We needed to get into Horta in the Azores as soon as possible. The message on our Garmin InReach read: ‘There’s a low forming north of you, and if you don’t get in by Sunday morning, you could experience gale-force winds of 50-60 knots.’ We were 300 miles from Faial and had less than 48 hours before the low was predicted to arrive. From our calculations, we’d have to make at least 6.5-7 knots the entire way to make it on time. Crossing the Atlantic from west to east is considered a testing route, especially as the weather can be varied. It proved challenging for us, with gear problems including a jammed headsail, which we had to cut away, and a failed generator, which saw us enforce water rationing – none of which was easy when sailing with three children under the age of 11. When my husband, Dave and I started planning our sailing adventure from our home in Adelaide, Australia four years ago, we knew we wanted to cross an ocean. That dream led us to choose our Moody 47, Roam, which we bought, sight unseen, in Grenada, despite having no real sailing experience. Known for its blue-water capabilities, with a partial skeg-hung rudder, solid fibreglass construction, centre cockpit and a stout rig, she was more than capable of making the crossing. We were also more than prepared, having now cruised thousands of miles along the Caribbean chain over the last 18 months.
PREPARING FOR OUR CROSSING
Denne historien er fra November 2019-utgaven av Yachting Monthly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra November 2019-utgaven av Yachting Monthly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
I WAS THE ONLY SAILOR ON OUR FAMILY CHARTER AND IT HAD TO GO WELL
Crystal waters, cliff tombs and sunken outboards lain Willis wanted to ensure plain sailing for his family’s first charter around Turkey's Lycian Coast
HOW IT WORKS SEAWATER PUMP
The water and oil seals on a water pump shaft will eventually wear with time, leading to pump-shaft corrosion or loss of engine oil.
THOUSANDS OF MILES ACROSS THE INDIAN OCEAN
Floris and Ivar battled severe weather and cross swell to sail from Australia to South Africa, but there were beautiful islands on the way
The secret of yachts with enduring appeal
Fashions come and go, but J-Boats remain a safe choice for great sailing boats, whether you want to own it for ever or sell it
Tragic sinking of Bayesian; Italian prosecutors investigate
The sinking of the Bayesian superyacht in reportedly only 16 minutes and the tragic loss of seven lives has sent a shudder through the sailing community and beyond.
THE ADVENT OF MARINE AI TECHNOLOGY
Fonathon Savill reports on the revolutionary impact artificial intelligence is about to have on all areas of life at sea
IMPROVING SINGLE-LINE REEFING
Martin Watts explains how to reduce the friction on the reefing lines of newer yachts
The secrets of skippering a successful cruise
Setting off on a cruise is easy, but planning a route that keeps your options open and ensures the enjoyment of all on board is more of an art
CRUISING THE KINGDOM OF THE ISLES
Joanna Martin and her husband Mark sail across the Irish Sea to the legendary sea kingdom and to draw the wonderful wildlife there
MOODY DS48
Can a boat built for long-term, long-distance cruising and offering one-level living still deliver an enjoyable sailing experience? Theo Stocker sets sail across the English Channel to find out