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Never unsafe
«But never, not even in the worst weather, did we feel unsafe in the boat of just 22 feet.» – Jørn Finsrud, journalist in “Båtliv”
Journalist in the Norwegian boating magazine “Båtliv”, Jørn Finsrud, joined us on the leg from Langesund, Norway to Skagen in Denmark. Read his story from the crossing of the Skagerrak Strait here: VG Nett (Norwegian).
Approaching Aarhus in light rain
See options for customising the boat here!
Quiet at sea, and Danish hospitality on shore
The Land of the Light
The day started with rain in Skagen, but soon the clouds drifted away and a clear blue sky opened up outside Frederikshavn. Our Yanmar 20 hp engine gave us a decent speed at about 8-9 knots, and after a short while we passed Laesoe. This island is situated in the middle of the sea passage between the cities of Frederikshavn and Gothenburg, and is Kattegat´s largest. It use to be inhabited by many sailors, and today it is haven for boating tourists, with many Swedish and Norwegian sailing boats visiting. Further south we were once again all alone, enclosed by sea, on a far distance from the Danish eastern coast. In the soft summer breeze we could enjoy a few relaxing hours in Kattegat. With a giant, red sun setting in the horizon, life was just about as harmonic as it gets. This part of Denmark, Northern Jutland is also known as «the Land of the Light», and has definitely given us a beautiful summer memory!
Enjoying the blue hour of Kattegat
The sun sets over Denmark
After the last rays of sun had disappeared, we had about 1-2 hours of sailing towards the area called Fiskeleje; and the town of Boennerup Strand. Within a few minutes a crystal clear starry sky was in place. We were soon about to catch a glimpse of Gjerrild Light House, on the northeastern tip of the Djursland region, and after a while we could see a red and green light marking the entrance of the Boennerup port.
Danish hospitality
While sailing along through the harbour we spotted two people on the pier, looking at us. We started joking about how they´ve probably followed us online, and that they´ve come down here just to welcome us. And believe it or not, that was just what they were there for. Charlotte and René Soerensen had followed our journey all the way from Norway, through our blog. They had seen from our SatNav position that we were having a steady course towards Boennerup, where they were spending the weekend in their summer cabin. These people turned out to be extremely friendly, and without a single hotel open in the town, they invited us to stay the night in their summer cabin by the harbour. Inside, Charlotte served delicious cheese and wine; an invaluable treat for a bunch of lost Norwegian sailors! Film clip from the leg:
Heartly thanks to Charlotte and Rene Sorensen for warm hospitality!
No wind outside Frederikshavn
The weather report says 4 m/s, but yet no wind is noticeable at Hirsholm in the Kattegat sea outside Frederikshavn. Joakim takes some time to study the map. Hirsholm light house in the background.
A wet, but successful first leg!
The first leg of the expedition in an open boat to the Boat Show in Aarhus, has been long, overwhelmingly wet, but indeed successful! 13,5 hours passed before we had land in sight, and entered the harbour of Skagen last night at 20.30. The crossing over Skagerrak was intended to put the boat on a proper test, and the weather conditions made sure that was utterly fulfilled. We are very pleased with how the boat cut through the waves and defeated the raging sea. Today we continue on towards Aarhus, where the boat show kicks off on Friday. Follow us here, for updates on the journey!
Leader of the expedition, Didric Knutsen, conversing with sailor Harald Riis. The picture is taken only 20 nm off Skagen. The other boat is visible in the background.
Entering Skagen harbour. Journalist from Norwegian boating magazine, Jørn Finsrud, is documenting every little detail.
Mechanic Joakim Nilsen looking forward to a nights sleep, before embarking on the second leg towards Aarhus.
Maskinist Joakim Nilsen ser frem til en kort pause på fast mark, før ferden går videre til Århus
Skager crossing Skagerrak!
The 13. August Skager 660 is heading for the boat exhibition in Aarhus, Denmark. Obviously, we could have taken the boat with us on the ferry from Norway to Denmark, but isn´t that a bit too boring? Skagers seaworthiness makes it possible to get to Aarhus the good, old-fashioned way; at sea!
With the open edition of the Skager 660, we will be crossing the Skagerrak strait. Out on the open sea, the boats abilities are to be tested thoroughly. First stop is Skagen, the picturesque fishertown at the northernmost tip of Denmark, before sailing the last stretch to the Boat Show in Aarhus.
You will get access to live updates with video clips, pictures and text throughout the whole expidition. There will be details about weather and wind conditions, and of course about how the Skager 660 is managing the high waves of Skagerrak. Follow us live on Twitter, Facebook, and here at skager.co.uk!
10.08.10: Departure, Langesund, Norway
10.08.10: Arrival, Skagen, Denmark
11.08.10: Departure, Skagen, Denmark
11.08.10: Via Laesoe, Denmark
12.08.10: Arrival, Aarhus Boat Show, Denmark
The Norwegian boating magazine «Båtliv» joined us on our journey across Skagerrak. Read here, how their journalist Jørn Finsrud experienced the crossing:
- Great contrasts for the Skager expedition
- The Skager boats defied the wind and waves of Skagerrak
- The Skagerrak expedition has left the shore
- Crossing Skagerrak in open boat
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