We departed Helsinki at 6.00 and were the first to slip our lines. the winds were going to be on the nose and ranging from 20 to 25kn.

The Finnish Archipelago was described as 10,000 lakes and 100,000 islands which contains 500,000 rocks just below the surface waiting to be discovered!

We planned to take the “North West Passage”

It was a very challenging trip with all the navigation that was required. it was very easy to loose your place and get lost.

most of the trip was spent motoring but we were able to sail, although close hauled we did achieve 8kn at one time.

the North West Passage was strewn with rocks and shallows either side. With our up to date electronic and newly purchased paper charts made it less stressful.

The depth alarm was set to 3m below keel and it only went off once with the lowest being 1.8 below keel.

it was a very picturesque with Finnish summer houses lining the banks.

All in all a very pleasant passage.