The Atlantic West to East Crossing 2026

After two seasons in the Caribbean, Merryn is returning to Europe. By May 2026 we had reached St Martin in the Leeward Islands, from where our plan is to make a long passage to the Azores (2400NM!), then a second on to Gibraltar, completing an Atlantic circuit which we began (departing Gibraltar) in September 2024. The blogs on this page should provide daily updates, and the map below shows our progress and position.

Merryn's position

We have equipped Merryn with a satellite tracking system. It should send a signal every hour (when we are underway, and assuming I have remembered to switch it on!) and the position is then transcribed to the map below.

The Daily blog post: see how we are getting on: just click on the picture to read more

6th June 2026: Day 19

It’s only another 146 Nautical Miles to Horta and last night we had beers to celebrate passing the 2500 NM mark.

5th June 2026: Day 18

As we draw closer to Horta our thoughts are turning to delicious fresh foods – we are now mainly down to tinned rations, albeit coq au vin and cassoulet from the supermarkets of Martinique and Guadeloupe.

4th June 2026: Day 17

We’re still making way in lighter winds, occasionally having to motor. Our fresh water pump failed but happily fixed itself and we had a wonderful pod of dolphins playing in our bow wave.

3rd June 2026: Day 16

The Azores are tantalisingly close but the wind has dropped so we are having to use the engine more. The backgammon tournament continues.

2nd June 2026: Day 15

We are getting closer to land with sightings of dolphins and a seabird hitching a lift. It’s getting cooler too and I now have the novelty of wearing a jumper after months in the Caribbean.

1st June 2026: Day 14

The wind has picked up and we are enjoying an excellent broad reach sail. Unfortunately we have discovered that our mainsail has delaminated and frayed at the tack so we have to keep it double reefed to prevent further damage.

31st May 2026: Day 13

The wind dropped so the sailing has been much slower, but we have passed the halfway point of our passage and now have less than 1000 NM to go. Last night was beautiful with a stunning moon.

30th May 2026: Day 12

At last we are able to turn northeast towards our destination of Horta, Azores. Merryn is loving the downwind sailing recording our best ever distance in 24 hours of 168 Nautical Miles!

29th May 2026: Day 11

The rain has cleared, the wind and waves are behind us and we are making terrific progress.

28th May 2026: Day 10

The expected low has arrived giving very different sailing conditions.

27th May 2026: Day 9

We have finally reached a latitude that should keep us south of the deepening low pressure weather system, and that has allowed us to set up our downwind sails so that we can now head east towards the Azores.