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I Arrived at Brazil’s Most Legendary River by Sailboat (after Almost Running Aground) | #SAL #418
May 24, 2026 · 31 min · 28K views · Foz do Rio São Francisco
Sailboat at sunset with silhouetted mountains and calm water
What this video covers
A 38-ft sailboat departs the Sergipe River bar in Aracaju, Brazil, for a 53-nautical-mile coastal passage to the mouth of the São Francisco River.7:15 The skipper times the departure for 3:00 a.m. to coincide with the tide, anticipating a 10.5-hour transit at an average speed of 5 knots.6:08 Navigating the bar at night requires reliance on GPS tracks and sonar depth readings, as visual markers are obscured by darkness.8:10 Initial progress is slowed to 3 knots by short-period, confused seas and an adverse current.10:14 The vessel maintains a distance of no more than 7 nautical miles from the coast throughout the journey.16:01 Performance improves once the wind shifts, allowing the crew to shut down the engine and sail at 5 to 6 knots.14:28 The passage concludes with the vessel arriving at the São Francisco River entrance during daylight hours, as planned.20:49 Proper passage planning and monitoring of tidal windows remain essential for navigating the river bars along the Brazilian coast.
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