Acorn To Arabella · video

What this video covers

The 38-ft schooner Arabella completed a four-day offshore passage from Norfolk, Virginia, to Mattapoisett, Massachusetts, with a crew of three. During the transit, the vessel encountered sustained winds in the high 20s with gusts reaching 35 knots. The crew maintained a position 5 to 10 miles offshore to utilize winds blowing off the land, which minimized the sea state. The autopilot’s rudder feedback sensor failed during the first night, forcing the crew to hand-steer for the remainder of the trip. The crew managed sail configurations by reefing the mizzen and adjusting the jib to handle the conditions. Upon arrival in Mattapoisett, the boat was secured on a mooring in nearby Marion. The crew plans to install a new light-wind sail and remount the anchor before continuing their voyage north. Hand-steering remains a reliable fallback when electronic autopilot components fail during offshore passages.

More from Acorn To Arabella

Upgrading the Rudder and Another Trek To The CliffAug 2026We're Climbing a Wall No One Has Ever Climbed Before | Rock Climbing on Newfoundland's South CoastJul 2026Exploring Newfoundland's Unclimbed Coastal Cliffs by SailboatJul 2026Fjord Hopping | Arabella Sails East Toward The NuddickJul 2026

From Acorn To Arabella — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analysed video.

The Sailing Directory Newsletter

One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.