A breaking wave with sailboat passing SY Alegria whilst doing the Atlantic Crossing in a big swell with wind, on a day with blue sky

Greg Berryman's Atlantic Odyssey with SY Alegria II

Solo Atlantic Passage Log – SY Alegria II

Skipper: Greg Berryman
Vessel: Beneteau Oceanis 45, SY Alegria II
Route: Monaco to British Virgin Islands (BVI)
Duration: 35 days
Crew: Singlehanded

1. Objective

Complete a solo transatlantic crossing from Southern Europe (Monaco) to the Caribbean (BVI) with a standard production yacht, testing both vessel capabilities and self-reliance in offshore conditions.

2. Vessel Setup & Modifications

Base Platform:

  • Beneteau Oceanis 45
  • Fin keel, spade rudder, fractional sloop rig

Upgrades for Offshore Solo Sailing:

  • Reinforced autopilot system
  • Redundant power (solar array + alternator + battery bank upgrade)
  • Watermaker (compact, 12V)
  • Manual backup steering system
  • AIS transponder + satellite tracking

Emergency Gear:

  • EPIRB
  • MOB beacon
  • Grab bag (pre-packed)
  • Redundant nav lights and bilge pumps
  • Spares for essential rigging, steering, and sail repairs

3. Departure Notes

  • Date of Departure: 25 December 2023
  • Reasoning: Seasonal trade winds, lower marina traffic, personal schedule
  • Departure Location: Port Fontvieille, Monaco
  • Initial Navigation Hazard: Heavy shipping lanes near Strait of Gibraltar
  • Required full alertness due to density of maritime traffic and crosscurrents

4. Mid-Ocean Performance

Weather Conditions

  • Generally consistent ENE trades mid-Atlantic
  • Two low-pressure systems encountered:
    • One lasted ~36 hours, peaking at 30+ knot gusts and 3–4m swell
    • No structural damage
    • Shortened sail to storm jib and triple-reefed main during worst period

Mechanical Events

  • Autopilot malfunction (1 incident):
    • Required full manual helm for ~36 hours
    • Repair: Disassembled housing, replaced actuator fuse
  • Water ingress via forward hatch during heavy seas:
    • Managed with secondary sealing and manual bilge activation

Navigation & Communications

  • GPS/chartplotter primary nav
  • Paper charts used for verification
  • Iridium GO used for GRIB files + safety check-ins
  • VHF contact minimal; occasional range overlap with transiting vessels

5. Life Aboard (Solo Conditions)

Routine

  • 20–30 minute catnaps around-the-clock
  • Daily maintenance: rig inspection, watermaker flush, solar panel cleaning
  • Meals: pre-prepared vacuum-packed food + dry goods
  • Physical exercise limited; relied on constant movement and tasks

Challenges

  • Managing fatigue during extended autopilot downtime
  • Mental strain on calm days with no wind or radio contact
  • Limited sleep compounded during storm periods

Positives

  • Strong solar output met all energy needs
  • Hull and rigging remained structurally sound throughout
  • Celestial visibility excellent for multiple nights (redundant nav confirmed)

6. Landfall – British Virgin Islands

  • Land sighted on Day 35
  • First port: Tortola
  • Standard customs clearance process
  • Immediate hull check showed no damage
  • Rig inspection confirmed all fittings intact
  • Full desalination and refit began 48 hours after arrival

7. Assessment Summary

Category Result
Yacht Handling Performed reliably
Energy Self-Sufficiency Fully sustained (no shore power used)
Navigation Accurate, uninterrupted
Health & Fatigue Managed within acceptable limits
Weather Routing Mostly favorable
Equipment Failures 1 critical, resolved onboard
Communications Minimal but functional

8. Recommendations for Future Solo Sailors

  • Double-redundant autopilot should be standard for long-distance solo trips
  • Keep one emergency sail pre-rigged for quick deployment
  • Satellite weather access is essential (predictive storm modeling)
  • Establish daily system check routines - even under fatigue
  • Minimize reliance on luxury items; prioritize redundancy and durability

9. Final Notes

This crossing was not a dramatic story - and that’s a good result. The boat did its job, and the systems worked under pressure.

A well-prepared boat and disciplined routine can make even a solo transatlantic voyage uneventful - which is ideal.

Contact

📧 Greg Berryman – SY Alegria II
📍 Based in Monaco (seasonally)

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