A Son de Marvideo
Hans Geilinger. Around the world aboard the Tuvalu.
11 December 2025 · 55 min · 235 views
What this video covers
Hans Hellinger and his wife, Inma, completed a 12-year circumnavigation aboard their Dufour 40 Performance, *Tuvalu*.▶ 3:47 The couple departed in 2010 after a year of preparation, which included refitting the vessel and liquidating their land-based life in Barcelona.▶ 11:45 Hellinger, an architect by trade, emphasizes the necessity of having a "Plan B" for technical and safety contingencies, noting that while Mediterranean sailing experience provides a foundation for sail trim and boat handling, ocean passages require adapting to the distinct wind patterns and cultural landscapes of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. Throughout the voyage, the crew utilized PredictWind via satellite phone for weather routing and relied on Iridium for communication, having moved away from earlier shortwave radio and Pactor setups.▶ 17:42 The journey was intentionally slow to avoid cyclone seasons, allowing the couple to leave the boat in marinas like Shelter Bay and explore inland regions, including Patagonia. Hellinger maintains that the primary challenge of a circumnavigation is the internal psychological growth required to live disconnected from modern, high-speed digital infrastructure.
Boats in this video
More from A Son de Mar
From A Son de Mar — 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.