Spirit & Crew in Action
My son David and I joined the previous owner and skipper, Oliver, in Baiona after he had sailed Spirit all the way down the Mediterranean, through the Strait of Gibraltar, and up the Portuguese coast to pick us up in beautiful Galicia. Our plan was to cross the Bay of Biscay—infamous among sailors—all the way to Falmouth, UK. But the persistent northerly winds had other ideas. After some deliberation, it was the wind that made the final call. Instead, we pushed through to Ireland: a challenging journey of seven days and seven nights, landing in Oysterhaven.
On our way from Ireland to Ostend, we passed Wight, one of the cradles of sailing. With the iconic Needles in sight, the first lone racer sailed by. Before we knew it, we were surrounded by more than 1,400 boats and 15,000 sailors, navigating rather challenging conditions. But not Spirit—she rolled as only she can, with the grace and elegance of a true lady.
From Ireland, with a moderate breeze at our back, we set course for the southernmost tip of England: the Scilly Islands. These tiny, stunning gems boast the most sunshine hours in all of the UK. Wind at our back and sun on our face—what more could we ask for?
It happens every time. Every single time, even after so many encounters. Dolphins! And everyone on board cheers and squeals with excitement and wonder, like children seeing these magnificent acrobats for the very first time.
Birds see more from afar than we do up close. Taking a step back now and then, zooming out to reflect on the work accomplished, is always worthwhile. It keeps morale high and straightens the back. After two winters of dust, smoke, and paint, we invite you to join us in this quick montage of the immense progress we’ve made.
I never imagined I would fall in love with the synchronous roar of six cylinders, each exploding in perfect harmony, like a beautiful symphony. Yes, Spirit still runs on an atmospheric diesel engine. In time, climate-neutral innovation will surely become part of its journey. The renovation and maintenance of Spirit will be approached gradually, with deep respect for the ship’s soul and a sustainable vision for the future.