Sargo's Atlantic Crossing Leg 3: Azores to mainland Portugal
The Final Leg
Our winter plans were to stay at the Marina de Lagos, in Lagos Portugal. This is in the Algarve region, or Southern Portugal near the Spanish border. Our reservation at the marina began on October first, so we could have stayed in the Azores longer and gone directly to Lagos. This was very tempting, as we were loving the Azores and wanted to visit one more island - Santa Maria. But we also wanted to see more of Portugal and cruise the coast before being tied up in the marina for six months. So the decision was made to head to Cascais near Lisbon.
The crossing to the mainland is approximately 750 NM, leaving the area of the Azores high and having to cross the northerly winds coming down the west coast of Europe. This means the passage typically starts with light to no wind, with the rest being upwind or with wind on the beam. We waited for a good forecast in Ponta Delgada, the largest city in the Azores on Sao Miguel Island.
There was plenty to do in Ponta Delgada. The marina is very big and by now we knew quite a lot of the other cruisers moving through the Azores. It’s always fun to see other boats you know and hear what they have been up to! This included good friends on Sweet Ruca. We first met them in Provincetown, MA after we first left Maine in 2019, then again in Annapolis, the Bahamas, and the Virgin Islands. It was great to see them and their dog Roxy, as they prepared to head back across the Atlantic to Brazil.
While we prepped the boats and watched the weather, we got in a few last expeditions including some incredible canyoning and a visit to the Gorreana Tea Factory, Europe’s only tea plantation.
The weather was looking good for our crossing, with the expected light winds to start and beam reaching conditions closer to the continent. We made our final preparations for heading offshore, and thought about the upcoming passage. This would be the only leg of our Atlantic crossing with just our family. It was surprising that a five to six day crossing now felt normal and very doable. We had developed confidence in Sargo and in ourselves. Jayme and I had our watch routine established to capitalize on both of our strengths, and we knew the kids could stand watch by themselves in most conditions. While we loved having family and friends for out first two legs, it felt right and very special that it was just us for the last leg.
On the morning of August 21st, 2021 we checked out of the marina, took on fuel, and departed Ponta Delgada with Twig, headed for mainland Portugal! It was a beautiful day of light upwind sailing along the south side of the island of San Miguel. By late afternoon we were leaving the island behind and settled into our first night with land receding astern and Twig a few miles to starboard. Alice and Tor took their first watch truly alone, in full charge of Sargo until 10 pm when Jayme took over. They would do solo watches on their own during the day for two hours each, and then two hours of watch together each night from 8-10pm. This let Jayme and I get a bit of extra rest, which made all the difference. It was wonderful to give our kids this responsibility and see them able to handle it.
As expected we experienced light to no winds for the first few days, alternating between motoring and motor sailing. I practiced my celestial, taking lots of sun sights and attempting some star sights. Wind filled in from just ahead of the beam, giving us moderate upwind conditions for a day and a half before dropping again as we approached Portugal. Both kids did a great job with their watches and the passage seemed almost routine. On the sixth day we finally saw continental Europe, dropping anchor in the evening in Cascais Harbor. Sargo had officially crossed the Atlantic! The leg from the Azores was five and a half days, 781 NM.
Sargo and crew have crossed the Atlantic! It was an incredible experience, with so much planning and preparation. Each leg was different, though we were able to enjoy good weather for our entire crossing thanks to being patient and a bit lucky. Our crew did very well, building skills and experience. And Sargo was perfect; comfortable and safe with no major break downs! Crossing the Atlantic was a life achievement that none of us will ever forget!
Total Stats:
3,689.2 NM St Augustine FL to Cascais, Portugal
Approximately 24 days of passage time
Average speed 6.6 Knots (7.5 mph)
3 fish caught
So many lures lost
Transatlantic Sailors!
Leg 3: Azores to mainland Portugal
