![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.
This story is from the August 2021 edition of Yachting World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 2021 edition of Yachting World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![THE NEXT CHAPTER](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5180/1730731/FIOdF7_Xq1720613293074/THE-NEXT-CHAPTER.jpg)
THE NEXT CHAPTER
THE ARCHETYPAL SCHOONER CRUISER-RACER IS BACK ON THE CARIBBEAN CIRCUIT. NIGEL SHARP JOINED ADELA'S CREW FOR ITS FIRST REGATTA IN FIVE YEARS, THE ANTIGUA SUPERYACHT CHALLENGE
![ZEMI FORM MEETS FUNCTION](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5180/1730731/aj5sutIhU1720612763487/ZEMI-FORM-MEETS-FUNCTION.jpg)
ZEMI FORM MEETS FUNCTION
MALCOLM MCKEON DELIGHTS IN THE CHANCE TO RACE HIS OWN DESIGN BALTIC 110 ZEMI AT THE ST BARTHS BUCKET.
![PEGASUS TAKES OFF](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5180/1730731/J0AdTkN9a1720612395739/PEGASUS-TAKES-OFF.jpg)
PEGASUS TAKES OFF
MIXING NEW AND PROVEN IDEAS, PEGASUS HAS CREATED A SHORTHANDED FAST BLUEWATER YACHT WITH A MARKED DIFFÉRENCE, AS TOBY HODGES DISCOVERS ON A TWO-DAY TEST SAIL
![A LONG WAY ROUND](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5180/1730731/VDJ9tYW6U1720611441293/A-LONG-WAY-ROUND.jpg)
A LONG WAY ROUND
THE OCEAN GLOBE RACE WAS ALL ABOUT BRINGING BACK THE SPIRIT OF THE EARLY WHITBREADS. ELAINE BUNTING FINDS OUT HOW THE CREWS FARED
![THE BIG OCEAN CLEAN](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5180/1730731/l5RwJeRSQ1720611035482/THE-BIG-OCEAN-CLEAN.jpg)
THE BIG OCEAN CLEAN
AN AMBITIOUS PLAN IS SETTING OUT TO REMOVE PLASTIC FROM THE WORLD'S GREATEST OCEAN
![RING OF FIRE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5180/1730731/_OVld6qaA1720610709765/RING-OF-FIRE.jpg)
RING OF FIRE
A MEMORABLE PASSAGE FROM FIJI TO AUSTRALIA FOR KATE ASHE-LEONARD
![HALF WAY HEAVEN](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5180/1730731/FwWbE995S1720608505005/HALF-WAY-HEAVEN.jpg)
HALF WAY HEAVEN
A FINAL PACIFIC PASSAGE FROM FRENCH POLYNESIA TO NEW ZEALAND TAKES THE SWAN 37 ELIXIR HALFWAY AROUND THE WORLD
![THE ENDLESS OCEAN](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5180/1730731/K_hy0uLjy1720608167536/THE-ENDLESS-OCEAN.jpg)
THE ENDLESS OCEAN
THE PACIFIC IS THE WORLD'S BIGGEST OCEAN, BUT WITH SO MANY OPTIONS HOW DO YOU PLAN A ROUTE ACROSS? CRUISERS SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES
![NIKKI HENDERSON](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5180/1730731/buus-Ppx41720607813172/NIKKI-HENDERSON.jpg)
NIKKI HENDERSON
ALL YACHTS SHOULD HAVE THE MEANS TO GO ALOFT AT SEA AND A CREW MEMBER WILLING AND ABLE TO DO SO
![MATTHEW SHEAHAN](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5180/1730731/5mFQY7FFp1720607508152/MATTHEW-SHEAHAN.jpg)
MATTHEW SHEAHAN
IT’S ALL SMILES FOR THE AMERICA’S CUP TEAMS AS THE BRAND NEW AC75 BOATS HIT THE WATER. BUT THE SERIOUS BUSINESS STARTS SOON...