Sailing the Mediterranean in Winter: Our first Overnight Passage with No Autopilot

Name: Sailing the Mediterranean in Winter: Our first Overnight Passage with No Autopilot
Uploaded: 2025-03-06T23:00:10.000Z
Duration: 14 min 32 s
Description: A Hallberg-Rassy 35 completes a 150-mile passage hand-steering after the autopilot fails in 25-knot winds.

6. mars 2025 · 14 min · 21K visninger · Gulf of Lion

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A Hallberg-Rassy 35 sailed a 150-nautical-mile passage from Poisson-Louis, France, to Cala Rosa, Spain, in November with a failed autopilot.0:15 The crew encountered 20- to 25-knot winds and 1.5-meter seas on the beam, requiring constant hand steering.2:50 Initially, the boat carried full sail, which created significant rudder pressure and physical fatigue for the helmsman.4:47 After several hours, the crew reefed the mainsail, which reduced the helm load and improved comfort without sacrificing speed.5:17 The passage lasted approximately 30 hours, with the crew alternating between two- and four-hour shifts to manage exhaustion.7:13 Upon arrival, the crew anchored using a manual windlass, requiring two attempts to secure the boat in the anchorage.11:48 The experience highlighted the physical demands of hand steering in heavy weather and the importance of reefing early to maintain crew energy and boat balance.