The project season is on its last legs, and soon we can head towards north again. After the deck rebuild, we took a month off from boat projects and enjoyed some sailing and anchoring on Havel. After the well needed rest we cracked on with the following projects:
The morning started with finishing the last project: fastening the windvane bracket to the hull. At 10 we cast off our lines and hooped the signal horn 3 times to mark the start of the summer’s cruise. A small fairwell committee hooped their answer and we motored away.
We started the morning with an early coffee and departure, as we wanted to clear the sport boat waiting pier before the ship elevator started operating at 6am. The Order valley opened before us foggy and cold, but thankfully with enough visibility to motor onwards.
We had an early morning to finalise the hydrogenerator wiring. Then we headed north through the busy Szczecin harbour. Another workday meant a single-handed sail.
We’re now sitting in the rolly Marina Swinoujscie waiting for the weather to improve. This has given us the chance to complete some of the projects we couldn’t get done before leaving Berlin. The biggest of those was the self-steering windvane installation.
The morning started very early as we wanted to gain as much space between us and the lee shore of Usedom with the easterly breeze. Sails went up at 6am at the same time with the rising sun. Finally we were at the sea!
We started the day with a big Sunday breakfast. Then boat ready and underway.
Today’s sail was to be a short one: a downwind run from our anchorage to catch one of the six daily bridge openings at Rügendamm.
When is the correct time to leave for a passage is a question that has never just one right answer. When are the winds and waves suitable? When can the crew go? What is the expected traffic situation? Are you willing to motor when necessary or is it pure sailing? Which of the weather forecast models do you rely on?
Long weekend was about to begin, and so it was time to sail onwards. Looking at the weather, this meant an early start if we wanted to cross the Bay of Hanö before winds turned easterly.
Morning started with pretty strong winds so it was to be staysail and main in 1st reef. We sailed the narrow fairway wing on wing to the main shipping lane, gybed towards north and were on our merry way onwards! During the day the winds calmed down, so the reef was shaken and genoa rolled out.
The day started grey and drizzly. But hey, it is Vappu, time to go sailing! Forecast had decent southerly winds for the whole day, suiting our general plan to head north.
Today’s project was to comission our new-to-us watermaker, Katadyn PowerSurvivor 40E. We ate a hearty breakfast as the expectation was multiple leaks and other plumbing issues. Bergie set to work on the watermaker as Suski had a work day.
Due to a workday full of meetings we decided to spend the day at the pier. This gave opportunities for charging up our battery bank with solar and making some more water.
Our secure anchorage held us till after work. During the day it was time to work, bake some bread and make water. After the laptop was closed it was time to head out again.
Another beautiful sailing day! Since we knew wind would fill only a bit later, we started the day with a refreshing deck shower - spring hasn’t quite yet arrived here, and it was 1°C in the morning. After that, sails up and under way.
Today we took the mammoth task of changing to another SXK buoy 1 nautical mile away! We side tied the banana boat to Lille Ø and turned on the motor. Then we proceeded to slowly motor through the narrow passes between rocks, both visible and hiding just under the surface.
Another sunny day. It is hard to believe that we’ve been off-grid for two weeks - batteries are full, as is the freshwater tank. Time to head east for our weekend plan!
Weather dictates when we wake up and when we set sail. We are expecting a gale coming in this evening, so we left early in the morning to sail the last 10 NM to Nynäshamn. We hoisted the main sail when still tied to the buoy and sailed away, motor running on neutral, just in case. With a 60° wind angle we then rolled out the genoa and left the anchorage in style.
We started the day with a trip to the local gas station. The spring has been cold, and hence we’ve used quite a bit of diesel for heating. After filling up, under way!
Sometimes the best plans come out short. Suski woke up early to the sounds of rain. With an all time speed record through the boat she was out and collecting the towels from the guard rails before they got soaking wet.
A long weekend and a promising forecast meant heading out a bit further. Refreshed by sauna and the good sleep, we prepared the boat and left the SXK pier.
A full day offshore started with light winds where we had to steer by the electric autopilot. This sea area is really quiet! We’ve only seen a few cargo ships and maybe a dozen seagulls all day.
The night brought with it a little bit more wind and we were gliding on the waves smoothly. The northen horizon glows with sun’s rays and it is just pure magic to do night passages this time of the year. Dusk and dawn simultaneously on the northern side and stars and night sky on southern side.
While the passage from Stockholm archipelago to Sundsvall had been lovely, today’s sail was more on the frustrating end.
After work it was time to set sail again. We took the inside route as we wanted to see the High Coast Bridge. They call it the Golden Gate of the North. Inside route also ment that you can effectively forget the wind forecast as the high hills create their own wind. From 15kn to 0 and back and everything from beating to broad reach while going to the same compass course.
What a lovely day for a spinnaker sail! A south wind started coming up around 11am, so we detached from the buoy and hoisted the Parasailor. Then it was a leisurely glide past the monumental fells of the High Coast, with the Parasailor dampening the waves for the office worker.
We spent an extra day in Ulvöhamn to wait out a blow. Then, the next day, as work laptop was closed we hoisted anchor and headed out. An “auf wiedersehen” rang from the shore. Lille Ø was the first visiting boat this year, we had been told.
Now that we’re above 64°N, it doesn’t really get dark at all. The sun sets around 11pm, there are a few hours of twilight, and by 2am it is rising again.
The second night was a fast one. Double foresails and full main meant that we were proceeding with hull speed. Our hydrogenerator kept our battery full, even when the off-watch was using the electric blanket to thaw themselves out after watch duty outside.
The gale blew past without incident, and we happily slept late. After a late breakfast we turned the boat around in the narrow harbour with lines. Then out and towards North.
After some well deserved sleep, we took off at noon. As the night is light, we can arrive to the destination at any given hour without an issue. We raised the mainsail just outside the harbour and were on our way towards south, for the first time on this trip!
