Sailing Florencevideo
BIG WAVES and GALE FORCE WINDS mid-ocean | Sailing Florence Ep.164
September 15, 2023 · 33 min · 691K views
What this video covers
During a passage from Bermuda to the Azores, a 37-foot boat, Florence, encounters sustained gale-force winds and heavy seas in the North Atlantic. The crew, Amy and Matt, manage the vessel under staysail alone as wind speeds frequently reach 35 to 46 knots.10:16 Breaking waves repeatedly flood the cockpit, and one impact rips the interior table from the cabin floor after a crew member is thrown from their bunk.7:47 To maintain control in following seas, the crew relies on an Aries wind vane, which performs consistently in high-wind conditions.17:21 Sleep deprivation remains a primary challenge, exacerbated by the need to frequently adjust sail plan and jibe in response to squalls.1:58 The crew monitors nearby shipping traffic using an Em-trak AIS transceiver connected to a masthead VHF antenna.30:34 Despite the rough conditions and damage to the interior, the boat remains seaworthy throughout the transit.
Boats in this video
More from Sailing Florence
From Sailing Florence — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analyzed 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.