ROUTES
PAST ROUTE
Portugal to Brazil
December 2023
We followed the traditional “trade winds” route used by the early explorers and by 500 years of sailing-based trade.
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21 days of sailing plus 5 days of stops along the way.​
Our longest stretch offshore was 10 days between Cape Verde and Recife.
We faced all sorts of things breaking on the boat, and improvised everything from sail repairs to Christmas cake.​
We sailed in every condition imaginable. Sometimes surfing storm waves, larger than the boat, and sometimes sitting in the scorching stillness of the doldrums.
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Eventually we made it to Brazil, just in time for the Reveillon Carneiros New Years’ festival. What a treat after such a voyage.
PAST ROUTE
Brazil to South Africa
We took a highly unconventional, and difficult route, only done by global ocean-racers.
We sailed due south to the edge of the terrifying Southern Ocean, known for its 20 meter waves and 50 knot winds…. on an easy day.
We intentionally sought out these storms and skirted the edges of them to go from west to east with meaningful speed, but without getting wrecked. Literally riders on the storm.
25 days straight at sea, in rough weather, and no stops on the way. Conditions like this break boats and personalities.
April – May 2024
NEXT ROUTE
South Africa to Cape Verde
June 2025
This route will follow the South Atlantic gyre, heading north west, with mostly comfortable sailing with the wind.
After crossing the doldrums, which are at their widest point, near Africa, we will have to adapt our course to more irregular wind patters, to find our way “upstream” in the trade winds to get to Cape Verde. We have to keep our distance from the African coast, to avoid pirates, and light wind.
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Do you feel adventure calling?
FUTURE ROUTE
Cape Verde to South France
This will be a technically complex sailing route that requires great skill and luck, to make our way in the opposite direction of the trade winds. It could take us as far west as the Azores, or we may be able to find a more direct route to Gibraltar.
Crossing through the strait of Gibraltar, by sail, requires extreme diligence, to avoid commercial traffic, and to make the crossing when a wind and tide gate open in our favor.
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Do you feel the calling to master the weather game?