Sailing Nova Vitavideo
SAILING - Azores to UK 2026 - part 1
July 25, 2026 · 18 min · 715 views · Azores
What this video covers
The crew of the 40-foot sailboat Nova Vita departed Angra do Heroísmo in the Azores in early June, bound for the UK on a 1,200-mile passage.Watch To avoid motoring through the light winds of the Azores High, the crew chose a longer, westerly route toward Flores and Corvo to maintain consistent wind pressure.2:50 During the first five days, the vessel encountered varied conditions, including 24 hours of fog and motoring, followed by 20 to 25 knots of wind that allowed for downwind sailing.7:07 The crew managed rolling seas by reefing the mainsail to a third reef to prevent rigging damage from slatting.16:17 Navigation relied on manual true wind calculations due to a malfunctioning log.11:26 The passage plan involves timing the transit around major weather systems to reach Plymouth in approximately 10 days. Strategic routing around high-pressure zones allows a sailboat to maintain wind-powered progress rather than relying on an engine during calm patches.
Boats in this video
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