Blue Horizonvideo

The circumnavigation begins: The four of us sail 1000km across the Atlantic. 5 days at sea.

21 December 2025 · 32 min · 138K views · Atlantic Ocean

What this video covers

Thilo and Leonie, sailing with two crew members, depart Europe on a 600-nautical-mile passage to the Canary Islands.0:06 The crew maintains a consistent butterfly rig with the jib and genoa poled out, averaging 6 knots in 8 to 12 knots of wind.7:38 During the transit, the crew navigates heavy commercial traffic in the Strait of Gibraltar, requiring active course adjustments to maintain safe distances from container ships.2:02 One encounter involves a tense VHF radio exchange with a cruise ship, where the vessel's bridge officer expresses panic over the proximity of the sailboat before a second officer takes over to coordinate a safe passing.20:18 Wildlife sightings include dolphins and a fin whale, which the crew initially mistakes for an orca.8:45 The crew manages night watches by rotating shifts among four people, which significantly improves energy levels compared to sailing as a couple.9:04 They reach the halfway point in approximately 300 nautical miles, benefiting from steady winds and minimal sail adjustments.16:07

Watch on YouTube

More from Blue Horizon

Ankunft auf Brasiliens abgelegenster Insel | Die verrückteste Insel der Welt?Aug 2026Atlantic Crossing Part 3 V2Aug 2026Broken Engine and No Wind in the Middle of the Atlantic | What Now?Aug 2026Crossing the Atlantic from Africa to South America | 3,000 KilometersAug 2026

From Blue Horizon — 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.

Report an issue