KAP Good Hope • July 12, 2025
🌧️ From Copenhagen to Sweden: Our First Two Days at Sea
We’ve officially cast off! After all the prep, packing, and bubbly-filled blessings, KAP Good Hope finally left Christianshavn and began her journey up the Danish coast — with us (and two slightly skeptical dogs) aboard.
🚤 Day 1: Christianshavn to Rungsted Havn
We waved goodbye to the canals of Copenhagen under a soft gray sky, full of excitement and caffeine. The sail north was… how should we put it? Very wet.
The rain came in waves — sometimes misty and gentle, sometimes dramatic and horizontal. But even soaked through, there was something magical about cutting through the Øresund with the city fading behind us and nothing ahead but sea and possibility.
By late afternoon, we pulled into Rungsted Havn, the charming harbor town that was once home to the iconic author Karen Blixen. The marina was small and cozy, lined with adorable shops and restaurants that made us want to linger (and dry off).
And Rafi and Lola? Overjoyed. After hours at sea, they pranced onto dry land like they’d just discovered Earth. Soggy paws, wagging tails, and that unmistakable “we’re not sure we like this boat life yet” look in their eyes.
🛶 Day 2: Off to Hven, Sweden
The next morning, after some strong coffee and a quick stretch of the legs (and paws), we untied the lines and set our course across the water to Hven, a tiny Swedish island known for its rolling hills, bikes-only lifestyle, and one very famous resident: Tycho Brahe, the Renaissance astronomer who once called this beautiful place home.
The crossing was smooth, and as we pulled into the picture-perfect harbor, we were greeted by pastel cottages, lush greenery, and a calm that made it feel like time slowed down.
We spent the afternoon exploring — winding footpaths, tiny shops, and views that looked like they belonged in a fairytale. Hven may be small, but it’s full of charm, history, and that quiet kind of magic that reminds you why you’re out here in the first place.
Two days down, countless more to go. We’re still finding our rhythm, but already we’ve laughed, gotten drenched, dried off, and fallen just a little more in love with life at sea.
Next stop: Helsingborg, Sweden — stay tuned.
#kapgoodhope #sailingdenmark #venisland #rungstedhavn #lifeatsea #dogsonboats
The last few days have been a perfect blend of adventure, discovery, and those unforgettable moments that make sailing truly special. We began in Sanary-sur-Mer, where big little sister KAP Good Hope awaited us. After careful inspection and handover, we set off for our first taste of life aboard in Port de l’Île des Embiez. A couple of nights there gave us time to get to know our new home—testing her space, finding her rhythm, and enjoying mornings with coffee on deck. From there, we cast off towards the beautiful Île de Porquerolles. Dropping anchor in a calm bay, we took our first swim off the boat, surrounded by turquoise waters and the quiet beauty of the island. That first leap into the sea was a milestone—our baptism into life with big sister. Next came the sail eastward to St. Tropez—and what a sail it was! The highlight? Spotting a swordfish leap out of the water twice, right beside the boat. An epic, once-in-a-lifetime sight that left us stunned and grinning at our good fortune. Our arrival in St. Tropez couldn’t have gone smoother. With a perfect docking, we stepped ashore into one of the Med’s most iconic ports. The town was buzzing—massive yachts, parties spilling into the streets, and people everywhere. St. Tropez is alive in every sense, a sharp contrast to the quiet anchorages of the days before. The next morning, we set sail for the Îles de Lérins, just outside of Cannes. We found a beautiful anchorage beside a small castle on Île Sainte-Marguerite, the larger of the Lérins islands. Rain and thunderstorms rolled through the night, rocking us gently at anchor. But by morning the skies had cleared, the sun returned, and we swam ashore to wander the island’s paths. And now, the adventure continues: today we’re on our way to Cap d’Ail/Monaco. Stay tuned—there’s plenty more to come as big little sister KAP Good Hope carries us further along this iconic coast. 🌊⛵✨ #KAPGoodHope #SailingAdventure #MediterraneanSailing #SailLife #YachtLife #BoatLife #TravelBySea #AdventureAwaits #Porquerolles #StTropez #IlesDeLerins #MonacoBound #SeaStories #CoastalEscape #EpicSailing #LifeAtSea #MediterraneanDreams
🌊✨ The adventure continues… this time on the Mediterranean! We’re heading down to Sanary-sur-Mer, France, to meet the “big sister” of KAP Good Hope. She’s bigger, bolder, and built for the open waters of the Seven Seas. Our mission: take her on a maiden voyage under our watch, sailing east along the stunning coast to Genoa, Italy. ⛵💨 Sanary-sur-Mer is pure charm—colorful facades, lively quays, and that perfect mix of Mediterranean flair and working harbor grit. Picture fishermen unloading their morning catch while cafés fill the air with the smell of fresh espresso and buttery croissants. 🥐☕ From there, we’ll glide past glimmering French Riviera bays, sneak a peek at Monaco’s glamour, and sail into the Ligurian coast of Italy. Genoa awaits—a city steeped in maritime history and the perfect first chapter for big sister’s logbook. But this test sail comes with a twist: our favorite crew members, Rafi and Lola, won’t be on deck. Instead, they’re holding down the fort as Harbor Master in Chief and First Mate of Morale, keeping a watchful eye on little sister KAP Good Hope… and sneaking in a well-earned mini-vacation. 🐾☀️ We’ll miss their company, but little sister couldn’t be in better hands (or paws). Every leg of this journey is a story—coastal cultures, fresh flavors, and the magic that only the sea can bring. We’ll be sharing photos, updates, and salty tales along the way. Stay tuned: KAP Good Hope may be small, but she’s about to meet her big sister—and together, they’re ready for a brand-new chapter of sailing adventures! 🌊💙
They say sailing is equal parts adventure and unpredictability — and our last two days were a masterclass in both. What started as a calm crossing to Hven quickly turned into a test of patience, resourcefulness, and the kindness of fellow sailors. 🛥 Gilleleje to Hven: No Wind… and Then, No Engine We set off from Gilleleje toward the tiny Swedish island of Hven, this time with zero wind, which meant a quiet (if uneventful) motor ride across the Øresund. That is… until our engine suddenly failed just as we were approaching the island. Adrift and unsure of our next move, we were incredibly lucky to have a friend on the island who came to the rescue and towed us into the marina. It wasn’t an easy operation — harboring a boat without an engine takes serious coordination — but thanks to the support of some skilled sailors onshore, we managed to dock safely. 🔧 Plan B: When Repairs Don’t Go as Planned Once we were tied up, we turned our attention to troubleshooting the engine. Despite our best efforts (and some help), things weren’t looking good mechanically. So we did what all seasoned sailors eventually learn to do: go with Plan B. ⛵ Sails Up, Spirits High: Hven to Rungsted The next morning, the wind was strong, the sea was choppy, and rain was spitting down — but we had a mission: sail to Rungsted using only our sails. With determination (and some trial and error), we tacked our way out of Hven and eventually found our heading. The sail was intense, but satisfying. When we neared Rungsted, we radioed ahead and received assistance to tow us into the marina and get safely docked. It wasn’t our smoothest landing, but it was a success — and one we won’t soon forget. 🐾 Home Again, Tails Wagging We left KAP Good Hope safely moored in Rungsted and made our way back home, salty, exhausted, and full of stories. The dogs, Rafi and Lola, are thrilled to have their land paws back — and so are we (for now). Every sailing journey has its curveballs — this one just had a few more than usual. But with some help, quick thinking, and a little luck, we made it through. Until next time! ⚓ #kapgoodhope #sailingadventure #enginetrouble #towrescue #hvenisland #rungstedhavn #sailinglife #dogsonboats #planBsailors