Thanksgiving Dinner When I arrived in Bermuda, my stress level was very high. In my view, many things failed along the way. I spent a solid two and a half years going through every system on the boat and so many failures… My spirits were low. I cleared Customs and docked the boat on the […]
Arrived in Bermuda Read More »
It’s noon on Saturday, November 17th. Noon is a historically significant time when voyaging on the ocean… Ancient mariners would fix their position by the noon sun using a sextant or quadrant. They would shoot the sun… a minute later, they would shoot it again. If the sun moved up, it was before noon. The
Bermuda is so close! Read More »
After breakfast, I checked my position. I was 980 feet from the waypoint I had set before departing Virginia. Luck… I know… but still amazing! Maybe luck will be on my side now. That waypoint was out of the Gulf Stream According to satellite imagery. I should be on the western edge of an east-going
I was hoping to depart Currituck Beach around 4 pm. It was now 6:30 pm. I was starting a long journey. So, I had to stay positive, telling myself those two and a half hours were lost 12 hours ago. Distant Horizon has made good time. We are heading for the Gulf Stream. The winds
Gulf Stream Crossing Read More »
I was sailing south on the Atlantic Ocean. Just three miles offshore from Virginia Beach. There was a nice breeze off my starboard quarter (right rear corner). The wind and current were both flowing south, making this a nice gentle sail. I knew this wasn’t going to last. The forecast said the winds would drop
Sailing South on the Atlantic Ocean Read More »
Final Preparations Distant Horizon and I have been in the southern Chesapeake Bay area for the last four years. During that time, I rehabilitated my shoulder, injured during my previous attempt to cross the ocean. For the subsequent two and a half years, I have been preparing Distant Horizon for our final attempt to sail
The Journey Begins Read More »
Arriving in Falmouth Bay On the morning of November 13, 2021, the sky was dark and stormy. Antigua was in sight off the starboard beam. We couldn’t make a direct approach. There were a number of squalls racing us to make landfall. So, instead we turned to port, missing a couple squalls before turning towards
The Trip Explained Through sheer coincidence and a bit of luck, I joined a crew on a sailboat participating in the 2021 Salty Dawg Rally to the Caribbean, which was sailing to Antigua. There is safety in numbers, as they say. That is what the rally is all about. Weather updates are provided on a
Sailing to Antigua Read More »
It has been two years since I last sailed on the ocean. Major work was done on the boat; both structural and rigging. Although out of my way, sailing to Bermuda seems to make a lot of sense. It is roughly a five-day trip. This would give me time to get my sea legs back. It would also serve as a good test for all the work I’ve done to the boat.
Updated Sailing Plan Read More »
Over the past several years, I have made three attempts at fulfilling a lifelong dream. My dream is to sail across the Atlantic Ocean and return to Scotland. This voyage is to honor my uncle Edward who taught me about boats and sailing and to complete a journey he had planned for the two of us, albeit in reverse. Uncle Edward passed away over 20 years ago, but I have kept the dream alive. I am doing this in memory of him.
Solo Transatlantic Attempts Read More »
