La Balade de Jade · video

What this video covers

Jade crosses the Gulf of Aipen — an exposed Pacific-facing stretch of the Patagonian channels — in 30–35 knots of sustained north-west wind and swells just under 3 metres, conditions considered acceptable for the area.▶ 2:19 After weeks in the sheltered canals, where swell is essentially absent, the crew finds even moderate open-water motion disorienting. The Messier Canal passage runs at 7 knots in 15–20 knots of following wind with no swell at all.▶ 3:05 Puerto Eden, population 82, serves as the last logistics and administrative stop before the south.▶ 7:25 A weekly supply boat delivers for roughly 20 minutes; pre-arranged contacts allow fresh provisions, diesel, and cash.▶ 7:39 The Chilean Armada office there — the last before Puerto Williams — requires crews to present their ZARPE, accept daily position-reporting by email, and answer VHF calls from the navy with crew count, origin, and destination.▶ 8:03 South of 50°S in the Pite Canal, the crew selects anchorages from a nautical guide, prioritising caletas with four-point land lines and good shelter orientation ahead of two approaching Christmas depressions.▶ 10:00 At one caleta, they rig lines to trees and use fishermen's mooring lines, noting the importance of tying knots far enough from the water to allow release from the dinghy at low tide.▶ 14:51 A second boat joins and the two crews cross-anchor to hold each other with four or five shore lines, keeping masts offset to avoid collision in gusts.▶ 17:46

More from La Balade de Jade

Jade#53 - From the Strait of Magellan to the Beagle Channel: 50 knots of wind for the New Year!Mar 2026Jade#51 - Towards the SAN RAFAEL GLACIER: we're navigating among our first icebergsDec 2025Jade#50 - CHILOÉ and the GULF OF ANCUD: the adventure resumes, the crew is trainingNov 2025Jade#49 - AT THE SHIPYARD IN PUERTO MONTT (Chile): preparing the boat for the Patagonian canalsOct 2025

From La Balade de Jade — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analysed video.