crossing atlantic in catamaran

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Sailing Across The Atlantic In A Catamaran

• By Sheryl and Paul Shard
• Updated: June 13, 2018

Monohull or ­multihull? Have you ever gone back and forth pondering the pros and cons of cruising on each? We certainly have, so when my husband, Paul, and I were given the chance to deliver a brand-new ­Bluewater 50 catamaran across the Atlantic from Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, in the Canary Islands to St. Lucia in the Caribbean last winter, we jumped at the chance. Paul and I have been cruising and living aboard since 1989 and have sailed more than 100,000 nautical miles on the four boats we’ve owned over our nearly three decades of global voyage-making. The boats were all monohulls, but every time we bought a new one, we toyed with the idea of moving to a catamaran. Why? We discovered that we enjoy shallow-draft sailing, which most multihulls offer, as much as we love offshore passagemaking. For long-term living aboard, the space offered aboard most multihulls is certainly attractive. We were proud of our first boat, Two-Step, a Sparkman & Stephens design called the Classic 37, but after a while, we found her depth restrictive as we discovered how much we enjoyed gunkholing and navigating through small inland waterways. Cruising had become a lifestyle for us, and we wanted more space on board plus a few more comforts. Paul and I feel blessed since, as independent television producers and travel-documentary filmmakers, we are able to earn our living while sailing full time, but all the camera, audio and editing equipment we need to carry takes up a lot of storage space. We needed to expand.

The criteria for our next boat was a good shallow-draft design with safe and comfortable offshore capabilities, so multihulls were definitely under consideration. In the end, we stuck with what we knew and ended up choosing a monohull with a swing keel, a configuration that has suited us on our cruising journeys for many years.

Although we are now in the process of building our new boat, a Southerly 480, we continue to be intrigued by catamarans. Feeling out of sorts being “between boats,” we chartered a Voyage 50 catamaran in the British Virgin Islands to get a much-needed sailing fix in the tropics, and spent the time with friends aboard. It was a luxurious boat, with four en-suite cabins with queen berths, and was set up well for chartering, but we wondered what a catamaran this size would be like for serious ocean cruising. We were soon to find out.

Discovery Yachts builds several brands of high-quality cruising yachts, including Southerlys and Bluewater catamarans, and the company reached out to us with an opportunity to deliver a new Bluewater 50 called Zão (pronounced zay-oh by the owners) from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean, leaving Gran Canaria in early November. Zão ‘s owners, John and Caroline Charnley, highly experienced sailors and the newly retired former owners of Discovery Yachts, had family and business commitments until Christmas but wanted the boat moved to the Caribbean so they could enjoy a winter of island-hopping before going through the Panama Canal. They asked us if we would take the boat across to St. Lucia for them. Seeing this as a great chance to sail a purpose-built 50-foot offshore cruising catamaran to learn how it performed on an ocean passage in the many conditions we were sure to encounter on a 2,800-nautical-mile Atlantic crossing, we accepted the offer.

We flew to the Canary Islands the first week of November 2017 to meet up with John and his new Bluewater 50 in Las Palmas. Soon to join us would be four friends as crew, all fellow sailing bloggers and videographers — Alexandra Palcic and David MacDonald of Sailing Banyan ; Dan Krughoff, professional chef and videographer; and sailing vlogger and police officer Craig Bowman, of Cruising Off Duty . All were monohull sailors with some catamaran experience, mostly through chartering. Dave and Alexandra lived aboard their boat in the Caribbean, having sailed from Canada several years ago. Dan and Craig were each in the market for a catamaran for full-time voyaging.

November is a popular time to make the east-to-west crossing of the Atlantic Ocean because hurricane season is officially over and you arrive in the Caribbean in time for Christmas, a nice time to start a winter of exploring the islands. More than 200 boats participating in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers were descending on the marina in Las Palmas to begin preparations for their ocean run to St. Lucia, as were many other independent non-ARC cruising boats and crews, so it was a crazy, busy, festive place at that time of the year. Las Palmas has one of the best marinas in the Canary Islands for sailors since every supplier and service needed for yachts preparing for an ocean crossing can be found there.

Seeing Zão at the dock when we arrived in Las Palmas was such a delight. Her long, swooping modern lines were a contrast to the more angular-shaped ­catamarans gathering in the marina. What a difference from the 50-foot cat we had chartered earlier, which, in fairness, was set up purely for vacationing. Zão was designed for long-term living aboard and long-haul passagemaking. This was the second Bluewater catamaran the Charnleys had built, so they had thought through every detail for comfortable living in their retirement but also set the boat up for serious adventure on their upcoming around-the-world voyage.

When Paul and I stepped on board, the first things we noticed were the fine table lamps and two free-standing lounge chairs in the main saloon, neither of which appeared to be bolted down. As monohull sailors, this made us nervous.

I asked John about how these were to be stowed offshore. He just smiled.

“You’re on a catamaran now. They will just sit here for the whole passage. You don’t have to stow things the way you do on a monohull,” he assured me. “You can even move the chairs around to watch the large-screen TV.” He continued to grin. This was going to be a very different passage compared to what we’re used to.

Paul and I had gotten somewhat ­comfortable with leaving things sitting on tables and countertops while sailing on the catamarans we had chartered in the past, but in the British Virgin Islands we were sailing in the comfortable confines of the protected Sir Francis Drake Channel, not on the open sea. John showed me how the chairs were positioned on the floor with mere strips of Velcro and how the heavy table lamps sitting around the main saloon and navigation station were sitting on nonskid mats. I still wasn’t convinced that once we got some serious waves at sea these things wouldn’t go flying.

The next thing I noticed, as one who loves to cook, was the expansive galley on the bridgedeck, with an all-around view and opening windows into the cockpit. There were large, easy-to-clean Corian countertops, including a ­peninsula countertop that you could work at from three sides. There would be six of us aboard, and although Alexandra, Dan and I would be sharing most of the meal preparations, everyone liked to cook and would be pitching in, so it was nice to see that there was space for all of us to work.

To add to our culinary creativity, there were a four-burner propane stove and oven, a microwave and a large front-opening fridge with two additional fridge/freezers in the owners hull to port. These had exterior temperature monitors and alarms. There were also numerous cupboards for storing supplies, so stowing our provisions was going to be a breeze!

Then Paul noticed a high-powered electric kettle.

“The electric kettle is just for port, right?” asked Paul.

“No, you can plug in this kettle anytime, even at sea,” John told us. “It’s the only one we’ve got or use.”

Paul looked skeptical, thinking of the power drain. Then John explained the electrical system — a hard Bimini the width of the cockpit, covered with solar panels; a 6 kW generator; and a large lithium battery bank. Right. The kettle wasn’t going to be a problem.

Paul and I made our home in the owners cabin, which featured a queen bunk aft and a head with separate shower and front-loading washer/dryer at the forward end. There were two other en-suite cabins on the starboard side. Dave and Alexandra took the queen berth aft. The forward cabin had a V-insert in the berth, which was removed to make twin bunks for Dan and Craig.

As soon as the crew was settled in, Alexandra and I began the mammoth job of provisioning for a crew of six people with help from Dan and Craig. Dave and Paul went over the boat’s systems with John, organizing repairs, doing maintenance and ensuring that everything was in good working order and that we understood the equipment before leaving for sea. Dan set up and tested our Iridium Go/PredictWind satellite and weather-routing system, and became our communications officer. Everyone pitched in whenever and wherever help was needed.

Alexandra is an impressive organizer and rearranged the contents of all the lockers for ease of access while we were underway, taking notes so we could return things to where John and Caroline had put them. She grouped all like items together, and put things close to where they would be used and where it would make the most efficient use of storage space. Then we started stowing bags and boxes, bottles and cans, long-life cartons of juices and milk, baskets of fresh produce, freezers full of frozen meat and shellfish, pizzas, berries and desserts. Since everyone on board was a foodie, this was not going to be a beans-on-toast cruise across the Atlantic!

This was our eighth transatlantic passage, and it turned out to be the lightest-wind Atlantic crossing we have ever made, with several days of total calm. Where were the trade winds?

Because we’re monohullers who don’t worry too much about weight on a boat, Zão was a bit heavy when we set sail from Las Palmas on November 12. An advantage, though, of a large cruising catamaran is that the boat can handle it, and as we were about to find out, we would be at sea for a lot longer than the two weeks we had planned on.

Fortunately, water usage wasn’t a concern either. Dave ran the generator twice a day during his and Alexandra’s 0800-to-1200 and 2000-to-2400 watch, and made plenty of water with the Dessalator watermaker at the same time. All six of us could have had two showers a day if we’d wanted to — and often did.

We had light but good breezes the first day out, which helped everyone get their sea legs and allowed us all to get used to the equipment on board and practice handling Zão ‘s sails. The boat has Elvstrøm Epex laminated sails, which hold their shape and work well with the Seldén in-mast furling system. It took us a few tries to get the hang of the furler, so we appreciated Craig’s instruction on how to use it. He has it on his boat. The trick is to maintain tension on the mainsail at all times while furling it. We came to love it and, as a result, we ordered the same for our new boat.

One of the things we didn’t like about the other catamarans we had sailed was the noise of the waves slapping the bridgedeck, which was loud and never rhythmic. It got on our nerves, so Paul and I were rather anxious about how we would handle this on a long passage. However, on the Bluewater 50, the hull shape was designed to counter this, and we found that startling wave slaps happened less often and weren’t as loud or bone-shaking when they occurred. Granted, we never got the big seas we had been hoping for to test out the boat.

This was our eighth transatlantic passage, and it turned out to be the lightest-wind Atlantic crossing we have ever made, with several days of total calm. Where were the trade winds? Like all the other boats around us (we were receiving position reports from the ARC and ARC+ fleets), we all ended up being at sea for at least an extra week longer than planned.

We checked the weather using PredictWind a couple of times a day, and there was nothing but days of extremely light wind or no wind at all in the forecasts. The Bluewater 50 is a fast cat and, thank goodness, handled the light airs well, but we never got the conditions to really put her through her paces.

We started by sailing wing-and-wing using two headsails but ended up flying the asymmetric spinnaker day and night, doing two-person watches around the clock just to keep the boat moving. We all got pretty good at sail trim. When the wind dropped, we doused the sail and, mid-Atlantic, had a swim 1,000 miles away from the closest land. We fished. We cooked. We ate. We slept. We celebrated Thanksgiving. Alexandra baked cakes. We read. We danced. There was lots of room. We chased birds off the deck, which must have mistook us for an island. We shouted with delight when dolphins came to play. Craig flew his drone. We saw amazing sunsets and shooting stars. We played cards, which included a three-week Wizard tournament. We watched TV. Had pizza-and-a-movie nights. We left our cameras and computers lying around. Were we on a boat? It was way too comfortable.

One thing I noticed about ­passagemaking on a multihull is that I had much more energy than when I go to sea on a monohull. Not being on a heel all the time means it doesn’t take as much physical effort to do simple tasks. Overall, everyone in the crew felt the same. We also dealt with tasks more readily since it didn’t take much effort to get up and deal with things.

Unfortunately, or fortunately, this applied to cooking. We were constantly preparing meals and feasting. No one lost weight as we usually do on a monohull passage, where you sometimes eat minimally since food prep and eating just feel like too much effort at times.

On December 3, 21 days and 3,000 nautical miles after setting sail from Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, we made landfall in St. Lucia. The boat felt enormous as we came into Rodney Bay Marina, but with the twin Yanmar 80 hp diesel engines, we could turn on a dime. Twin screws make even large multihulls easy to maneuver. We were greeted by the happy owners, John and Caroline.

So, have we become multihull converts? Well, we can definitely see the advantages now and understand why for some sailors they are a good choice for cruising. It all comes down to what works for each of us. After all, it’s love for being on the water that all cruising sailors share — be it on one hull or two.

Sheryl and Paul Shard have been living the cruising dream for nearly 30 years. Together they have traveled more than 100,000 miles under sail, including eight Atlantic crossings. Learn more about the Shards’ adventures and their TV series, Distant Shores, on their website .

• More: atlantic , bluewater sailing , canary islands , catamaran , discovery yachts , monohull , multihull , Sailboats , st lucia
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Can A Catamaran Cross The Atlantic Ocean? 7 PoInts To Consider Before Adventure!

• Post Written By: Boater Jer
• Published: July 19, 2022
• Updated: July 22, 2022

Disclaimer: You might notice that we recommend products in some articles. We may earn a commission for referring you if you click the link and buy a product.

We only recommend products we’ve tried/tested/own (that’s why you won’t find thousands of affiliate links on my site). If you have experience with one of the products we’ve mentioned, please share your experiences in the comments at the end.

Can A Catamaran Cross The Atlantic Ocean?

Catamarans come in many sizes and for different uses, from personal watercraft to yachts and even ferries. However, can a catamaran cross the Atlantic Ocean with those two hulls? That’s the question we intend to answer, and the results might surprise you!

Catamarans are suitable for long-distance travel due to several advantages in their design. Specifically, cruise catamarans are the best for great-distance travel, among other types, and these can cross the Atlantic Ocean. 

Are Catamarans Good For Long-Distance Travel? Can A Catamaran Cross The Atlantic?

Catamarans are known for their two hulls and wide beam. This design induces stability, increased buoyancy, high speed, and motion comfort. Additionally, the wide beam ensures space in catamarans for food provisions and supplies storage suited for long-distance travel. 

The high speed of catamarans can outrun storms, and their stability reduces the chances of the vessel capsizing. Interestingly, the Seacat Hoverspeed Great Britain catamaran performed a nearly three-day journey and was known to be the fastest sea crossing of the Atlantic in 1990. Hence, catamarans are reliable and safe for long-distance travel. ( source )

There are several advantages of catamarans used for long-distance travel, which are attributed below. 

Catamarans tend to experience very little to no heeling, thereby allowing the ship to usually stay flat on the water when exposed to wavy sea conditions. Consequently, this allows the passengers and crew to accomplish activities and tasks commonly rather than uncomfortably at an angle. ( source )

The rolling (i.e., potential movement from side to side) of ships varies according to design. The more rolling a ship experiences, the higher the tendency of passengers to experience motion sickness. However, the double hull of catamarans often does not sway from side to side in a swell. ( source )

Stability And Comfort

Consequently, the little to no rolling of catamarans promote better sea comfort to passengers who often do not experience motion sickness . Additionally, a significant reduction in heeling and rolling factors causes catamaran vessels to have more stability. ( source )

Wide Living Space

The platform connecting the two hulls of catamarans provides more potential space for leisure and comfort to both passengers and crew. For example, open decks may be established for whale watching and fishing activities. Additionally, hammocks may be deployed for passengers to sunbathe. ( source )

Additionally, one may also build closed decks on catamaran platforms. For example, one can allocate more deck space to passenger cabins which can induce more privacy for family and friends while resting. ( source )

Shallow Draft

The double-hull configuration of catamarans allows them to have a wide beam and a lighter weight distribution. It enables catamarans to enter shallow water environments like coral reef areas. Passengers may then enjoy SCUBA diving, snorkeling, and swimming in such places. ( source )

Additionally, for convenience, you can do emergency maintenance (e.g., damaged hull) on beaches or other shallow areas. 

Two Engines

The two hulls of catamarans can accommodate twin engines. Twin engines can induce more speed. Also, one engine failure would not compromise the movement and safety of a catamaran as one engine can still function. ( source )

Interestingly, twin engines can allow a catamaran to maneuver a 360-degree turn which is a tremendous advantage in close-spaced terminals/marinas. 

Can A Catamaran Cross The Atlantic Ocean? Well, They Are Difficult To Sink, So…

Catamarans are challenging to sink due to the twin hull configuration keeping the vessel positively buoyant. Even if one hull is damaged, the remaining hull can keep the boat afloat. ( source )

Fuel Consumption 

Catamarans can be designed as hybrids that enable these vessels to use solar, wind, and fuel energy generators for propulsion. Hence, catamarans tend to save more fuel than their monohull counterparts. ( source )

Environmentally Friendly

As catamarans can be hybrids, these vessels may alternatively use energy sources (i.e., solar, wind, and fuel) for propulsion. Therefore, these vessels are more eco-friendly during long-distance travel. ( source ) 

Types Of Catamaran

There are several types of catamarans for different purposes of sailing, such as:

• Racing catamarans
• Beach catamarans
• Cruising catamarans 

The cruising catamaran is suitable for long-distance travel or anywhere around the world. This catamaran type can manage rough sea conditions and have particular perks more suited for the journey than the other types. 

Cruising Catamaran Attributes

Cruising catamarans have the following attributes which make them suitable for long-distance travel:

• Positive buoyancy material
• Watertight hatches
• High-strength cockpit windows
• Redundant systems (e.g., bilge pumps, navigation lights, radios)

These attributes lead to a safer and more reliable long-distance sea-faring vessel. Additionally, these attributes are not available in racing and beach-type catamarans. 

Can A Catamaran Cross The Atlantic Ocean? Let’s Talk Duration.

The duration of crossing the Atlantic by catamarans varies according to weather conditions, vessel speed, and route. The journey may take approximately 2-4 weeks with an average speed of 9-10 knots. 

However, little or no wind support during several days may cause an extension for a few days in travel. 

Hence, the best choice would be to allocate one month’s worth of food provisions and supplies to account for unfavorable weather conditions and the well-being of passengers and crew. 

Route Planning 

It would be best if you carefully plan routes to ensure safety. Modern technology can now easily map out the ideal route for the journey, especially if choosing routes to get to destination/s faster. Weather forecasts can also aid in which route to take or avoid. 

Crossing The Atlantic In Winter

The enclosed and high-strength cockpit of catamarans protects them from winter and rainy weather elements. Hence, catamarans are safer to sail than monohulls during winter. Additionally, catamaran crews can operate their vessels from inside or outside enclosed cockpits, as with winches and sails, which can also be automated. 

Catamaran Flooding

Catamarans have excellent compartments, with the cockpit high beyond the waterline. For example, one hull is damaged and needs to be fixed immediately. Yet, the boat is not entirely in danger of flooding as one hull can keep certain parts of the vessel afloat. 

Hence, the cockpit could be challenging to be flooded from the hulls and is the main reason catamarans do not usually sink. 

Catamaran Safety Equipment

Can a catamaran cross the Atlantic safely? The answer is yes, with the right-sized ship, the right crew, and the proper safety equipment. The vast deck space of catamarans allows for storage of high-tech contained life rafts and emergency supplies. This makes them ideal for such an adventure.

Catamaran Speed

The high-speed capability of catamarans also contributes to safety. For example, a catamaran can outrun rough weather conditions due to its high speed, which is potentially and simultaneously generated from twin engine power and wind (i.e., through the deployment of sails) energy. ( source )

Risk Of Injury

There is a high risk of injuries onboard catamarans, especially in rough weather conditions. Additionally, tools and equipment can be hazardous if encountered by accident. It is essential to ensure the storage of first aid medical kits and to address passenger/s and crew who may be injured during the journey. ( source )

Overall, catamaran attributes on heeling, rolling, stability and comfort, vast living space, privacy, shallow draft, two engines, hard to sink, fuel consumption, and eco-friendly potential allow these sea vessels to be well suited for long-distance travel, thereby fit for crossing the Atlantic Ocean. 

Cruise catamarans are the most ideal for crossing the Atlantic Ocean. Additionally, essential considerations must be made on the following factors: route planning, crossing the Atlantic during winter, flooding, safety equipment, and speed. 

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• Fernandez, R.P. and Redondo, F.A.G. On the origin, foundational designs, and first manufacture of the modern catamaran. Internation Journal of Maritime History, NA (2022) NA. doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/08438714221075417 , Accessed July 16, 2022 
• Luhulima, R.B., Setyawan, D. and Utama, IKAP Selecting monohull, catamaran, and trimaran as suitable passenger vessels based on stability and seakeeping criteria. The 14th International Ship Stability Workshop (ISSW), September 29 – October 1, 2014, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia., Accessed July 16, 2022 
• De Melo, G. and Echevarrieta, I. Improving the efficiency of a high-speed catamaran by replacing the propulsion system. The International Journal on Marine Navigation and Safety of Sea Transportation, NA, NA (2015) NA., Accessed July 16, 2022 
• Deakin, B. An experimental evaluation of the stability criteria of the HSC code. International Conference on Fast Sea Transportation FAST 2005, June 2005, St. Petersburg, Russia., Accessed July 16, 2022 
• Ferry, M., Wan Nik, W.B., Ahmad, M.F., Gasperz, F. and Manuputty, M. Comparative study of hybrid catamaran versus diesel monohull boat as a ferry for short distances routes. Indonesian Journal of Naval Architecture, Vol 1., No.1 (2013): NA., Accessed July 16, 2022 
• Sunardi, Efani A., Oktiyas, M.L. Design of the eco-friendly shallow draft fishing vessel. Research Journal of Life Science, Vol. 2, No. 3 (2015): 199-204., Accessed July 17, 2022 
• Dzan, W., Chang, S. and Hsu, K. Designing and building a catamaran and its stability analysis. 2nd International Conference on Robot, Vision and Signal Processing, 10-12 December 2013, Kitakyushu, Japan., Accessed July 17, 2022 
• Santosa, P. The configuration of engine-sail catamaran fishing vessel. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, NA (2019) doi:10.1088/1757-899X/462/1/012008, Accessed July 17, 2022 
• Luger, T.J., Peham, D., Mayr, B., Gromer, G., Raab, H. and Luger, M.F. Emergency preparedness and long-distance leisure catamaran sailing . Science & Sports, Vol. 26, No. 3 (2011): 174-178., Accessed July 17, 2022 

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Yachting Monthly

• Digital edition

How to sail across the Atlantic and back

• Elaine Bunting
• March 8, 2021

Confined to quarters during the pandemic, many sailors are itching to slip their lines and sail for the sun. Elaine Bunting explains exactly how to break free and sail across the Atlantic and back

If your dream is sailing off into the sunset, making it a reality could be easier than you think

Just as the island of Hiddensee drew across the wake of the boat, Malin Andersson took up her camera and shot a video, writes Elaine Bunting .

When she looks at it now, a late summer scene from the Baltic coast of Germany, she remembers it as the instant she knew for certain she was right to think of leaving work to go cruising.

Malin and her partner Kaj Maass, both from Sweden and aged in their late twenties, met as students and formed a plan to take a year off before starting a family.

After years of scrimping, they bought a Bavaria 38 and renamed her Cross Ocean .

With the last tiny island of a summer cruise behind them, they began to prepare to sail across the Atlantic and back, and a year of adventure.

‘From then, we have never had a moment of regret about setting off,’ she says.

Each year, hundreds of yachtsmen of all ages sail across the Atlantic.

Some have only a few months of freedom, others plan to cruise indefinitely.

Their ambitions shape diverse choices in terms of boat design and preparations.

Here, we look at some of the biggest considerations if that is your goal, too.

What’s the right boat to sail across the Atlantic?

A good place to start might be with the question: can I sail across the Atlantic and back in the yacht I have now?

In most cases, the answer is yes.

Almost any well-prepared yacht of 30ft and upwards can tackle the downwind crossing, and indeed there is no reason why an even smaller boat can’t do it successfully.

People have crossed in Folkboats; the legendary American sailor Webb Chiles sailed across the Pacific in a converted 24ft dayboat, and some masochistic adventurers have crossed oceans in micro yachts not even long enough for them to stretch out in.

Two sailors I have repeatedly met over the years are Swedes Pekka and Barbro Karlsson.

They first crossed the Atlantic in 1986 in their 32ft Arvid Lauren-designed double-ender, Corona AQ .

Pekka and Barbo Karisson have sailed their 32ft double ender across the Atlantic multiple times over 30 years. Credit: World Cruising Club

Over the last 30 years, they have made multiple crossings back and forth, observing boats getting ever larger, even of the same LOA as theirs.

By comparison, theirs is dwarfed in every dimension, including beam and freeboard, yet it has everything this experienced couple need for living on board for six or more months every year.

So, really, it is a matter of cost, preference and expectation.

The big question is whether your current yacht is the best tool for the job given your budget.

Is it large enough for the crew you intend for longer passages, for the provisions, fuel and water?

A 35-footer might take 25-28 days to sail across the Atlantic from the Canaries to the West Indies.

Obviously, the longer and faster your boat is, the more stowage and water tankage you will have for less time at sea.

You might also ask yourself which parts of the adventure are the most valuable to you.

A solid yacht set up for bluewater cruising is a good option and can be sold once you return home. Credit: Tor Johnson

If you don’t intend to do the more arduous return home to Europe, maybe you don’t need a bigger, more expensive, more complex long-legged bluewater cruiser; you could consider shipping back – more on that option later.

If you intend to live on board for longer, then perhaps you will want more space, including for guests, greater comforts and faster passage times.

In that case, one solution might be to buy for the duration of the project a second-hand bluewater cruiser already well kitted out with the right gear, then sell her right afterwards.

‘I think that makes total sense,’ says Sue Grant, managing director of Berthon International, the well-known brokers specialising in bluewater cruisers.

‘The best thing you can do for a North Atlantic circuit is to buy from the guy who had the dream, had the money and didn’t go. A refit will always cost you more than you think.’

For a two- to three-season transocean cruise, Grant advocates stretching up to your next level, especially to a yacht that doesn’t need a big refit and brands with a strong residual value.

‘If you buy a high-quality Hallberg-Rassy or an Oyster then sell it you’d lose 10% of value but have three years for it.’

Buy a boat you will enjoy

While in the Azores in 2012 I met Stuart and Anne Letton, who were sailing their Island Packet 45, Time Bandit , back to the UK.

Their boat was brimming with sensible ideas for living aboard and I have kept in touch with them over the years as they are a wonderful source of thoughtful advice.

Since then they have sold the Island Packet , bought an Outremer 51 catamaran, sailed across the Atlantic again, and are presently in Indonesia having sailed across the Pacific.

In total, they have now logged a very impressive 60,000 miles.

Catamarans are increasingly popular thanks to their speed and space. Credit: Stuart & Anne Letton

‘Before we went cruising, I spent a lot of time looking at what would be the best, safest mode of transport. I wanted a proven, tough, sturdy, bombproof ocean cruiser, hence Time Bandit [the Island Packet], the “Beige Battleship”,’ says Stuart.

‘Having spent my sailing career racing performance dinghies and keel boats, this was something of a departure for me. It was safe. And a bit boring. However, the reality is you all end up in the same place, give or take a few days. With reflection, though, I’d say, buy a boat that will make you happy, one that reflects your sailing style and capabilities. We opted for slow but safe and used the safe features a handful of days in 10 years. Those were years we could have been enjoying more rewarding sailing.

‘Buy what you will enjoy, can afford and are able to keep running. Do the maths on running costs, rig, insurance and repairs, and work that into the budget.’

Asked about their ideas of the ideal size for a couple, the Lettons comment: ‘Generally I’d say bigger is better, but the costs are exponential. Personally, for two up, I think around 40-45ft feet is a good size: big enough to be safe and comfortable, small enough to manage.’

Tips on how to sail across the Atlantic from Stuart & Anne Letton

The couple own the Outremer 51, Time Bandit and have completed four Atlantic crossings and sailed 60,000 miles

Stuart and Anne Letton.

‘Being very well set up for dead downwind sailing is important, especially well thought-out preventers, fore and aft on the spinnaker pole and main boom.

‘An asymmetric or spinnaker will keep you moving in lighter air.

‘Save on gas with a Thermal Cookpot and get as much free power from water and sun as you can.

‘Trade in your trusty CQR or Bruce anchor for a spade or similar “new technology” anchor .

Is a bigger boat better for crossing the Atlantic?

Like the Lettons, I think 40-45ft is something of a sweet spot, offering the volume and tankage required for longer cruising, yet still manageable by a small crew.

Bigger has its advantages, even up to 55ft (above that the loads become too large to handle manually and maintenance is a massive chore for a family crew, requiring significant time and budget).

The waterline length and extra speed will be your friend, most of the time.

Speed is your ally in evading bad weather, and if you are sailing to a schedule.

The Witt family sailed around the world as part of the World Cruising Club World ARC

Karsten Witt and his wife, Sheila, circumnavigated in the World ARC in their X-55 Gunvør XL , and he says: ‘It was hardest work for the smaller or slower boats. They are at sea longer, therefore experience more and sometimes harder weather, arrive later in port, get more tired and have less time to make repairs and bank downtime.

‘I would always go for a modern boat that’s faster,’ he adds.

‘If you had a heavy 40ft cruiser you would miss weather windows. Other boats spend days battling headwinds because they were doing 6-7 knots upwind and they couldn’t point. We averaged 200 miles a day every day, so in five days were a long way away and in completely different weather.’

But you certainly don’t need a large or expensive yacht, just a well-prepared one.

Starting with the basics: safety gear, fire and gas installations, good sails with deep reefs, in date and inspected rig, winches and all machinery serviced, and power and battery systems upgraded if necessary, plus full inspection of keel fastenings and rudder, skeg and bearings.

After that, you really need to know how everything on board works, how you’d repair or service it and, if you can’t, how you would manage without.

Karsten and Sheila Witt and family enjoyed the extra pace and comfort of their X-55. Credit: World Cruising Club

Only after considering that is it worth adding complexity.

Multiple power generation systems, including hydro-generator and solar panels, watermakers, diesel generators and WiFi networks.

Mark Matthews is marine surveyor who ran Professional Yacht Deliveries for 12 years, a company that moves around 200 yachts and averages 350,000 miles a year.

When he made his own Atlantic crossing, it was in a 42ft production yacht.

‘We kept the original sail plan and sails and did not have a generator or other means of charging the batteries apart from the engine. We took bottled water to supplement the on-board tankage. We only invested in a secondhand satellite phone, jerrycans for additional fuel, fishing tackle, wind scoops for the West Indies and provisions for the crossing. We crossed from the Canaries to the West Indies in 17 days,’ he explains.

But if you are looking at a boat for the way back to Europe or outside the downwind routes of the tropics, maybe you should look at more conservative, heavier displacement types, he suggests.

A yacht for a one-way voyage?

The downwind Tradewinds crossing can really be tackled in any well-prepared boat large enough for your crew, so one way to look at an Atlantic circuit is to weigh up first how you feel about the way back home, and factor that into the cost equation.

A growing number of sailors spend the winter season in the sun, or several consecutive seasons between periods of work, then ship their boat back.

This on-off cruising lifestyle could be compatible with some remote working, so while extremely expensive in itself, shipping represents a trade-off that could be worth considering.

You may find a smaller boat adequate, especially if you are shipping it home. Credit: Neville Hockley

Minus requirements dictated by the longer, more windward crossing back home, perhaps you could go in a ‘one-way/downwind-only/island-hopping’ boat option.

That could be a much smaller boat, a lighter, simpler or more performance-orientated yacht.

A one-way voyage involves relatively short times at sea, possibly three weeks at most, and you might be able to manage without spending a fortune on equipment.

This year, Peters & May will be loading from Antigua, St Lucia and Martinique and have ships going into the Med, Southampton and other North Sea or Baltic ports.

Michael Wood, general manager of Peters & May, quotes typical prices of US$10,200 for a 32-footer and US$21,600 for a 41-footer.

Unlike a delivery service, shipping saves on the wear and tear from an Atlantic crossing, so is also something to weigh up.

Ready to go?

Typically, getting ready to go off for an Atlantic circuit or more needs a two- to three-year runway.

I have met people who have done it much quicker – I recently met an American family who only decided to go cruising last June and were in the Canary Islands with a brand new catamaran in November – but it is stressful, and you risk sailing away with a long list of warranty work needed, and jobs lists incomplete.

It might take most of a year to choose, trial and select the right boat, then you could spend the next year sailing from your home port, preparing, fitting new gear, testing and sea trialling everything and upping your knowledge level.

Kaj Maass and Malin Andersson, an engineer and a pre-school teacher respectively, bought their Bavaria 38 Cross Ocean in 2016 for €80,000 and lived on board for a summer and winter to increase their savings.

You’ll need space to store enough food for the crew – though choice in foreign ports may be limited. Credit: Kaj Maass & Malin Andersson

‘You don’t have to set off for several years right away, you could make the adventure in smaller parts,’ says Kaj.

‘We met several sailors who sailed for a couple of months, left the boat, flew back home, and continued later on. We adjusted upgrades, the time frame for the adventure, and saved during our day-to-day lives before setting off.’

Do make sure everything you fit for your cruise is well-tested and problems ironed out before you set out to sail across the Atlantic.

If you buy a new boat, expect lots of snagging.

Sorry to say it, but yards tend to put switches, filters and so on in silly places, and because yachts have relatively low volume sales, information about fitting or installation problems can take a while to circle back and be corrected.

Kaj and Malin replaced their engine for peace of mind. Credit: Kaj Maass & Malin Andersson

If you leave before inevitable glitches are corrected, you could spend days arguing with the boatbuilder or manufacturer about who is responsible and how they are going to get spare parts to you.

This quickly rubs the nap off a dream cruising life.

A year of home-range cruising will also allow you to gain all the knowledge and training you need, which should include essential maintenance know-how and medical and sea survival training (people tend to rave about the latter, interestingly).

It will also allow you time to prepare a manual about your boat, with info and serial numbers and specs of everything on board, which will pay you back handsomely if you need advice or spares.

Tips on how to sail across the Atlantic from Kaj Maass & Malin Andersson

The couple own the Bavaria 38, Cross Ocean and have sailed from Sweden to the Caribbean and back via the Azores

Malin hoists a courtesy flag as their Bavaria 38 makes landfall in St Lucia. Credit: Kaj Maass & Malin Andersson

‘You do not need that much. Less equipment equals fewer breakages.

‘We would never go without a windvane and we are definitely pleased with having a centre cockpit boat, which keeps you safe and dry in the centre of the boat, though the master cabin is worthless at sea.’

Go with the kids

There has been a big upswing in families taking a year or 18 months out from normal lives, to return later.

This seems to coincide with that point in an established, stable career where a sabbatical is possible, there is enough money to buy a boat for a special project, parents are healthy and the kids are not yet in the run up to major exams.

Most often, the sailing families I meet have children aged between five and 12.

Crossing an ocean with a family is entirely feasible. The Paterson family took part in the 2018 ARC on their Moody 471. Credit: World Cruising Club/James Mitchell

The obvious rewards for children spending every day with their mum and dad have to be weighed against the considerable extra work and commitment, though I have yet to meet a parent who regretted it.

In 2019, Russell and Kate Hall sailed across the Atlantic in their Hallberg-Rassy 46 with their boys, Hugo, 8, and Felix, 6.

‘Somebody said to us that living with kids on a boat for a year is like living on land with them for four years,’ Kate laughs.

‘It can be quite draining but it’s also part of the reason why we are doing this, so it’s the yin and yang.

Additional crew can help with sailing and school when you sail across the Atlantic. Credit: Erin Carey

‘There are jobs that require both of us and you have to rely on the children to keep themselves safe at times. They sleep really well on board and they go to bed at sunset and wake at sunrise, then they’re full of beans. You might not have had much sleep. It takes a while to adjust.’

The Halls concentrated on the basics of English and maths, and then tailored history or geography or science projects around places they were visiting.

This seems to work for most families.

Schools will usually provide a curriculum plan for time out, and there are a lot of distance learning and ‘school in a box’ courses for homeschooling children, such as Calvert and Oak Meadow.

‘My advice would be to be easy on yourself,’ advises Kate Hall.

Celebrating milestones can help bolster a young crew’s morale when you sail across the Atlantic. Credit: Erin Carey

‘We started with five hours’ schooling a day and then reduced that to two-and-a-half. Chill and relax; it all works out. There are always things to learn.’

If you are planning to sail across the Atlantic with kids, look at taking on extra hands to help with the sailing.

Also consider joining the ARC rally where in port you share a pontoon with all the other family boats so there are lots of other kids of different ages for yours to socialise with, as well as an organised daily kids club.

The friendships made between adults and children also often shape later cruising plans.

Seasons and routes to sail across the Atlantic

If you are planning on sailing across the Atlantic, don’t leave it too late to set off across Biscay – late August or September is pushing your luck from a weather point of view.

Ideally, make the most of the summer cruising opportunities travelling south through France, Spain and Portugal – these could be among the best parts of the trip.

Annually, the ARC rally leaves the Canary Islands in November, the ARC+ heading for Mindelo in Cape Verde first, and the ARC direct to St Lucia.

This is so that crews can be in the Caribbean for Christmas.

White sails can make a solid downwind sail plan if well set up with preventers and guys

It is early in the season for Tradewinds, though, and you may have to be prepared for a trough, a front, or calms – or all three – on the way across unless you wait until January.

Whether you cross early or not, my own personal preference would be to go via Cape Verde.

It’s a fascinating archipelago and culture, a place to re-provision or make repairs, and it breaks up the crossing.

It lengthens the time away and overall distance, as Mindelo is 800 miles south- west of the Canaries, but the leg south into ‘butter melting’ latitudes will then put you into almost guaranteed Trades, even in November.

From the Caribbean, you can then sail up to Florida via the Bahamas, or the US East Coast, or return to Europe via the Azores.

The routes to sail across the Atlantic and back. Credit: Maxine Heath

For the return to Europe, most cruisers generally strike out from Tortola in the British Virgin Islands or St Maarten, both good for provisioning, spares, chandlery and repairs, or head up to Bermuda and wait for a springboard forecast for Horta.

From here, crews will again wait to pick their timing to head across to Spain or Portugal or up to the UK.

According to Jimmy Cornell, author of World Cruising Routes , as early as March and as late as mid-May there are reasonable chances of favourable south-easterly and south-westerly winds on leaving the Eastern Caribbean.

The advice he offers is to track north-easterly towards the Azores and stay south of 30°N until 40°W.

For cruisers a southerly route is generally the preferable passage to choose, staying south of the Gulf Stream in lighter winds and taking on extra fuel and motoring if conditions deem necessary.

How much will it cost to sail across the Atlantic and back?

Cruising costs will depend on how you wish to live while cruising.

If you want to spend time in marinas, eat out regularly, hire cars, take tours and fly home occasionally, obviously that will be different to a more self-contained life on board at anchor.

As a guide, we asked Swedish couple Kaj and Malin to add up their costs to prepare for their trip and during the 14-month sabbatical.

Costs will be much lower where you can stay at anchor rather than berth in a marine. Credit: Kaj Maass/Malin Andersson

‘The budget for our trip was €80,000 to buy the boat, and €30,000 of upgrades,’ Kaj says.

The upgrades included a new engine, new standing rigging, a Hydrovane and satellite communications.

They dropped the rudder and the keel and reinforced the area around it.

Of the total budget, around €10,000 was spent on safety equipment.

Continues below…

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Their cruising costs were around €2,500 a month for the two of them, averaging out the most expensive parts of the journey from Sweden to the Canary Islands, when harbour fees were costing around €40 a night.

This would cover some eating out ashore and car rental for tours.

Over the longer term, a good rule of thumb is to allow 20% of the cost of your boat for running repairs to cover antifouling, sail replacement, servicing and, if you are leaving your boat to return home, you’ll need to factor in haul-out, storage and hurricane tie-downs.

If you plan to buy a boat, sail it back and sell it right after your trip, however, you may be able sidestep some ongoing costs.

Cutting the cord

Maybe you don’t have to wait until retirement to go cruising.

There is a strong argument for taking a career break (or breaks) and working for longer if necessary as it spreads the cost and reduces the risk of the big adventure never happening.

Additional offwind sails, like a furling Code 0, can keep the boat moving in light airs for more enjoyable sailing and to save fuel. Credit World Cruising Club

Around half of the people I meet on transatlantic rallies are taking sabbaticals and intending to return to the same post, or have quit a job.

Both options have become quite acceptable, and in some professions and countries sabbaticals are actively encouraged as a retention incentive.

‘Tell the world you are leaving,’ advises Kaj Maass.

‘Make sure you create some pressure on yourself to realise your dream. Involve your employer early on in the planning process. A modern employer will understand and respect your decision to explore the world and live out your dreams, maybe they even see a long-term benefit from the knowledge and experience you will gain from it and you can [negotiate] a leave of absence.’

Satellite comms add a level of safety and keeping in touch but can be costly. Credit: Richard Langdon/Ocean Images

Those running a business may bring in a trusted general manager or step up a family member while they are away.

Keeping tabs on business while away is possible (though it can be expensive in satellite data) but it’s not something that generally works well on a day-to-day basis.

You do need to be able to cut the ties to enjoy cruising, not least because the cruising life comes with its own workload, from maintenance to laundry.

Long-distance cruising comes with its own workload and maintenance. Credit: Kaj Maass/Malin Andersson

‘Trying to mix work and pleasure compromises both,’ says Stuart Letton.

Before setting out, the Lettons brought their son in to run their web-based business supplying global brands with customisable marketing material.

‘While our business was under new management, it was still a struggle for me to let go. I can remember sitting in WiFi cafés from Spain to the Galapagos trying to blend cruising with work and, while it helped my conscience, I doubt the effort did much for work or cruising.

‘That’s not to say it isn’t possible. With good WiFi and satellite connections you really can work pretty much anywhere . But if you don’t need to, I’d cut the ties, burn the bridges and go. If you need to work, fine, just get your management team in place, communication systems properly set up and resourced, and go.’

It helps to set a deadline so you can realise your dream and sail across the Atlantic. Credit: Kaj Maass/Malin Andersson

However you plan to break free, what really helps is a deadline: a date that you are going set off, with a scene you can visualise to keep you motivated as you work through the preparations and demands of shore life.

Most preparations are really just logistics, and you’re probably already pretty good at that.

The bigger obstacle is often mustering the courage to leave.

I often hear cruisers describe hassles – one described cruising as the act of sailing from one place where you couldn’t get something fixed to another where you hoped you would – yet when I ask for their best advice it usually boils down to a simple prescription: just go.

Kaj Maass said exactly that when I asked him that question.

‘Just do it. Life is too short not to live out your dreams.’

To rally or not?

This is entirely a personal choice.

Advantages of the ARC , which is the best organised and biggest, are great seminars, preparation information and tools.

It’s also an ideal way to meet lots of fascinating, like-minded people, and is agreed to be good value despite costs.

It also gives you a departure date to hold yourself too.

For a first taste of ocean sailing, it can be reassuring and fun to join a rally to sail across the Atlantic, like the ARC. Credit: James Mitchell/World Cruising Club

Plus is has good parties and entertainment on tap to keep crew happy.

The cons would be its early crossing date for the Tradewinds season, large fleet size (though check out ARC+, which is smaller) or if you just want to be low-key and go it alone.

The Viking Explorers rally is one alternative, but not many others still run.

If you do your own thing, you will still find a wonderful cruising community anywhere cruisers other, and there is fantastic support across the world for independent voyaging through the Ocean Cruising Club.

Preparations for sailing across the Atlantic  – the basics

While in no way a comprehensive list of preparations, here are some jumping off points to think about when planning your voyage:

• Learn how to service and maintain your engine and key machinery, have a good set of tools on board. Video repair tips and techniques when you have technicians on board to refer to later.
• Have your yacht lifted, antifouled , stern gear serviced, and anodes replaced. Consider fitting a rope cutter . Also check steering systems and replace rudder bearings.
• Create a boat manual with all your procedures, equipment and the location of safety and medical equipment for crew to access.
• Fit an autopilot capable of handling your yacht in an ocean swell, fully laden downwind in 30 knots of breeze. Have a back-up if shorthanded, or two separate systems for redundancy.
• Have power systems checked and replace or upgrade batteries if necessary . If you upgrade batteries, consider if additional charging is necessary .
• Get first-class safety equipment for all crew on board.
• Have all sails serviced by a sail loft and consider double stitching all panels. With slab reefing mainsails, get a deep third reef.
• Set up a good boom preventer for downwind sailing on both tacks. That can be just lines and blocks but set up so you can gybe and switch preventers without leaving the cockpit.
• Check all running rigging and ensure you have adequate spare halyards set up before you depart. Think about chafe prevention.
• Choose your crew carefully. Make sure you are all comfortable sailing together and that roles are established well before you leave.

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What Size Yacht To Cross The Atlantic? (Here’s What You Need to Know)

Crossing the Atlantic in a yacht is an ambitious but rewarding endeavor.

Whether youre a recreational sailor or a seasoned professional, the size of the yacht you choose will make a world of difference on the journey.

Before you set sail, you need to consider a number of factors, such as the number of people on board, the size and type of crew, the length of the voyage, fuel and crew requirements, route of crossing, weather conditions, and emergency services available.

In this article, well cover all these topics and more to help you find the right size yacht for your Atlantic crossing.

Table of Contents

Short Answer

The size of yacht needed to safely and comfortably cross the Atlantic Ocean will depend on factors such as the number of people on board, the type of voyage, and the experience of the captain and crew.

Generally, the vessel should be a minimum of 36 feet in length and have enough stowage capacity to carry enough supplies and provisions for the voyage.

The yacht should also be outfitted with the necessary navigation, communication, and safety equipment to make the voyage.

Lastly, it should be well-maintained to ensure reliable performance throughout the voyage.

What To Consider When Choosing A Yacht Size

When deciding what size yacht to choose for an Atlantic crossing, there are several key factors to consider.

The number of people on board, the size and type of the crew, and the length of the voyage will all factor into the size of yacht you need.

A larger yacht will provide more space and comfort, but will also require more fuel and crew to manage.

It’s also important to consider the route of the crossing, the type of weather that is expected, and the type of emergency services available along the way.

The size of yacht should also be determined by the purpose of the crossing and the preferences of the crew.

For instance, if the purpose of the voyage is primarily recreational and the crew is smaller, then a smaller yacht may be more suitable.

On the other hand, if the purpose is more commercial and the crew is larger, then a larger yacht may be the better choice.

The type of vessel is also important.

Sailboats, motorboats, and catamarans all have different requirements for size, fuel efficiency, and crew.

For instance, sailboats require larger masts and rigging, which can limit the size of the vessel.

Motorboats, on the other hand, can be larger and can travel faster, although they also require more fuel.

Catamarans are typically the largest vessels, but they also require the most crew and are the most difficult to maneuver in rough seas.

Finally, the length of the voyage is an important factor.

A longer voyage requires more fuel, supplies, and crew, so a larger yacht may be necessary.

Additionally, a longer voyage may require more sophisticated navigational and safety equipment, so it’s important to consider the type of emergency services available along the route.

In conclusion, choosing the right size yacht for an Atlantic crossing requires careful consideration of several factors.

The number of people on board, the size and type of the crew, the length of the voyage, the route, the type of weather, and the type of emergency services available all need to be taken into account.

Ultimately, the decision should be based on the purpose of the voyage and the preferences of the crew.

Number Of People On Board

When deciding on the size of yacht to choose for an Atlantic crossing, the number of people who will be on board should be the first factor taken into consideration.

The size of the yacht should be able to comfortably accommodate the number of passengers and crew members, with enough space for sleeping, eating, and lounging.

Any extra space that may be needed for storage should also be taken into account.

It is important to note that larger yachts will require more fuel and crew to manage, and may be more expensive to maintain.

Therefore, it is important to make sure that the size of the yacht matches the needs of the voyage and the crew.

Size And Type Of Crew

When selecting the size of your yacht for an Atlantic crossing, it’s important to consider the size and type of the crew.

If there will be a large number of people on board, a larger yacht is likely required to provide enough room and comfort.

On the other hand, a smaller yacht may be more suitable for a smaller crew.

Additionally, the size and type of crew will determine the type of personnel needed to manage the yacht.

For example, it may be necessary to hire a captain and crew if youre crossing a large body of water.

If the crew consists of experienced sailors, a smaller yacht may be sufficient as they will be able to handle all of the boats operations.

Its important to consider the number of people on board, experience level, and the amount of space available when selecting the size of yacht for an Atlantic crossing.

Length Of Voyage

When deciding what size yacht to choose for an Atlantic crossing, one of the most important factors to consider is the length of the voyage.

A longer voyage will require a larger yacht to provide more space and comfort for the crew and passengers.

On a longer voyage, there may be more people on board, providing a need for additional sleeping and eating areas, as well as more room for recreational activities.

Additionally, a larger yacht will be able to carry more supplies, such as food, fuel, and spare parts, making it more self-sufficient and able to handle any unforeseen events.

It is important to consider the route of the crossing, as some areas may be more prone to rough weather or dangerous conditions, and a larger yacht may be better equipped to handle these conditions.

A larger yacht may also require more fuel, as well as a larger crew, to manage the vessel.

Ultimately, the size of yacht will depend on the purpose of the crossing and the preferences of the crew.

Fuel And Crew Requirements

When deciding on the size of yacht to take for an Atlantic crossing, it’s important to factor in the fuel and crew requirements.

A larger yacht will require more fuel and crew to manage, especially if the voyage is longer.

The crew size and type should also be taken into account when deciding on the size of yacht.

A larger yacht will require more crew to manage the vessel, and the crew should be experienced and knowledgeable in seafaring and navigation.

It may also be necessary to hire extra crew members for certain tasks such as cooking, engineering, and maintenance.

Additionally, the yacht should be equipped with the necessary safety equipment such as life rafts and flares, as well as navigational equipment such as depth sounders and GPS.

All of these factors should be considered when deciding on the size of yacht for an Atlantic crossing.

Route Of Crossing

When deciding on the size of yacht for an Atlantic crossing, it is important to consider the route of the crossing.

For example, a longer voyage from the United States to Europe will require a larger yacht than a shorter one from the Caribbean to the United States.

A larger yacht will provide more space and comfort, as well as more fuel and crew to manage.

Additionally, the route of the crossing should be considered for emergency services that may be available along the way.

For example, if the voyage will be close to land, there may be medical facilities and emergency services that could be reached in the event of an emergency.

However, if the voyage will be far away from land, it is important to consider the type of emergency services that would be available if needed.

Weather Conditions

When deciding what size yacht to choose for an Atlantic crossing, it is essential to consider the weather conditions that may be encountered during the voyage.

A larger yacht is more likely to be able to handle a variety of weather conditions, such as high winds, heavy rain and strong waves.

The size of the yacht should also be considered when it comes to the type of weather expected.

A larger yacht is more suitable for long-distance voyages, as it is more capable of handling the prolonged and potentially extreme weather conditions.

It is important to note, however, that larger yachts may require additional fuel and crew to manage in order to safely navigate the seas.

When preparing for an Atlantic crossing, it is important to research the expected weather conditions for the route.

Knowing the weather conditions that may be expected on the route can help to determine the size of the yacht that is suitable for the voyage.

For example, if the route is expected to experience strong winds, it is best to choose a larger yacht that is capable of handling the windy conditions.

Additionally, if the route passes through areas with higher than average waves, a larger yacht is much more suitable for the voyage.

It is also important to consider the type of emergency services available along the route.

In the event of an emergency, such as a medical emergency or a vessel in distress, a larger yacht is more likely to be able to access the necessary help.

Additionally, a larger yacht will be able to carry more supplies, such as food, water, and other equipment, which can be essential in an emergency situation.

Overall, the size of the yacht for an Atlantic crossing should be based on the number of people on board, the size and type of the crew, the length of the voyage, the route of the crossing, the type of weather that is expected, and the type of emergency services available along the way.

With the right amount of research and planning, the perfect size yacht can be chosen for a successful and safe Atlantic crossing.

Emergency Services Available

When planning a transatlantic crossing, it is important to consider the type of emergency services available along the route.

On a smaller vessel, you may not be able to access all of the necessary services, so it is important to choose a vessel with enough room to accommodate the necessary crew and equipment, as well as enough fuel to reach the destination in the event of an emergency.

When considering the size of the yacht, the type of emergency services available should be carefully assessed.

For example, if you are crossing during hurricane season, it is important to choose a vessel that can withstand the high winds and potentially heavy waves.

If you are crossing in an area where search and rescue services are available, it is important to have a vessel large enough to be spotted quickly.

It is also important to consider the type of emergency services available at ports of call along the route.

If you are traveling to a remote area, it is important to have a vessel with enough room to accommodate the necessary crew and equipment to make port in the event of an emergency.

If you are traveling to a port with a significant presence of medical and emergency personnel, it is important to have a vessel large enough to accommodate the necessary personnel.

Overall, the size of the yacht for a transatlantic crossing should be based on the purpose of the voyage, the number of people on board, the size and type of crew, the length of the voyage, the route of the crossing, the type of weather that is expected, and the type of emergency services available along the way.

By taking all of these factors into consideration, you can ensure that you have the best possible vessel for your crossing.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the size of yacht for an Atlantic crossing is an important decision that requires careful planning.

The size of the yacht should be determined by the number of people on board, the size and type of the crew, the length of the voyage, the route of the crossing, the weather conditions, and the availability of emergency services.

Ultimately, the size of the yacht should be based on the purpose of the crossing and the preferences of the crew.

With the right information and careful consideration, you can make an informed decision on the right size yacht to choose for your Atlantic crossing.

James Frami

At the age of 15, he and four other friends from his neighborhood constructed their first boat. He has been sailing for almost 30 years and has a wealth of knowledge that he wants to share with others.

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Is It Safe To Cross the Atlantic on a Catamaran?

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Many sailors consider sailing across the Atlantic as the ultimate proof of their skills. But bluewater sailing requires a safe vessel that can withstand the harsh conditions of the open sea. Many are these discussions about whether or not catamarans are suitable for crossing the Atlantic.

It is safe to cross the Atlantic in a catamaran thanks to the sailboat’s design. Catamarans do not have ballasts in their keels. Instead, they have two hulls and rely on a wide beam for stability. The design increases buoyancy, speed, and motion comfort, making the boat safe for long-distance travel.

Keep reading to understand why a catamaran is a safe vessel for crossing the Atlantic Ocean. This article will also show you the type of catamaran you should travel in if you plan to sail long distances .

Are Catamarans Good for Long-Distance Travel?

One of the first things you need to consider when planning a long-distance trip on the water is whether your vessel can handle that type of journey. And cats come in different sizes, ranging from small to large boats.

As you probably already know, not all boats can travel long distances, particularly across the ocean. 

You need a sailboat with a large fuel tank capacity, enough room to house the crew and passengers, and the ability to sail in heavy seas.

Catamarans are good for long-distance travel, as they are often more comfortable and stable than monohull sailboats. An Atlantic-crossing suitable catamaran measures around 40 to 50 feet (12 to 15 meters) long, which is size is ideal for long-distance travel with a small crew.

Choosing the right size for an ocean-crossing cat is important. A large-enough sailboat provides adequate room in the living spaces and can accommodate cooking spaces, separate dining areas, private bedrooms, and more than one bathroom.

Another reason cats are good for long-distance travel is their speed. 

Most catamarans can travel up to about 150 nm per day.

Some catamarans can even travel a little over 200 nm a day. 

In any case, the speed and distance a cruising cat can cover per day all comes down to wind strength and sailing performance.

Can Catamarans Handle Rough Seas?

Catamarans were originally logs bound together for fishing in India. Their original name is kattumaram . 

Of course, modern cats come in sophisticated designs suitable for fast sailing and leisure cruise in open waters. 

But can cats handle big waves and stormy weather conditions on the sea?

Catamarans can handle rough seas and maintain good stability in stormy weather. The vessels have a lot of buoyancy and high resistance to capsize, furthermore, the high speed allows them to faster reach their destination.

However, not all cats are created equal.

Knowing the various types of cats and their best use cases is essential if you plan to cross the Atlantic Ocean in a catamaran.

Here’s a small list of the common catamaran types:

• Racing catamarans
• Beach catamarans
• Cruising catamarans  

The most suitable catamaran category for sailing across the Atlantic Ocean or even around the world is the cruising catamaran. 

These sailboats can handle rough seas because they have extra safety features not found in other categories, such as recreational racing cats.

Safety Features of Cruising Catamarans

Cruising cats have extremely strong cockpit windows that can withstand boisterous ocean waves crashing into them. These windows are strong enough to resist storms during heavy weather sailing.

Other design elements that ensure the safety of cruising cats are:

• Redundant systems: Cats have several redundant systems or duplicated critical components that increase their reliability in the open sea. These include two motors, two hulls, and two rudders. Even if one hull gets destroyed the other hull will be able to keep the boat afloat.
• Watertight emergency hatches: Cruising catamarans have closely sealed hatches that serve a dual purpose. First, they provide access to different compartments in the sailboat like the living space, cargo, and storage. Secondly, watertight hatches keep water out of these compartments, making them safer in stormy weather. There are also hatches made too evacuate the crew if the caravan gets flipped upside down.
• Positive buoyancy: The construction materials for catamarans and the absence of ballast make them very stable on the water.

Remember that all sailboats experience some degree of rolling when moving through rough waters. 

Cats are no different, but the good news is that cruising catamarans are stable and very unlikely to capsize due to their wide base and high stability. 

Still, trimarans have even greater stability than catamarans! Read more here.

Overall, the safety features and design elements mean that voyaging across the Atlantic in cruising catamarans is generally safe.

How Long Does It Take To Cross the Atlantic in a Catamaran?

It takes two to four weeks to cross the Atlantic in a catamaran. However, the duration depends on several factors, including the route, vessel speed, and weather conditions.

You can complete your voyage in about three weeks if you maintain an average speed of 9 to 10 knots (10.5 to 11.5 mph, 16.89 to 18.5 kph).

On the other hand, it is more common to spend a little over a month crossing the Atlantic Ocean since maintaining an average speed above 6 kts on a cruiser cat is very hard.

For example, your trip may extend for a few extra days if there is no wind or low wind strength for some days. Especially in the doldrums.

So, if you plan to cross the Atlantic, it is best to bring supplies that will last everyone on board for up to a month, especially if you are not sure about the weather.

After all, sailboat safety isn’t only about the vessel. You also want to consider the well-being of the crew and passengers onboard the boat. 

Owner of CatamaranFreedom.com. A minimalist that has lived in a caravan in Sweden, 35ft Monohull in the Bahamas, and right now in his self-built Van. He just started the next adventure, to circumnavigate the world on a Catamaran!

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Crossing the Atlantic on a Yacht in Comfort

Experienced cruisers often discover Kadey-Krogen Yachts because they begin to search for yachts capable of crossing the Atlantic. If one searches the listings for Transatlantic boats for sale or contacts a broker with a very specific request to hear about yachts that can cross the Atlantic, they’re bound to discover plenty of superyachts, and some custom trawlers, and, of course, a selection of our models that are built to take on long bluewater cruising legs such as one takes on for an ocean crossinig.

Those who are more serious about open-ocean crossings begin to think about the best time to cross the Atlantic west to east and also consider provisioning, crew, a timetable, potential destinations, and all the factors, large and small, that enter into this exciting equation.

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TO CROSS THE ATLANTIC, OR NOT: THE IDEAL PROGRAMME

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What kind of boats cross the Atlantic Ocean? 7 Options explained

You're looking for a way to go across the Atlantic without flying. What options are out there? Here are 7 options explained. I sailed five of them across the Atlantic.

Sailing an ocean on a Small sailing vessel

Many privately owned sailing vessels cross the Atlantic to spend a sunny sailing season either in the Mediterranean or Caribbean or as part of their around-the-world voyage. It is a big deal for them and attracts all sorts of seamen and women: young ‘pirate’ dudes who have escaped the rat race, adventure couples, retirees, families, groups of friends, and single older sailors.

The largest share of the captains is between 50 – 65 years old. It's the group that has the time and money resources to sail. All sorts of nationalities make the crossing, with the French and Swedish seeming to dominate the fleet.

By crewing on a small sailing yacht, you'll be involved with every aspect of seamanship and sailing. You will learn a lot for sure. Many boats choose to stop in Cape Verde or the Azores, and often don’t have tight schedules.

Boats come in all sorts of shapes and materials. Hulls are made from steel, wood, aluminium, and today mostly of fibreglass. 90% of the boats crossing the ocean is bigger than 36ft, with most of them measuring around 44ft. (14m).

A smaller yacht could also be perfectly ocean-worthy. I've seen boats of 26 ft. crossing the pond. Some adventure people row across the Atlantic. In 2017 someone even Stand Up Paddled (SUP) across the Atlantic. Being on any boat is a luxury compared to that.

Six people (out of 100) I interviewed in my book crossed the Atlantic on a boat smaller than 36ft. and all of them would like to do it again. This year we also have Nadiem, Ocean Nomads member who'll sail across in his little sailboat.

Both monohulls and catamarans cross the Atlantic. Catamarans are generally faster, more spacious, and rock less. On the flip side: they can flip!  If  they do, it’s a major challenge to come up again. Don’t worry, this is extremely unlikely. Having seen hundreds of boats planning, preparing and making the crossing, I estimate that roughly 70% of the boats that cross are monohulls.

With Ocean Nomads we sometimes have small liveaboard sailing vessels looking for crew in the network to sail across, or members recommend a vessel from their networks.

In our brand new Ocean Nomads Crew Course , I share all the tips and tricks for finding and securing a safe sailing vessel with which to sail as crew. Eco & Adventure style. Proper preperation makes all the difference for a happy, safe and meaningful voyage.

Sail with me & Ocean Nomads in Greece in 2024! Level up your sailing skills and make ocean people connections accelerating your sailing journey. 4 vessels, 11 days, 30 nomads! Learn More. 

Sail across the Atlantic on Superyacht

Many larger yachts cross the Atlantic as a ‘delivery’, where a boat needs to be taken from point A to B. Boats have to be moved across the ocean for a new charter season, for the private owner who will hop on board again on the other side, or because someone bought it on the other continent.

Usually, paid and professional crew do these types of deliveries. As an amateur crew member, you can be a cheap extra set of hands.

A yacht is a ‘superyacht’ when it is over 24 metres (79ft.). These are  big yachts. They often have generators running every day to keep fridges and freezers going. They load up thousands of litres of fuel and water, and are less dependent on the wind.

As such, there is less risk and generally more comfort. These trips often run on a tight schedule, so there won't be much flexibility for stops along the way (like in Cape Verde or the Azores). In most cases, there will also be more people on board (five-eight people compared to three-five on smaller vessels).

Crossing on a big boat like this is faster, less adventurous, and more comfortable. The crew are often younger, and some live and work permanently on the boat. Many of them have crossed the Atlantic Ocean numerous times and are therefore less excited about it than the average ‘yachtie'.

Timelines are tight and there’s often not time for island exploration. Usually, you are expected to work hard. Also, it's not unusual that superyachts don't even use the sails to prevent damaging, and have the sails tip /top for when the owner comes on board.

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A transatlantic on a charter yacht.

If you would rather not have the pre-crossing adventure or spend too much time searching for a boat, and/or if money is not an issue, you can book a charter ocean passage. Charter trips are organised on all sorts of boats: small, big, monohulls, catamaran, and racing boats.

Numerous racing yachts cross the ocean reaching boat speeds up to 35 knots! In addition to professional crew, spots are sold and you can sign up for a wet and speedy adventure guaranteed.

A charter trip costs between €2,000 and €10,000. An organized trip like this could be advantageous if you’re on a tight schedule. It’s more likely to leave on the planned date.

At the same time, the time schedule could be a disadvantage. What if the weather window is not ideal to leave? In many cases, though not always, everything is taken care of such as provisioning and cooking, so you wouldn’t have to figure out much yourself.

Charter organisations need to comply with a lot of safety requirements and check ups to legally carry out the voyage. This assures some safety but still you need to do your homework if it's a safe ride.

Another consideration of booking this type of passage is that you won’t know your shipmates. When you search the adventurous way, you have the opportunity to meet the other sailors before you commit to joining the crew. On a chartered passage you’re stuck with whoever else has booked the trip, even if you don’t like them.

With Ocean Nomads we work together with SV Twister and have the following Atlantic Crossings planned .

Sailing the Atlantic on a Tall ship

Every year, numerous tall ships sail across the Atlantic, like the Stad Amsterdam or Oosterschelde, and this year also SV Twister :) .  Sailing across on a large traditional boat is spectacular. Many young people work on the tall ships. You could either try that or buy yourself a passage.

I wrote the above in my book, a friend of SV Twister reached out to me. Long story short, last  year 2022/2023 I, with Ocean Nomads, organizing a trip across the Atlantic, Caribbean sea, and back across the Atlantic , and I now experience this way of sailing across also. You can join this trip in 2025 .

Update! We're back from the Atlantic. And we made a film about it:) Here is a the film about Sailing the Atlantic with Ocean Nomads. My 5th Atlantic crossing.

Travel the Ocean with a Sail Boat Ferry

There are no sailing ferries (yet), although boats are being built for this purpose. At the time of writing, Voyagevert is conducting feasibility studies to construct the fastest and largest sailing catamaran for a ferry service as a sustainable alternative to flight for transatlantic travel. Also Fair ferry is looking into it.

A transatlantic on a cruise ships

Another kind of ferry are the cruise ships. More and more cruise ships cross the Atlantic to do the season on the other side. They need relocation and spots on board are sold as ‘repositioning cruises.' It's often cheaper than airfare and your house rent combined. One option that is cool, is ‘ Nomadcruise ,’ an Atlantic crossing for entrepreneurs and digital nomads.

These floating cities are not an environmentally friendly way to cross. It takes around eight days and a lot of noise to cross with a cruise ship. Data on emissions is remarkably difficult to find. Some sources state that an average cruise ship at sea emits more, and less filtered, smoke than one million cars combined each day.

In a one-week trip, a large cruise ship generates ten backyard swimming pools of blackwater (raw sewage) and 40 more swimming pools of greywater (water from sinks, baths, showers, laundry, and galleys). It also generates large volumes of oily bilge water, sewage sludge, garbage, and noise.

Sail Across the Atlantic on a Cargo ship

More cargo ships cross the Atlantic than sailboats. This is a non-sailing ship option that can take you across. Cargo ships usually rent out a few cabins to passengers. This costs a few thousand euros. Travelling with a cargo vessel can be a good alternative if you want to cross the ocean, don’t like sailing, and do not want to fly. Prepare to be surrounded by engine noise. Crossing on a cargo would take one to two weeks. Depending on the weather, cargo and size, cargo vessels run between 15-25 knots . 

There are also  sailing  cargo Atlantic crossing possibilities out there. ‘ Tres Hombres ‘ is a 32 metres Schooner transporting traditional goods like rum and chocolate between the Caribbean and Europe. Timbercoast is a 1920 built 43.5m Schooner that transports goods like coffee and gin. Both ships welcome crew on board helping out with this sustainable way of transporting goods.

My ocean sailing preference

“What kind of boat are you joining?” This was the first question most people asked me when I told them I was going to cross the Atlantic Ocean by sail. At the time, I knew nothing about boats, and thought “Does it matter? I just want to make the passage!” Having sailed across on five completely different boats across the Atlantic, I know now that the type of boat determines large part of the experience.Not just because of the boat, but because of the tasks and people involved with that type of boat.

My preference is to crew on a smaller monohull sailboat of 40-44ft – basic but adventurous and on these boats, I've met the coolest captains. Monohulls are more fun to sail. It's easier to ‘feel' the boat as opposed to a catamaran. It's kind of like a scooter versus a quadbike.

Smaller boats generally allow for more exploring and socialising time around the harbour- since there's usually less work to be done. This is the adventurous way of travelling by sailboat where you go with the weather and with others as excited about the adventure as you. I sailed as crew on these kind of sailboat for years ( Here is a video summary of my story ).

At the end, it's the people who make the trip! In my survey amongst 100 Atlantic ocean Crew & Captains who have done it, almost everyone answered to the question: “what would you do different, if you'd go again?” “I'd take more time to find the right vessel, with like minded and value sharing people.

Finding a boat is the easy part, finding the right and safe vessel aligned with your vibes and values, is the main challenge. With Ocean Nomads we now created a toolkit to help you dip your toes into the ocean nomads lifestyle , happy, safe, and meaningful.

How to find a sail boat ride across the Atlantic?

Here’s what I and ocean nomads have created for you to help you get out there, happy, safe, and meaningful.

It’s that time of the year again when many head south and west to follow the sun, catch the tradewinds, and realize ocean dreams.

Travelling an ocean on someone else’s sailing boat, or taking a stranger on board is not a straightforward endeavour. To be ready to expect the unexpected, careful investigation and preparation is essential. Four Ocean Crossings and 30.000 Miles of boat hitchhiking on dozens of vessels, as well as organizing crew for +10 different trips now, I figured out a few things, and keep learning:).

Here are the latest waypoints to help you on an ocean adventure, fun & impact:

• We’ve created resources and mini-courses on Sailing across the Atlantic, Offshore crew packing lists, Ocean crew preparing tips. Provisioning with minimum waste, Veggie recipes, Zero waste nomad life, and ocean education information. But the real value is the network you can tap into, find answers, connections, and support to make the ocean adventure dreams real.

• Because of that we can create way real value and attract real dedicated members only who are serious about making dreams real. 

NEW in 2024! The Sailboat Travel Crew Prep course.

I help you transition from being new to sailboat travel to a confident crew member securing a position safe, soon and sustainable. All my sailing lifestyle crew tips condensed into one pack. 

Ps. If any of the above has helped you, I'd love to hear so! Make a comment, leave a review on @oceanpreneur or @oceannomads.community, fill out the big Atlantic Ocean Crew survey

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On which boat have you crossed or would you be most exciting to cross the Atlantic?

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The best appropriate boat is about 30 to 40 feet long. In case you using a smaller boat, there is a possibility that it may not withstand harsh weather conditions and ocean currents.

thank you so much for this cool article.

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Sailing Across the Atlantic: My Experiences Sailing From the Canary Islands to the Caribbean

Are you thinking about sailing from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean? Then you might find my experiences useful.

It’s taken us two and a half months of pretty much non-stop work to get ready for crossing the Atlantic, to sail to the Caribbean from the Canary Islands.

I bought a 36-foot catamaran that only ever did coastal cruising and I guess I underestimated just how much more you need to cross the Atlantic.

Naive, I know, but if I would have known beforehand just how much work and money would have been involved I might never have done this, so I guess in this case my naivety was a good thing!

In those 2 and a half months we did sail the boat from La Linea in Southern Spain to Gran Canaria. So the boat has been tested and I got to experience what it’s like to be out at sea for several days on a boat that looks quite sizeable in a marina but feels tiny out at sea!

Note: If you’d like to know more about all of our preparations to get the boat ready to sail to the Caribbean, please go to my Instagram account . Under highlighted stories you’ll find the selection called ‘’Buying a Boat’’. This shares all the ups and downs of buying this boat and fixing her up.

Anyway, today we set sail to St Lucia!

In this article I want to share my personal experiences as a novice sailor, sailing across the Atlantic.

Later on, I hope to get Matt, who is skippering the boat and is a professional sailor, to write a more practical article with tips for crossing the Atlantic. But for now, you’re stuck with just my points of view and a day-by-day report of what happened while sailing from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean.

I hope you’ll find it both an entertaining and helpful article!

Tip: Matt gave me the book The Atlantic Crossing Guide because he believes it’s the best book to help prepare for an Atlantic crossing. I can see why and can highly recommend reading it while you get yourself and your boat ready to sail across the Atlantic.

Sailing Across the Atlantic: The Highs and Lows

Spoiler alert:  one of our highs was having whales swim around the boat. But some of our lows included the solar panels failing, the autopilot overheating, and our forestay breaking!

Day 1 of Sailing Across the Atlantic

It’s going to be just the three of us – myself, Matt, and my good friend Emma – sailing across the Atlantic.

With four cabins I hoped to be at least a crew of four, but it turned out more difficult to find reliable crew than expected. We had some issues with crew we found online, but I’ll spare you the details.

Today our adventure starts!

We woke up early to get to the fuel dock, got 140 liters of diesel (both for those days without any wind and to be able to recharge our batteries on days the solar panels aren’t producing enough), and made some final preparations.

By the time we were done, it was somehow 11AM (so much for leaving early) and started to rain.

I wish I had a proper bimini ( a sun shade ) to hide under now! But that’s one of many projects still left on our to-do list…

Thankfully the rain didn’t last too long and the rest of the day and night offered us light winds. We sailed along at about 5 knots.

Day 2 of Sailing Across the Atlantic

Cold, nauseous, and sleep-deprived…

That sums up how both myself and Emma are feeling today!

And it’s been over 15º Celcius (59º Fahrenheit) most of the time, the wind is less than 20 knots, and if you add up all of my naps I’ve slept over 8 hours.

Which makes me feel even worse about feeling like this! 🙁

I thought I’d deal with it better after the 7 days at sea to sail from Southern Spain to Gran Canaria.

Apparently not…

The waves should get less, or so Matt says, and of course we should just get used to being out at sea…

But, for now, this makes me not enjoy this day!

Day 3 of Sailing Across the Atlantic

Today is so much better!

I really enjoyed my watch (5am-9am). Lots of stars, bioluminescence behind the boat, a few shooting stars and I saw the International Space Station pass overhead.

The weather is sunny now and the water is calmer as well today which helps me feel a lot better.

Day 4 of Sailing Across the Atlantic

Matt woke me up at night to watch dolphins swimming around the boat through bioluminescence. Quite cool to see!

My night watch was quiet, and I’m really starting to feel less nauseous and less groggy which makes me a lot more capable to do things.

I had a long list of tasks for during this trip, from reading books and fixing little things around the boat to work-related things I could do offline. Up until now, I’ve just been feeling too queasy and groggy to do anything though, but I’m optimistic that that will change soon.

Emma is still feeling sick most of the day which means Matt and I are covering her tasks, and that is not really helping the atmosphere.

We should have some really calm days coming up though so I’m hoping we all get to enjoy those.

Day 5 of Sailing Across the Atlantic

It’s like trying to sleep on a rollercoaster!

The wind increased a lot last night which made it quite a bumpy ride. But, it also made us speed up a bit, which was very welcome.

Still, on average we don’t seem to do much more than 5 knots ( 9.26 kilometers or 5.75 miles per hour ).

Emma is feeling better, which is great, and I am generally feeling good although quite sleepy which means I go from watches to naps, to cooking, eating, and napping again…

I did finally start reading a book though. And I hope I’ll be able to finish quite a few books I’ve had lying around unread for too long.

Day 6 of Sailing Across the Atlantic

During the 10 weeks of almost non-stop work it took us to get this boat ready for her Atlantic crossing, I have definitely wondered why I’m doing this.

Can’t I just be normal, buy a house and settle down?

But as I am standing here on my watch at 6 am, looking at the stars, listening to the waves… I know exactly why I’m doing this.

I’m doing this because I need adventure. I need to not know what my days will look like two weeks from now.

And this trip gives me exactly that. I have no idea what the next few months will look like. Or the next few years for that matter.

I might love living on a catamaran in the Caribbean, learn to sail well, and keep doing it for years. Or I might start to miss the comforts of home and decide to sell the boat and return.

But no matter what, I’ve got some interesting adventures coming up and that’s why I do this!

And yes, my seasickness is clearly gone, the weather is getting warmer, I’m having more energy, so I am really starting to enjoy being here, out at sea, surrounded by nothing but water…

And then the solar panels stopped working!

That would mean that for the next two weeks we’d each be hand steering for up to 8 hours a day and that we risk losing all our electronic navigation tools…

It makes you realize how easily things can change from comfortable to really bad!

But, thankfully the issue turned out easy to fix. One of the cables had chafed through because of the constant wave action. So Matt used a part of the shore power cable to replace that and THANKFULLY it worked!

Day 7 of Sailing Across the Atlantic

From my least favorite part of the day to my favorite part.

My alarm goes off at 4.45 am every morning. And I know, that’s a very nice watch to have, getting to see the sunrise every day.

Still, I really don’t like it when that alarm goes off, I get dressed in the dark to not lose my night vision and then try to splash some water in my face and brush my teeth in the dark while the boat is moving all over the place… It keeps making me just a bit nauseous again each morning.

But then I go up on deck where I take over from Matt who always has coffee ready. Today he even made pancakes!

And then, as he goes to sleep, it’s just me, the stars, bioluminescence behind the boat, and the sound of the waves…

Slowly over the next few hours the sun starts coming up.

Standing there behind the wheel in the dark is my favorite time of the day. It’s when I have time to think about life and remind myself that I am sailing across the Atlantic on not just any yacht, but on a yacht I own!

When I was 17 I moved abroad for the first time (to Spain) and ever since then, I seem to have been choosing less traditional paths .

For years people asked me when I’d get a “real” job. And there have definitely been times I wondered if I wasn’t wasting my chance of a “real career”.

But here I am, with a business that generates passive income even while I’m in the middle of the Atlantic without internet, on a yacht that is paid for by money I made running my own business… I guess my less traditional path wasn’t all that bad of a choice!

Day 8 of Sailing Across the Atlantic

One week has passed, probably two more to go.

I guess until now I was secretly hoping we might sail from the Canary Islands to Saint Lucia in under 20 days.

We are still doing around 5 knots average and at this speed, there is no way we’ll make it to St Lucia any sooner than in 21 days.

The days are all starting to look the same a bit. On the one hand that is a good thing. It means we all have formed our routines (when we eat, nap, and have our different watches) and seem comfortable with that. But at the same time, I have never been a fan of routines and knowing exactly what my day will look like doesn’t help me get up in the morning.

But, I shouldn’t complain. If these dry, sunny days with moderate wind and no major issues on the boat continue until we get to St Lucia, we should count ourselves lucky!

Day 9 of Sailing Across the Atlantic

See day 8 😉

Really today was no different from yesterday.

Apart from me having a bit of a stomach ache. Nothing major, but it did make me think more about our hygiene on board… We wouldn’t all want to get sick at the same time.

We all try to use as little water as possible (yes, we have a watermaker, but that requires A LOT of electricity and of course it could break…). And that might mean we are not as hygienic as we normally would be.

I generally use hand sanitizer instead of water and soap to wash my hands before I cook food. But is that good enough? We do our dishes using seawater and we have very short and infrequent showers…

I’m sure we’ll be fine and more than anything it’s just a great way to realize how much I have been taking water for granted!

Day 10 of Sailing Across the Atlantic

Matt warned me that cooking and baking, which I’m not normally all that interested in, would become one of our main pass times during the Atlantic crossing.

And he was right.

I guess we are lucky that the weather is ok and the boat is behaving well, so we have a lot of downtime.

Today we tried making flapjacks (something I’d never heard of)… but we might need some more practice 😉

I’ve been spending a lot more time cooking than I normally would, and although I can’t wait to eat out again, it is a nice way to pass an afternoon at sea.

Matt even tried fishing for a minute, but quickly lost interest.

So my tip for sailing across the Atlantic: even if you don’t think you’re into baking, bring some flour and other basic ingredients anyway! You’ll probably end up happily using them.

Day 11 of Sailing Across the Atlantic

In the middle of the night the autopilot failed. It overheated and turned itself off.

Admittedly, this has happened before, on our sail from Gibraltar to the Canary Islands, so it wasn’t a complete surprise. Still, not a good thing either!

So far the wind had been quite strong and we were only using the jib. But now that the wind has started to die down we switched to the larger genoa and for some reason, the autopilot struggles with that.

So, in the dark Matt took the genoa down and put the jib up again. And we went from 6-10 knots down to about 4 knots…

The weather seems to be getting even calmer though, so we’re trying the genoa again for a bit. And if it calms down further it might even be time to run the engines tomorrow.

Oh, we also finally saw dolphins! While on the trip from Gibraltar to Gran Canaria we saw marine life (dolphins, turtles, and even a whale!) pretty much every day, on this trip we’ve spotted hardly anything so far. So this was a nice treat!

Day 12 of Sailing Across the Atlantic

Today it was finally calm enough to use the watermaker.

We had barely tested our brand new watermaker so I was a little worried it wouldn’t work, and then our water reserves for the rest of the trip would all of a sudden be quite limited!

But, barring a few minor leaks, it worked perfectly.

It’s good to get a chance to realize how much of a luxury freshwater really is… and Matt and I were both surprisingly excited to see our first few liters of water coming out of the watermaker.

And now that we know we have enough water, we can also finally have nice, long(ish) showers without worrying about using what might be our limited supply of drinking water. That feels great after 12 days!

Because the wind and the waves have finally calmed down we decided to put up the spinnaker. We’d never even taken the spinnaker out of the bag before, so we had no idea what it would be like. Slightly smaller than we hoped (a gennaker really) but still helped us going around 6 knots with minimal wind.

Oh and we saw a whale! He, or she, swam around the boat for hours.

Day 13 of Sailing Across the Atlantic

We’re still followed by one or more (we aren’t sure if it is just one or perhaps several) whales, which is nice entertainment.

Other than that it’s been a calm day. There is barely 10 knots of wind so even with both the spinnaker and the genoa up ( goose winged ) we struggle to do 5 knots.

So, a lazy day. I spent most of it reading my book, we baked a cake and made chapatis for dinner (I’ve honestly never done this much cooking and baking in my life!).

We also finally fixed the boom, which broke loose on day two (the gooseneck pin broke).

Day 14 of Sailing Across the Atlantic

Today has been another calm day.

We decided to run the watermaker again. It’s surprising how much more water we use now that we feel more confident we can make more!

In the morning we were visited by a group of dolphins and because we were going so slow I decided to put my Gopro on a selfie stick and hold it underwater. That created some cool footage of the dolphins swimming in front of our boat!

Day 15 of Sailing Across the Atlantic

Another uneventful day.

And in many ways of course that is good, because it means nothing broke and nothing bad happened to the weather.

But, we are clearly all getting a bit bored, are very much ready to get to the Caribbean, and therefore also a little more easily irritated.

And since we are only doing about 4 knots at the moment, with no signs of the weather changing soon, it is starting to look like it might take us more than 3 weeks to sail from Gran Canaria to St Lucia…

Day 16 of Sailing Across the Atlantic

Today we encountered our first squall ( a sudden violent gust of wind or a localized storm, generally with rain ).

Matt had been telling us about these since before we even set sail.

On any Atlantic crossing from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean they are a thing to expect, and to look out for.

Thankfully our first squall only dumped rain on us for about 10 minutes and wasn’t too windy. But they can come with high and changing winds, which can make them dangerous.

Other than that it was another uneventful day, with little wind.

Oh, Matt did teach me how to whip the end of ropes and how to splice ropes . Two terms I’d never even heard of! I love learning these things though, and now my goal for the rest of this Atlantic crossing is to whip all the rope ends…

Day 17 of Sailing Across the Atlantic

To get hot water for the shower we have to run the engine. And although I have two bathrooms, only in one of them the hot water works.

Or I guess I should say worked…

We ran the engines for an hour today, which feels bad anyway, burning diesel just so that we can have a hot shower… And then it didn’t work.

We haven’t been able to figure out what it is yet. So I guess that means cold showers for the rest of the trip, which isn’t too bad since it’s warm enough outside. But, it also means that once we get to St Lucia we’ll have to start looking for a way to fix this, and quite possibly replace it by something that doesn’t require running the engine every time anyone wants a shower.

Other than that the day was slow. We decided to change our watches again (we’re spacing out the 4 hour time change between the Canary Islands and St Lucia), I enjoyed using my new skill of whipping ropes and I made a surprisingly tasty Indonesian soup. Yes, cooking is really such an important part of this trip, mainly because there is little else to do…

Day 18 of Sailing Across the Atlantic

The temperature had slowly been going up each day from the day we left, but today was an extraordinarily warm day.

And that just helped me realize we are getting close to the Caribbean!!

There is still little wind so it might take another 5 days, but we will get there.

I continued whipping some ropes, Matt taught me a different splicing technique and we discussed some of the plans we have to further improve the boat once we arrive.

The boat will be an ongoing project, that’s for sure, but with a Caribbean island in the background that doesn’t sound all that bad!

Day 19 of Sailing Across the Atlantic

The wind picked up last night which means we’ve managed to cover quite some distance.

But this is where it’s a shame that we only have one real sailor on board. Everything falls onto Matt, who barely gets any sleep.

With the wind picking up the spinnaker was doing great. But that sail isn’t made for too heavy winds, plus the autopilot was starting to overheat again because of all the twists and turns the boat was doing… And then Matt wants to stay on top of things because he’s the only one who can make a good decision about when the spinnaker needs to come down, the mainsail can be added, or we’d better switch to the genoa.

Matt has sailed across the Atlantic seven times before, including on his own once, so I know he’s fully capable of doing this. But, there have been many days where he barely got 3 or 4 hours of sleep. And with more experienced sailors on board we could have definitely sailed a bit faster.

So, although I’d say I’ve learned quite a bit in the last few months, I definitely need to learn a lot more to become more useful on the boat!

Day 20 of Sailing Across the Atlantic

We again covered a good distance today and it looks like we’ll be in St Lucia within 3 days!

Meanwhile, we’ve been sailing through large amounts of seaweed ( sargassum ) for days and days now and I’ve started to wonder how normal this is.

Matt says he has seen patches of floating seaweed on his previous Atlantic crossings to the Caribbean, but never in these quantities.

Is this an effect of global warming? I wish I had internet to find out more…

Note: I did research it later. If you want to know more about what’s called the great Atlantic Sargassum belt and its recent increase, there are interesting scientific articles, this being one of them.

Day 21 of Sailing Across the Atlantic

We’ve got less than 200 miles left to go. On a journey of more than 2700 miles that feels like we are pretty much around the corner.

So, we’ve started talking in detail about the first things we’re going to do in St Lucia.

Eat a delicious local roti , enjoy a beer on some beautiful beach. And enjoy some of the comforts of the marina, such as spacious, hot showers and washing machines (I’m definitely running out of clean clothes by now!).

And internet of course, after three weeks without any form of communication other than a VHF radio, access to the internet will be strange!

But then, all of a sudden, we heard a loud bang.

The forestay broke!

This is one of the metal wires that holds the mast up. And it also holds our jib, which is one of the sails we use the most.

What a scare! So close to St Lucia, convinced we’d get there in less than two days…

We’ve slowed right down to put as little pressure on the mast as we can, and Matt has stabilized it with several halyards.

At the moment we’re sailing with a reduced genoa, but thankfully we also have about 100 liters of diesel remaining, so we can always motor to St Lucia if we have to.

It’s late now, I’m going to try to get some sleep, but this is definitely not how I expected this trip to end!

Day 22 of Sailing Across the Atlantic

The last few days I have had a lot of mixed feelings about arriving.

Of course I am really looking forward to finally being in the Caribbean and to exploring St Lucia.

But at the same time, I enjoyed the simplicity of life at sea . With relatively calm weather life seemed so simple. And not having the stresses that work, internet access, social obligations, etc. bring, felt quite nice.

I was worried I would get bored or very anxious to have internet again to check if my business is still doing ok… but I didn’t.

Of course today things do feel a bit different. The forestay breaking reminded me again of how many things can go wrong. And of how many things still have to be fixed on this boat.

It’s true, owning a boat is not cheap! And I know I am very lucky that Matt is a boatbuilder who can pretty much fix anything himself, but still, sometimes it feels a bit too much like a never-ending project.

So yes, this has tainted my feelings about arriving a little bit, because once again we’ll have to research where to get different boat parts to get our old girl fixed…

But, she’s hanging in there and we should arrive by tomorrow afternoon!

Day 23 – Arrived in Saint Lucia

We’ve made it!

It took us longer to sail across the Atlantic than we expected and of course I was gutted that the forestay broke, but all in all, it was such a great experience.

And oh it feels great to set foot on land again now.

Time to enjoy the Caribbean!

Sailing Across the Atlantic From the Canary Islands to the Caribbean – Final Thoughts

1. why didn’t we sail to cape verde first.

I’ve been asked this a lot. Yes, going to Cape Verde first does break up the Atlantic crossing a bit. But it also adds extra time to your crossing.

We left the Canary Islands in mid-January, which was much later than we hoped so we decided we just wanted to get to the Caribbean as quickly as possible.

But, to catch the tradewinds you have to sail south first , which gets you quite close to the islands of Cape Verde. So, if you are thinking about sailing across the Atlantic from the Canary Islands and love the idea of exploring an extra destination, then I see no reason not to stop in Cape Verde first.

Plus, I’ve spoken to many other sailors who did sail to Cabo Verde first and they have all been positive about it.

2. Why Did We Sail to Saint Lucia?

In all honesty, I don’t have a good answer.

Before setting sail to cross the Atlantic we knew we’d still have further repairs and upgrades to do. Saint Lucia has more facilities for that than nearby St Vincent & the Grenadines, which was the destination we really wanted to sail to.

Saint Lucia also has a modern, lively marina (Rodney Bay Marina) which we thought might be a good place to start after three weeks at sea.

But, in hindsight, I would pick a different location.

If you know you’ll have to do work on your boat, then St Maarten is a better location with more facilities and easier shipping of parts from the USA. Both myself and Matt have lived in St Maarten before, so the been-there-done-that feeling kept us from considering this as a destination. 

Barbados according to Matt has less to offer sailors, but it is the shortest distance across the Atlantic, so if I could do it again I might have sailed to Barbados instead.

And if you just want to start your Caribbean sailing experience in one of the most beautiful places, with many different islands to explore, then start in Saint Vincent & the Grenadines.

Also Read: What Sailing in Saint Lucia is Like – A Review of All Anchorages and Sailing in the Caribbean – The Best Islands & Other Tips

That’s It, We Made It Across the Atlantic!

This Atlantic crossing is nicknamed the milk run because it’s about as easy as an ocean sailing passage can get.

So my experiences of calm days, lots of time spent reading, cooking, and napping are quite standard.

But as an inexperienced sailor, I am happy it was that ”easy”. And of course it doesn’t mean there are no risks involved and you should definitely prepare for this properly.

If you want to see more pictures and videos of our Atlantic crossing or want to keep following what my old catamaran and I are up to, follow me on Instagram .

• How to Sail Around the World? 7 Ways to Make it Happen
• Sailing in the Azores – Things You Should Know
• 7 of the Best Places to Visit By Boat in Miami
• A Complete Guide to Sailing in Grenada
• Sailing in Curaçao – Anchorages, Marinas & More Sailing Tips
• Anchoring in Mullet Bay, St Maarten
• Sailing in Greece: Things to Know Before You Go

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4 thoughts on “Sailing Across the Atlantic: My Experiences Sailing From the Canary Islands to the Caribbean”

That’s so great you did it!

Yes! 🙂 Thanks Alex!

WOW! I am in awe of what you have achieved! Having never spent time at sea, I have heard that it takes a while to develop your “sea legs”. Does it work in reverse? When you landed in St. Lucia, did you have to get back your “land legs”.

Thanks Mike! 🙂 And yes, it took some time to develop my sea legs, and then back on land it took a while (a few hours) before it stopped feeling as if the ground was moving under my feet. lol.

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Created by Mar y San Design

Women and the Wind: Crossing the Atlantic in a 50-Year-Old Catamaran

In 2022 three women crossed the Atlantic Ocean on a wooden catamaran to document plastic pollution and find adventure, here's how

Ellen Eberhardt

Photographer

Alizé Jireh, Lærke Heilmann

In June 2022, Alizé Jireh and Lærke Heilmann were at Red Beard Farm in Wilmington, North Carolina buying 15 pounds of sweet potatoes, onions, tomatoes, and other sea-worthy produce. They even got to pull some vegetables straight from the earth, a memory that brought Heilmann comfort when cooking with them in a tight galley kitchen a month later, miles away from land, with nothing green in sight.

At the farm, Heilmann and Jireh were completing one task in a long line of chores to prepare for a voyage like neither had embarked on in their lives. Instead of taking the veggies home to a refrigerator, they brought them back to a 50-year-old catamaran called Mara Noka , and the boat's owner and captain, Kiana Weltzien . The three women had been living on the vessel for a month, preparing the ship—and themselves—to sail across the Atlantic Ocean from Beaufort, North Carolina, to Flores, Portugal for a project called Women and the Wind. But they had to wait for the right conditions.

When the right winds did strike, Weltzien, Heilmann, and Jireh planned to make the crossing in 30 days. They would document the journey in order to study and highlight plastic pollution throughout the Gulf Stream and to inspire others, especially women, to undertake momentous journeys of their own.

The first roots of the idea came up in 2017, when Weltzien discovered Mara Noka floating in a Panamanian bay. She bought the boat on a whim, upending plans for a solo backpacking trip through South America. She'd already been traveling the world by boat for more than two years after quitting a career in real estate; she had been exposed to life at sea first by a family she worked as an au pair for and then again as a crew member on a 70-foot-long Polynesian voyaging canoe. Growing up between Brazil and Florida exposed her to various water sports, but it was only after those formative years as an adult that Weltzien embraced a dream of becoming a fortified, professional sailor. Buying Mara Noka was another dream realized—now she was the captain of her own ship.

Weltzien was living and sailing on Mara Noka in January 2020 when she arrived in the Canary Islands, where she met Heilmann at a party. Beyond a shared passion for the ocean and its care, both women spoke Portuguese, and both had a fake tooth; coincidences that cemented a fast bond. Heilmann was born and raised in a hippie commune in Denmark, where she spent summers sailing with family. While she wasn't particularly interested in the sport, she grew passionate about the ocean, and eventually, she moved to the Canary Islands after falling in love with the surf and the slower way of life. At the time of their meeting, Heilmann was working as a Project Coordinator for the Clean Ocean Project , an organization dedicated to beach clean-ups and ocean conservation education worldwide.

It wasn't long after that first meeting that they began dreaming of a transatlantic voyage drawn from a desire to shine a light on plastic pollution in the ocean and, of course, a natural call toward adventure. The first step would be to repair Mara Noka —the old boat required lots of TLC after years at sea.

"I thought I was going to die on this trip. I was very certain of that."

When the pandemic hit, dreams of going anywhere came to a screeching halt worldwide, but it gave Weltzien and Heilmann more time to plan. Finally, in February of 2021, Weltzien took Mara Noka out of the water and into a boatyard in St. Augustine, Florida, where her grandmother lives. Heilmann joined her four months later, and they planned to repair Mara Noka and set sail in a few weeks.

In actuality, the repairs took a full year. With no prior experience in shipbuilding besides Weltzien's knowledge of mixing epoxy, the pair trialed and errored their way through the process, documenting it through photos and reels on the Women and the Wind Instagram page . Friends and family visited to help and offer advice, and one experienced shipbuilder shared his expertise, making occasional appearances to offer advice, sometimes sage, like "listen to the boat." As they deconstructed the boat, they began to understand its structure, and rebuilt from there.

After a year of sanding, sawing, painting, and gluing in the hot Florida sun, in May 2022, Mara Noka was finally ready for the water, complete with a fresh coat of paint and a hand-carved nameplate on a repurposed blank of original Panamanian sour cedar decking. At the end of the month, Mara Noka , Weltzien, and Heilmann sailed from St. Augustine to Beaufort, North Carolina, to prepare for their final departure and to pick up their third crew member, photographer and filmmaker Alizé Jireh.

All while Weltzien and Heilmann were remaking Mara Noka , Jireh was keeping up over Instagram, and she became enchanted by the two women restoring a 50-year-old catamaran by hand. Born and raised in the Dominican Republic, she too had spent her childhood around the water and had vivid dreams of sailing. At 16, she started shooting documentary photo work and started traveling with it, eventually connecting with Weltzien while working at a production company in South Africa. The two stayed in contact, and during a trip to St. Augustine in 2021, Weltzien invited her to the boatyard to check out the progress on Mara Noka . Jireh was smitten with the whole operation. Half a year later, Weltzien sent her a message asking if she'd not only like to come along for the voyage, but also capture the experience for a planned documentary. With no prior sailing experience save those childhood dreams, Jireh responded with a resounding yes. "For me, it was no question about it," she says.

With Mara Noka repaired and Jireh on board, the small crew spent most of the early summer waiting to set sail and growing accustomed to the boat, and each other. For Weltzien, who had been happily sailing solo on Mara Noka for years, adjusting to traveling with others would be one of the most challenging aspects of the journey ahead. "I'm a solo sailor," Weltzien explains. "So to sail with people, I needed a purpose. And the purpose is to spread this message of 'if we can do anything, you can do anything.'" Although Heilmann and Jireh were equally dedicated to spreading their intended message, simply surviving the trip proved the tallest hurdle. "I thought that it would be my last time on earth," Jireh says. "I thought I was going to die on this trip. I was very certain of that."

"To sail with people, I needed a purpose. And the purpose is to spread this message of 'if we can do anything, you can do anything.'"

On June 27, 2022, Mara Noka officially set sail. For the next 30 days, the women went without technology, the only connection to the outside world via a satellite phone and a friend, who posted updates to Instagram on behalf of the crew. Even Jireh, who kept her camera rolling for the better part of the voyage, waited until landfall to review more than 100 hours of footage captured during the trip. For 30 days, it was just Weltzien, Heilmann, Jireh, Mara Noka , and the sea.

In the beginning, the ocean welcomed them with calm conditions, but still, each crew member battled personal challenges. Jireh fell seasick almost immediately and remained so for two weeks. Heilmann tested positive for COVID just a few days in. And Weltzien was navigating living with two inexperienced sailors on a boat and in an ocean that had previously brought her seclusion and peace.

The women adjusted to their new reality slowly. "I feel like we didn't talk much for those first two weeks," Heilmann says. "We were all in our little zone." They remained distant throughout the beginning of the journey, in part as a natural reaction to a new lifestyle, and then later they were forced to due to two weeks of bad weather. But there were moments of connection, too. They shared all their meals, a ritual that remained with them through the duration of the voyage. "One thing I think we always did together—except for during the peak of the storm when [Heilmann and Jireh] were my prisoners locked below in the dungeon—was eat together," Weltzien explains.

On the seventh day, the winds started to pick up and were followed by weeks of rain, 10-20 foot waves, torn sails, and gear tossed overboard. The three women rotated between sleepless nights in water-soaked beds, sticky and wet from the constant saltwater leaking through the ½-inch plywood into their sleeping quarters. Weltzien was often busy manning the boat in the swell, while Heilmann and Jireh rotated between helping with tasks on board and taking shelter in the cabin below, intimated by the full force of the weather.

Throughout it all, Jireh kept her Panasonic GH 5 camera rolling in 4K (between taking breaks to throw up). Her equipment survived the trip, but barely. "That shit dropped so many times," she says. "The screen stopped working." Both Weltzien and Heilmann were impressed with Jireh's abilities to create in an environment that was literally shifting below her feet. "It's so impressive having seen the other side," Heilmann says. "Seeing her with her camera, throwing up." To the crew, the camera started to develop a personality of its own, an electronic Wilson to their collective Tom Hanks.

"Being a tiny little speck of a boat in the middle of the ocean, seeing trash every day makes you realize that the trash is absolutely everywhere."

Another constant was the trash they saw in the water. Even out to sea, pieces of plastic would float by every day. Between collecting what they could and their own gear lost during storms, it was hard not to feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount going into and coming out of the sea. "Being a tiny little speck of a boat in the middle of the ocean, seeing trash every day makes you realize that the trash is absolutely everywhere," Weltzien says. They did what they could before, during, and after the voyage, fishing trash out of the ocean and participating in beach clean-ups when on land. "You just have to focus on one solution to the problem at a time," says Heilmann.

On their 19th day at sea, just over halfway through the voyage, the sun reappeared with a small swell and light winds. To celebrate, the crew broke out a bottle of red and their lingerie, a ritual they had planned before setting sail. Buoyed by the shifting seas, amidst clothing and blankets hung to dry, they looked ahead to the remainder of the voyage in good spirits.

And the ocean seemed to reward them for surviving those initial trials; the remaining 10 days held with good weather, and after surviving the turbulent seas together, they experienced its bounty. They talked more, slept on the deck under the night skies, listened to music, read, journaled, and above all else, indulged in the vastness of their surroundings and the lessons of life on the water. Dolphins, whales, and seabirds paid visits. Heilmann caught her first fish, a mahi-mahi, and spent two days crafting a pirate flag emblazoned with a skeleton mermaid . Weltzien moved back to her normal sleeping quarters from the 12-inch wide bench in the galley she'd been using, and Jireh finally managed to keep food down.

One day out from landfall, all three women anticipated their arrival with a flood of emotions. "I hate arriving," Weltzien says. "It's exciting. It's great, it's beautiful, but it's just like it's your bubble bursting. It's your reality that you thought was real for so long. Just poof." During their month at sea, the boat and their life aboard it had been a departure from the burdens of modern living, a gateway to complete symbiosis with nature.

Yes, certain parts of the voyage had been extremely challenging, but they had all consciously agreed to the perils the Atlantic might present. Life at sea was expansive and vast, and their lifestyle reflected the same. Reaching land, where rigid thoughts, schedules, and structures rule life suddenly seemed more daunting than 15-foot waves. "Everything has to be explained in words that are somehow not enough to explain what you felt," Heilmann shares. "It's very overwhelming."

On the night of July 25, 2022, cell phones buzzing with incoming messages from the past month, Mara Noka cruised past other moored boats and dropped anchor in a harbor off Flores, an island in Portugal's Azores archipelago. The voyage was complete.

For the next month, the crew debriefed while sailing around the Azores together, and waited for the right conditions to deliver Heilmann and Jireh to their departing flights. After goodbyes, Weltzien sailed by herself to Brazil, a crossing that lasted 43 days, realizing along the way that she missed their company.

Today, the three women are spread between Brazil, the Canary Islands, and the US, but led by Jireh, they're editing and producing the Women and the Wind documentary . They plan to overlay Jireh's ethereal footage with journal entries from the trip, and they've also set up a Kickstarter to help meet production costs .

Weltzien, Heilmann, and Jireh are still processing the voyage. They share what they can put into words about how it changed them. "I feel a lot of little things that maybe mattered before, I really don't think they matter at all," Heilmann explains "I think I've never done anything that long with so many uncertainties and so many reasons that you shouldn't. And it feels really powerful."

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For another ocean-lover making waves, read our Q&A with surfer and photo-journalist Gabriella Angotti-Jones on her new book 'I just Wanna Surf' .

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• Yachting World
• Digital Edition

How to cross the Atlantic in short hops

• October 7, 2021

If a non-stop eastbound Atlantic crossing seems daunting, there may be another option, which offers shorter periods at sea and spectacular scenery, but brings its own challenges...

An Atlantic crossing is – rightly – considered a bit of an epic. An east-bound crossing, often even more so. But by following the seafarers of old, on what is pleasingly known as the Viking Route , it’s possible to cross from tropical Florida or metropolitan New York to Europe with less than a week at sea at any one time.

That’s not to say it’s an easy option. A high latitudes voyage into the North Atlantic demands respect and serious preparation to sail in remote areas with increased risk of severe weather and sea ice. But the rewards can be spectacular.

Alberto Duhau sailed his Hylas 63 Shaima from Florida to the Mediterranean one summer, by heading north along the east coast of the US, across the North Atlantic via Newfoundland, Greenland and Iceland, then south to Europe via the Faroe Islands. Here’s how he did it:

1 Newfoundland to southern Greenland

During July, high pressure is typically centred just south-west/west of the Azores with ridging extending south-west/west towards Bermuda. There is a weak high over Greenland, with low pressure generally over north-east Canada (Baffin Island to northern Quebec) and near Iceland.

To the north of the Azores high, the prevailing winds are west/south-west for much of the way to Iceland. Wind is usually stronger south of the rhumbline, and lighter to the north. July offers the lowest chance of gales, but occasionally stronger lows develop and move east/south-east from eastern Canada.

2 Greenland to Iceland

For this passage the main concern is the north-easterly wind near Greenland’s Cape Farewell. If the Greenland high pressure system is stronger than normal, beware of north-easterly winds along the south Greenland coast of 25-30 knots plus.

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Expect light conditions heading east toward Iceland. If south of the rhumbline, there is greater chance of stronger westerly/south-westerly winds, while a northerly route is more likely to encounter north-easterly/easterly headwinds.

Packing up the sails, Northern Iceland

3 Around Iceland and to Faroes

Circumnavigating Iceland at the end of July and beginning of August is the optimum timing with the smallest threat of gales, but you may have to wait out bad winds for a day or two for a window.

The roughest weather is associated with low pressure passing to the west, north-west, or west, which correspondingly means the strongest winds are south-westerly, westerly, and north-westerly.

Avoiding North Atlantic storms and ice

Alberto Duhau enlisted the advice of expert meteorologists in advance of his north Atlantic trip. He knew the voyage was possible in good conditions, but wanted a second opinion regarding timings. 

Research revealed that the region’s quietest weather historically occurs between mid-July and the first 10 days of August. However, settled conditions can run from late June to the end of August. Autumn develops earlier the farther north you are, so it is generally a good plan to turn south by the second half of August. 

Duhau also contacted the well-known expedition support High Latitudes for help with ice routing between Newfoundland and Iceland. Founder and experienced pilot Magnus Day joined the crew for this part of the cruise.

“Ice is possible anywhere from Nova Scotia to about 150 miles south and east of Cape Farewell,” Day warns. “All ice should be regarded as dangerous to small vessels.”

Ice charts are available from the Canadian Ice Service ( ice-glaces.ec.gc.ca ) and the Danish Maritime Authority ( dma.dk ) and are useful as a guide, but must not be relied upon. Radar is also a useful tool, but it may not pick up even large pieces of ice in certain conditions.

Ice in the Labrador Sea will usually be thicker along the Newfoundland and Greenland coasts. Commanders’ Weather recommends heading due east until around 45°W, then turning north.

Magnus Day broadly concurs. “A wise tactic to lessen the chances of encountering ice is to head square offshore until outside the reported ice zone, then more or less parallel to the axis of the Labrador Sea until adjacent to your destination, before turning in square to the shore again.” He recommends motoring if the wind is light.

Day’s other top tips include:

• Have one or more crew outside on deck paying close attention for ice at ALL times.
• Ideally have two crew rotating on every watch – one on deck keeping a visual lookout while the other keeps a radar watch and makes the coffee etc. Roles should be swapped as regularly as every 15 minutes to help maintain levels of alertness.
• Ask passing vessels if they have seen any ice locally. Likewise, when in port talk to locals and ask them what they’ve seen recently and if there are areas locally which collect ice.
• Crew need to be dressed to stand outside in freezing temperatures with wind and waves coming over the deck for long periods of time. Think about how you can create shelter for them on deck. 
• Never drop your guard. It only takes one piece of ice to bash a hole in your hull as you fall off a wave.

Expert advice for ice regions

Commanders’ Weather has been advising sailors about optimum weather routing for over 25 years. Their expert meteorologists have supplied forecasts for cruisers and racers, including the SailGP circuit, Olympic sailing teams and Comanche ’s 2016 Atlantic record. See commandersweather.com

As well as pilotage, High Latitudes has the expertise to plan itineraries in both polar regions, secure the necessary environmental permits, offer logistical support and work on modifications to suit a yacht for ice. See highlatitudes.com

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