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Fibreglass Boat vs ICE | Sailing Florence Ep.219
November 20, 2025 · 25 min · 41K views · Ny-Ålesund
Sailor probes icy waters near glacier in Arctic
What this video covers
Matt and Amy, sailing their 1985 Oyster Marine 37 HERITAGE, navigate the icy waters of Svalbard, Norway, during a summer expedition. After sheltering in Ny-Ålesund for four days to avoid 42-knot gale-force winds, the crew encounters dense concentrations of glacial ice while exploring the fjords.1:43 To protect the fiberglass hull, they maintain slow speeds and use a DIY extendable painting pole to push away small ice chunks.12:18 The crew notes that while the boat’s heavy, solid-fiberglass layup can withstand minor contact with small ice, they avoid larger bergy bits and maintain a distance of 250 to 300 meters from active glaciers to mitigate risks from calving-induced waves.13:36 They eventually anchor in a shallow, 2.5-meter-deep cove to avoid drifting icebergs overnight.21:04 The experience confirms that while a non-metal boat can operate in Arctic conditions, constant vigilance and slow maneuvering are required to prevent hull damage from floating ice.
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