* Experience what John & Mary Driver
describe in a recent sailing article sailing aboard their J/130 cruising sailboat."Have you dreamed about sailing across the Atlantic to explore the beauties of Italy, France and Greece; or maybe taking a more northerly route to Scotland or through to Scandinavia? A west to east Atlantic crossing can be a daunting prospect, but making the effort is well worthwhile.
During the late 90s and early 2000s, while sailing on the Chesapeake Bay, we had started to think about some long term cruising. During that time we entered three Annapolis to Bermuda races and an Annapolis to Newport race and did several cruises along the East Coast. These offshore excursions gave us the taste for more adventure and we soon started to think about an Atlantic crossing and sailing into the Mediterranean.
We gradually converted our 43 foot J130 from an around-the-buoys racer to an ocean cruiser/ racer. With the boat fairly well equipped for safety, we focused on changes needed for long-range passages and cruising comfort. Additions included a fuel cleaning system, second fuel tank, solar panels, wind generator and updated electronics.
Where next? We made a summer shake-down cruise to Maine to test out all the new gear, while not adventuring too far from home in case we needed to get any warranty work done. After a lot of thought and discussion with other sailors, we decided to join the Caribbean 1500 to sail in company from the Chesapeake Bay down to the BVIs. Our plan was to cruise the Caribbean and participate in the ARC Europe rally leaving the following May. This was a decision that worked very well for us and which we never regretted.
European Highlights:
Since arriving in Europe in 2010, we crossed the Mediterranean and wintered in Northern Cyprus. It seemed the longer we stay in the Mediterranean, the more we realize there is to enjoy. Some of our most memorable highlights to date were:
• Off-road Segway tours in Sintra, Portugal.
• Passing through the Straits of Gibraltar with the Atlas Mountains of Africa to starboard and the peaks of Estrecho National Park in Europe to port.
• Playing with the Barbary apes on the Rock of Gibraltar.
• Walking the streets of Cartagena, Spain, full of ancient Roman historical sites.
• Sailing around the bays and islands of the Spanish Balearics.
• The unique culture and character of Cagliari, Sardinia.
• The friendliness of the Maltese island of Gozo.
• Enjoying local cuisine on the Island of Crete.
• Helping conservationists release baby green turtles on a remote beach in Northern Cyprus.
We are now preparing for the next part of our adventure which will be the Turkish coast to Istanbul and then the Greek isles. At some point, we’ll have to think about returning home, but so far we are in no hurry. What’s another year when you are enjoying a once in a lifetime experience?" John & Mary Driver
