" Aboard, you feel alive..."
- admin
- October 19, 2022
- 12:21 pm
During week 1, the crossing from Ilulissat to Amsterdam, this was one of the many wise sayings we heard from our guests.
At the time of the previous newsletter, Luuk has moored the boat in Ilulissat for the next job that had to be sailed, where Aslak, Olivier and Maarten have taken over the helm. We learned a lot from this job. Partnerships with other parties, local people, the activities on board, etc. After completing the job, the focus shifted to the retreat. The Moondance had to be sailed from Greenland to Amsterdam, a challenging journey in the middle of the storm season. During the quiet days at sea, there was already some time to think about how and whether we will do this again next year.
Aslak (skipper) and Agnes (crew), are two Norwegian people we have known for a long time. They spent their holiday sailing for the Sailing Taxi in Greenland. For them this was a great way to work together in Greenland. Aslak was the viking on board and the atmosphere maker, we laughed a lot at his ‘Norman songs’.
Olivier has skipped an interim period with a hitchhiker, met at the airport, as a crew. He was also able to familiarize skipper Maarten and crew Sanne. During his days in Ilulissat, he found out that the organization and formula of Red Sails is not one you can build on in the distant future. This raised a question: should we want to do the same next year?
Maarten (skipper) and Sanne (crew) took over. They have shown how an assignment such as that of Red Sails must be carried out perfectly . Maarten and Sanne, we are very grateful for your 5 weeks long performance in Ilulissat.
Tom (skipper) took over from his brother and together with the crew, Erin, Eileen, Sanne, Guus, Rein, Olivier and Maarten who sailed one or more stages, he skippered the trip to Amsterdam. The way of skippering is greatly appreciated by each of us and the guests! You made everyone, regardless of their experience at sea, feel part of the team. You did a great job and we look forward to seeing you again at the next crossing.
Together with the guests Johan and Yvonne we sailed to Qaqortoq. We sailed out of Disko Bay with plenty of ice around us. Once at sea, the genaker could take to the air. Due to our average high speed, there was time for a pit stop. Kayaking, hiking, sleeping in… You know the drill. Then on to Qaqortoq.
From Qaqortoq on to Reykjavik. A long trip with a lot of wind from an unfavorable angle. Sailing 35 knots close to the wind took some getting used to, but after seven days we arrived just in time. Due to the severe weather south of Kap Farvel (English: Cape Farewell), we chose to sail ”through” the cape. Perhaps this was the most beautiful location the boat has ever been to. Rein made a beautiful video of this.
The next leg we sailed with 5 guests. This turned out to be the most intense stage. Seen 60 knots of wind on the gauge, surfed off a wave at 21, got two low pressure areas over us and a third for which we had to sprint to a harbor, waves that bent the railing and solar panels that were completely shattered. And yet the drawing room of the Moondance remained a living room. What a beast of a boat it is. We covered 700 miles in 4 days and 7 hours: a crossing that broke many Sailing Taxi records . Hats off to the guests who didn’t let themselves be fooled.
From Qaqortoq on to Reykjavik. A long trip with a lot of wind from an unfavorable angle. Sailing 35 knots close to the wind took some getting used to, but after seven days we arrived just in time. Due to the severe weather south of Kap Farvel (English: Cape Farewell), we chose to sail ”through” the cape. Perhaps this was the most beautiful location the boat has ever been to. Rein made a beautiful video of this.
The next leg we sailed with 5 guests. This turned out to be the most intense stage. Seen 60 knots of wind on the gauge, surfed off a wave at 21, got two low pressure areas over us and a third for which we had to sprint to a harbor, waves that bent the railing and solar panels that were completely shattered. And yet the drawing room of the Moondance remained a living room. What a beast of a boat it is. We covered 700 miles in 4 days and 7 hours: a crossing that broke many Sailing Taxi records . Hats off to the guests who didn’t let themselves be fooled.
The last leg was sailed without guests. The arrival in Amsterdam was celebrated with a party at the quay of cafe Stork. It turned out that the Sailing Taxi can always adjust the business model: no sale of sailing trips, but rental of the boat as a party location.
During these special trips we have also been busy concretizing next year. The winter bookings are coming in steadily, the route for next year is being fixed and much more.
On Monday 17 October, the Moondance arrived at the location we call her ”home”: the Kromhoutwerf in Amsterdam . The necessary maintenance will be carried out over the next three months, including preparation for next year.
You are always welcome for a cup of coffee on board this sailing machine, for a tour or to enjoy a very special and successful first year of the Sailing Taxi 2.0.
Fair winds,
Luuk and Olivier