![CARIBBEAN WARMTH](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/5180/697153/60ed34c9f083c/CARIBBEAN-WARMTH.jpg)
We glide down the eastern side of El Hierro and leap into the vastness of the Atlantic. The island shrinks behind us as the sun melts into the horizon, bathing the waning land in soft orange light. It’s early January and I’m joined by Harry Scott and Lily Journeaux, two friends from Falmouth, who shouldered their fair share of toil and graft during Elixir’s (our classic S&S Swan 37) year-long restoration.
It’s their first ocean crossing, and as El Hierro disappears into the pink haze, I ask Lily how she’s feeling. “I’m not nervous, but I feel something,” she muses, “I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it’s big – kind of like Christmas, but bigger.”
On the first morning, we pole out two big genoas, one on either side. By attaching both sails to the furling gear we can quickly take in sail each time we spot a squall creeping up from behind. The two bulging foresails fill in the steady trade-wind, and we accustom ourselves to the downwind romp. It’s not long before Elixir becomes near-autonomous. The sails and wind vane working together to keep course, and the solar panels and tow generator labouring to keep our vegetables cool.
There are a few annoying creaks in the saloon, and an orchestra of thumps and crashes accompany each sloppy crest that shoves Elixir onto her rails. There is a lingering smell of spilt balsamic vinegar, and it takes a few days to get over the initial spell of tiredness. During the first week, our reconstructed wind vane loses control and threatens to give up entirely. After spending a few hours hanging over the transom, we manage to coax it back into doing its job, and tentatively watch its every move for the rest of the passage.
Denne historien er fra August 2021-utgaven av Yachting World.
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Denne historien er fra August 2021-utgaven av Yachting World.
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
![EXPECTATION VS REALITY](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5180/1820228/Y2Nz5qiEo1725452206047/EXPECTATION-VS-REALITY.jpg)
EXPECTATION VS REALITY
TERYSA VANDERLOO ON WHAT THE FIRST YEAR OF SAILING AND LIVING ABOARD A PERFORMANCE MULTIHULL HAS TAUGHT HER
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NIKKI HENDERSON
WANT TO BE A BETTER SKIPPER? THINK LIKE AN INSTRUCTOR
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MATTHEW SHEAHAN
AMERICA'S CUP HISTORY IN MINIATURE REVEALS A LOT ABOUT HOW AND WHY THE EVENT HAS SUCH AN ENDURING APPEAL
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CLUBS WAN 43
THIS CONTEMPORARY MULTI-MODE CRUISER-RACER IS ONE OF 2024'S MOST EXCITING LAUNCHES. TOBY HODGES WENT TO THE FINNISH YARD FOR THE FIRST SEA TRIALS... SORT OF...
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DUFOUR 44
IT'S NOT JUST VOLUME THAT HAS CHANGED DRASTICALLY IN PRODUCTION CRUISING YACHT DESIGN, IT'S HOW DESIGNERS AND SAILORS USE IT
![PACIFIC FIRE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5180/1820228/MZRrKgaPN1725449188197/PACIFIC-FIRE.jpg)
PACIFIC FIRE
CAUGHT IN A WALL OF LIGHTNING IN A TRADITIONAL SAILING CANOE, THOR F JENSEN'S BID TO SAIL AROUND NEW GUINEA IS IN JEOPARDY
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AMERICAN CLASSIC
THE NEWPORT BERMUDA RACE IS THE OLDEST OCEAN RACE IN THE WORLD. WILL SOFRIN TOOK PART IN THIS YEAR'S 636-MILE BLUEWATER CLASSIC
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IMPOSSIBLE CHALLENGE?
DOES BRITAIN FINALLY HAVE A SHOT AT THE CUP? HELEN FRETTER TALKS TO INEOS BRITANNIA SKIPPER BEN AINSLIE AND HELMSMAN GILES SCOTT ABOUT WHY THIS TIME, IT'S DIFFERENT
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ACROSS THE TOP
“That sea sure is mean,” our kind driver observes as my salty trio climbs into his truck, fresh off a roughand-tumble crossing of the Gulf of Carpentaria.
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MOVE TO A MULTI
MULTIHULLS HAVE SOARED IN POPULARITY, BUT WHAT'S IT REALLY LIKE TO GO FROM A MONOHULL TO A CATAMARAN? LIVEABOARD CRUISER JOSHUA SHANKLE SHARES LESSONS LEARNED