Sailing Florencevideo
Sailors on the Run | Sailing Florence Ep.224
6 February 2026 · 22 min · 48K views · Arctic Norway
Sailboat heeling hard in rough seas, spray flying
What this video covers
The owners of an Oyster Marine 37 HERITAGE, Florence, navigate the coast of Arctic Norway while managing a series of gale warnings.0:22 Facing a forecast of 43-knot gusts, the crew prioritises finding a sheltered anchorage over a marina in Bodo, which they determine lacks sufficient protection.17:32 They select a bay with low-lying land to windward to avoid the dangerous downdrafts common near mountainous terrain.16:58 To prepare for the storm, the crew swaps their staysail for a storm jib and keeps it hoisted for immediate deployment should the anchor drag.14:48 They anchor with an 8:1 scope using a 20kg spade anchor and 10mm chain.20:12 During the gale, they monitor their position on the chartplotter and perform a reverse-thrust engine test to confirm the anchor’s hold.20:48 The storm ultimately produces gusts in the high 20s rather than the predicted 43 knots.21:20 The crew emphasises that local topography often creates wind conditions significantly different from regional forecasts.
Boats in this video
More from Sailing Florence
From Sailing Florence — 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.