S1.2 - First Night(s) at Sea: A Rollercoaster of Events and Oceanic Discoveries

Our First Overnight Sail was a thrilling yet challenging experience filled with memorable moments, celestial wonders, and a surprising bout of seasickness.

The night began with a well-coordinated shift schedule: Byron, Olivier, Michelle, and Ryan, each taking their turns at the helm. Admitting my uncertainty and lack of confidence in handling a night shift, I chose to sit this one out, opting to enjoy the calm sea from the sidelines. Little did I know, the night would hold more than just the gentle lull of the waves.

As the sea, relatively calm, embraced us, the night felt rocky to my newbie senses. With a mere 1 hour and 12 minutes of sleep recorded on my Oura Ring, exhaustion was beginning to set in. However, a newfound sense of excitement bubbled as I sat with Ryan during his 4-6am shift and we shared our First Early Morning coffee on the Captain’s chair, surrounded by the velvety darkness adorned with stars.

In the pitch-black canvas of the night sky, Ryan pointed out constellations—the Big Dipper, Mars, and what we believed to be Orion's Belt. A magical moment that underscored the vastness and beauty of the ocean we sailed upon.

The challenges of navigating on a boat in the dark became apparent as I struggled to move around, feeling a bit queasy. Yet, any discomfort was forgotten as we caught sight of our First Dolphin Pod. Racing to the bow, we marveled at their elegance as they danced in our wake. A lifelong dream of mine fulfilled and a moment of pure joy.

However, the joy was short-lived as nausea returned with a vengeance. Despite trying to tough it out, my first experience with seasickness led to an unavoidable moment of relief over the leaward side of the boat. Grateful for Ryan's support and care, I bounced back quickly, ready to embrace the remainder of our journey.

A full day of sailing soon again turned into night.  Ryan, taking the 6-9pm night shift, showcased his seamanship by handling sails like a pro. As the night unfolded, we found solace in the company of each other, sipping our First Glass of Wine in bed while enjoying episodes of the Big Bang Theory.

With the arrival into San Sebastián in the wee hours of the morning, the exhaustion and elation intertwined. Our first anchor was set in the Bahia de La Concha at about 2:30am, marking the end of our maiden voyage.  Secured to the ocean floor, we welcomed the thump thump thump of the distant nightlife, grateful for the shared camaraderie and the vastness of the ocean that had brought us to this moment.

Distance: 192 NM Winds: 7-21 KTS
Duration: 1d 7h Waves: 0.6-1.4 M
Avg Speed: 6.1 Kn Visibility: 4-5 NM

Maiden Voyage: Les Sables D'Olonne to San Sebastián, Spain