Transatlantic Leg 2: Azores to Lisbon, 26 April - 06 May 2025 (11 days)

The trip will be focused on mile-building and training. In total, we should log up to 1000 nautical miles and 180h in tidal waters.

Anticipated route:

Horta (Azores) - Ponta Delgada (Azores) - Lisbon

We will be maintaining a watch system to ensure everyone is well rested, meals are prepared on time and maintenance is undertaken when necessary. There will be 3 watches with up to 2 people in each watch.

HANSE 575 "GALINI"

Galini is fast and sporty. She was designed by Volvo Ocean Race Designer and is the fastest yacht in her class. She is well-equipped and prepared for ocean sailing. She has some premium equipment on board like Starlink (high-speed satellite internet) and a washing machine. So if you have to stay connected with your business while you are away sailing, this is possible.

Follow the boat on Marine Traffic (MMSI: 211632290).

We will inspect the boat thoroughly before the voyage to ensure that every bit of equipment is absolutely ship-shaped.

General info:

• Year: 2014
• Type: sailing
• Hull: monohull
• Length (LOA): 17.15 m (57 feet)
• Waterline length (LWL): 15.15 m
• Hull speed: 9.45kt
• Berths (Bunks): 8+1
• Cabins: 4+1
• WC / Shower: 4
• Beam: 5.2 m
• Draught: 2.25 m
• Air draft: 25.3 m
• Engine: 110 HP (4JH110)
• Fuel capacity (Diesel): 520 L (tanks) + 3x20L (jerry cans)
• Water capacity: 840 L
• Displacement: 19.5 t
• Single spade rudder
• 2 steering wheels
• Sails: Fully battened mainsail 74.54 m2 (3 reefs), Furling genoa 66.25 m2 (optionally self-tacking), Asymmetric Spinnaker (Gennaker): 121.00 m2, spare sails

Equipment:

• Autopilot
• Starlink - High-Speed Satellite internet (200 Mbit/s and small ping), mobile-gobal package (unlimited data close to the shore and 100GB offshore), 70-90 W
• Iridium GO! satellite terminal (weather forecast, emergency communication)
• Air condition
• Swimming platform
• 2 Refrigerators
• Freezer
• Stove
• Washing Machine
• Sprayhood
• Radio/CD/MP3
• 12V and USB sockets
• DSC VHF radio
• 2 Handheld VHF DSC radios
• EPIRB
• AIS
• Radar
• Radar reflector
• Compass
• Sonar
• Log
• Wind instruments
• Stainless steel anchor and 100m of chain
• 2 electric winches
• 6 flex solar panels (150W per panel)
• 6KV Panda generator
• Inverter Victron multiplus, optionally providing 230V in every cabin and salon
• Watermaker (30 L per h, 12V)
• 2 B&G touch screen chartplotters behind steering wheels
• Computer with navigation software in the navigation table
• Plastimo drogue
• Sextant Astra IIIB Deluxe
• PredictWind Offshore app
• Dinghy with electric outboard
• Complete set of pilot books, almanacs and charts
• Pillows, bedlinen and towels for each crew member
• Extensive set of spares and tools: Filters, impeller, sealings, tool kit etc.

Average weather conditions:

• Azores (April)
• Lisbon (May)

Air and Sea temperature

Temperatures in the Azores should be around 18°C during the day and 14°C during the night. It should get warmer as we close to Lisbon with an expected 21°C during the day and 14°C during the night.

The sea temperature should be around 18°C. The water is still relatively cold but swimming is possible.

Wind and sea state

The average wind speed along the route is 5-6 Bft. The area at this time of the year is influenced by North Atlantic low-pressure systems so frontal depressions are not uncommon. But the prevailing Northely winds should provide fast sailing conditions towards Lisbon.

The sea state is expected to be moderate to rough. Atlantic swell is common throughout the whole sailing area.

See details in the pilot charts for April and May.

The route is divided into several ocean passages with lots of night sailing. You will receive a certificate of passage to prove your sea time for sailing licenses. You will be an active member of the crew, and we will provide practical training on board to ensure safety and improve your sailing skills.

We give a great amount of responsibility to each crew member in running the ship so that you can gain a good experience and learn new skills as much or as little as you want. The skipper is an instructor and will find it difficult not to teach or coach anyone who shows the slightest bit of interest.

RYA qualifying passages

If you are an aspiring Skipper or Yachtmaster, it will be an excellent opportunity to gain bluewater miles, practice navigation, pilotage and COLREG skills so that you can be more confident and comfortable when taking a boat out to sea on your own. During the voyage, we can evaulate your current knowledge and provide suggestions for improvement. We can evaluate whether you are at the right level to pass an RYA exam and practice any gaps in your knowledge.

The long ocean passages from the Caribbean to Bermuda and from Bermuda to the Azores can be used as a qualifying passage for RYA Yachtmaster Ocean if that’s what you need. You will be able to get your mileage and required celestial sights during the trip.

Main topics that you can learn or brush up:

• Maneuvering under sails & engine: berthing, hoisting and lowering sails, reefing, tacking, gybing, sail trim
• Safety: use of liferaft, lifejacket, EPIRB, PLB, AIS beacons, emergency procedures
• Equipment: use of Autopilot, Radar, AIS, VHF, Satellite communication
• Weather forecasting and weather routing
• Anchoring in swell (bridle, stern anchor)
• Offshore & coastal navigation: digital and traditional (including the use of Sextant)
• Night navigation
• Pilotage and passage planning
• ColRegs
• Storm tactics and use of a drogue
• Use of Asymmetric Spinnaker (Gennaker)
• Life on board: organization of watches, nutrition, sleep and risk management

Celestial navigation (astronavigation)

During the voyage, we will practice traditional methods of fixing positions without sight of land using celestial navigation. You will learn how to use a sextant and how to calculate your own position using the sun, planets, moon and/or stars.

Joining day - Horta (26 April)

There is a huge amount to prepare for an Atlantic crossing and we will get you fully involved. We will spend the first 2 days on training, preparing and victualling the yacht, going over the safety routines and practices, getting up to speed with the boat and learning or refreshing all the basic sailing skills before we embark on the journey. Once we slip the lines there will be plenty of occasions to practice tacking, gybing, reefing, boat handling under the engine and all the other key skills we must have.

Faial island with a stunning view over Pico

Famous Horta harbour

Horta on Faial Island is a truly icon town for transatlantic sailors. Many passenger ships and sailboats from around the world come to this Azores island. The town is nestled at the bottom of the volcano Monte da Guia and the Ponta da Espalamanca.

Both the new and the old Marina have paintings on breakwaters which are done mostly by sailors. According to the legend, it is considered a bad omen to leave these ports without having left a pictorial memory.

At the top of Horta, you will find beautiful walks with spectacular panoramic views. On these walks, you can see the channel, nearby islands, and some iconic buildings.

Ponta Delgada (150 NM)

Ponta Delgada is a nice port and capital of the Azores archipelago. It began as a simple fishing village whose fishermen were once attracted by its safe coves but soon began to play the role of the main port of the Sao Miguel Island. Boasting a history of over five centuries and precious testimonies of the past, Ponta Delgada is a multifaceted city where tradition lives hand-in-hand with the present tranquillity of Azorean life.

Sao Miguel island

Ponta Delgada

Ponta Delgada is within easy reach of the many extraordinary places like crater lakes and thermal springs located in the centre of the island.

Lisbon (800 NM)

Lisbon is the capital and largest city of Portugal. It is an ancient city remarkable for its beauty and maritime past. Lisboa is among the top tourist preferences in Europe. The city enjoys a Mediterranean climate and is a mix of character and charm with 20 centuries of history.

Lisbon harbours

Lisbon

Perhaps the most memorable parts of Lisbon are in the Belem area close to the Marina Doca de Alcantara where we will finish our trip. These include the Torre de Bellem monument and the impressive Jeronimos Monastery. Vasco da Gama and his crew spent their last night in Portugal in prayer here before leaving for India and their historic voyage.

Lisbon, Finishing day, 06 May

We will finish leg 1 in Lisbon (Marina Doca de Alcantara) and spend a day in this iconic place. We will continue our trip from here and start the third leg.