LATE SUMMER SAILING UP NORTH
A couple of weeks after we had sailed our new boat home to Stockholm, David and I decided to take a trip up to the northern archipelago of Stockholm. It was late August, the summer warmth had faded and it was noticeably cooler when we set off, but we were still excited to do some sailing in new waters.
It was a sunny but quite windy day when we cast off from Ingarö on Saturday. The wind was coming from the northwest, so we reefed the sails and started tacking our way north.
The wind kept blowing, and we had trouble finding a sheltered natural harbor for the night, so we decided to head to the guest harbor at Husarö to avoid worrying about shifting winds.
Docking, however, turned into more of an adventure than expected. The engine refused to start just when we needed it most. After a tense few moments, I managed to hotwire the starter motor and bring it to life. It later turned out there was moisture in the ignition wiring, so the issue is now resolved.
With an oven now onboard, we celebrated with a simple favorite: pizza on pinsa bread, enjoyed cozily in the cabin. Hard to beat.
High season on Husarö was over. The last of the confirmation groups departed shortly after we arrived, leaving the island quiet. The next morning we took it easy and went for a walk on the island before making a very short trip across the bay to Paradisviken on Finnhamn. The wind was still strong, and a calm, protected spot felt like the right call. No sailing that day, but no regrets either.
By evening, the cloud cover broke up and we had a beautiful night, grilling hamburgers on the rocks.
By morning, the wind had eased at last. We laced up our running shoes for a loop around the island, followed by a refreshing swim and breakfast. Magical!
After a long and relaxed breakfast in the cockpit, we pointed the bow north again. With barely a breath of wind to start, we hoisted the Code 0 for the first time - and wow, what a sail! Gliding along at 4.5 knots in just 4 knots of wind felt almost surreal.
We had an amazing day at sea. We passed Svartlöga and Rödlöga before heading out toward the outer archipelago off Norrtälje. It’s an area we’ve rarely explored, and discovering new stretches of coastline always adds something special to the journey.
With the wind forecast to swing nearly 180 degrees overnight, finding proper shelter proved tricky. In the end, we settled at Inra Hamnskär. A spot that offered at least some protection and sweeping, uninterrupted views of the horizon. The evening was spent with drinks and snacks in the cockpit, followed by a comforting aubergine pasta.
The night passed without issue, even though the wind picked up a bit from behind in the morning. Unfortunately, the unsettled weather returned, bringing stronger winds and big overnight shifts. We decided to cut the trip a few days short and head home early.
Even so, it was a memorable sail full of small challenges and beautiful moments. Next season, we’re planning to try swing anchoring, which should make those shifting winds easier to manage. Something new to look forward to.
