Travelogue (in English)

Maiden voyage 2013 videos

Sunday 26.05.2013 HRV, Jollas, Gulf of Finland (60°10,20´N 24°57,76’E)

Eventually the s/y ultra mare was docked into its new home harbor of HRV in Jollas, Helsinki. The 1.550 nautical miles maiden voyage was over.

Saturday 25.05.2013 Gulf of Finland (59°82,01´N 22°56,56’E)

The next, third, leg from Hanko to Helsinki was taken by the ameded crew again. Stefan and Frank fro the leg #2 were there and Captai's two sons Arvi (16) and Urho (14) accompanied us together with the family Parsson Russel dog - Tyyne. We left Hank 21:00 in the enening and sailed through the night towards Helsinki.

Quick stop at Porkkala marina for walking the dog and breakfast for the crew. When approaching Helsinki the wind picked up and was 12-14 m/s giving us nice speed when entering into the Helsinki. 

Tough overnight sailing experience. Thanks again for the entire crew. 

Wednesday 22.05.2013 Gulf of Finland (59°82,01´N 22°56,56’E)

During the night the north-east wind rise and reached occasionally up to 16 m/s. Our speed towards Hanko was pretty good however the crew was up and on the deck and did not gain any sleep during the night.

Petteri and Jarmo glowing in the night

The long leg from Bornholm to Hanko was about to be done and we sailed by Russarö into the harbor of Hanko where we took a long shower and breakfast. 

Pena (Captain's father) was welcoming us at the harbor and was kind to offered us a car ride to Helsinki. The crew was pretty exhausted...

The captain thanks for the entire crew. Great second leg from Kiel to Hanko. 

Tuesday 21.05.2013 Northeast of Gotland, Sweden (57°00,118´N 18°38,595’E)

On passing Gottland and approaching Hiiumaa (Estonia) it was apparent that the wind was becoming stronger and we understood that it was diffcult to reach Helsinki by Wednesday afternoon, se we had to go through alternative approach, the plan B, which was to sail into the east harbor of Hanko instead of Helsinki. 

Looking for the plan B

Monday 20.05.2013 Gotland, Sweden (57°00,118´N 18°38,595’E)

Great morning - great sailing. In the afternoon we reached the southern tip of Gotland and Hoburgsgubben followed when the crew toasted with the rom.

In the afternoon very thick fod surrounded us again for several hours until it was really dark. We were again thankful for having good radar and AIS onboard.

Sunday 19.05.2013 Nexö, Bornholm, Denmark (53°03,778´N 15°08,115’E)

When approaching Bornholm very thick fog surrounded us. We made another pit stop (40 mins) to fill up food storage before heading towards Finland.

After shopping and quick breafast we headed again back to the sea with gennaker taking us over 7kn speed in nice 8 m/s wind.

Gennaker up

Saturday 18.05.2013 Gedser Denmark (54°34,040´N 11°55,764’E)

The sails were up early in the morning when passing Fehmarn with fair weather. After a while the wind was again directly opposite to our route, so engine was started in order to gain some extra miles. 

Tankkaamassa Gedserissä

Quick pit-stop (20 mins) at Gedser to fill up the diesel tank. After coule of hours great sailing wind become too weak (only 2-3 m/s) in the afternoon, so we had to rely on engine again. But we managed to gain good amount of miles towards Bornholm. 

Friday 17.05.2013 Stickenhörn Sportshaven, Kiel (54°22,88´N 10°10,16’E)

The Crew arrived to Stockenhörn harbor during Friday. Yanmar service agent managed the first engine e as planned already on Tuesday. Necessary amount of food and drinks wereservicarranged and the harbor fee was settled. Hence the crew and boat were good to go as soon as the dinner was over. 

Monday 06.05.2013, Vantaa (60°29,1'N 24°96,3'E)

The preliminary planning session for the leg#2 with the new crew (Fränk, Stefan, Jarmo & Petteri) was held today @Jumbo.

Today's topics:

- the crew

- the route

- the boat

- maps available (paper & electronic)

- safety equipment and measures

- practical tips

All the above was discussed in depth on the highest professional level available this time.

Monday 29.04.2013 Kiel (54°22,9´N 10°10,16’E)

The crew headed home for the 1st of May celebration. 

The captain thanks for the entire crew. Great first leg from Biscay to Kiel. 

We'll be back online later on May.

Sunday 28.04.2013 Kiel (54°22,9´N 10°10,16’E)

After 10 hours in the Kanal we finally reached Kiel-Holtenau lock. Immediately after the lock we sailed into the Stickenhörn Sportshaven where the boat was prepared to temporary mooring until 18.5. when the second leg of the transfer sailing shall begin. 

Saturday 27.04.2013 North Sea (53°20,0'N 04°55,7’E)

The wind was good and the boat speed exceeded 10kn. The logboog stated "Great Sailing". But it was just very very cold out there... We passed Cuxhaven and headed towards the first lock of the Kiel Kanal. As it was already evening and getting somewhat dark we were not allowed to continue through the Kanal. Hence we sailed into Brunsbuttel's guest harbor to wait there over night in order to continue early in the morning through the Kanal.

Friday 26.04.2013 Den Helder (52°57,7'N 04°46,9'E)

Due to strong tidal stream against we got into the guest harbor of Den Helder well after midnight. The crew was pretty tired and after the late dinner it was good time to get some rest. However, early in the morning the diesel and water was again filled up and also Dutch authorities asked captain's permission to enter on board ultra mare for few administrative checks. Soon after the crew hit for supermarket for shopping additional food & drinks and then the next leg towards Germany was good to go.

Thursday 25.04.2013 English Channel (50°27,6'N 01°03,3'E)

At night the entire navigation system went suddenly down and booted, but after short moment it re-started with the default settings. All night and good part of Friday morning our velocity was good (Boat Speed >9kn). Towards the afternoon however the wind got moderate so we had to continue with the engine. We passed few oil rigs and impressive wind farms under clear sunny sky so we had an opportunity to take shower at the aft deck. Later we celebrated Markku’s name day. In the evening the wind picked up again and we continued sailing with the gennaker towards Den Helder. The tidal stream was against us, so we estimated to hit the KMYC guest harbor at Den Helder 01:00.

Wednesday 24.04.2013 English Channel (50°15,07'N 00°24,09'E)

After the 7 hour pit stop at Cherbourg we did sail with nice speed partly due to strong tidal stream. On both sides of the boat we saw strange whirlpools during couple of hours. We went ahead with sails, but occasionally we had to start the engine to gain some speed. For good time we were sailing completely alone, but soon after midnight we notice a lot of different vessels around us, and had to take some actions to avoid any potential collisions. Weather was really foggy and visibility poor… so we were truly thankful to have the Radar and AIS onboard.




Tuesday 23.04.2013 Cherbourg (49°64,6'N 01°61,2'W)

We reached Cherbourg as planned. First the diesel and water tanks were filled up after which we were guided to outer jetty for temporary mooring. The crew headed first for lunch and then it was time for shopping all necessary food & drinks. The weather was perfect and crew in very good shape, so in the afternoon we headed to the sea again. 

Sunday 21.04.2013 Bay of Biscay (47°00,00'N 03°44,4'W)

A bit by bit the sea became calmer and wind more moderate (from 7 m/s to 2m/s) during the night. At 6:15 the engine was started and preparation for breakfast begun. After driving first 12 hours our progress was 65nm.

Saturday 20.04.2013 Les Sables d’Olonne (46°29,42'N 01°47,54'W)

After all the checks (and adding some oil to the engine), the short inauguration ceremony was held by the crew. After short speech by the captain the boat was given the name s/y ultra mare. Finally our journey towards the first stop (Cherbourg) started at 15:00. Plan was to achieve 385nm leg in 2,5 days. Wind was strong enough so we trimmed sails in a bit and the boat sailed fairly straight with nice speed. For the crew's surprise couple of playful dolphins joined us twice during the day. It got soon pretty dark and cold after the sun set but the moon and impressive starlight helped our navigation during the cold night.

Friday 19.04.2013 Les Sables d’Olonne (46°29,42'N 01°47,54'W)

Shopping for food, drinks and tools in the morning. Huge amount of food and drinks were carried into the boat. Surprisingly well all groceries were fitted into fridge, freezer and different compartments. Sea trial was planned for the afternoon. First we filled the diesel and water tanks at the harbor after which we headed out to the sea. Wind was moderate and sea pretty calm. We tested the engine and all sails. The sun set and we returned into the port in darkness. The boat seemed to perform well. Tomorrow the final checks and preparations for the take off.

Thursday 18.04.2013 Les Sables d’Olonne (46°29,42'N 01°47,54'W)

Saku and Petteri together with the local guide Michel arrived at Les Sables d’Olonne on late afternoon. The boat was indeed at berth looking quite ready. After the initial checks of the boat and her equipment, all the stuff sent from Finland was placed onboard as deemed appropriate at the time, after which the team headed to a local seaside restaurant with Andy. Tomorrow the schedule includes checking of the boat, shopping, sea trial, handover and further route planning. The rest of the team is heading into the Les Sables d’Olonne tomorrow evening.

Monday 15.04.2013, Vantaa (60°27,8'N 24°81,2'E)

The final planning session with the crew was carried out today @Saku's chart table. Pete was this time at home recovering from spring flu.

Today's topics:

- stages of the leg #1

- preliminary stop-over harbors

- emergency harbors

- target destination for temporary mooring

- tidal stream

- grocery

All the above was again discussed in depth on the highest professional level available this time.

Monday 25.03.2013, Tuusula (60°38'N 25°04'E)

All the necessary safety gear, equipment, tools, sailing accessories, maps, and other related stuff to be transferred to the s/y ultra mare from Finland were today taken to transportation terminal where packing was done and dusted.

Shipment will hit the truck and get onboard the ferry leaving Finland just before the Easter break in order to reach the harbour of Les Sables d'Olonne in good time. Sailing Atlantic Service's team in France will receive packages and store them until they are taken into s/y ultra mare.

Off they go. Bon voyage. 

Monday 18.03.2013, Helsinki (60°21,9'N 24°95,1'E)

The preliminary planning session with the entire crew being present, and a "guest speaker" Thomas attending, was carried out today @Pete's chart table.

Today's topics:

- the crew

- the route

- the boat

- maps available (paper & electronic)

- safety equipment and measures

- practical tips

All the above was discussed in depth on the highest professional level available this time.