Preparing my boat for crossing the Atlantic - The tale of Sine Finis
by Pegasus Yachts 30 Jun 07:39 UTC
Sailboats navigate through harsh environments, saltwater, waves, wind, and high forces, sometimes violent. Whether sailing for an hour or preparing for an ocean crossing, ensuring my boat is ready and well-equipped is always a priority.
Coastal sailing offers flexibility in handling unforeseen issues, allowing for a quick pull into nearby anchorages or marinas for repairs or spare parts. However, offshore sailing demands thorough preparation and, most importantly, self-reliance. Getting ready for days or weeks at sea is a meticulous process that takes time.
Why I chose Pegasus 50
Being well-prepared brings a fantastic sense of confidence and significantly reduces anxiety, offering peace of mind that your vessel is ready for the journey ahead. Having a boat suited for long passages is essential. I chose the Pegasus 50 for her bluewater capabilities, solid, fast, safe, comfortable, and well-equipped for coastal and offshore adventures.
After nearly 18 months and over 10.000 nautical miles, sailing with her from the Adriatic and Mediterranean to the Atlantic, the Caribbean, and now the U.S. East Coast, SV Sine Finis has been fantastic! Keeping her in top shape has always been a priority for safe passages.
My checklist for essential steps to prepare for an Atlantic crossing
For over a year, I kept my boat in Mediterranean waters, discovering its beauty, and getting to know Sine Finis well. As planned, this January, I finally took her home across the Atlantic. I started preparation for the journey weeks before. I had to consider all, from boat preparation to crew selection and provisioning.
1. Boat preparation
Rigging
- Rig inspection: Check all fasteners, cables, wires, connectors, swivels, and halyard connections, including up the mast. Double-check your lines and look for potential chafing issues.
- Deck inspection: Examine all blocks, attachments, lifelines, shroud connections, and winches. Service or monitor any potential weak points.
- Chafing prevention: Whether on deck or in the rigging, including up the mast, check for anything that could create friction when a line is under pressure.
A few hours of sailing may not damage a halyard or sheet, but multiple days will. In my more than 10.000 nautical miles with her, I've had to fix or replace two halyards due to chafing, both times discovered before an incident during routine inspections. Trust me, retrieving a spinnaker from the ocean in 20 knots of wind is no fun!
- Sail inspection: Examine all attachment points and assess the overall condition. Ask yourself: How old are my sails? Are they ready for the challenge?
Electrical, electronics, and plumbing
- Check electrical systems and ensure all connections are secure. Bring spare fuses.
- Inspect plumbing for loose connections or clamps that could come undone due to vibrations, including bilge pumps.
2. Repair materials and spare equipment
I always carry the following items (most of which come with the boat as part of the equipment in the base price):
- Spare blocks, shackles, halyards, and sheets
- Sail repair essentials: tape, thread, needles, spare sail material
- Dyneema for making soft shackles
- Small hardware supplies: screws, nuts, bolts
- Extra fuses, pumps, clamps, and connectors
- Engine oil, belts and coolant
- A robust and complete toolbox
- Spare pumps
When making the list, I walk around the boat and ask myself: If this breaks, can I fix it, even temporarily?
3. Energy management
At sea, we need power for navigation and daily life, a chart plotter, a GPS, cooking, a water maker, fridges, a freezer, etc. Apart from cooking, we consume nearly 12 amps per hour, but thankfully, the Pegasus 50 is well-equipped:
- Over 700 kW of solar power
- Watt & Sea hydrogenerator, capable of generating up to 16 amps
- Diesel generator as a backup, with minimal fuel consumption
Energy consumption vs. generation must be actively managed throughout a long passage.
4. Engine maintenance
Before the Atlantic crossing, I hauled out, changed anodes, cleaned and greased the propeller gear, and applied two coats of antifouling. The engine was fully serviced, and I performed frequent checks under way, including cooling liquid, oil, and belts. Thankfully, we had great winds and did not have to use it much. The Volvo 75 HP engine has been fantastic, and I love the Gori Prop with overdrive, which provides extra power without increased fuel consumption.
5. Provisioning
My friends and I enjoy good meals, so provisioning was both critical and fun! We stocked up with four shopping carts of fresh food and drinks. The large fridge, freezer, and galley storage on board Sine Finis have been a blessing.
For water management, we maintain our tanks at no less than 40% capacity to ensure enough drinkable water in case of a water maker failure.
6. Weather forecasting, routing, and emergency beacons
Prior to departure, we studied weather patterns, relying on Starlink satellite internet for twice-daily forecasts to optimise our route.
Other essentials, which also come with the Pegasus 50 as standard:
- EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) - Ensure details are updated and travel plans are registered in the online systems.
- Liferaft, proper lifejackets with safety lines and robust jacklines.
7. Medical supplies
Beyond our standard offshore medical kit, we carry additional antibiotics and extra supplies. Basic medical training and having a medical reference book on board are highly recommended.
Crew selection and final thoughts
Preparing for a crossing also means choosing an experienced crew with great camaraderie. While the Pegasus 50 is designed for shorthanded sailing, her accommodation is comfortable enough for a larger crew. For this passage, I was joined by three great friends, David, Laurent, and Philippe, making the journey even more special.
Thorough preparation ensured a fast, smooth crossing, with only minor maintenance along the way, expected for an ocean voyage. Two daily inspections helped prevent major issues, allowing Sine Finis to deliver outstanding performance all the way to Dominica and Martinique. She sailed at speeds ranging from 3 to 14,7 knots, using every sail onboard, and proved to be an absolute pleasure to live aboard.
We crossed:
- Gibraltar to the Canary Islands in 5 days
- Canary Islands to the Caribbean (Dominica) in 18 days
Thank you, Sine Finis, for the incredible ride; you truly live up to your name: Without Borders (Latin). To my Atlantic crossing crew, David, Laurent, and Philippe, thank you for sharing this voyage. Your seamanship, energy, laughter, and gourmet meals made it unforgettable.