Sailing Florencevideo
LAND HO ENGLAND! After 7 YEARS AT SEA | Sailing Florence Ep.169
November 24, 2023 · 22 min · 92K views
What this video covers
The 37-foot sailboat Florence completes a seven-year circumnavigation, making landfall in the Isles of Scilly, England, after a final 400-mile leg from the Azores.2:37 Throughout the passage, the crew maintains a consistent speed of 4 to 6 knots, intentionally reefing the mainsail and genoa to time their arrival for dawn and avoid entering the anchorage in darkness.13:57 Despite the North Atlantic’s reputation for severe weather, the crew experiences unusually calm seas and light, variable winds, requiring frequent sail changes and jibes to maintain progress.10:02 Navigation in the final approach involves dodging heavy fishing traffic in low-visibility mist, complicated by a non-functional radar.11:15 Upon arrival at St Agnes, the crew notes the return of significant tidal ranges, reaching up to 5 meters on spring tides, a contrast to the minimal tides encountered in the tropics.19:33 The passage concludes with the boat anchored in a cove on St Agnes, marking the crew's return to British waters.18:07 Prioritizing safety and vessel integrity over speed remains the primary lesson of long-distance cruising.16:25
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.



