Ep 36: Farewell and A New Beginning

Farewell to Jumbo and a New Beginning

In early May, from Kma in Turkey, I said my farewell to my sailing yard Jumbo. It’s a bittersweet moment as last year, she tragically sank in the South Atlantic after an incredible journey from New York to the Azores, and then onwards to Fernando de Norona in Brazil. I was on my final leg from Brazil to Cape Town when, one morning, there came a big bang, water poured into the boat, and within moments she sank.With incredible fortune, we managed to escape in the life raft where we spent 20 harrowing hours adrift before being picked up by a freight ship that took us towards South Africa. So, despite it all, I found myself in Cape Town, but certainly not under the circumstances I’d hoped for.Looking Forward to New AdventuresAlthough we’re closing this chapter with Jumbo’s sad ending, it doesn’t erase all of the fantastic experiences we had during our many voyages together. Over 40,000 nautical miles and counting, I’m now setting sail on a new adventure – the beginning with my latest boat ‘Comeback’. She promises exciting challenges ahead.Exploring New Horizons with ComebackIn this episode, I take you on a journey from Fernando de Norona as we begin our sailing trip towards Cape Town. It’s been an interesting start with the sails set and already covering over 330 nautical miles. But what does the future hold? Will it be a smooth sail or face more challenges like Jumbo?The Story of JumboI’ll also take you down memory lane with the story of my beloved sailing yacht, Jumbo. From her beginnings in 2013, we’ve traversed the seas together from the Netherlands, to the Baltic Sea, Canary Islands, and across both the Atlantic Oceans, culminating in a heart-wrenching end as she tragically sank.Deciding on ‘Comeback’The process of finding and deciding on ‘Comeback’ wasn’t a simple one. It was crucial that she be more robust than Jumbo, capable of withstanding more challenging conditions. With the goal of making it an even better experience for both me and my partner Ana, we focused our search on certain types of boats, finally settling on Amels ML Mango – a perfect fit.Touring ‘Comeback’As promised, I’ll show you the first glimpses of our new boat, Comeback. But it isn’t all glitz and glamor; there’s plenty of work ahead. From revamping parts of her design to doing minor upgrades, we have a lot on our plates. However, we’re up for the challenge!Join Us on this JourneySo here’s your chance to join me and Ana as we embark on our next chapter with Comeback. We’ll document each moment of our journey, sharing both the joys and tribulations along the way. Don’t miss out on this new adventure. Stay tuned!