Crossing the Gulf of Maine offers some serious offshore mileage in a challenging body of water, known for being highly tidal and subject to mixed weather conditions. This is a great opportunity to gain 350nm of experience with advanced passage planning, navigation, meteorology and all the other hallmarks of a true offshore voyage.
Before our departure from Marblehead, we’ll be doing a full day of planning together. This includes in depth offshore safety training as well as an overview of using Expedition weather routing software. Sailors looking to build their offshore skills and knowledge base will benefit hugely from the scope of this trip, all while enjoying the historic maritime culture prevalent at both ends of the trip in Marblehead and Halifax.
More about the passage…
Confession: we do have an ulterior motive for this passage, and it’s not just to show up in Halifax in time for SailGP! The famous Marblehead to Halifax race isn’t being held until 2027… but we’re going to go walk the course, so to speak. Getting the lay of the land will help us prepare for the real deal, while also offering some excellent offshore mileage between two iconic East Coast ports!
Panacea X will be moored just outside of Marblehead itself, so that we can have her on a dock for final preparations for the passage (most likely in nearby Beverly or possibly Salem). Details on precise joining location will be distributed to crew once the relevant marinas have opened for 2026 bookings.
2026 Preliminary Schedule
June 13: Join Panacea X in the morning, exact location TBD. Crew meet & greet and preparations
June 14: Safety briefing, drills, passage planning
June 15: Intended departure date, weather permitting
June 19: Latest landfall in Halifax
SailGP Halifax is happening June 20-21
Pre-Requisites
Prior sailing experience is required, to a Day Skipper level at a minimum, and night sailing or prior offshore experience is recommended.
Additional training, such as Safety at Sea / Sea Survival / STCW and first aid to at least a Standard level is recommended but not required.
Reasonable level of physical strength and fitness.
Contact us to discuss eligibility and where you will fit into the team. Questions? Check out our Atlantic FAQs or just ask!
Cost
$2,850 CAD +GST
Maximum 4 crew + skipper + first mate
Cost includes professional skipper, first mate, all food on board during the passage and training days, fuel, moorage, yacht insurance and all other operating costs of the yacht, and two team shirts (long-sleeve for sailing and short-sleeve for shore).
Cost also includes accommodation on board from the evening of June 13 to the afternoon of June 19. Participants are responsible for: food on shore and other discretionary spending, mandatory travel insurance, flights & on shore accommodation before/after the passage.
SailGP Add-On
Accommodation can be added from Friday, June 19 until the morning of Monday, May 11 in order to watch SailGP. Bunks are prioritized for crew from the Antigua to Bermuda race, but otherwise available on a first come, first served basis for an additional fee per night of $50 or $150 total. This fee helps defray the costs of the yacht and only includes a simple breakfast each morning and a shared bunk. Crew are responsible for their own lunch and dinner, as well as tickets to SailGP.
