2027-16 | FALKEN | Marstrand-Plymouth
After FALKEN's refit at Vindö we'll sail back across the North Sea for Plymouth, England, where we'll stage for the jump south and across the Bay of Biscay. This passage is especially variable and is entirely dependent on challenging fall weather in the North Sea. There are many routing options, including going north around Scotland, south through the Kiel Canal, or direct through the English Channel, all with their own challenges. In 2024 FALKEN even made a short call into central London to wait out some bad weather, sailing up the Thames River! A great passage for those really interested in weather routing and forecasting.
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 31, 2027
Crew arrive to FALKEN at 1300 in Marstrand, Sweden. 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.
September 2, 2027
Scheduled departure, weather dependent.
September 11, 2027
Latest date (12:00 noon) for crew to depart FALKEN from Plymouth, United Kingdom.
TRAVEL LOGISTICS
Marstrand
Plymouth
Weather conditions
Expect a cool, brisk passage with the unsettled feel of early autumn in the North Sea—plenty of fresh breeze, lively seas, and the odd blow rolling through, so settle in for a proper, invigorating sail.
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...
"This was my second trip with 59º North, my first being a fantastic heavy weather crossing of the Irish Sea on ISBJØRN. I signed up for the Canary Islands to Caribbean trip, thrilled to be chosen as crew. The attention to detail in equipment, vessels, and crew at 59º North is world class, making ocean sailing both safe and unforgettable. I will definitely be sailing again with 59º North."
"I truly enjoyed the entire experience. I went to gain confidence and understanding of offshore sailing, build my skills as a sailor, and have fun—this trip did not disappoint. Our captain, Paul Exner, had a relaxed and friendly coaching style, walking us through decision points and sharing his thought process, which was invaluable. I loved sailing on ISBJØRN; my only regret was that the trip had to end. Thanks to 59º North for such a dynamic experience!"
"Having sailed on ISBJØRN in 2019 from Puerto Rico to Key West, I was excited to join another 59º North passage. Meeting the crew in Las Palmas for the trans-Atlantic passage on FALKEN was a fantastic experience, sharing cultural perspectives and sailing knowledge with people from six different countries. I learned so much, from safety procedures to specialized sail trimming, and made great friends on that journey."
"I have so many great memories from this sailing experience, and so much of that was because of our skipper, Mary, and first mate, Delaney. Mary was incredible: approachable, present, knowledgeable, and always calm, with a quiet confidence that made everyone feel safe and comfortable. She frequently studied the GRIB files and always considered the best course of action to keep her crew happy and safe. She kept us informed each day with clear explanations of passage changes and weather. She never wavered in providing gentle reminders about safety on board. It never once crossed my mind that we were not in good hands. Delaney was equally wonderful. She and Mary were perfectly in sync as leaders, communicating calmly, respectfully, and often with great humor. Delaney was always smiling, quick to laugh, and showed clear respect for Mary’s decision-making while bringing her own steady presence to the crew. Virginia, our intern, and I spent less time together due to our shifts. However, in the few interactions we had, we shared some amazing life perspectives that I will always remember. Together, they created the full offshore sailing experience I hoped for: a combination of education, safety, leadership, and kindness. The only problem is that they have now set a very high bar for future sailing experiences. When I reflect back on the passage, I have no ‘glums’ at all."
"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!"
"Mark and I signed up for a multi-night sailing adventure and ended up with a life-altering week of utter delight. Alex and Mia created an atmosphere of trusting, loving community the second we boarded FALKEN, and we still can’t believe how they trusted us with their beautiful boat and the crew’s lives. We learned about sailing, charting, trimming sails, and working in teams with strangers, and experienced everything from flat calm to huge swells, dolphins, and whales. We’ve been off the boat for four days and are already obsessed with going on another leg—what a week, 59º North!"
"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 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
Packing Notes
Start here when planning your packing for sailing with 59º North. This list includes the general basics for all of our passages. The passage-specific packing lists offer more details.
Cold | Chilly Packing List
Weather-wise, expect chilly to cold conditions (not Arctic-level cold, but cold enough to need boots, hats & gloves, especially at night). On sunny, calmer days, it might be warm enough for shorts and t-shirts, so on these types of trips you kinda need one of everything! Check the packing list for specific details.