CREW TESTIMONIALS

Huge thank you to the 59º North Team, especially Captain Emily and First Mate Mia, for taking me and our crew safely across the Atlantic Ocean. A daunting dream to have, turned into an amazing reality under the expert supervision of a skilled and experienced team, on the beautiful, fast and well-equipped boat, FALKEN. I feel very grateful to have met and worked with the wonderful, international crew aboard. I will cherish the starry nights chatting (or enjoying in silence), the 360 horizon, the beautiful sunsets and sunrises. No matter how feisty the wind and sea state, all crew members took the helm, sometimes with the support of the captain or first mate by your side, coaching you. Amazing! I learned so much and I'll be back for more!

Cruelling and unforgettable! I knew I would be inspired by Nikki and Alex..true professionals. But it was the inspiration I took away from my crewmates that will stay with me for a lifetime. As a blue water cruiser this experience definitely made me a better ocean sailor!

This passage was literally my first time sailing. It felt a little nuts to sign up for something this intense and immersive without any experience, but my goal was to get as far as possible from my daily life and desk-bound comfort zone, and Andy assured me I would be looked after. I felt some trepidation going into the trip, but all those concerns stayed on shore, because as soon as we left port in Bergen I was enjoying myself too much to worry. I could not have asked for a better skipper (thank you, Jon), better crew mates, or a more enjoyable passage. I've been home a week now, and I'm already planning my next sailing adventure. The expression "life-changing experience" is thrown around too loosely, but this surely was for me. I'll be forever grateful to 59 North for this opportunity, and I hope to sail with them again soon.

It was such an experience! Meeting all the people and being part of the crew is something very special! It is all about sharing, daring and trust to your mates!

We were so lucky to spend the passage on FALKEN, the nature and weather gave us the best and I really wish it could have last longer

“Mark and I signed up for a multi night sailing adventure, we didn’t realize that we would get a life altering week of utter delight. Alex and Mia established on atmosphere of trusting, loving community the second we boarded FALKEN. We still can’t believe how they trusted us with their beautiful boat, the crews lives, getting up at 2 am with excitement (every time) for our watch. We learnt about sailing, charting, trimming sails, working in teams with strangers. Jojo has endless knowledge that she eagerly shared with us.

The sailing was epic: in 5 days we went from an ocean that was a flat, sheet of glass to huge swells, “the breathing ocean” Mia called it. We ocean plunged in the middle of nowhere, saw unbelievable sun sets and rises, dolphins, whales.

We have been off the boat for 4 days now and are obsessed to go on another leg. What a week, 59 North, what a week!”

I sailed on ISBJØRN in March 2024 from Bergen to Tromsø and it was fantastic. Overall 59º North truly lived up to the expectations. Mia and August were always there when I had questions about gloves or sleeping bags before the trip (yes, buy the fishermen gloves if you can!). On arrival in Bergen we had a nice crew dinner where we also bet August.

Our skipper was Jon Amtrup, who did a really fantastic job. Jon takes security very seriously, but he also has a really great way of giving everyone the right tasks and the space you need. What followed were two weeks of incredible anchorages – Jon knows the Norwegian coast coast like no one else – great sailing, an exciting night passage (my first), many fun dinners, cold plunges and cozy harbors. I could go on like this, but you have probably already read the other reviews.

It is definitely worth it, you will have a great time. ISBJØRN is a wonderful boat with character, and sailing under the stars on the North Sea was a fantastic experience that I won’t forget. You can learn a ton if you want, but you can also just sit in the cockpit and admire the fantastic nature around you. If you are going for a cold trip (which you always should, everyone can swim in the Caribbean ): the Arctic packing list is really good, and less is definitely more.

Try to pack clothing that you can combine, like a jacket that works for shore exploration and as a midlayer for sailing. Also get gloves, that are big enough so that you can wear a thinner pair inside. And make sure that you can wear your layer’s underneath your foulies. And then book your trip, you won’t regret it!

Having sailed on ISBJORN in 2019 from Puerto Rico to Key West, I was excited to join another 59º North passage. But, of course, COVID (and work) slowed down my plans, so I had to patiently wait for an opportunity to join FALKEN on the epic trans-Atlantic passage in January 2025.

Meeting the crew in Las Palmas was a fantastic experience. On board were Mia, Emily Caruso, a 59º North apprentice (Vilgot), and eight crew representing a total of six different countries. It was an enjoyable 17-day passage sharing different cultural perspectives and sailing knowledge with each other. I made some great friends on that journey!

When explaining to friends and family why I chose to sail with 59º North, I would usually list SAFETY as one of the top reasons. FALKEN is an amazing yacht that felt extremely comfortable carrying eleven of us across an ocean. It was easy to see the care (and money) invested into FALKEN to make her a safe and trustworthy boat. Andy and Mia run a top-notch business and it shows in the quality and care in both FALKEN and ISBJORN.

It’s difficult to explain offshore sailing passages to non-sailing friends, but I came away from the trans-Atlantic passage with a whole new level of sailing experience and appreciation. No bareboat charter or coastal cruising can train you for a 2:00 am turn at the helm in 30kt wind and big swell. Sailing only by compass and the wind instrument display in the middle of the night under stars was exhilarating!

Finally, I was super impressed with the care that 59º North puts into the passage AFTER everyone is off the boat and back home. Most other sailing businesses would just move on and start working on the next charter. But 59º North took the time to scan our log books, send us the tracking data, and provide a personal summary of my total miles sailed with them. Each crew dropped our pics in a shared 59º North folder, and we came away with some great memories. Quality service and attention to detail!!

“If you want to experience fantastic things, then you have to place yourself in fantastic situations. Helping to crew FALKEN was a truly life-altering adventure. Chris and Mia created a wonderfully safe space for us to experience our aspirations, test our limits, and grow by leaps and bounds all while experiencing the profoundness and beauty of the open ocean. It was a thrill to have two such accomplished sailors share their craft and the bonds that were made between crew members will last a lifetime. My sea legs are long gone but I still wear a smile thanks to both the sense of my own accomplishment as well as from the hours of shared laughter with those that made this trip transformational and transcendent.”

Thanks August, ISBJØRN and my fellow crew for a fantastic ten days. A bit of everything- a race, cruising to luxury hotels, being out in the North Sea, exploring Norwegian fjords and Scottish isles, some hardship and some easy sailing and some relaxing.
No one should be put off because this is a race. Yes you start when the gun says start but August puts the crew first and ensures everyone gets the most from their time aboard and that didn’t get in the way of winning the Shetland-Bergen leg.
Also as you do two ocean races you get two for the price of one.

I joined the passage more for the adventure than to gain offshore experience as I don't plan to do any offshore sailing in the future and the trip was truly an awesome experience. I was old enough to be the mother of most of the crew but I was never treated like the old lady. In fact, I felt like I was 35 again! Despite being roughed up in the North Sea, we had some wonderful times and lots of laughs in between sessions with the buckets or in the meditation room (behind the helm on the leeward side). I learned so much from safety procedures to specialized sail trimming. Nikki was a great instructor who gave us all challenges to figure out on our own or as a team. Mia's smile and positive attitude helped to keep us going as well as her hardy evening meals. Falken was very comfortable to live aboard. I slept well in the forward cabin and enjoyed our meals together in the roomy cockpit.

“59-North made my dream come true to cross an ocean via sailboat, but it didn’t end there. Andy and Vilma taught me little lessons and big lessons of the sea, and they pushed me out of my comfort zone which is exactly what I was hoping for.

Thank you Andy and Mia for letting me, a rookie ocean sailor, live the experience of a lifetime and fueling future dreams. I hope to be crew on FALKEN once again and I hope to keep learning.

PS. thanks to all the crew mates of this grand adventure and to James the Sailor for having made the trip so memorable…”

“At the age of 65 I was a bit anxious about my first ocean passage from 'Antigua to Bermuda. We spent 7 days at sea in a variety of conditions including 20 to 30 knot winds, squalls and storms. 59 North provided a unique opportunity to experience the magic of passage making while learning new skills. Mia Karlsson was inspiring, supportive, and encouraging while sailing FALKEN and cooking amazing meals for the crew. Captain Chris Kobusch brought a wealth of knowledge and experience with over 165,000 nautical miles at sea. This was truly the experience of a life time and one that I will always cherish.”

“Gathering with 10 other like-minded women aboard FALKEN was amazing! I learned more than i ever expected from Nikki and Emma. It was super inspiring to see how they ran the ship and how they interacted with each other and the rest of the crew. Being "allowed" to mess up and actually learn from your mistakes without anyone getting stressed was freeing! No matter your skill level, i'd recommend this trip to any women with a desire to sail.”

My time on FALKEN crossing the Atlantic was highly rewarding and incredibly enjoyable. A unique adventure for sure, it was made that much more gratifying given the wonderful crew with whom I shared the experience. The trip was routinely challenging and always a lot fun, allowing me to stretch myself and enjoy being absent from the rest of the world for a time. Unforgettable.

“Before 59 North I didn't know my bowsprit from my binnacle. I suffered from low sailing esteem and a general lack of tide driven energy. After two weeks of 59 North, what a difference! I now know my sheepshank from my scuttlebutt, I'm more attractive to mermaids, and I have whiter teeth and a full head of hair.

But seriously, I wouldn't consider sailing with anyone but 59 North. As a longtime podcast listener I arrived for my Bermuda to Horta transatlantic with high expectations. They were all not just met but exceeded. I could not imagine a skipper and mate more professional and enthusiastic than Andy and Emma. I would need a lot more space to list all of the things I learned but suffice it to say, I'll be back!”

“I can’t say enough good things about the camp, August, and Isbjorn. It was fabulous from start to finish (and the hot tub out in the middle of no where didn’t hurt 😁)The format is perfect for someone like me. I have done some sailing, but not enough to feel comfortable on a passage. Stopping each night in a different place and having dinner together and a full night’s sleep was great and much needed. The days were packed with so much learning. August is an amazing teacher and so patient! I learned an incredible amount and feel ready to take on a passage with 59 North. Highly recommend this camp to anyone considering an offshore passage.”

“It was an honor to be onboard FALKEN for her crewed maiden voyage. This was my third trip with 59 North and it did not disappoint. We sailed in challenging conditions on our 5 day romp in the English Channel. The crew rose to the occasion inspired by our skipper, Nikki and first mate, Alex. If you have the desire to experience real world offshore life under expert supervision with liked minded folks, look no further than 59 North. I look forward to my next trip. Hold fast.”

“59 North runs the most professional offshore training program you can find, and it shows in their professionalism, leadership, skill, and service. Anyone considering stepping into the realms of offshore sailing should take a passage with 59 North first - trust me when I say you won't regret it.

I felt honored to be part of the maiden voyage of FALKEN, and wow did she deliver! The winds were strong, the sea was high, and FALKEN sailed through swimmingly. She's a beauty -- well done to the 59 North refit crew for doing an amazing job!

Shout out to Nikki Henderson (Captain) and Alex Laline (Mate), for such amazing leadership. I can't sing their praises enough - they were inspiring, knowledgeable, caring, and resourceful at all the times they needed to be. I can't imagine having a better experience with any other. Thanks, Nikki and Alex!”

“As this was my first major passage i wasn't sure what to expect. You have to have a lot of respect for people who choose offshore sailing for their profession. Life-changing and eye-opening to say the least. I feel I completed this adventure with the best of the best. Erik and Ben were top notch professionals and the my experience with 59 north was great!”

“The trip delivered on all my expectations and more. I wanted to experience sailing beyond my current boundaries of mainly coastal sailing. I wanted to apply skills I already have and to learn more from those around me. And whilst sunshine, night watches by moon or star light, and dolphins are beautiful and were part of our passage story, so were gale force winds and ‘proper’ (5m) waves. I felt able to embrace the whole experience because we had an excellent 59 North team that shaped us into a great crew on a well-prepared boat. The team (Nikki, Emma, Mia) struck such a perfect balance. If you are seeking ocean wisdom you could not be in better hands. I’d go again in a heartbeat and can’t stop thinking about all the memories we made. Thank you is not adequate!”

”In the 11 days we spent on the North Sea, with a crew of 9 women, 59 feet of boat, 1350nm and two episodes of heaving-to, we amassed the kind of experience it might take many years to acquire on our own. Each one of us was given just the right mentorship, leadership, training and kindness to become better sailors by leaps and bounds. Every step of the way, we laughed, learned and discovered what we were made of.

If you want to leave land behind and sail oceans, you owe yourself the opportunity to get the training with those who have lived and breathed it the way the crew at 59 North have done. Every passage they have completed is a legacy of knowledge that we benefit from. Having the chance to share this experience with other sailors from around the world was a pure joy as we doubled up on ideas, solutions and worked together as a team. How often do you get to come home with extraordinary experiences, well-honed skills and some lifelong friends? You owe this to yourself. Go for it!”

“I really didn’t know what to expect on my trip. I knew it was going to be about 800 miles, I knew the Bay of Biscay is notoriously challenging, and there was a remote possibility that we could get attacked by orcas. Thankfully we did not get attacked, but the Bay of Biscay did not disappoint, and we logged more than 1,000 miles. Each of my watches was a new and different experience, from keeping a close eye on ship traffic in the night to maintaining course beating into 12-foot seas and 25 knots of wind. Our skipper and mate, Nikki Henderson and Emma Garschagen, far exceeded any expectation I had. Each salty spray in their face and bucking sail change was met with smiles and infectious positive energy. At no time did I ever feel unsafe, which allowed me the space to fully take in every experience without any reservations. I learned a ton, had a great time and left with a new sense of confidence that I never expected.”

“Our voyage was interesting because both ISBJORN (which I was on) and ICEBEAR traveled the same route at roughly the same time.

I knew when I signed up that I would not be on a boat with Andy and Mia, but I wanted to experience the smaller boat, so I was fine with that. We had Matt Rutherford as our captain and Ben Doerr as first mate. The bonus was how chill and fun they both were throughout the trip. There were lots of fascinating stores, and they were both cheerful about answering questions and providing advice. The other 3 crew on my trip (Ted, Laz, and Chris) were great company too so I feel pretty lucky about that. But regarding Matt and Ben, it says a lot about Andy and Mia that they attract people of that quality to their business.

For me it was mission accomplished. I feel I got the experience I need with the ocean and Gulf Stream to pilot my own boat from Florida to Bermuda in the future, which was exactly my goal. I wouldn't tackle Bermuda on my own yet though. It's far! But one step at a time. For now, thanks to 59 North and all of their good people for a safe but true ocean adventure. If you are looking for blue water sailing experience and a fun adventure, I highly recommend that you sign up.”

“When I think back to my trip across the North Sea on ICEBEAR, the memories I reflect upon uplift me, and fill my being with warmth and gratitude. SO much laughter, learning, and sailing.. with a dash of cookies on those late night shifts. Unplugging from the corporate world and embracing the beauty the ocean has to offer.. it doesn’t get much better than that. Not to mention meeting 5-7 strangers from across the world who share that mutual desire.

My experience with 59 North molded me into a slightly different version of myself, in the most magical ways. I signed up for a passage with little to no sailing experience, lacking confidence in the basics, and I went home after 11 days with a more courageous yet humbled energy.

This opportunity allowed me to grow on an individual level, and realize how capable and excited I am to take on new challenges. Helming the boat in the wee hours of night with 4 meter waves took some adjusting, but I was able to overcome my instant sense of fear and trust myself.”

“I signed up for this passage hoping to spend an extended period offshore, learn new skills and increase my competencies and confidence, sail in challenging wind and seas, and sail with amazing crew mates -- and this passage completely exceeded my expectations. The 59 North team brings impressive skill, experience, wisdom and FUN to each passage and crew, which is a huge part of why I returned for this second passage in twelve months. I recommend 59N to all of my sailing friends who want to learn about offshore passage-making in a thorough and hands-on way from true professionals.”

“I’m AKA Andy’s Dad, so my opinion of the skipper may be slanted a bit. Andy and I have shared many offshore miles together. I taught him the basics of seamanship and he ran with it and teaches me. I admit to being wrong on my initial reaction to FALKEN. At first sight she seemed like a hard to handle race boat. Wrong! While FALKEN can outperform and boat I’ve sailed on she is easy to handle and shrinks once you get used to her. The equipment is large and handles the tremendous loads with ease. The refit work done below is flawless. Comfortable bunks-great spacious galley and storage space for all gear in lockers! First mate Vilma did an outstanding job making sure the crew were well fed and comfortable. A trip with 59 North on any of their boats is truly a life changing experience. Highly recommended!”

“Andy & Paul were amazing from the practice sails to the race itself; I never thought I'd be able to participate in such an exciting event, thank you. I'd also like to thank Liz & Lee, your first mates, who were always on hand to encourage us, teach us, and swap stories. I came away with tremendous respect for Isbjorn, her captain, and the excellent crew she attracts. I learned more and had more fun in those racing days than I'd ever thought possible. I'm definitely coming back.”