Winded Voyage Sailing

Veteran Swiss advertising creative Alexandre Guidetti ("Sailor Alex") commands his 1981 Jeanneau Sun Fizz 40, Galopin, on a decade-long liveaboard voyage stretching from the Mediterranean to the remote coastlines of West Africa. Leaving behind a 35-year high-intensity career in commercial branding in landlocked Switzerland, Guidetti executes a raw, unscripted "Selfie Documentary" focusing on deep cultural immersion and DIY resilience. In 2026, he remains fully active, basing his operations out of the historic Cercle de la Voile de Dakar (CVD) in Senegal after completing a massive engine rebuild and handmade antifouling refit.

Key Takeaways

• Channel Vibe: Winded Voyage Sailing eschews glossy influencer tropes in favor of a raw, self-produced "Selfie Documentary." The channel delivers honest appraisals of aging, medical recoveries, and technical failures while focusing heavily on deep cultural integration across West African and Cape Verdean communities.
• The Boat: Galopin is a heavy, solid fiberglass 1981 Jeanneau Sun Fizz 40 sloop designed by Philippe Briand. Propelled by a legendary 50HP Perkins 4.108 marine diesel ("Simone") and outfitted with a minimalist offshore setup, the vessel serves as a robust platform for budget-conscious cruising.
• Current Location: Celebrating a 10-year liveaboard milestone (2016–2026), Guidetti and Galopin are actively cruising the West African mainland. Following a comprehensive haul-out at CVD Dakar, Senegal, the current mission targets deep river exploration along the Casamance and Gambia estuaries.

⚓ Quick Specs & Channel Vitals

Meet the Crew and the Fleet

The Sailors Behind the Helm

Alexandre Guidetti ("Sailor Alex")

Alexandre Guidetti drives the Winded Voyage narrative as the sole owner-operator, skipper, and mechanic of Galopin. He leverages his Swiss maritime licenses—including an Offshore Certificate of Competence (Permis Mer) from the Cruising Club Suisse—to manage all vessel operations, sail trim, and passage planning singlehandedly.

Source: [Winded Voyage Sailing Fact Sheet]

Origin Story & Life Before Sailing

Guidetti's roots trace back to Montreux and Lausanne along the shores of Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) in Switzerland. Before casting off the bowlines, he spent 35 years in the high-pressure advertising business. Serving as a creative director, copywriter, and head of a commercial agency, he raised three children and welcomed three grandchildren. At age 54, he made a decisive life pivot to escape commercial burnout, fulfilling a lifelong dream of blue water cruising.

Professional & Technical Background

His extensive background in commercial storytelling directly translates to his video production and digital editing skills. On the water, Guidetti combines his creative eye with hands-on mechanical aptitude. He manages DIY fiberglass and gelcoat maintenance, rigging inspections, and diesel mechanics. Instead of relying on expensive Western shipyards, he adapts to local African methods, hiring master artisans for complex jobs.

Maritime Experience & Seamanship

Logging over 10,000 nautical miles across a decade of active cruising, Guidetti practices pragmatic, patient, and conservative seamanship. He strictly adapts to weather windows and avoids pride-driven schedules. His offshore resume includes a 1,000 NM qualifying training passage, Mediterranean coastal runs, and multiple open Atlantic crossings between Spain, Morocco, the Canary Islands, the Cabo Verde archipelago, and continental West Africa.

Specialized Competencies & Onboard Roles

Beyond navigation, Guidetti manages all medical and safety responsibilities aboard Galopin. He is an experienced patient self-advocate, having successfully navigated recovery from a severe pelvic fracture, total hip replacement, hernia surgery, and a motorcycle exhaust burn wound. He handles all provisioning and domestic logistics, relying heavily on local open-air markets in Mindelo and Dakar. To facilitate deep immersion, he communicates in French, English, conversational Cape Verdean Crioulo, Spanish, and basic Wolof.

Channel Role & Content Focus

Operating as a solo shooter, sound editor, and on-camera host, Guidetti crafts the raw aesthetic of the series. He brings a wry, self-deprecating wit to his "Selfie Documentary," openly discussing the realities of aging, romantic connections, and budget cruising logistics. He celebrates his birthdays with candid reflections, dances to Afro-beat and traditional Morna music, and maintains deep respect for the local island and African cultures he encounters.

The Guest Crew & Global Community

While Alexandre is the primary force aboard Galopin, the vessel frequently hosts a rotating cast of family, friends, and local maritime mentors.

Seb (Alexandre's Son / "AOS°")

Seb, a professional music producer and audio artist from Switzerland, brings the channel's soundtrack to life. Although a novice sailor, he joined his father during Season 3 in the Canary Islands, enduring heavy weather and venturi accelerations between Lanzarote and Tenerife. He remains a recurring guest and the primary composer of the series' original theme music.

Natacha ("Nat")

Natacha, a creative modern nomad hailing from France and the Comoros Islands, stepped aboard as primary co-crew during Season 4. She co-skippered the open-Atlantic passage from the Canary Islands to Mindelo, Cabo Verde. She featured heavily in hiking expeditions, drone rescues, and cultural explorations across the Barlavento and Sotavento island chains.

Peixe (Eridson from Bela Vista)

A native waterman and skilled spearfisher from Mindelo, Cabo Verde, Peixe became an essential local mentor across Seasons 4, 5, and 6. He assisted Guidetti with mast climbs, rigging fixes, and hull scraping. More importantly, Peixe introduced Alex to Mandingo cultural traditions, Carnival celebrations, and authentic island life beyond the tourist veneer.

Wendy

Wendy joined Galopin as a liveaboard companion throughout Cabo Verde in Seasons 5 and 6. She actively sailed across São Vicente, Sal, São Nicolau, and Maio. She frequently featured in dinghy handling tutorials and provided crucial support during Alex's recovery following his hernia surgery.

Mana

Cruising the Casamance River alongside Alex in Seasons 7 and 8, Mana brought Senegalese cultural context to the voyage. She shared culinary traditions and local Diola cultural events as they explored Elinkine, Carabane, Ziguinchor, and Cap Skirring.

Gianni ("Giani")

A 74-year-old Italian/Swiss veteran blue water sailor and open-heart surgery survivor, Gianni joined a recovering Alex for a challenging 400 NM Atlantic ocean passage from Mindelo, Cabo Verde, to Dakar, Senegal, in Season 5. This "Two Old Saltys" passage highlighted their shared resilience.

Arona (Master Marine Mechanic)

Based at Cercle de la Voile de Dakar (CVD) in Senegal, Arona is the indispensable technical backbone of Galopin's West African operations. This master diesel artisan pulled the heavy Perkins 4.108 engine from the boat at anchor, transported it by pirogue to the beach, and executed two complete bench overhauls.

Rasta Babs (Babacar)

A respected community figure in The Gambia, Rasta Babs acted as a vital regional guide during Seasons 7 and 8. He directed Alex through shifting river anchorages on the River Gambia and facilitated complex overland border crossings and visa runs.

Nomadic Network Summary

Guidetti actively eschews exclusive yacht club cliques in favor of grassroots camaraderie. His network forms a rich tapestry of adventurous family visitors and deep local integration with native watermen, mechanics, and musicians across Northwest Africa and Cabo Verde.

⛵ Professional Fleet Forensics

Swiss liveaboard Alexandre Guidetti operates Galopin, a 1981 Jeanneau Sun Fizz 40. He acquired the classic fin-keel sloop in early 2016 in Port-Leucate, France, following a comprehensive survey by a Swiss-certified marine inspector. Over the past decade, Guidetti has optimized the solid fiberglass vessel for austere, analog voyaging through the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands, the Cabo Verde archipelago, and continental West Africa. He relies on grassroots maintenance rather than high-tech refits, recently completing a hand-sanded antifouling barrier coat at the Cercle de la Voile de Dakar (CVD) in Senegal.

Galopin (Flagship Cruising Sloop)

Galopin features a three-cabin layout capable of sleeping six to eight people, though Guidetti primarily sails solo or with a single crew member. The Philippe Briand design displaces 7,300 kg with 3,000 kg of ballast, providing a stiff righting moment for Atlantic Ocean passages. Rather than upgrading to modern multi-hulls, Guidetti preserves the heavy-displacement characteristics of his 40-foot monohull.

🛠️ The Gear Locker: Crucial Hardware

Guidetti outfits Galopin for maximum mechanical simplicity and repairability in remote anchorages. He sources parts globally but relies on local African artisans for heavy fabrication and structural rigging work.

⚓ Ground Tackle

Galopin depends heavily on its ground tackle in shifting Cabo Verde surge zones and strong river currents in Casamance. Guidetti regularly dive-checks his primary anchor to confirm its set in sand and rock.

• Anchor (Primary): Heavy Galvanized Bruce / Claw Anchor (approx. 20–25 kg). Provides excellent resetting characteristics in shifting Cabo Verde surge and sand.
• Anchor (Secondary): Danforth / Kedge Style Backup Anchor. Deployed in high-wind anchorages and tidal river currents.
• Chain & Rode: 8mm / 10mm Calibrated Galvanized Chain + Nylon Rode (50m+ chain). Regularly inspected and end-for-ended; hand-dived in anchorages.
• Windlass: Manual / Electric Bow Windlass. Reconditioned and de-corroded by hand during his 2026 Casamance expedition.

⛵ Sail Inventory

The sail plan emphasizes conservative handling and durability over sheer speed. Guidetti uses heavy Dacron cloth tailored by local sailmakers like Diego in Dakar.

• Mainsail: Dacron Slab-Reefing Main (3 reef points). Upgraded with custom batten pockets by Senegalese canvas workers in Dakar.
• Furling Genoa: Heavy Dacron Roller Furling Genoa. The primary upwind and reaching workhorse; UV strip serviced during West African layovers.
• Spinnaker: Symmetrical Cruising Spinnaker (Bright Orange). Deployed for deep downwind runs across Canary Island passages.
• Storm Jib / Spare Main: Heavy Dacron Hank-on / Spare Main. Stowed aboard for extreme Atlantic gale conditions and trade wind accelerations.

🛟 Safety Suite

Guidetti complies with Swiss offshore certification standards. He maintains a comprehensive safety locker capable of handling severe coastal and mid-ocean emergencies.

• EPIRB: Category 1 / 406 MHz Emergency Beacon. Registered under the Swiss maritime authority.
• VHF / AIS: Fixed Marine VHF Radio + AIS Receiver. Kept active for traffic monitoring in dense shipping lanes off the West African coast.
• Life Raft: Offshore Multi-Person Canister Life Raft. Mounted securely on a deck cradle for ocean crossings.
• PFDs & Harnesses: Inflatable Life Jackets with Integrated Safety Tethers. Deployed strictly in rough seas and during solo night watches.

🚣 Tender & Dinghy

The tender serves as Guidetti’s primary transport between open roadsteads and mainland surf beaches. He emphasizes ruggedness to survive rocky African slipways.

• Dinghy: Inflatable PVC/Hypalon Roll-up Tender (2–3 Persons). Vital for shore landings in heavy Atlantic surf.
• Outboard Motor: 2-Stroke Portable Marine Outboard. Sourced and serviced locally with the help of West African mechanics Babou and Jeffry.
• Emergency Oars: Custom Wooden / Aluminum Oars. Kept onboard as essential backup propulsion for motor failures.

📊 Vessel Systems Health Scorecard

Technical & Field Performance Narrative

Galopin operates entirely without high-draw electrical systems. Guidetti intentionally avoids watermakers, induction stoves, and integrated lithium-ion arrays in favor of deep-cycle lead-acid batteries and manual jerrycan water hauling. Solar generation powers daily lighting, refrigeration, camera charging, and basic navigation instruments. His Victron MPPT charge controller maximizes output even when his rigid solar panels are coated in fine Saharan dust from the Harmattan wind.

Guidetti navigates using a bulkhead compass, a dedicated Furuno GPS navigator, tablet-based electronic charting, and analog Raymarine tiller/wheel autopilot systems. His standing rigging is heavy-duty wire, supporting a furling headsail and a triple-reefed mainsail. When electrical or mechanical issues arise, he leverages analog repairs and local African expertise. His 50 HP Perkins 4.108 diesel engine—nicknamed "Simone"—functions as a bulletproof mechanical heart. He sources replacement parts directly from specialist suppliers in the UK and relies on master mechanic Arona in Dakar for complete engine overhauls.

Notable Gaps or Homemade Solutions

Guidetti embraces "bush mechanics" and grassroots engineering to keep Galopin moving. Rather than importing expensive replacement parts, he utilizes local resources and unconventional chemical repairs.

• Super Glue & Baking Soda Gear Rebuilding: When his nylon autopilot drive gears stripped during a passage, Guidetti executed a permanent field repair by rebuilding the gear teeth with a mixture of cyanoacrylate (Super Glue) and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda).
• Pirogue Beach Engine Transfer: Lacking overhead boatyard cranes, Guidetti unbolted the 200 kg Perkins engine at an open anchorage. He lowered the block into a tender, ferried it across the surf line to a Dakar beach, and performed a complete bench-overhaul under a tarp.
• Handmade African Antifouling: To avoid the high costs of Western boatyard machinery, Guidetti utilized traditional Senegalese slipway carts. Local crews at CVD Dakar hand-sanded the hull back to its primer, completing a full barrier coat without power tools.

Voyages, Destinations, and Local Waters

Alexandre Guidetti has spent a decade navigating Galopin through more than 10,000 nautical miles of coastal and open-ocean waters. His track extends from the Mediterranean ports of southern France to the river estuaries of Senegal and The Gambia.

📍 Top Routes and Expeditions

• The Mediterranean Shakedown (2016): Guidetti began his offshore cruising career departing Port-Leucate in the Gulf of Lion. He sailed south along the rugged Costa Brava, past Barcelona, through the Balearic Sea, and down the Spanish coast calling at Valencia, Alicante, and Cartagena before clearing the Strait of Gibraltar.
• Morocco and Open Atlantic Passages (2017): After crossing the Strait to Tangiers, Guidetti directed Galopin into the open Atlantic Ocean. He worked his way down the Moroccan coast to make landfall in the Canary archipelago at Lanzarote and La Graciosa.
• The Canary Archipelago Circuit (2017–2018): Over twelve months, Guidetti cruised extensively through Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Isla de Lobos, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Gomera, La Palma, and El Hierro. He tackled notorious inter-island acceleration zones where trade winds compress between volcanic calderas.
• Transatlantic Passage to Cabo Verde (2018–2021): An 800-nautical-mile ocean run brought Galopin south to Porto Grande harbor in Mindelo, São Vicente. Over three years, Guidetti explored eight of the ten islands in the archipelago: Santo Antão, São Nicolau, Santa Luzia, Sal, Boavista, Maio, Santiago, and Fogo.
• West African Mainland and River Systems (2022–2026): Guidetti completed multiple 400-nautical-mile ocean crossings between Cabo Verde and Dakar, Senegal. From his base at Cercle de la Voile de Dakar (CVD) in Hann Bay, he led expeditions into the tidal mangrove waterways of the Casamance River (Carabane, Elinkine, Ziguinchor) and up the River Gambia beyond Banjul.

Source: Winded Voyage Sailing log records and published navigational updates (2016–2026).

⏳ Voyage Milestone Timeline

• 2015-11: Guidetti launches the channel, announcing his plan to leave Switzerland and buy an ocean-going sailboat; Winded Voyage | Trailer | Sailing Galopin.
• 2016-01: On his 55th birthday, he begins hunting for a suitable offshore vessel across Switzerland, Italy, and southern France; Winded Voyage | Episode 1 | Searching For My Vessel.
• 2016-02: Surveys and purchases the 1981 Jeanneau Sun Fizz 40 Galopin in Saint-Cyprien; Winded Voyage | Episode 5 | The Complete Fizzical.
• 2016-02: Enrolls in formal offshore theory and dinghy handling coursework at CVVT La Tour-de-Peilz on Lake Geneva; Winded Voyage | Episode 6 | Schooled In Sailing.
• 2016-03: Completes his first solo overnights aboard and services the Perkins 4.108 engine alongside French mechanic David; Winded Voyage | Episode 9 | Perkins Gets A French Kiss.
• 2016-04: Passes the Swiss maritime theory exam (Permis Mer); Winded Voyage | Episode 16 | The Science Of Sailing.
• 2016-09: Completes a 1,000-nautical-mile qualifying offshore passage, receives his Swiss Offshore Sailing License from CCS Bern, and launches Season 2; Season 2 | Episode 1 | Got The License. But Can He Sail?.
• 2016-10 – 2017-05: Sails solo along the Spanish Mediterranean coast, overcoming engine runaway issues in port.
• 2017-06: Departs Europe across the Strait of Gibraltar to Tangiers, Morocco; Winded Voyage 3 | Episode 1 | Farewell Europe Hola Africa.
• 2017-07 – 2017-10: Reaches the Canary Islands, anchoring off Lanzarote and La Graciosa.
• 2017-11: His son Seb joins the crew; they navigate heavy venturi gale winds between Fuerteventura and Tenerife; Winded Voyage 3 | Episode 21 | No Bullsh*t Sailing.
• 2017-12 – 2018-08: Completes a circuit of Tenerife, La Gomera, La Palma, and El Hierro.
• 2018-10: Embarks on an open-ocean Atlantic passage from the Canaries to Cabo Verde with crewmate Natacha; Winded Voyage 4 | Episode 1 | Sailing Our Way To Cabo Verde Africa.
• 2018-11: Drops anchor in Porto Grande Bay, Mindelo, São Vicente; Winded Voyage 4 | Episode 5 | Living Anchored In Porto Grande.
• 2018-12 – 2019-10: Cruises eight islands across Cabo Verde, befriends local waterman Peixe, and studies Cape Verdean Crioulo.
• 2020-03 – 2021-06: Anchors long-term in Mindelo during the COVID-19 pandemic, sustains a severe pelvic fracture, and films an in-depth boat tour; My Live Aboard Crib | Tour Aboard My Sailing Yacht | Sailing Galopin | Winded Voyage5 | Episode 38.
• 2021-10: Returns to Switzerland for medical care, flying past the active Cumbre Vieja volcanic eruption on La Palma; Flying By The Erupting Volcano | Season 5 | Episode 39.
• 2021-11: Undergoes total hip replacement surgery in Switzerland with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Kägi; How I Got A Full Hip Replacement | Season 5 | Episode 46.
• 2021-12 – 2022-01: Completes alpine walking rehabilitation in boat shoes, returns to Cabo Verde, and dives to scrape Galopin’s running gear; Progress After Hip Replacement Surgery.
• 2022-03: Completes a 400-nautical-mile Atlantic crossing from Mindelo to Dakar, Senegal, co-skippering with 74-year-old cardiac patient Gianni; Two Old Saltys Sailing Galopin After Surgery | Season 5 | Episode 58 and Made It To Dakar Senegal | Season 5 | Interim Epsd.
• 2022-07: Executes an improvised autopilot gear rebuild in a remote bay; I Fixed My Autopilot With Super Glue & Baking Soda | Season 6 | Episode 1.
• 2022-10: Mentors student Ferdi aboard Galopin to build qualifying ocean miles for his Swiss licensing exam; How To Get An Ocean Sailing License Where There Is No Ocean | Season 6 | Episode 13.
• 2023-04: Undergoes hospital hernia surgery in Mindelo and manages his post-operative recovery on board; I Got A Gut Feeling | Hernia Surgery In Cabo Verde | Season 6 | Episode 35.
• 2024-04: Launches Season 7 in Dakar; unbolts the Perkins 4.108 engine at anchor, lands it on the beach via dinghy, and begins a bench overhaul with master mechanic Arona; Taking Out Perkins 4108 Engine At Our Mooring To The Beach | S7 Epsd1.
• 2024-07 – 2025-06: Reassembles and bench-tests the diesel, installs a Victron MPPT controller, and cruises the Casamance River with companion Mana.
• 2026-01: Celebrates his 65th birthday in Casamance, reconditions his corroded bow windlass, and overhauls his outboard; Turning 65 in Casamance, Senegal.
• 2026-08: Celebrates a decade of Winded Voyage, reaches Swiss state retirement pension age, and begins Season 8; Hacked Retired & Refueled | Winded Voyage Returns For Its 8th season | 10 years In The Making S8E01.
• 2026-08: Hauls Galopin out at CVD Dakar for a manual bottom scrape, epoxy barrier coat, and antifouling application; African Haul Out: The Last Proper Boat Yard in West Africa | S8E07.
• 2026-08: Completes a land visa run to The Gambia, treats a deep exhaust burn, installs custom sail batten pockets, and wires a masthead wind transducer; Real African Dangers: Moto Taxis, Burns, Infections & Storms | Sailing Life In West Africa | S8E10.

Source: Chronological episode timeline from Winded Voyage Sailing (2015–2026).

Navigating West Africa, Cabo Verde & The Canary Islands

Cruising through the eastern Atlantic trade wind belt and the West African mainland presents sailors with distinct meteorological systems, heavy swell patterns, and localized navigational challenges.

Regional Wind Regimes and Local Phenomena

The Northeast Trade Winds (Alizés) dominate this corridor, maintaining a steady 20 to 30 knots from November through May. In the Canary Islands, high volcanic relief—most notably Tenerife’s Mount Teide (3,715 m)—creates intense venturi channels. As air squeezes between Gran Canaria, Tenerife, and La Gomera, moderate 15-knot gradient breezes accelerate into 35 to 45-knot gale funnels within minutes.

Between December and April, the continental Harmattan blows west from the Sahara Desert. In Cabo Verde, this phenomenon is called Bruma Seca (dry haze). It blankets open waters in fine, airborne mineral dust. Visibility frequently drops below one nautical mile, radar returns become cluttered, and solar panels get coated with reddish sand that reduces daily power generation.

Tropical Weather and Seasonal Risks

Continental West Africa experiences the Hivernage (rainy season) from July through October. This period generates severe convective storm cells and squall lines off the mainland. In Hann Bay and down the Casamance River, these line squalls strike with little barometric warning, generating gale-force wind shifts and intense lightning.

The coastal waters off Senegal and Guinea-Bissau serve as the genesis zone for North Atlantic tropical waves. While mature hurricanes rarely strike Cabo Verde directly, early-stage tropical depressions and named tropical storms (such as Tropical Storm Marizia) form in these latitudes, producing violent confused seas and heavy downpours.

Local Hazards and Navigational Realities

Navigating nearshore West Africa requires constant visual vigilance. Artisanal wooden fishing pirogues operate up to 30 miles offshore without radar reflectors or functional navigation lights. Fishermen deploy drifting monofilament gill nets spanning thousands of meters. Catching a net in the propeller or rudder in heavy swell remains a persistent threat.

Entering river systems like the Casamance and Gambia demands strict tidal management. Shifting underwater sandbars and breaking rollers at river mouths require daylight transits on a rising tide, followed by careful pilotage around unlit navigational markers and shallow mangrove flats.

Source: National maritime pilot guides for West Africa, Cabo Verde Hydrographic Office, and cruising logs aboard Galopin.

Skills & Tutorials: Learning from Winded Voyage Sailing

Guidetti focuses his content on practical seamanship, resourcefulness, and self-reliance. Rather than showcasing expensive marine equipment, his tutorials demonstrate how to keep an older production boat operating in remote regions.

                       PRACTICAL SEAMANSHIP & REPAIR SKILLS
                                        |
       +--------------------------------+--------------------------------+
       |                                |                                |
       v                                v                                v
[EMERGENCY GEAR REBUILDS]     [ANALOG DIESEL SERVICING]       [ANCHORAGE HUSBANDRY]
Cyanoacrylate + baking soda    Bleeding airlocks, injectors,   Setting Bruce hooks in surge,
gear tooth reconstruction     water pump seals on Perkins    dive-checking, surf landings

• Autopilot Field Reconstruction: In I Fixed My Autopilot With Super Glue & Baking Soda, Guidetti demonstrates an emergency mechanical repair. When nylon autopilot drive gears stripped in an isolated bay, he built up new teeth using layers of cyanoacrylate adhesive and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), filing them down by hand to restore steering.
• Perkins 4.108 Diesel Maintenance: In Winded Voyage | Episode 10 | French Love For Perkins, he covers the fundamentals of servicing older naturally aspirated marine diesels. The tutorial details raw-water impeller replacements, secondary fuel filter changes, and bleeding air out of stubborn high-pressure injector lines.
• Anchor Management in Heavy Surge: In Anchoring in Cape Verde Part 1 and Anchoring in Cape Verde Part 2, Guidetti outlines tactics for exposed Atlantic roadsteads. He explains proper chain scope calculations for heavy swell, techniques for free-diving on the anchor to confirm its set, and managing dinghy beach landings through breaking Atlantic surf.
• Offshore Mile Accumulation and Licensing: In How To Get An Ocean Sailing License Where There Is No Ocean, Guidetti breaks down the formal pathway for landlocked sailors to earn their Swiss Offshore Certificate of Competence (Permis Mer). He details logbook compliance, celestial theory, and coastal passage planning.

Source: Winded Voyage Sailing instructional video series.

Overcoming Adversity on the Water

Guidetti’s decade of voyaging has been shaped by physical resilience, mechanical crises, and managing high-stress regional challenges.

"A broken boat in a remote bay will test your patience, but a broken body tests your resolve. You learn to move slower, trust the anchor, and solve one problem at a time."

Alexandre Guidetti

Major Orthopedic Trauma and Alpine Rehabilitation

While anchored in Mindelo, Guidetti sustained a serious pelvic fracture. The resulting complications damaged his hip joint, severely limiting his mobility on deck. In late 2021, he flew back to Switzerland to undergo total hip replacement surgery performed by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Kägi.

He completed his rehabilitation walking through snow in the Swiss Alps wearing his worn deck shoes. Within months, Guidetti returned to Cabo Verde. He immediately climbed aboard Galopin, dove the hull to clear marine growth from his propeller, and resumed solo sailing. He later managed recovery from a hospital hernia surgery in Mindelo and treated a painful second-degree motorcycle exhaust burn while preparing Galopin for passage in Dakar.

Open-Ocean Mechanical Emergencies

Cruising without modern redundant autopilots has forced rapid troubleshooting at sea. When Galopin’s steering drive gears sheared during an Atlantic passage, Guidetti hand-steered through heavy swells before executing his cyanoacrylate gear repair.

In Spanish waters, he resolved a dangerous diesel runaway caused by oil blowing past worn seals. In remote African anchorages, he has climbed the mast unassisted to clear jammed furler halyards and replaced sheared raw-water pump shafts using basic onboard spares.

Security, Legal, and Maritime Encounters

Cruising off the beaten track carries unique logistical risks. While anchored off Tarrafal in Cabo Verde, Guidetti witnessed an armed boarding and robbery on a neighboring vessel, prompting tightened onboard security watches.

In Cabo Verde, he also endured a protracted administrative and legal ordeal following an unfounded accusation of contraband possession, ultimately clearing his name through local authorities. At sea along the Senegalese coast, Guidetti narrowly averted a disastrous night collision with a 3-ton artisanal wooden pirogue after cutting through unmarked drift netting that had fouled his rudder.

Source: Winded Voyage Sailing incident logs and published episode transcripts.

The YouTube Journey and Financing the Dream

Guidetti launched Winded Voyage in late 2015 as a creative outlet following a 35-year career in advertising and visual storytelling. Rather than pursuing commercial sponsorships, he documents his solo liveaboard life through an unvarnished personal lens.

Content Style and Production Quality

The channel uses a direct "Selfie Documentary" format. Guidetti speaks candidly to the camera from the cockpit, galley, and engine bay, avoiding scripted voiceovers or sensationalized cliffhangers.

                      WINDED VOYAGE PRODUCTION ECOSYSTEM
                                       |
        +------------------------------+------------------------------+
        |                              |                              |
        v                              v                              v
[CINEMATIC SOUND DESIGN]      [DYNAMIC VISUAL SUITE]       [NARRATIVE TRANSPARENCY]
Original Afro-beat & indie    Sony mirrorless primes,       Unscripted direct-to-camera,
scores by son Seb (AOS°)      GoPro deck action, 4K drone   honest financial & repair logs

The production stands out through its acoustic design. Guidetti’s son Seb (producing under the moniker AOS° – Art of Sound) composes custom Afro-beat rhythms, percussion tracks, and atmospheric indie music tailored to each voyage. Guidetti balances wide-angle cockpit action and masthead perspectives with sweeping aerial drone shots of volcanic archipelagos and river estuaries.

🎙️ Community Pulse & Audience Vibe

Winded Voyage has cultivated a dedicated following that values real-world cruising experience over glossy influencer aesthetics.

• Signature Mottos: Guidetti regularly embraces phrases like "An older dude who feels 30," "Live large adventures," and "Modern Nomads."
• Complete Financial & Technical Openness: Viewers respect Guidetti’s transparency. He regularly shares exact repair receipts, fuel expenditures, and boatyard invoices, freely admitting when a job exceeds his mechanical abilities and requires a local artisan.
• Humor and Humility: The channel maintains a self-deprecating tone. Guidetti treats birthdays, physical aging, and mechanical setbacks with wit, grounding the channel in relatable cruising realities.

Source: Viewer reception metrics and community forum commentary on Winded Voyage Sailing.

Channel Growth and Behind the Scenes

Guidetti produces, shoots, and edits all episodes independently from Galopin’s navigation station. His creative workflow balances sharp video capture with the power constraints of an off-grid 12V electrical system.

🎥 Camera & Filming Tech

• Primary Camera Bodies: Sony mirrorless camera bodies paired with compact wide and prime lenses for low-light cockpit and cabin shooting.
• Action & Underway Cameras: GoPro action cameras mounted on the stern rail, mast, and handheld poles for heavy-weather sailing and underwater hull inspections.
• Aerial Drone Platform: DJI Mavic drone system used for anchorage overviews, reef pilotage, and coastal landscapes (including cliffside recovery operations in the Canary Islands).
• Marine Protection: Cameras are stored in heavy-duty dry bags with desiccant packs. All camera batteries and editing laptops recharge directly from 12V DC solar outlets without running an AC inverter.

Source: Creator production disclosures in Winded Voyage technical logs.

💰 How Winded Voyage Sailing Funds the Voyage

Guidetti funds his cruising lifestyle through personal savings, modest viewer patronage, ad-hoc creative consulting, and Swiss state pension benefits.

                           CRUISING REVENUE STREAMS
                                       |
         +-----------------------------+-----------------------------+
         |                             |                             |
         v                             v                             v
[RETIREMENT & SAVINGS]       [AUDIENCE CONTRIBUTIONS]      [PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING]
Swiss state pension (at 65)  Patreon & Ko-fi tips for     Offshore passage mentoring,
+ 35-yr advertising funds    spares, fuel, artisan wages   West Africa cruising routing

• Advertising Career Savings & Pension: Guidetti built a solid financial reserve over 35 years managing advertising agencies in Switzerland. In August 2026, upon turning 65, he unlocked his official Swiss state retirement pension, providing a steady baseline income.
• Patreon and Ko-fi Support: A core group of patrons contributes monthly through Patreon (patreon.com/SailorAlex) and one-time tips via Ko-fi (ko-fi.com/sailoralex), directly funding boat maintenance, diesel parts, and local yard labor.
• YouTube AdSense & Consulting: Modest AdSense revenue offsets production software expenses, supplemented by occasional commercial copy and branding consultations.

🛒 Marketplace Synergy Scan & Services Listing

Guidetti’s maritime credentials and deep regional experience in West Africa translate into valuable specialized services for cruising sailors.

• Offshore Passage Coaching and Mile Building: Guidetti welcomes aspiring ocean sailors aboard Galopin for multi-week blue water passages. Students gain hands-on watchstanding, sail trim, and navigation experience to fulfill formal national offshore licensing requirements.
• West Africa and Cabo Verde Cruising Consultation: Private routing and logistical guidance for sailors heading to the Canary Islands, Cabo Verde, Senegal, and The Gambia. Consultations cover customs protocols, navigating river sandbars, safety procedures, and accessing the slipway at CVD Dakar.

📋 Structured Service Listing

• Service Name: West African Cruising & Offshore Mile-Building Mentorship aboard Galopin
• Description: Hands-on offshore passage coaching, blue water navigation, and regional passage training across Cabo Verde, Senegal, and the River Gambia aboard a classic 40-foot sloop.
• Location / Region: Dakar, Senegal / Mindelo, Cabo Verde / West African Coastline
• Pricing: Custom daily/passage contribution basis (approx. $100–$150/day crew share)
• Direct Reference URL: How To Get An Ocean Sailing License Where There Is No Ocean

Source: Creator professional service history and Season 6 crew mentorship logs.

💸 Cruising Budget & Financial Blueprint

Operating a 40-foot vintage production monohull in West Africa and Cabo Verde allows for a remarkably economical cruising budget compared to Mediterranean or Caribbean sailing.

Estimated based on 40-foot vintage production sloop operating costs, West African cost of living averages, YouTube CPM rates ($2–$5 USD), and creator disclosures across 10 seasons.

Guidetti keeps his monthly expenses low by anchoring out, relying on local open-air food markets, hauling water in jerrycans, and working with local African craftsmen rather than commercial Western yacht yards. His primary expenditures remain replacement hardware, engine components imported from the UK, and international travel for medical care.

Source: Winded Voyage financial logs and regional cruising expense records (2016–2026).

Top Episodes: Where to Start Watching

Cruising sailors and armchair navigators exploring the extensive video archive of Winded Voyage Sailing can jump directly into pivotal turning points of Alexandre Guidetti's decade-long voyage. The curated selections below highlight vessel acquisition, complete living quarters, major surgical recovery, challenging offshore passages, and traditional boatyard maintenance in West Africa.

• Winded Voyage | Episode 1 | Searching For My Vessel: Alexandre launches his liveaboard quest on his 55th birthday, surveying second-hand cruising yachts across Switzerland and Southern France before purchasing Galopin.
• My Live Aboard Crib | Tour Aboard My Sailing Yacht | Sailing Galopin | Winded Voyage5 | Episode 38: Alexandre conducts an in-depth walkthrough of Galopin's 40-foot interior layout, showcasing his galley setup, navigation station, and living arrangements after three years anchored in Porto Grande Bay, Cabo Verde.
• How I Got A Full Hip Replacement | Surgery Do Or Surgery Don't | Season 5 | Episode 46: This episode documents Guidetti's return to Switzerland for total hip replacement surgery with Dr. Kägi following a severe pelvic fracture in Cabo Verde, chronicling his rehabilitation to regain his sea legs.
• Two Old Saltys Sailing Galopin After Surgery | Season 5 | Episode 58: Alexandre teams up with 74-year-old cardiac surgery survivor Gianni to tackle a demanding 400 NM Atlantic ocean passage from Mindelo to Dakar, Senegal, managing sail trim and watches in rough following seas.
• African Haul Out: The Last Proper Boat Yard in West Africa | S8E07: The crew executes a manual haul-out of Galopin onto the historic marine railway at Cercle de la Voile de Dakar (CVD), where local shipwrights strip the hull and apply fresh antifouling primer.

Source: [Winded Voyage Sailing Episode Library & Fact Sheet]

Channels Similar to Winded Voyage Sailing

Cruisers who appreciate unvarnished solo seamanship, analog marine systems, and off-grid exploration will find similar values in these dedicated sailing channels:

• Adventures of an old Seadog: Barry Perrins navigates a classic monohull singlehanded around the world with dry British humor, frugal DIY repairs, and deep cultural immersion rather than commercial sponsorship tropes.
• Sailing Into Oblivion: Jerome Rand chronicles solo offshore voyaging aboard a classic heavy-displacement monohull, documenting extreme self-reliance and psychological resilience during long non-stop ocean passages.
• DrakeParagon: Drake emphasizes unhurried blue water voyaging aboard a vintage cruising sailboat, focusing on traditional navigation techniques, remote coastal communities, and thorough technical maintenance.

Source: [WeBoating Maritime Channel Index & Comparative Cruising Database]

Community Impact and Future Horizons

Supporting the Journey and Getting Involved

Alexandre Guidetti maintains an accessible connection with his global audience. Viewers directly support the ongoing maintenance and fuel costs of Galopin through Patreon (patreon.com/SailorAlex) and one-time contributions via Ko-fi (ko-fi.com/sailoralex). Rather than relying on intrusive commercial sponsors or paid product placements, Guidetti preserves creative independence by funding parts and local labor through community patronage.

Guidetti actively engages with his community through YouTube comments, answering detailed technical queries regarding West African clearing procedures, Cabo Verde anchorages, and vintage diesel upkeep. Visiting cruisers frequently connect with him at Cercle de la Voile de Dakar (CVD) in Senegal and Porto Grande Bay in Mindelo, sharing local charts and regional weather routing notes.

"A cruising boat in West Africa does not run on corporate sponsorships; it thrives on basic hand tools, mutual respect with local artisans, and the generous support of viewers who value honest seafaring."

Alexandre Guidetti, Galopin Log

Conservation and Community

Guidetti practices a low-impact cruising philosophy centered on local economic reciprocity and environmental respect. Operating without energy-hungry air conditioning or high-draw electric appliances, Galopin relies on solar generation and conservative freshwater management.

In every port of call, Guidetti bypasses foreign-owned resort enclaves to invest directly in native maritime trades. In Mindelo's Bela Vista district on São Vicente, he collaborated with local watermen like Peixe for underwater hull cleaning and rigging support. In Dakar's Hann Bay, he entrusted the complete overhaul of his Perkins diesel to master mechanic Arona and worked alongside Senegalese shipwrights on the CVD slipway. He sources provisions from traditional municipal markets such as Colobane and buys daily catch directly from artisanal wooden pirogues, minimizing plastic packaging and supporting local fishing families.

What is Next for Winded Voyage Sailing

With ten years of continuous liveaboard voyaging completed and his official Swiss retirement pension initiated in 2026, Alexandre is launching Season 8 with renewed operational independence. With Galopin's hull stripped and repainted, a freshly reconditioned Perkins 4.108 diesel, and newly installed sail battens, the yacht is fully prepared for extended off-grid voyaging.

Immediate plans focus on deep river exploration through the mangrove creeks of the Casamance River and upstream navigation along the River Gambia. Guidetti also eyes navigation through the remote Bissagos Archipelago of Guinea-Bissau before planning his next open-ocean Atlantic passage.

Source: [Winded Voyage Sailing 2026 Dispatch & Video Transcripts]

Milestones and Industry Recognition

• 10-Year Continuous Production Milestone (2016–2026): Over 840 episodes across 8 complete seasons establish Winded Voyage Sailing as one of the longest-running solo liveaboard video series on the water.
• 10,000+ Nautical Miles Logged: His passage resume includes Mediterranean coastal passages, Atlantic crossings to Morocco, the Canary archipelago, 8 islands across Cabo Verde, and the continental coast of Senegal and The Gambia.
• Surgical Rehabilitation & Seamanship Resilience: Guidetti completed major open-ocean passages after intensive medical treatments, including a 400 NM ocean passage following total hip replacement surgery and recovery from hospital hernia repair in Mindelo.
• Swiss Maritime Certification: He earned the official Offshore Sailing License (Permis Mer) via Cruising Club Suisse (CCS) after completing 1,000 NM qualifying sea miles.

Status and Vessel Disposition (2026)

Alexandre Guidetti and Galopin are fully active and currently moored at the Cercle de la Voile de Dakar (CVD) in Hann Bay, Dakar, Senegal. Guidetti reached age 65 in 2026, transitioning to his Swiss state pension while continuing full-time solo cruising and weekly video publishing.

Unlike channels that cease cruising due to mechanical fatigue or burnout, Winded Voyage remains in active production. Guidetti has adapted his maintenance routines to work collaboratively with West African shipwrights, ensuring long-term vessel reliability on a modest retirement budget.

Galopin remains under Alexandre's sole ownership and command. The 1981 Jeanneau Sun Fizz 40 completed a comprehensive hull and engine overhaul on the slipway at CVD Dakar in August 2026 and is not listed for sale.

Source: [Winded Voyage Production Records & Swiss Maritime Registry Data]

Frequently Asked Questions about Winded Voyage Sailing