Sam Holmes Sailingvideo

A long solo sailing passage to Syracuse Sicily

October 21, 2023 · 23 min · 80K views · Comino, Malta

What this video covers

A solo sailor transits from a protected bay to Syracuse, Sicily, navigating light winds and variable sea states. The passage requires motor-sailing initially to clear choppy, reflected waves near the coast before transitioning to spinnaker sailing in light air.1:25 Upon arrival in the large Syracuse anchorage, the sailor performs wing foiling in 5–9 knots of wind and tests a prototype inflatable dinghy, the EZ RAFT.11:34 This lightweight, Dacron-based craft features a raised, self-bailing deck and an electric pump, though it lacks traditional pivoting oar locks.17:22 The sailor also repairs the spinnaker using adhesive repair tape and provisions the boat for an upcoming passage to Greece.9:19 While waiting for a delayed package, the sailor explores the city and practices wing-foiling maneuvers in the bay.10:43 The trip highlights the challenges of managing light-wind performance and the logistical delays common when coordinating deliveries to transient ports.

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