On the first leg, from Le Grande Motte, France to St. Martin, I remember feeling blissful. Days and nights filled with sailing, reading, eating, sleeping, playing guitar, sharing stories. I loved it.
On the second leg, from St. Martin to New York, I felt it again.
Friends have asked me if I had any epiphanies, deep thoughts, and my answer was no. But now, I attribute feeling a lightness of being to having less daily demands, responsibilities and obligations, surrounded by beauty.
My Atlantic crossing was an incredible adventure. It involved years of dreaming, studying boats, boat shows, discussions and planning. Then buying the boat, choosing a captain, visiting the shipyard in France, provisioning the boat, mentally preparing for the unknown, shipping supplies, and saying good bye to friends, co-workers and family.
There were several unexpected events. First, I didn’t expect the weather to be sunny and windy for 95% of the 2 legs. I didn’t know that was possible. While you have to be careful for what you wish for, I kind of wanted to get more heavy weather experience.
I didn’t expect to get so lucky finding Captain Jan and his wonderful crew. Great people and very competent sailors. It was the first crossing for Claudia, Larry and me, and we shared the same wonder and excitement. Sailing with my son David, from St. Martin to Provenciales, Turks and Caicos was wonderful. Joe was a great crewmate and chef.
I didn’t expect to see so many boats on the crossing. We happened to overlap the 2014 Atlantic Rally. We were an unofficial entrant and before we peeled off for St. Martin, we were 26th out of over 200 boats. I attribute that to a fast catamaran and the large Code D sail, perfect for the trailing trade winds to blow us westward
I didn’t know the Bahamas are so beautiful and water could be so clear, sand so fine.
Tons of flying fish, porpoises, whales, rainbows, incredible sunrises and sunsets. I could feel the maritime history in the Med. Arriving in the early morning to Gibraltar was one of the most powerful moments as was entering the New York Harbor, seeing our first Caribbean Island and the Miami skyline, poking up over the horizon.
I want to thank Jan for exceeding all expectations. You were an incredible guide, patient teacher, man of your word, passionate sailor, and, now, someone I am lucky to call friend.
I want to thank my awesome teammates at Friedlander Group/Insuregy for enabling me to make this happen. I am so lucky and grateful to work with such outstanding people.
I want to thank my friends and family for their support. I apologize for any stress I may have caused.
I want to thank my incredible wife, Lisa, for supporting my dream. I am forever grateful. You are a beautiful person.
Our friends showed us the way home.
Flying Fish
Making Tracks
heading West to Florida
Sunset over Exumas
Joe cooking up some great Bolognese
Sailfish Harbor with my Dad
My dad waving goodbye from the Stuart Inlet
Twin Spouts off the Florida coast
Off of Norfolk, Va.
Sandy Hook, 5.5 days after leaving Stuart, Florida.
Arriving in NY Harbor
Gorgeous final Day to trip!
Onto Wall Street then up the East River to Stamford.
Stamford Harbor, bitter-sweet.
Lisa and childhood friends Nick Tretter and Dan Abt joined us in the celebration.
Thank you Davali!!!
s/v Davali 