Hi there,
I am the new proud owner of #318 'Delirious' since April of this year, and I thought I would share with this community my experience of sailing her across the Atlantic this summer.
I have been looking for a J/30 in decent shape for the best past of two years and I finally did find a good boat with 'Delirious' and bought her in Annapolis.
The boat went through a total check and we had to upgrade her to be ready for an offshore trip as the plan was to take her first to Bermuda and then to the Azores.
Major work was done to upgrade the electrics with additional battery and rollable solar panel and all new standing rigging. We did also add a spare autopilot (ST2000+) with an EPIRB and a rented IRIDIUM satellite phone.
Leg 1 - Annapolis to Bermuda - left on May 25th and arrived in St. Georges after 7 days. We were very lucky with the weather and we got mostly light winds with a south component. The stream was crossed in a few hours on a very calm sea. Saw whales and plenty of other fish and managed to catch a tuna and a Whaoo. We left the boat on a mooring in the care of Bermuda Yacht Services
Leg 2 - Bermuda to Azores - we left St. George's on July 12 and arrived on the island of Terceira in the Azores after 16 days of sailing (of which almost five days of motoring, we left Bermuda with 16 gallons of extra diesel in jerrycans). We followed the great circle route as much as possible covering slightly less than 2,000 NM.
During the passage we did have a prevalence of light winds with a Westerly component and we did get only three days of gale-force winds with 30 to 35kn and 3mt waves.
The boat behaved extremely well, fast with light winds and fast in the heavy air
We did get a few waves break in the cockpit during the gale, but we always felt in control. As we sailed with a crew of two, we did reef early and deep. During the last Northerly gale we did take down the main completely and sailed along comfortably at 7kn with a furled jib.
We did not experience any major breakage, just a few loose shackles and a minor issue with the main sheet. The last day the engine had some problems with fuel contamination as the storm did stir up the bottom of the diesel tank a bit.
The autopilot worked most of the time, expect with following seas and with wind above 15kn.
Overall, a good passage for a boat that felt always safe, in control and fun.
'Delirious' will be stored on the hard in Terceira for winter and be back in the water in May to spend the season sailing around the Azores.
I would also like to take the opportunity to thank the amazing J/30 community as I have been an avid reader of all the technical tips that you have been so generous in sharing over the years on this amazing little boat.
All the best,
Luca from 'Delirious'
![[Linked Image]](https://j30.us/ubbthreads/gallery//vs-avatar.jpg){kind=avatar}
