Ecologbook: Sailing through the middle of the night and avoiding the storm

The slow start

I had planned to cross overnight to Møns Klint to see the cliffs at the break of day but the conditions being what they were and having discussed with my GHQ and left at noon. So that I would see the cliffs at sunset instead of sunrise, but mostly make better use of the good wind window.

The start was kinda slow, not much wind yet, barely making 3 knots for some time, getting slowly along. But that didn't last, thank god!

The official southernmost point of Sweden

Bye bye Sweden

The canter to the cliffs

As the wind pick up more and more I was racing on and on, I had to take up a reef at some point and I was making a good 6 knots at last! I arrived in view of the cliff quite fast, came closer to get a good view of them and sail along them for a bit (close-reach). I was racing with a few other boats at the point. The light was rather cool on those big cliffs, and it was bloody glorious to see them up close while racing as fast as possible.

The full gallop through the night

Once I had taken my fair share of view over the cliffs and let them somewhat behind, I started to prepare the boat and myself for the night. I took up a second reef while the sun was dipping on the horizon, just in case and so that I wouldn't have to do it later. Located and placed around the search light and the headlight, turned on the lanterns, etc. One more coffee, grab some candies and put them in the cockpit for a quick sugar boost.

All set!

And then it was mostly going on full speed even faster than before, hand stirring, going 6–8 knots, through some shortish waves. There weren't many clouds and when the full moon showed up it was rather “light” for a night. It all went by rather quickly at this crazy pace until I reached the channel of the first harbour of Gedser. There I took down my sails and made my way through the channel, crossing a big ferry boat from a bit too close and then arriving in the marina I was looking for a bit later.

At 2:30, I was moored in the marina and shortly after that the thunderstorm broke out. Boy, was I glad to be safely moored and not at sea any more.

For most of the night, I was in contact with the solo sailor friend I'd crossed earlier. That was really nice and really useful to learn on the fly how to moor using these pillars they have here and which I'd never come across before.

All in all, it was really fun to race at night, and I was really glad to have done it.