We completed the first whole year on the water. While we celebrated last New Year’s Eve in Barbados, this time we are starting the new year in the Bahamas.

Not too big a leap, you might think. But in between lies a trip to Newfoundland, with many stops along the U.S. coast and Nova Scotia. As is so often the case, it is the beautiful moments, the many wonderful people, and the overwhelming nature that remain in your memory. The fluorescent bay in Puerto Rico, the green volcanoes in the Caribbean, the colorful underwater world of the Bahamas, the thousands of islands off the coast of Maine, the deep fjords in Newfoundland, and the fragrant bays of New England are just a few of the things that immediately come to mind. And yet they are only a fraction of what we were able to see and experience last year.

Our learning curve remains steep. With every mile we travel, we learn more, discover new territories, and learn how to deal with them. In 2025, we navigated reefs and sandbanks, crossed the Gulf Stream, patiently endured calms or weathered storms, but also enjoyed fantastic legs in the best conditions.

A rough plan is on the horizon for 2026. What it will look like as we get closer remains to be seen. After all, every sailing project involves a number of variables and requires a certain degree of flexibility. In any case, we are looking forward to the next 12 months and are ready for whatever challenges come our way.

As we turn the page to a new year, we have once again selected facts and figures that offer a glimpse into our sailing year.

Nautical miles traveled: 6,659 nm (equals 7,663 miles)

Time at sea: Equivalent of 51 days

Nights at sea: 34

Countries traveled: 8 (Barbados; France - Martinique, Guadeloupe, St Barth, St. Martin; Dominica; Antigua and Barbuda; Saba; USA; Bahamas; Canada)

Docking in ports: 6 (Ramea, Newfoundland; Yarmouth, Nova Scotia; Camden, Maine; Baltimore, Maryland; Portsmouth, Virginia)

Anchor bays or mooring balls: 96

Longest stay: 21 nights (paintwork at Shining Waters Marina, Nova Scotia)

Navigated rivers: 7 (East River, Grey River, Delaware River, Elk River, Patapsco River, Mill Creek, Elizabeth River)

Canals: 3 (St. Peters Canal, Nova Scotia; Cape Cod Canal, Chesapeake and Delaware Canal)

Locks: 2 (St. Peters, Nova Scotia; Cape Canaveral)

Caught fish: 25 (4 Lionfish, 1 Spanish Mackerel, 12 Mackerel, 4 Tuna, 4 Lobster)

Maximum wind speed en route: 44 kn (Acceleration zone between the Îles de Saintes and Guadeloupe)

Maximum heel: 26.2 degree (between Newfoundland and Nova Scotia)

Generator hours: 414

Unplanned repairs: 10 (Center board 2x, water pump, pressure compensation tank, water maker, Code D, staysail, antifouling, shaft bearing, VHF radio)

Minimal water temperature: 50 °F in July in Canada 

Maximal water temperature: 87.8 °F in March in Puerto Rico

Minimal outside temperature: 35.6 °F in November in Portsmouth, Virginia, USA

Maximum outside temperature: 105.9 °F in January in Martinique

Thunderstorms: 2 (Double-Breadsted Cay, Bahamas; Norfolk, Virginia)

Anchor Drags: 1 (Norfolk, Virginia)

Big Cities: 4 (San Juan, New York, Halifax, Baltimore)

US States: 13 (Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Puerto Rico)