Trade winds in the Mediterranean: three weeks sailing from Martinique to the coast of Corsica via the Azores, on Yannick Bestaven's sailboat

Main features
Boat type: neel 47
Number of cabins: 5
Maximum capacity: 10 travelers

Cabins

Shared double cabin
Capacity: 2 Berths maximum
Comfortable and functional, this double cabin is equipped with a bed and an optimized space for rest. On board, cabins are shared according to the principle of shifts, as in ocean racing. For long crossings, this may involve a rotation of crew members to ensure that everyone gets enough sleep and that there is a constant watch.
Single bed in front
Capacity: 1 Berth maximum
Located at the front of the ship, this single berth offers a functional and well-designed space, ideal for solo travelers. Compact yet comfortable, it reflects the authentic maritime spirit, perfect for an immersive sailing experience.
NB : The pictures, information, and visuals presented are not contractually binding. The itinerary and program indicated may be modified without notice due to weather conditions or for technical reasons (captain's decision). Sailing times may vary depending on sea conditions and weather.

Itinerary

Le Marin At sea - Atlantic Ocean
From day 1 to day 15: On board, life revolves around watches, maneuvers, and monitoring navigation.... more+ Each crew member participates fully in the running of the sailboat, day and night, in real offshore conditions. Watches are covered in continuous rotation, day and night, by pairs of crew members. Each team monitors the boat's course: heading, position, traffic, and weather. They steer the boat manually or using the autopilot, regularly check the sails, rigging, and equipment, and keep the logbook up to date, noting the course, speed, weather conditions, and any incidents. The skippers remain present and available at all times to supervise maneuvers, adjust the navigation strategy, and train crew members in the management of an ocean-going boat.
Every day, crew members participate in all maneuvers: adjusting the sails according to the apparent and actual wind, changing the headsails (genoa, staysail, spinnaker, gennaker), taking in and releasing reefs depending on conditions, gybing, tacking, or adjusting the course. They also adjust the autopilot or take over the manual helm in delicate phases, while carrying out daily checks of the deck and equipment (sheets, halyards, winches, lines, safety systems). Maneuvers are coordinated under the skipper's orders, according to the logic of a racing crew: efficiency, precision, and safety. It is a hands-on learning experience in managing a large sailing boat on the high seas. Life on board also relies on everyone participating in daily tasks. Crew members monitor the weather and the route, learn to read GRIB files and analyze isobaric charts to adapt the trajectory to low-pressure systems. They carry out routine maintenance on board, rinsing the cockpit, checking the sails, stowing the sheets, and preparing meals independently, at their own pace. Energy, fresh water, and maintenance are managed in a collective, seafaring spirit. The crossing is scheduled to begin in early May, departing from Le Marin in Martinique. The first few days, carried by the trade winds with crosswinds or downwind, allow the crew to get to grips with the boat and settle into the rhythm of life at sea. Around mid-May, the crew will reach the Azores after ten days of ocean sailing: a technical and convivial stopover, devoted to refueling, inspecting the boat, resting, and exploring ashore. 
Breakfast
Lunch
Diner
At sea - Atlantic Ocean The Azores
Day 10 to Day 15 - From the open Atlantic to the Azores: From Day 10 onwards, the yacht heads... more+ northeast. The sailing takes place in an area where the weather becomes more variable, requiring careful monitoring, precise adjustments, and good coordination of watches. The crew members put into practice the skills they acquired during their first days at sea: weather observation, course optimization, and fine adjustments to the sails. Conditions can alternate between sustained winds, temporary calms, and transitions between low-pressure systems, providing an ideal learning environment for advanced maneuvers and the management of a large sailboat on the high seas.
Around day 14, the crew reaches the Azores after several days of cooler and more technical sailing. The stopover offers a moment of rest and conviviality: refueling, boat inspection, well-deserved rest, and exploration ashore before continuing the crossing. 
Breakfast
Lunch
Diner
The Azores At sea - Atlantic Ocean
Day 15 to Day 19 - Resumption of sailing from the Azores: Departing from the Azores, sailing... more+ resumes towards the Mediterranean. As soon as they leave the archipelago, the crew encounters cooler seas and variable weather conditions. Winds can alternate between calm, sustained westerlies, or transitions between low-pressure systems, requiring constant adjustments to sail settings and course.
These first four days of sailing provide an immediate opportunity to put into practice all the skills acquired at the start of the crossing: rigorous watchkeeping, coordinated maneuvers, fine adjustments according to apparent and real wind, precise monitoring of weather developments, as well as daily management of the boat in an area that is more technical than the trade winds.
It is a dynamic and formative return to sea, marked by a return to the rhythm of watches and steady progress eastward. 
Breakfast
Lunch
Diner
At sea - Atlantic Ocean Ajaccio
Day 19 to Day 21 – Final leg to Ajaccio: On Day 19, the yacht begins the last part of its... more+ crossing: approaching the Mediterranean and then heading for Corsica. The sailing is often faster and more challenging, with changing wind conditions that require increased vigilance and perfect coordination from the crew.
Over the course of these last three days, the crew fine-tunes the final adjustments, optimizes the trajectory, and adapts the sails to make the most of the conditions encountered. This navigation fully mobilizes the experience accumulated since the beginning of the crossing.
The arrival in Ajaccio is scheduled for around the 21st day, marking the completion of approximately three weeks at sea. It is the conclusion of a true ocean adventure: a crossing accomplished by a united, trained, and seasoned crew, with the pride of having connected the Azores to the Mediterranean and reached Corsica on the high seas. 
Breakfast
Lunch
Diner

included

The price includes
Supervised participation in port maneuvers and mooring
Support from professional skippers
Training or introduction to offshore sailing
The price does not include
Provisioning on board and meal expenses during stopovers
Meals not included in the program
Tips for guides and/or crew
Additional information
Even though the boat is equipped with sails, navigation will primarily be done by motor when conditions are not favorable for using the sails
The cabins will be shared as in a race. For long crossings, this may involve rotating the crew to ensure that everyone gets enough sleep and that there is a constant watch.
Active cruise with offshore license training, participation in watches and maneuvers
The duration of the crossing depends on weather conditions and can vary by several days.
Beds are sold individually; cabins will be shared unless the cabin is privatized.
Optional services
Flights not included in the programme are available on request

Information about the partner

Commercial history with Filovent

New Filovent partner, no commercial history yet.