During the Summer, sailboat designer and sailor Merfyn Owen spent three weeks cruising above the Arctic Circle onboard Qilak, a recently launched Owen Clarke designed sailing explorer yacht.
With the opportunity to live aboard for an extended period as well as passage make, Merfyn’s primary goal was to experience and assess first-hand the finished yacht and her design in detail.
However, along the way he and ice pilot/guide, Ashley Perrin, visited some of the destinations and facilities available in northern Norway, gateway to Arctic adventure in East Greenland, Svalbard and beyond.
Since the Svalbard was closed to visitors, instead they took Qilak up to and above 70N, visiting remote anchorages and fishing villages from Bodo to Altafjord, revelling in the area’s beauty and history.
Norway is a country of water in all its forms, including snow from the previous Winter which decorated the Alpenlyng mountain tops, extending down gullies to sea level.
The same mountains harboured glaciers, sea eagle, reindeer and carpets of blue berries that were harvested during long hikes in both sun and rain.
The long hours of daylight produced material for endless stories and picture albums, which are populated with moody clouds, endless vistas and stunning sunsets.
If you’re interested in having more information regarding Qilak’s design, high latitude and blue water designs in general, contact:
OC CRUISING For more details of our Norway Summer story, pictures and chartering/cruising opportunities on Qilak, contact:
merf@owenclarkedesign.com
