Update: This passage concluded on December 10, 2023.
Join us for a sailing adventure of a lifetime, on a remarkable journey from the stunning Split region in Croatia to the vibrant St. Vincent in the southern Caribbean. Three incredible legs are available, each offering its own unique blend of beauty and excitement:
- Croatia to Mallorca, Spain via Italy, Sardinia and Corsica (Oct 19-30, 2023)
- Mallorca to Tenerife in the Canaries via Cartagena and Gibraltar (Nov 2-13, 2023)
- Tenerife to Blue Lagoon, St. Vincent (Nov 16 – Dec 4-11, 2023)
BOSS is offering ASA 106 and 108, and Sail Canada Advanced and Offshore certifications on all legs. Space is limited, so act now to secure your spot in this extraordinary expedition!
About the Adventure
Come and discover why the Mediterranean has been the cradle of sailing innovation for millenia. From the ancient Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans, to renowned explorers like Vasco de Gama, Magellan, and Columbus, the Mediterranean has shaped the course of maritime history. Immerse yourself in this rich legacy as you explore the same waters that witnessed epic naval wars and continue to host thrilling ocean races to this day
Then experience the iconic thrill of a tradewind crossing of the Atlantic. Feel the power of the wind propelling your vessel as you navigate by the stars (and GPS!) to St. Vincent, traversing the Atlantic on a route that has captivated sailors for centuries.
Skipper / Instructor
This sailing adventure will be led by Rob McLean, who is the Lead Instructor for BOSS. Rob is uniquely qualified as he holds the distinction of being the only person certified as an Offshore Instructor by both ASA and Sail Canada. Since the early 1980s, Rob has accumulated more than 35,000 of cruising miles, including 15,000+ miles offshore, on the Great Lakes, Pacific, Atlantic, the Med, and in the Caribbean.
In 2021, he completed a 7,000 mile passage from Canada to St. Vincent on his own 62′ schooner, Interlude. In 2022 he led a 5,400 mile passage from Croatia to SVG in the Caribbean, and in spring 2023 sailed Interlude 2,000 miles from SVG to Halifax in Canada via Bermuda. As an Instructor Evaluator / ASA Master Instructor he leads instructor development clinics for both Sail Canada and ASA.
His full sailing resume is here. His professional background outside of sailing is summarized here.
The legs
On ULYSSES, three legs are available.
- Leg 1: Split region to Mallorca, in the Balearic Islands of Spain, via Corsica, Marseilles and Barcelona. Oct 19-Oct 30, 2023
- Leg 2: Mallorca to Tenerife, via Cartagena and Gibraltar. Nov 2-Nov 13, 2022
- Leg 3: Madeira to St. Vincent, via the Canary Islands. Nov 16 – Dec 5-11, 2023
Certifications
Certifications available on all three legs include:
- ASA 106 / Sail Canada Advanced Cruising
- ASA 108 / Sail Canada Offshore Cruising
- ASA 114 / Sail Canada Catamaran Endorsement
- ASA 105, 107, 117 exams, or Sail Canada navigation exams if required as prerequisites
For details on relevant standards, see: ASA standards · Sail Canada standards
Note that given the extensive certification requirements Advanced and Offshore cannot be combined on the same leg. ASA 114 / SC Catamaran Endorsement can be combined with Advanced or Offshore.
Maximum capacity on each leg is 6 participants, plus the skipper/instructor.
Pricing
The Base Participation Fee (USD) for each leg or combination of legs is as follows:
Planned Itinerary
Please note that details below are subject to change based on the impact of weather or other events on the schedule, and availability of marina space in the chosen destinations.
Leg 1
Split region in Croatia to Mallorca, Spain (in the Balearic islands)
October 19-30 · Distance: 1200 miles
Set sail from Croatia to Mallorca, Spain via the captivating destinations of Italy, Sardinia, and Corsica. Explore the rich history and vibrant culture of these Mediterranean gems as you follow in the footsteps of ancient civilizations and legendary explorers.
- Certifications
- ASA 106 / Sail Canada Advanced Cruising · ASA 108 / Sail Canada Offshore Cruising · ASA 114 / Sail Canada Catamaran Endorsement · ASA 105, 107, 117 exams, or Sail Canada navigation exams if required as prerequisites
- Base fee
- $4,495 USD
Leg 2
Mallorca, Spain to Tenerife in the Canary Islands
Nov 2-13, 2022 · Distance: 1200 miles
Continue your voyage from Mallorca to Tenerife in the Canaries. Cruise along the captivating coastlines, stopping at Cartagena and Gibraltar along the way. Feel the thrill of navigating through historic passages while admiring breathtaking views. The distance from Gibraltar to Tenerife in the Canary Islands is just over 700 miles, so should take about 5 days after traversing the legendary Gibraltar Straits.
- Certifications
- ASA 106 / Sail Canada Advanced Cruising · ASA 108 / Sail Canada Offshore Cruising · ASA 114 / Sail Canada Catamaran Endorsement · ASA 105, 107, 117 exams, or Sail Canada navigation exams if required as prerequisites
- Base fee
- $4,495 USD
Leg 3
Tenerife to SVG
November 16 – December 4-11, 2023 · Distance: 2700-3000 miles, depending on routing
Brace yourself for the iconic tradewind crossing of the Atlantic as you journey from Tenerife to Blue Lagoon, St. Vincent. Experience the majesty of the open ocean as you sail across the vast Atlantic, embracing the spirit of exploration and adventure. Departing Tenerife on November 16, we will be a couple of days ahead of the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC), which is scheduled to leave Gran Canaria on November 19. Having a couple of hundred boats behind us creates a useful safety factor! If the tradewinds are farther south than normal, one scenario is to travel south to the Cape Verde islands and refuel again before heading west. Target arrival in Blue Lagoon is December 4-11, depending on velocity made good.
- Certifications
- ASA 106 / Sail Canada Advanced Cruising · ASA 108 / Sail Canada Offshore Cruising · ASA 114 / Sail Canada Catamaran Endorsement · ASA 105, 107, 117 exams, or Sail Canada navigation exams if required as prerequisites
- Base fee
- $5,995 USD