The departure day was amazing. All pontoons was filled of live music, excited crew members and reporters. The atmosphere was extraordinary! After the start signal we only saw other yaths during the first coulpe of hours, later they all disappeared in different directions. We did waste some time the first day by going too much south east, however now we are back on track and are catching up on the other boats. The first day we were also accompanied by some dolphins.

It has taken us a couple of days to adapt to our new floating home. Doing the dishes, cooking, using the bathroom and reading a book is much harder here sine everything constantly is rocking.

An hour ago we passed a German boat and chatted with them through the VHF- radio. They were also doing fine and we wished them good luck. Nevertheless, we have received information about one abandoned boat and a few more that has been forced to turn back due to complications such as loss of rodder, injured crew and rigging issues. Luckily, we have only been struggling with some minor problems, nothing too serious.  

Anyhow, we are having a wonderful time on Xavante. The crew is getting along very well, and have developed a well working schedule for night watches and cooking.

Basically, so far so good!

Over and out.  Wish us luck.



30 minutes before departure, the Xavante crew is ready!



People from Las Palmas came to see the start


Bengt is finally shaving!

Today is the last day before the start of the Atlantic Rally, ARC 2009. It feels quite surreal that we are actually leaving tomorrow, however we are all very excited! Last night there was a farewell party for all ARC participants, everyone gathered up at the local club, Sotavento. It was great fun and we have made lots of new friends that we are looking forward to see on the other side.

Today we have a lot on the agenda. Bernard and Ove are currently unpacking and storing all of the fruits and vegetables that got delivered this morning. Per and Bengt are soon heading to the final seminar, and perhaps the most important one, “Skipper’s briefing”. They will receive an updated weather forecast and information about how the start will be organized.  Elina and Malin will prepare and cook food for the first three days.

Later on we will have a crew meeting when Bengt, the skipper, will go through safety rules as well as the emergency equipment.

We are not too sure if we will be able to update the blog frequently as we are crossing, but the pictures we take will be uploaded as soon as we reach Rodney Bay, St Lucia. However, hopefully we will have opportunity to give you some summaries as we get along.

Cross your fingers cause we are crossing the Atlantic!

Bengt is up in the mast



Farewell party

Now there is only four days left in Las Palmas, and then we are taking off again. Within the next two days all of the crew has arrived. The start will be at 13.30 on Sunday and we are all very excited. The last three weeks has been full of hard work and seminars in order to be well prepared for the journey.  Below you will see the pictures from our food delivery. About 400 liters water and a huge amount of tins and cans filled with tuna, ham, corned beef and fruit cocktails. Today we also got the life raft back from service; however we are still waiting for the diesel generator (Fischer Panda) to be ready. Tomorrow we will have our last security check, which we hope to pass…

Bengt has been going up and down the mast several times while Elina and Malin has been oiling the teak and desperately looking for a gasoline station that can help us refill the gas-still no luck. Bernard has been working hard on making a shopping list and preparing menus. Now we are almost there!

The marina is full of excited people, polishing their boats and making the final adjustments. We are making new friends that we are hoping to meet on the other side of the ocean… If everything works out as we planned.

We will give you another update before we leave on Sunday. Keep in touch!




Lots and lots of food...




Malin and Bengt are looking forward to be eating it all up!



I bet that you're not storing your beverages under your floor.

Now we have been in Las Palmas for 2 weeks and the ARC event has started, soon we will upload some pictures on all the preparations here is a summary from the skipper on part 1, Croatia - Las Palmas

A short summery from Skipper Bengt re part 1

All of the pictures you have looked at you can see that the first part has been good.

Well, not as good as the picture at all times. We have also had lots of rain and lightning etc. and the crew we also had some hard discussion but not so often.  My best three friends onboard are the Yanmar diesel motor, the GPS and the Radar.  I must say that I am happy that the first part went well and the boat has been more than okay. For part II we have three new crews, Malin, Per and Bernard. Annika and Lena are not doing part II and part III. Bernard and Per is only doing part II.

I have now been in Stockholm for a week, rain, snow and +2°C.  I am happy to return to the boat again. I look forward for the Atlantic cross and now we have two weeks to prepare everything before the start.

Elina has been here all the time.  Her boyfriend, Mårten, has been here and they have had a nice time and also worked some on the boat. Mårten has now returned to Sweden again.

Today Bernard arrived and in the end of the week Malin arrives. The week after Per and Ove will arrive. During these two weeks, before the start, we will prepare the boat, prepare ourselves, attend to a lot of activities re different seminaries etc. Look also forward to some good parties.

I hope now that we are ready on the 22^nd November. The start is 13.30. Then we have about 20 days on the Atlantic Sea. I look forward to arrive to St Lucia.

Keep in touch!!