ATLANTIC CROSSING: Overcoming the mental challenges of Ocean sailing. #103

We often joke that an ocean crossing starts when you reach halfway. But the truth is, that passed the excitement of the first days, a long offshore passage can sometimes be a lot more mentally challenging than one would think...

There is a myriad of reasons why an ocean crossing is a hard thing to do and not a lot of people do it. First off, you need a boat, a few sailing skills, and lots of time on your hands to get ready. The list of what needs to be prepared, purchased, fixed, double-checked, serviced and triple-checked is massive. The equipment needed to cross an ocean crossing comfortably and safely can also be daunting, and cost-prohibitive.

Ryan and I estimated that we spent approximately 10 000$ to buy our offshore sailing kit. That includes satellite communications, an extensive medical kit, spare parts, better sails, extra jerricans of fuel… the list is long and adds up quickly.

Getting to the starting point of an ocean crossing is an endeavor, and while we often tell ourselves that the preparation is the hardest part of a crossing, challenges do not stop once you’ve untied the lines.

One aspect of crossing oceans that is a lot less discussed but not least challenging is how mentally overwhelming life onboard can be after a while.

Passed the initial excitement of departure and what I call “the discovery phase” of a passage, during which the crew practices their sea legs, goes on their first watches and explored the various aspects of life offshore, time becomes long, tasks monotonous and the small annoyements that come with sailing the distance can become a much bigger deal.