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...
"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."
"This passage was literally my first time sailing. 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 could not have asked for a better skipper (thank you, Jon), better crew mates, or a more enjoyable passage. I'll be forever grateful to 59º North for this opportunity, and I hope to sail with them again soon."
"I signed up for this passage hoping to spend an extended period offshore, learn new skills, increase my competencies and confidence, and sail with amazing crew mates—and this passage completely exceeded my expectations. The 59º North team brings impressive skill, experience, wisdom, and fun to each passage and crew, which is a huge part of why I returned for this second passage in twelve months. I recommend 59º North to all of my sailing friends who want to learn about offshore passage-making in a thorough and hands-on way from true professionals."
"Gathering with 10 other like-minded women aboard FALKEN was amazing! I learned more than I ever expected from Nikki and Emma. Being 'allowed' to mess up and actually learn from your mistakes without anyone getting stressed was freeing! I'd recommend this trip to any women with a desire to sail."
"When I think back to my trip across the North Sea on ICEBEAR, the memories uplift me and fill me with warmth and gratitude. Unplugging from the corporate world and embracing the beauty the ocean has to offer with 59º North molded me into a slightly different version of myself, in the most magical ways. I went home after 11 days with a more courageous yet humbled energy, realizing how capable and excited I am to take on new challenges."
"The trip delivered on all my expectations and more. I wanted to experience sailing beyond my current boundaries, apply my skills, and learn from those around me. 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. If you are seeking ocean wisdom, you could not be in better hands."
"Sailing from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas with 59º North Sailing was an outstanding experience that I would recommend to anyone seeking offshore sailing combined with exceptional instruction and seamanship. The lead crew, Andy, Mary, and Ryan, created a professional and welcoming environment focused on safety, preparation, and teamwork. I came away with much more confidence in offshore sailing and a deeper understanding of ocean passagemaking. 59º North delivers an authentic offshore experience, expert leadership, and an adventure that builds both skills and confidence."
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.