ATLANTIC CROSSING: Last days at sea before landfall in Horta

[@RyanSophieSailing]

All in all, this was a fantastic crossing with great conditions, amazing company, and just the right dose of adventure to keep it interesting ;) Again, a massive thanks to all the people involved in making this a successful passage, it takes a village. I thoroughly enjoyed editing these videos, and I hope you had a good time watching them too!

[@SuperNaude]

Just awesome...

[@chriswedding1]

You guys Rock

[@bryonbrookshier4364]

Thank you guys. Sophie, your demonstration of making a turn has convinced my wife that she too can sail! Awesome voyage.

[@glatisant74]

I got on the channel few days ago and i am having my non stop watching when i have free time Sophie, there is noone out there, who can beat you in video storytelling. Just phenomenal. Found myself with a big smile, all the way during watching, till the end. Magical work you do.

[@Jeff034]

That poignant sense of wanting but not wanting to finish is so special to sailors. After the predicable routine at sea you see land and sense reluctant new beginnings. Love the humour, thank you!

[@RyanSophieSailing]

That's exactly it Jeff!!!

[@grahamfielding]

When you made the final turn you stated that you were on the rumline. Sophie, that's the Swizzle Line for you!

[@RyanSophieSailing]

OH MY GOD why did I not think of this myself :p

[@mauiboy9763]

You rose to the challenge and prevailed. Thank you for sharing it with us.

[@bradewing5470]

I love how y’all show the true life of sailing. Well done.

[@robertscranton8293]

Sophie...I am awe struck by your spirit during this sail. Brave...funny...captivating....

[@da-os3qf]

Your humor is totally on point. I normally work above the Atlantic and always feel I miss out on so much just hopping from landmass to landmass with the fastest speed possible as if the body of water below does not exist. Now that the current world hysteria has beached my job indefinitely I am excellerating alternative ideas and what you are doing is very very very high on the list. Rebels rule the world.

[@sailingmarilynkaye]

Thank you guys we love watching your videos, they always put a smile on our faces, you guys are brilliant, thankyou for taking us on your journey.

[@Early8Q]

@Ryan, it was so great to see your last video entry! You were free from “risk management.” I know your perspective, I am by nature a risk manager, like you. It is great to see you at the end and self released from that role. It’s the Yin and Yang that you and Sophie have that amplifies it, I think? It might even be a Mars Venus thing? Thanks for sharing! Fair winds!

[@DYoung-vt8pq]

I adore Sophie. Cooking for three for two months? WTH? I hope she enjoyed it and I hope it was greatly appreciated! Safe travels ❤️

[@stevefair5935]

Wow! fantastic vlog. What memories and a sense of achievement you must now have. You guys are amazing. I salute you. Bring on the rum swizzle.

[@aaronbarlow7701]

Congratulations! Thank you so much for filming and sailing and persevering unforeseen problems. I’m now listening to you on podcasts because you are famous now. I know you all are probably looking forward to a break from the boat, but I look forward to your next adventure!

[@JustMe-pp1mp]

Great summation at the end Sophie, not often do I see sailors expressing gratitude to those " behind the scenes". Well done.

[@kiki.arielscrystalco]

Ahhh happy tears are flowing guys! What a beautiful end to this passage series. Well done all of you, and the amazing support from everyone that helped. Looking forward to next episode as always. Enjoy the Azores! 😊🍻 Kiki

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Thanks so much Kiki! :)

[@cryptolanza8784]

What a contrast to the last crossing. I loved them both equally as a viewer but can see how the second crossing was nicer for your all. Well done guys!

[@nffremote]

What a great passage, wonderful memories shared with passionate vigor. Thank you for inviting us in to share your experiences. Salut.

[@dennisrobinson4588]

Welcome back to the Azores! That was one hell of a turn Sophia! And Ryan you do sleep well! Enjoy the Azores rest and eat well have a rum swizzle!! God bless you and have a great Christmas 🎄! See you later much love ❤️!

[@JCAJCA3]

So happy and proud of you guys! GOD bless Polar Seal and its Crew. JC

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Thanks JC! :D

[@tylercagwin5431]

This series of videos were absolutely awesome!

[@nick.caffrey]

How does it happen that Sophie has to do ALL the cooking? SUPER personal chapter, Ryan! I think you are a worthy captain.

[@RyanSophieSailing]

I have to admit that after two months of cooking EVERY DAY for three persons, I was tired of it :p

[@carolgale2590]

Glad you arrived safely

[@cathyborges-vilanova4961]

Bravo pour cette traversée et un sens de l’humour à toute épreuve! Best crew ever 👍

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Thanks Cathy!

[@kellyiannone]

Land ho! Beautiful ending to the episode with the appropriate and Score! on that quarantine deluxe service

[@caromarco6315]

What a feeling it must be to finally see land! The cheering as you came in was the best! Sophie you are so funny 🤣🤣🤣

[@936katz]

That turn though…….so graceful and spectacular, like poetry in motion!! 😂😂….great vid series Sophie!!

[@JustMe-pp1mp]

Didn't even disturb the crew ! The girl's finally got it together. 🙂

[@RyanSophieSailing]

I know I know.... a very impressive sailing manoeuvre. I think I'm peaking as a sailor :p

[@svalouette627]

I can't believe how you turned the boat single handed. Well done!!! :)

[@RyanSophieSailing]

I know right?!! Sometimes I can truly impress myself...

[@MrJhchrist]

Sophie, you got your drinks, Ryan can run around on deck, but did Anett get to DANCE?!?!

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Oh yes. There was a lot of dancing, and as our neighbors in Horta can testify, the disco ball was out multiple times :p

[@mattallengroupatREAL]

On a boat for weeks and they make you quarantine, got to love a bureaucracy!

[@RyanSophieSailing]

To be fair, we were tested fairly quickly and got our results sooner than expected. It wasn't all too bad ;)

[@erolakyigit8861]

Perfect documentation of the passage. Congrats.. I will be doing almost same route this May, learned a lot.. thanks...

[@dougwatson821]

While we knew that you arrived safely in the Azores, it was really nice to watch this video of you three arriving safely! Much love. Fair winds and following seas!

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Thanks Doug! I loved reliving it through the footage as well :)

[@michaelhaardt5988]

That was an amazing series and quite a passage to master. I could imagine the memory gets better with each day after having arrived, up to the point where you laugh your heads off about all the seasickness and the anxiety sailing in to unknown weather.

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Yeah, this passage still delivers some amazing memories ;)

[@carolemmerson6151]

I love your humour Sophie enjoy land for a while. Cheers 🍾🥂🍹

[@user-zo6xg8bx4l]

Great series!! Thank you!!

[@trevhedges]

Cheers guys!

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Cheers Trev! :)

[@richardherndon1541]

Perhaps your best video yet! It was a great crossing! Congratulations on a successful passage!

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Thanks so much Richard! :)

[@lindasmith7935]

Awwww, Ryan’s entry at the end. Sweet. Yes, we’re a little community, but have really BIG hearts ♥️. I love your vids, your personalities, your adventures, your humor, and just being you! You guys are freaking awesome! Congrats! 🎉🍾 Linda from N.C.

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Thanks so much Linda!!! :D

[@TwoGetLost]

What a delivery!! Congrats guys, such an achievement 💙

[@timmitchell8784]

Awesome trip guys. I know this was all a while ago but glad you’re safe and having fun. Thank you for sharing this with us.

[@sergest-pierre6160]

That was great. This is one of the most realistic passage video on KZbin. I have done a few shorter passages and this is exactly how it is. Can wait for what is coming next.

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Thank you Serge!!! I'm glad you find our videos "realistic", as it is exactly what we are trying to do :)

[@dingo397]

Very Nice Flag Hoisting.....Nice touch !!

[@SailingwithScott]

"Excited to get drunk" - Congratulations on an awsome Atlantic crossing!

[@notwhatiwasraised2b]

I yearn to make that passage The Azores has been on my mind since I was 10 or so, after my dad was there for work.

[@waynemcphail7825]

Absolutely wonderful video!

[@bobbiejay2085]

Great arrival ... safe and exhilarated. Bravo!

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Memories forever!! :D

[@donfults1]

BAHAHAHAHA.... "Nailed it" ... i actually laughed out loud!!!! You totally crack me up Sophiie @---}----

[@RyanSophieSailing]

An impressive sailing manoeuvre, I know ;)

[@pensab]

Congratulations on crossing both sides. I hope one day i will cross it as well. Hope I can contact you for some informations. Till than i wish you all calm sea and a lot of experiances. Respect from Slovenia 🇸🇮. 👍💪👏👏👏

[@gusmccloy6600]

Congratulations guys, bloody fantastic!

[@jenrodgers]

Congrats! Proud of you all! ⛵️ great episode!

[@liznelson2930]

Wow so cool 😎 👏 😍 have loved loved watching your adventure enjoy

[@ratukinijojiramasima8738]

Congratulations. Well done. Stay safe and take care. Greetings from FIJI 🇫🇯.

[@graemeday4195]

So glad you all got there safely, now....its booze o'clock...!!!

[@MK-gr9qz]

Really good one, thanks🤟( but it feel really long time ago..)..

[@johng1637]

Bravo Zulu to you all. A remarkable achievement!

[@juliespain8318]

Thanks for sharing your adventure!

[@philgray1023]

Great see the change in your spirits when compared to the start of the voyage. As an aside, we are getting absolutely blitzed by youtube adverts. Around every 3-4 minutes. Maybe youtube is trying to direct us to less popular videos where they get virtually no adverts at all. 6 advert breaks in the first 16 minutes.

[@rafalszota1240]

Congratas!!! I was following the passage in real time and now in videos. Absolutely great. I hope to see more soon!!!

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Thanks so much Rafal! So glad you enjoyed the videos although they are a little "differed" in time :p

[@moriver3857]

Great job. Looking forward for my turn. Recall the first video about the production/bluewater boat debate. Well, all three of you managed to cross the Atlantic first north, then east on a "production boat". Congrats to Polar Seal, and to all three of you. Fair winds.

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Polar Seal is a great boat, and we have full confidence in her ability to handle everything we throw at her. Happy crossing to you, hope you have as fun a time we had on ours! :)

[@ArcticSeaCamel]

So happy for you guys! This have been very eye-opening series of crossing and thanks for the seasickness video as well! I'm prone to seasickness and that's the only thing I'm worried for I'm going one day sail full time. But I bet that the feeling of accomplishing journeys like this makes it worth while after all the hassle and work. Cheers!

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Aaah I'm so glad you liked the seasickness video too! :) A crossing is a lot of hard work, before, during and after. But the rewards are high!!!

[@BillB23]

That courtesy flag is as flamboyant as the ones flown by SV Sophisticated Lady. Capt. Rick likes to gussie up his Lady with all the colors remotely appropos, and as large as the signal halyard can handle.

[@nickmalone3599]

Totally earned kudos! Well done.

[@SailingOctopodes]

Congrats guys!! You did it! What a ride! We haven't done any ocean crossings yet, but we did do 7 days off shore from Seattle to San Francisco, (220nm out) it was wild. We are gearing up for another passage (down the Baja.) Love to see how others manage their passages. Watching your video has me pumped for our next sail. Hope we see you out there one day. ⛵🐙

[@RyanSophieSailing]

That is so cool!!! Yeah, seven days at sea gives you a good idea of what a crossing looks like :) Also hoping we cross paths!!! :D

[@webheadusa9377]

Celebrate, celebrate, and have a good time! Yay! :¬) Webhead USA

[@RyanSophieSailing]

The party lasted for weeks. I'm not even sure it ended yet tbh :p

[@richardp1522]

Greetings and congratulations from Canada on your successful passage of the Atlantic. Thanks for sharing the highs and lows of your crossing. Its pure raw adventure like yours which at first glance seems so very remote actually served to bring us closer at a time when we all need it the most. Well done to Ryan, Sophie and Annette and your support group for a safe crossing a huge acomplishment. Looking forward to Polar Seals next adventure.

[@nedwphillips2126]

Awesome crossing...

[@stevenplancich6449]

Sometime, In the Future, Hoping yer gonna Treasure the Memories of this Passage😜 Continue to Stay Safe & Enjoy😎

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Oh we absolutely will :)

[@mariofisette8726]

Merci pour le partage Bravo du Québec !!

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Merci à toi Mario! :)

[@sailinglatis]

Another great adventure. 😀😀

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Tom... I am four months late with my cookbook. I am trying really hard to wrap it up before Christmas, but I'm struggling with time 😬

[@jeffreystork6862]

Thank you for sharing this passage. Even though I knew you were successful (because the videos were up loaded) I was anxious each week to see the next one. I feel the InReach and shore support was a passage savior. I hope others will also learn how important it is to have a back up to Iridium Go.

[@RyanSophieSailing]

I honestly think we would have made it without the sat coms. No satcoms increases the risk of a situation escalating in case of an emergency (especially a medical one), but we still had the EPIRB at our disposal to call for help. Weather-wise, having a backup allowed us to position ourselves based on the position of the Azores high. Otherwise, we would have been beating for probably five days before arrival. This would not have been fun, but we would have make it regardless. So... we'll definitely carry a little better backup next time, but we have no doubt we would have make it without it :)

[@stephenburnage7687]

I have an InReach and off El Salvador it stopped sending/receiving, which prevented me from pulling down weather forecasts. As a result i had to come in closer to shore to pick up a forecast via cell signal (it's an area where strong winds can pick up so a forecast is essential). Odd thing was that the Inreach started working again a few days later. An old sailing hand told me that both Inreach and Iridium Go can be unreliable but rather than go to the full expense of a sat phone, he carries both, each a back up to each other.

[@C_C_SEA]

✨🏆✨Top shelf🖖

[@thomasbrasse3145]

Sophie- Do you cook all the meals because you want to or because Ryan doesn't cook? I've seen him do a little when you were sick. I know at my house I actually cook more than my wife for our family of four. I actually enjoy it now. Step it up Ryan! You can find joy in it if you experiment and cook things you like.

[@bevanhill5648]

Merry Christmas guys

[@suzannecole9044]

great video - thank you

[@svoceanrhythms1209]

congrats!!

[@bornfreetraveladventure]

Man, how long did you practice that, "Bam. Nailed it" thing, anyway? And I know you know what I'm talking about too. Because that, just like you so naturally are... was absolutely hilarious.

[@RyanSophieSailing]

I can turn a boat... yeah.... hahahaha!!! :D

[@familyupgrade]

OMG, that martini marker had me laughing even though Im sick and and cant talk. LOVE your humor, Soph! /Catta

[@Big.Ron1]

Congratulations and well done! I agree with you, getting drunk seems like a good thing to do after the crossing especially since you are in quarantine for the first 36 hours. Nothing else to do right? Be safe.

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Getting drunk and sleeping. Also, food delivered. It wasn't a bad quarantine at all :p

[@arottie4097]

This is the way!!

[@jameschen9099]

Congrats on your crossing. Please show us the traditional painting of Polar Seal on the docks of Horta. Very good avg SOG: 3500/360=9.7kts.

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Painting coming in the next video ;)

[@perception247]

Thanks!

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Oh my god! Thanks for the donation John!!! :D

[@lukecelt9000]

Congratulations!!!

[@mz2288]

Wow what a passage, congratulations to the PS crew🌈💫👏👏👏. Ryan, were you serious to replace that Iridium? Take it and throw it overboard as far as you can man! I bet you Zeus would not want it either…. You got a great alternative now 😀. Enjoy time in civilization.

[@RyanSophieSailing]

We definitely replaced the Iridium (it is unbeatable in terms of the function and simplicity), but we'll probably invest in a sat phone too ;)

[@tomriley5790]

Congratulations! Well done! Very impressed with you doing all that cooking! Must have been really hard work! Any tips good recipes?

[@kaskl5403]

Good video, one heck of a long sail.

[@tammy6992]

Thanks

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Thank YOU Tammy

[@willarddevoe5893]

How do people deliver freight offerings to your boat ?

[@ericdelevinquiere9902]

Your passenger has the right idea, It is really sad to see travelers with no food ambitions. Especially when you are getting out of your comfort zone. I would understand the need for a stiff drink though! And Ryan needs to chill a bit , kind of reminds me of a Midwestern version of Woody Allen.

[@DaveHines1]

“Sets waypoint to restaurant” 😃🤣🍻🥂

[@RyanSophieSailing]

hahahaha :D yes, cause I always check out my plotter when I need to find my way back to the boat 😜

[@Jakfilm]

Nice!

[@awandow4931]

Hi I'm curious how expensive a weather router is

[@RyanSophieSailing]

For the service you get out of a router (especially in the Northern Atlantic where weather and currents are wildly variable) it's not that expensive. Depending on how the router prices their services, count on a couple of hundreds dollars. Our router Charlie is SUPER affordable.

[@Vbaxterwatches]

Lesson learned: always travel with the swizzle.

[@RyanSophieSailing]

I very much need to learn how to make the best rum swizzle, and have it become my signature drink 😂

[@Bleemus]

Great voyage! You dont hoist a courtesy flag till you have cleared Customs and Immigration. Only Q flag till then.

[@gerhardvanwaltsleben8944]

Lekker man lekker

[@Frankenstompbox]

Congratulations! I have one question. Does Ryan have matching ear plugs and blanket?

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Of course he does ;) don't you?!

[@stephenmahoney9531]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@bryrensexton4618]

👍!!!

[@paulvr3158]

Well done guys.... ALL THE COOKING ?? How about gifting yourselves a Hydrovane for some primary self steering , and for peace of mind as an emergency rudder to offset the 'spade rudder risk' that blue water boats always tell us about, I just did :-) !

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Our rudder is perfectly fine, in great shape and well looked-after. We have a dual autopilot system that we are very happy with. We feel perfectly comfortable and safe taking Polar Seal across oceans with this setup and see no reason to change it :)

[@paulvr3158]

​@@charonstyxferryman Hi Lars, not tillers, not autopilots :-) .....My point was this.... One of the most common criticisms of the 'fin and spade' underwater configuration that production boats generally have, is that the rudder is vulnerable because of the absence of skeg or keel support and protection. I have a boat like this too, and having struck a HUGE TREE at sea I agree that this relative vulnerability exists. I have dealt with this exposure by adding a windvane that uses a geared balanced rudder , where you lock your helm and the wind-vane rudder steers the boat. (Not only is this great self steering), but it is a usable EMERGENCY RUDDER all rigged up and ready. It simply ameliorates the rational rudder risk 'in toto' , and makes me feel better at sea...especially with these orca's recently going bananas and attacking rudders nowadays!!

[@paulvr3158]

@@RyanSophieSailing Thanks Sophie, :-), but it is not your perfect rudder nor your ample auto-pilots that I am concerned with here, please see my reply to Lars below...I hit a huge tree on a dark night off the South American coast once, and afterward I took the 'insurance' and added a ready-to-use emergency rudder in the form of this type of self-steering. The spade rudder is a recognized vulnerability of the 'fin and spade' underwater configuration, which I also have...thought I'd mention what I did to manage that anxiety. I do not mean to interfere with your post arrival bon homie and booze up! :-)

[@joecucch8261]

Enjoy it while you can, my doctors won't let me have even one lousy beer...

[@ernestoquintero747]

Tesla Autopilot is no match for Polar Seal self steering. ;-)

[@bryanhebden8398]

Ryan: anxiety? Were you not a fighter pilot?

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Not exactly sure why one believes the two have any correlation? Nor why one person could be good at one job but not have personal struggles? Probably highlights the bigger issues with metal health and men. Ryan

[@bryanhebden8398]

@@RyanSophieSailing I didn't mean for you to take it as a criticism in any way. It's just fighter pilots, particularly those qualified to land on carriers, have nerves of steel. No doubt there is a lot of anxiety and for good reason but it is controlled by their minds. No doubt you are the same; controlled anxiety. I know I have that issue when faced with tasks or events out of my comfort zone and it's a good thing as it has kept our species alive for this long!