Surya Noctis (Dufour 44′) and a crew of 8 set sail from Antigua to Italy on April 15th, 2024. Leg one took us to Horta in The Azores in seventeen and three-quarter days.
We didn’t really expect to be close-hauled sailing upwind for all but the last few miles, so we rapidly became used to life on starboard tack; life on a slant! The best places to be were in the cockpit and in your bunk. Moving around was a constant challenge, but considering how many days we were doing that, all emerged unscathed.
As for the trespassers, we had a ‘sweep’. Everyone guessed or estimated how many vessels we would see between losing sight of Barbuda to twenty miles from Horta. It had to be visual day or night; not by electronic means – serious parameters set. Guesses ranged from five to thirty, and eighteen took the prize; spot on as well, not even nearest to.
Asking all the team on board, nobody has been bored! We think our watch system has been inspired. 0600 – 1200; 1200 – 1800; 1800 – 2200; 2200 – 0200; 0200 – 0600. So, three watch teams (for us, a 3-3 and a 2 with 8 on board) rotate through the watches, moving on one each time. That way, you see all the different watches; the sunset watch, the sunrise watch, and you always have a minimum 8-hour break (max 12-hour). So, there really is time for rest and chilling.
When I have waves to watch, I find it hard to be bored, but there are such spectacular but simple things to see and enjoy. By day, the sunshine and clouds; the occasional whale only just the top of his back and some spouts of water; the visits from dolphins that come to swim with us, jump and swoop around the bow, apparently just for the fun of it. They must know somehow that they always lift spirits and bring joy.
But the nights are like theatre. The display of stars on clear nights is just spectacular, with crystal clear bright formations like I have never seen them, and the amazing speckled mist of the Milky Way with a myriad of tiny stars that I didn’t know existed. Then, down beside and behind us, gentle sparkling bioluminescence trailing past the boat as it slices through the dark water, all so silent yet competing with any display of fireworks for beauty and wonder.
And what of putting a group of eight nearly strangers in a space the size of a modest caravan? Yep, and not stopping anywhere for 18 days. Well, it is amazing. I guess the reality is folk don’t come if they are not willing to tackle that. We have only experienced kindness, consideration, generosity, and fun. Oh, and hard work with a readiness to learn new skills and apply them 24/7 in its truest sense.
/Brian Deacon – Surya Noctis First Mate, Second Star Sailing cruising and powerboat Instructor/