My First Solo Passage !

[MarkJ]

Hi Folks,

I just finished my first single handed passage of 400 miles in 6 days.
Yep it was not fast! Becalmed for a few days and drifting the rest.

Needed to pop into Palma, Mallorca and will be heading to Canaries via Gibraltar (and maybe Rabatt in Morocco) in the next day or so. (Looking at the weather I should be pluckin the anchor right now, but... gimmee a break! LOL

I really enjoyed the solo leg. Ships and all. And was quite relaxed, and well slept etc.

I also managed to finish a couple of books - Adrift! <--- dumb book to read on ones first solo trip!!!!! And also a couple of other books from solo sailors.
Noticed, and remembered other similar books where the people have generally gone off in new boats (or new to them boats) (incl Chitchester, Crowhurst, Slocumb) with little sailing experience (Tanya Albia; a whole stack of others) or no passge makng experience (William Pinkney).
So I think it was very lucky for me to go where I know my boat so well over the last 27,000nms or whatever it is; know her foibles and in pretty benign weather.

I am now seriously considering doing the whole atlantic thing by myself.

Funnily enough I would think the Atlantic trip to be the easist of the legs from here.

Anyway, I'd be interested in people thoughts and advice



Mark

[Rearsteer]

Good going! Glad to see that you are getting on OK with Nic gone. I have a lot to learn from you my friend (if I can call you that?). Keep going and stay safe. Scott

[kb79]

nice work, man.

just out of curiosity, what was your sleep/watch schedule?

[steamgoat]

Go for it !! The chance will probably not come again. Seriously, I found Gib to Canaries the worst bit due to shipping and fishing boats. Once I left Gran Canaria I saw one sailboat till Antigua. Enjoy, Bruce.

[Sandero]

Good show Mark. Would be interesting to read how it was different aside from the obvious without Nicole. For example, were there things you always took care of Nicole rarely did and visa versa and now you are having to deal with that too? I'd think that couples don't share equally sailing chores.

What was you sleep/watch schedule?

[capt_douglas]

Congrats on the milestone, despite the loss of Nicole.

I had a lot of anxiety about my first solo passage but, like you, had good weather and no problems. I learned I could do it on my own that I needed to think a bit further ahead, do things a bit earlier, and be a bit more careful.

[speakeasy]

Very nice! Glad you're liking it. "Free at last, free at last, thank god almighty, free at last." Or some such.

I'll be keen to hear how you're doing it. Meself will be double handed in a month and single-handed a few weeks after that in the Sea of Cortez. I can't wait.

[Caribsailors]

Originally Posted by capt_douglas

Congrats on the milestone, despite the loss of Nicole.

I had a lot of anxiety about my first solo passage but, like you, had good weather and no problems. I learned I could do it on my own that I needed to think a bit further ahead, do things a bit earlier, and be a bit more careful.

AGREE'D. I did mine 2004 from BVI's to the TCI's 400+nm Fantastic experience. Spent my second day steering around whale cow/calf pairs at the Silver Banks. Didn't sleep much that night knowing I was transiting the migration path of the humpback whale. I think all sailors need a minimum 2 day solo.

Congrats

[Surveyor]

I am glad to hear you made it safely and without incident. I am surprised, given your mileage and years sailing, that this was your first solo. Good job though and if you decide to go the distance I have faith you can do it.

Btw, the last time I was on the board you were in Turkey. Alot seems to have changed since then, including the site, wow!

Good luck and favorable winds!

[Caribsailors]

I met a gentleman when I was in Grenada in 2003 and he singlehanded the Med and the Atlantic. Grenada was his first land fall. He was 51 I think, when I met him and he decided he wanted to learn to sail and sail the world when he turned 50.

Left from Cypres on an ex-charter 32' I think. Shared some fabulous stories that all ended "It didn't say that in the book"

Great guy

Cheers

[nautical62]

I'm afraid I'm not qualified to give any advice, but just wanted to say I'm glad the solo thing is treating you well so far, and I wish you the best on your crossing whether it's solo or with new crew.

All the best.

- Dave

[maxingout]

I don't think you would have any trouble doing the solo trans-Atlantic in season. The trans-Atlantic part was easy for us. Going from Gibraltar to the Canaries was the only part that was challenging weather for us.

You can do it.

[RiverRat]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

I just finished my first single handed passage of 400 miles in 6 days.
Yep it was not fast! Becalmed for a few days and drifting the rest.

Well done!! Congrats!

[RayW]

Thats awesome! I'm looking forward to sharing some beers once you get this side of the pond.

[shadow]

Hey Mark, great job!!!! Good to hear that you are very well and getting used to and loving the solo sailing life.. We wish you the very best and safest trip. Do keep us constantly posted as I am also curious about your sleep/watch schedule!!..

Keep on rocking and rolling brother!!