Sailing Solo 2026: A Southern North Sea Circuit Single-Handed

After sailing tens of thousands of miles solo over many years, this June cruise included my longest solo passage, from Den Helder to Lowestoft, since suffering a total heart block three years ago. During a month away I celebrated my 70th birthday, completed a rewarding southern North Sea circuit, and once again proved to myself that good seamanship is about preparation, sound judgement and bringing both boat and skipper home safely. “An unremarkable passage means a safe voyage.” “I don't do adventures. Adventures mean I've made mistakes.” “Almost always, the crew is the weakest link on a well-found vessel.” Route Harwich – The Colne – Ramsgate – Oostende – Scheveningen – Amsterdam – Den Helder – Lowestoft – The Ore – River Stour – The Colne – Harwich Yacht Westerly Typhoon Talisker 1 For more detailed accounts of this cruise, passage planning and navigation notes, please visit my official website: https://samingosailing.com #SoloSailing #Sailing #SingleHanded Follow Me Website: https://samingosailing.com X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/samingosailing Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samingosailing Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/samingosailing/ Chapters 00:00 Homeward Bound 01:13 Four Weeks Earlier – The Orwell to The Colne 02:40 The Colne to Ramsgate 03:52 Ramsgate to Oostende 06:19 Oostende to Scheveningen 08:43 Scheveningen to IJmuiden & Amsterdam 09:49 Amsterdam to Den Helder 11:42 Testing Myself – Den Helder to Lowestoft 14:54 Back in Home Waters 20:01 Return to the Orwell 21:21 Reflections