Vie d'écumevideo

14 - CORAIL's next adventure, the return transatlantic crossing

January 1, 2026 · 22 min · 1K views · Le Lamentin, France

CORAIL sails toward distant islands under bright blue sky

What this video covers

Corail, a 1991 Beneteau Oceanis 440, is preparing a return transatlantic passage from Martinique to Toulon, planned to depart mid-February and take roughly four months.3:08 The primary route runs Martinique–Les Saintes–Saint-Martin (for duty-free provisioning)–Azores (Horta)–Gibraltar–Mediterranean.2:00 An alternate, longer route would add the Bahamas and a stop at Nassau before crossing, extending the trip to around ten months; Bahamas entry fees now exceed the roughly $400 USD paid on the outbound leg, and boats over 35 feet pay a higher rate.4:45 The skipper rules out a Canadian Maritime detour via Îles de la Madeleine and Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon because ice risk in May makes it unsuitable for a fiberglass hull.7:07 The boat carries no Starlink; communications rely on a Garmin inReach Mini 2 for satellite weather in basic format, with interest in a remote weather-routing arrangement.17:36 The skipper outlines crew expectations: no smoking below, one drink per day maximum, vegetarian-leaning meals, and a watch system where the skipper stays off formal night watches but monitors continuously.13:12 Corail's three-cabin, three-head layout (approximately 18 seacocks total) and Lavac toilets — pump replacements around €280, seat replacements around €300 — are flagged as maintenance considerations for prospective crew.19:07 On the outbound Atlantic crossing, the boat lost a spinnaker pole and a steering sector broke due to autopilot load in 4.5-meter seas.18:53

Watch on YouTube

Boats in this video

Beneteau Oceanis 440Their boat

More from Vie d'écume

Plans have changed, we're doing the Spanish coast, Toulon will have to waitAug 2026Watch out for the orcas of Gibraltar, I'm staying on guardAug 2026Working at the top of the mast, Titouan vlogging at a height of 20 meters 😨May 2026DRAMA in the middle of the transatlantic return, when the ocean shows you that you are nothingMay 2026

From Vie d'écume — 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.

Report an issue