Ship Identification Data:
MMSI: 269116130
Call Sign: HBY5656
ONWO ONOC’s Current Position:
On 25th August 2025, our sailing season ended in Ulsteinvik, Norway, due to unfortunate circumstances. After another failure of the bow thruster (the fourth failure since the delivery of ONWO ONOC in February 2022), we were forced to sail to Ulsteinvik. The local boatyard is a representative of Sleipner, the manufacturer of the bow thruster. Together we decided that the unit will be sent to Sleipner for repair, which means that ONWO ONOC has to be hauled-out. As the duration for the repair was unknown, we sadly decided to leave the yacht in Ulsteinvik during winter. A passage from Norway back to Scotland in October or even November would have been too dangerous.
However, this not only spoiled our sailing plans for the rest of the 2025 season, but also our passage plans for 2026 (and actually also for the following year(s)), because we had planned to resume sailing from Largs (Scotland) in April 2026.
Now, we will do a new planning for our voyage in 2026.
Please note: If you don’t find us in Vesselfinder or MarineTraffic, we are not sunk (hopefully!), but most likely out of the AIS reception range.
Planned Trips:
Given the new situation (see above), we will do a new passage plan for 2026. To stay in Norway (up to North Cape???) until summer and then visit Faroer islands, Shetlands and Orkneys on the way to Scotland is one option. Another option would be a voyage back to Scotland, Ireland, and England, and then perhaps further south.
Guests are always welcome on board!
ONWO ONOC’s Journey Since February 2022:
8753 nautical miles logged until mid-October 2024
Shake-Down Trials (February 2022)
After the hand-over of ONWO ONOC , we have sailed and tested her in the area of Les Sables d’Olonne until end of February 2022.
Crossing the Bay of Biscay and passage to Marina Rubicon, Lanzarote (March 2022)
In March 2022, we sailed through the Bay of Biscay, around Cape Finistere, then along the Spanish and Portuguese coast to Portimao, from where we “jumped” to Lanzarote. Since spring 2023, Marina Rubicon is ONWO ONOC’s new home.
From Rubicon to Tenerife and Back (April 2022)
In the beginning of April, Martin had a hiking accident in Lanzarote and hurt his leg ugly. Nevertheless, with Anca and three of our kids, we have made a trip from Lanzarote to Santa Cruz de Tenerife and back. Two non-stop passages of 26 and 21 hours. Great sailing!
Sailing in the South of Lanzarote
Finally, some months after Martin’s hiking accident and the subsequent surgery in Zurich, we could go for sailing again!
During ur time in Marina Rubicon, we regularly sailed in the south of Lanzarote and along the east coast. We anchored at the famous Playa Pagayo and did several trips around Isla de Lobos. And we did manoeuvre training in the bay, a lot of which dedicated to familiarize with single-handed sailing.
To Mindelo (Cape Verde Islands) for Carnival (Februar-March 2023)
In the beginning of February, we sailed to Mindelo on Sao Vicente, one of the windward islands of the Cape Verdes.
We enjoyed the famous carnival festivities and visited Sao Antao (by ferry).
From there, we sailed back to Lanzarote, two weeks against the North-East passage wind and the Canary Current. Very unusual for sailors…
All in all, 22 days at sea! Great!
Sailing to Madeira and Ilha Selvagem Grande
In June 2023, we (my daughter Karina, my son Konstantin, and I) made the passage to and stayed some days on Madeira. On the return trip to Lanzarote, we visited Ilha Selvagem Grande. To anchor there and to visit this rocky island, we had the permission from the local government of Madeira as the area is a nature reserve. The island is a bird sanctuary, famous for the Cagarras birds. This is an endemic species breeding in small caves and holes in the rocks. The island is uninhabited except some park rangers and scientists.
From Les Sables d’Olonne to Rubicon
From Rubicon to Santa Cruz and Back
Sailing in the South of Lanzarote
To the Carnival in Mindelo and Back
Madeira and Ilha Selvagem Grande
Passage to Cascais, Porto, and Baiona (Spain)
For the winter 2023/24, ONWO ONOC will stay in La Coruña. Hence we had to sail her from Lanzarote back to the European mainland.
On 1. September 2023, we (my son Konstantin, my friend Andreas, and I) left Marina Rubicon and started our passage to Cascais in Portugal where we arrived after six days. From there, we sailed to Porto. Here we stayed two days to visit this historic city. On the third day, we sailed Rio Duro upwards to the ancient centre of Porto and enjoyed the scenic view.
Our next stop was Baiona, in southern Galica, near Vigo at the Spanish west coast. After some days, we left Baiona for a wonderful two-weeks cruising through the Rias Bajas of Galicia…
Sailing in the Rias Bajas and Atlantic Islands of Galicia, Spain
Together with sailing friends Silke and Stephan, we spent two wonderful weeks cruising in the so-called Rias Bajas, the fjord-like inlets in Galicia. We visited the islands off the coast, which protect the bays from heavy swell. ONWO ONOC was permitted by the authorities of Galicia to sail in this nature reserve area, to anchor at the beaches of the islands, and to land for a visit.
We also enjoyed anchoring in the Rias and spending time in some scenic villages. The local cuisine, together with onboard cooking, made it a “gourmet trip”. In many mornings and evenings, dolphins played near to the yacht in the clean water.
As the main season was over, there have been only few boats cruising in the area.
Finally, we arrived in La Coruña. Silke and Stephan did some sightseeing, while I began to prepare ONWO ONOC for the hand-over to the boatyard. Some days later, she was hauled out off the water and put to a dry-stand for the winter.
Now, the planning for the next season can start…
From Lanzarote to Portugal and Galicia in Spain
Sailing in the Rias Bajas in Galicia
2024 - From Spain to Scotland
Philppe and I left Spain in mid-April and crossed the Bay of Biscay, where we encountered a storm, that had moved faster than forecasted. It was a challenging passage, but not a real problem for the boat and the crew.
In Les Sables d’Olonne, Anja and Konstantin joined the crew for the passage along the French coast to St. Malo. On our way, we visited Noirmoutier, Belle Île, Roscoff, and Treguier. Treguier is a nice little town 6 nm away from the coast at river Jaudy with a surprisingly large cathedral. Treguier also is the home of Boreal yachts. Finally, we arrived in St. Malo together with the famous “Gorch Fock”, the three-mast sailing vessel of the German Navy. After the two-weeks trip, we enjoyed again the scenic old centre of St. Malo and the fine local dining.
In St. Malo, Stephan came aboard for a one-week trip to the Channel Islands, to the coast of Normandy and to Îles Chausey.
Together with Philippe, I crossed the English Channel to Plymouth with a fuel stop on Guernsey. Philippe left ONWO ONOC and travelled back to Switzerland. In the following days, I discovered the historic town, which has a history of seafarers. The sailing ship “Mayflower” left Plymouth in September 1620 with 102 passangers, known as “Pilgrim Fathers”, for America. One highlight of my stay in Plymouth was a fantastic concert of Sting as part of the Plymouth Summer Sessions.
From here, I sailed single-handed to Falmouth and the Scilly Islands. In Wales, I anchored in River Cleddau, 12 nm upstream of the river mouth, in shallow waters, between forests, waiting for a storm to pass in the Irish Sea. Finally I arrived in the Marina Dun Laoghaire in the south of Dublin in Ireland.
Andreas joined me in Dublin. After some sightseeing including a visit to the Museum of Irish Whiskey we left the marina and sailed along the Irish Coast to Bangor. From here, we crossed the “North Channel” to Scottland, from the “whiskey island” to the “whisky country”. The more we sailed to the north, the more wind we had. After a week of nice sailing, we arrived in the James Watt Dock Marina near Glasgow. By train, we went to Glasgow to visit the city and to taste some beer and a few drops of lowland whisky.
On the day Andreas left Scotland to fly home, the rain started and literally did not stop for the next three weeks…
Anja, Karina, Konstantin and I left Glasgow to discover the Scottish waters, the landscape, and the distilleries (at least some of them). Our trip to Arran, Islay, Oban and through the Caledonian Canal to Inverness was an excellent combination of sailing, nature experience, and whisky tastings. Despite the fact, that we had rain, storm and cold temperatures almost every day, we very much enjoyed these three weeks.
With Silke and Stephan, we returned through the Caledonian Canal to Oban. We then took a short-cut through the Crinan Canal to avoid the strong winds south of the Kintyre peninsula. After stops in Tarbert, Loch Ranza and Rothesay, we arrived in Largs Yacht Haven. Here, the sailing season ended, and ONWO ONOC was put ashore for the winter.
From Spain to Scottland
2025 - Norway
In early April, Konstantin, Gregor and I left Largs Yacht Haven and sailed along the Scotish west coast, the Inner and Outer Hebrides to Stornoway. Due to a water ingress through the bow thruster, we were forced to stop in Stornoway for a two-weeks repair that required to haul-out the yacht.
From Stornoway, I sailed solo to Kirkwall and Stronsay (Orkneys), Fair Isle, and Lerwick (Shetlands). From there, I made the passage to Bergen where I arrived in mid-May.
Then, Anja came to Bergen. After three sightseeing days, we left this scenic town and sailed into Hardangerfjord up to Ulvik. The area is famous for its apple plantations and the cider production. Before going back to Bergen, we visited some smaller harbours in the south of Bergen. The village of Bekkjarvik surprised us with a famous restaurant run by an internationally well-known and highly decorated chef.
From Bergen, I sailed up to Bodö, again single-handed. On my way, I visited Alesund, Kristiansund, and many small marinas on the inshore route between the Norwegian mainland and the small coastal islands. It was a very special moment for me when I crossed the Arctic Circle on 6th July. Three days later, I arrived in Bodö.
More to follow…
From Scotland to Norway and up to Tromsö