
In-depth analysis, by WRI
WHY 59º NORTH?
ambitious sailing schedule
The best boats
WOMEN BUNKS GUARANTEED
Professional, well-paid staff
knowledge & community
Why it costs what it costs...
"I sailed on ISBJØRN in March 2024 from Bergen to Tromsø and it was fantastic. 59º North truly lived up to expectations—Mia and August were always helpful, and our skipper Jon Amtrup did a fantastic job, balancing safety with giving everyone the right tasks and space. We had incredible anchorages, great sailing, fun dinners, and unforgettable experiences under the stars on the North Sea. ISBJØRN is a wonderful boat with character, and I highly recommend the trip."
"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."
"If you are thinking about reefing—reef! The same logic applies to sailing with Andy and Mia: if you are thinking about sailing with them, stop thinking and GO! Andy and Mia are great sailors, leaders, teachers, cooks, and warm, intelligent, accepting people. No matter how many blue water miles you have under your keel, you will be a better sailor after your trip on ISBJØRN."
"I highly recommend the experience of doing a passage on ISBJØRN. I gained valuable offshore experience on a fine boat, learned how Andy and Mia competently manage their boat, learned about celestial navigation, and had a great time doing it. Completing ISBJØRN's first back-to-back 200 mile day passage was a smokin' fast bonus!"
"A fairytale on top of the world, traveling from charming island to island on our trusty steed and home, SPICA. Andy will need to get a wizard's hat for the next voyage."
"There are so few opportunities in our lives, unless we seek them out, for adventure, exploration, and personal challenge. Doing hard things results in personal satisfaction and makes life meaningful. If people don't understand that and want more creature comforts than 59º North trips offer, then they're not the right people for you. Keep doing what you're doing and there will be plenty of crew who share your values wishing to join you."
"I'm still processing everything I saw, felt, learned, and experienced over those 17 days, but there are a few things I wanted to express before the land sickness wears off and I return to my landlubber life. Your Skippers and Mates created an environment of calm, comfort, and confidence that washed away any apprehension I had about joining seven strangers on a 1600-mile round trip. I am blown away by their depth of knowledge, not only of sailing but also in teaching a crew of widely different experience levels without a hint of condescension. I would not hesitate to sail with them again, and we're already scoping out future dates on the cal."
THE BOAT
Farr 65
'
FALKEN
'
🇬🇧
FALKEN is ideally set up for long-distance offshore sailing. We fully rebuilt the boat in 2022 to our exacting specifications and with the help of legendary yacht designer Bob Perry. She's comfortable belowdecks and each crew has their own dedicated sea berth & gear locker. On deck she has a huge cockpit which easily seats 10 people for our daily meals offshore, and allows for plenty of room to move about when handling lines and trimming sails. She's also easy to maintain, fast and fun to sail! FALKEN sails with 8 crew plus a Skipper & Mate and the occasional apprentice.
packing lists & notes
Day 5
Taking your turn at the wheel seems to be the highlight of each watch. We do a half hour each with a spotter at the stern to help if needed. Steering a true course is an art form that i don’t doubt takes countless hours of practice. As you watch the bow swing back and forth you have to feel the wind in the right spot on your face, the force of the rudder on the wheel, all while paying attention to the compass heading.
Day 4
Good day from the beautiful clear blue Caribbean Sea! We had a lot of fun surfing Falken down long ocean swells today. It feels similar to snowboarding but on water instead of snow. An adrenaline rush for sure! Our top speed was about 14 knots while surfing down a swell.
Day before departure
The docks are filled with giants, and we are just passing through. In the beautiful marina of Antigua Yacht Club, you can find some of the biggest super-yachts you have seen. When walking along the dock looking left to right you are surrounded by huge shiny hulls all around you. But when you get a bit further out on the dock the wall is interrupted and if your eyes are starring up on the top decks of the super yacht you might miss us.
Day 3
This morning started with a seamless gybe, including the pole- Vilgot was suitably impressed with Dolphin watches speed at their first gybe with pole. Since then we’ve been in gorgeous sailing conditions, heading straight to our waypoint just above Barranquilla.
Day 2
Falken is flying furiously downwind with two reefs in the main and the jib on a pole. We had our first sighting of dolphins who were accompanied by a school of flying trying desperately to escape their demise. Spirits are high and I couldn’t more impressed with what 8 total strangers in the middle of an ocean can accomplish with great leadership. Human spirit at its finest.