Sailing Florencevideo
Sailing across the North Sea to Norway | Sailing Florence Ep.210
18 July 2025 · 29 min · 91K views
What this video covers
A 37-foot sailboat, *Florence*, completes a North Sea passage from Scotland to Ålesund, Norway, as the first leg of a voyage toward Svalbard. The crew manages light winds and motoring for the initial 24 hours before encountering 25-knot winds and confused seas north of Shetland. They monitor oil rigs via AIS and plot a zigzag route to maintain safe distances. Although originally planning to sail to Bodø, the crew diverts to Ålesund after weather forecasts indicate 35-knot gusts and steep four-meter waves further north. Immigration formalities for Norway involve emailing regional police headquarters to coordinate arrival, as the standard online registration system is designed for commercial shipping. During the passage, the crew tracks a Garcia Exploration 45 expedition yacht on AIS, noting that the heavier vessel maintains higher speeds in stronger winds while *Florence* performs better in light air. The crew arrives in Ålesund, an official port of entry, to clear customs and prepare for the next stage toward the Arctic Circle.
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