One Week at Sea: Éric Pilato and Skiboo 2 Take on the Atlantic

Wind, waves, weather calls and a new personal record. After leaving La Rochelle, France, Éric Pilato has completed his first week at sea aboard his Excess 11, Skiboo 2. His destination? Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe. But the route isn't always as straightforward as it looks on the chart.

The adventure is underway. Since leaving La Rochelle, Éric Pilato has been sailing solo aboard his Excess 11, Skiboo 2, with one goal in mind: reach Pointe-à-Pitre under sail, nonstop and without using the engines.

But out on the Atlantic, pointing the bow south doesn't mean sailing in a straight line. From the very first days, the weather has had other plans. Éric must navigate around low-pressure systems, adjust his course and find the right balance between speed, comfort and sailing conditions.

One thing is certain: the miles are starting to add up.

Letting the Weather Shape the Route

The first few days set the tone. A low-pressure system is moving up from the southwest while a high-pressure system travels from east to west. As the two systems meet, they create a front bringing squalls and strengthening winds.

Fortunately, the wind is staying behind Éric, with a relatively short swell of around two meters (6.5 feet). Perfect conditions for Skiboo 2 to surf down the waves, with frequent bursts of speed above 10 knots. It's the kind of sailing that reminds you why you love being out on the water!

But an Atlantic crossing isn't all about the exhilarating moments under sail. It also means accepting detours, monitoring changing weather systems and sometimes rethinking the plan. Éric stays in regular contact with Pierrot, his shore-based weather router, to work out the best strategy and anticipate what's coming next.

Two options are on the table: try to squeeze through a narrow weather window or head farther south in search of lighter trade winds.

When you're sailing solo, every decision counts. And the best route isn't necessarily the straightest line on the chart.

170 Nautical Miles in 24 Hours: Skiboo 2 Picks Up the Pace

By day four, things are moving faster. After taking a weather-driven detour to the west, Éric resumes his journey south. The conditions allow him to push his Excess 11 a little harder, with top speeds approaching 11 knots.

The result? 170 nautical miles covered in 24 hours, compared with his usual daily run of around 120 nautical miles.

A new personal record for Éric, with Skiboo 2 covering ground at a solid pace.

But there's more to sailing offshore than clocking up the miles. The swell is now hitting the boat more from the side, making it roll. Éric also has to account for commercial shipping traffic and stay clear of busy shipping lanes, all while keeping a close eye on the weather.

And then there's sleep. Alone on board, Éric has to organize his rest around sailing and keeping watch. He relies on short periods of sleep, with naps whenever conditions allow. It's a demanding routine that requires him to stay in tune with himself just as much as with the ocean around him.

When the Ocean Reminds You Who's in Charge

Beyond the numbers and navigational decisions, this first week at sea has also given Éric a chance to reflect on the sheer scale of the ocean.

He shared a few words that capture what an adventure like this can mean:

“Sometimes, mountains of water remind us just how small we are in the face of nature's immensity. We need that reminder from time to time, and adventure is the best way to find our place, to admire and respect it!”

His words ring true during days when the scenery is constantly changing, even when the horizon seems endless. Every sunrise and sunset brings a new spectacle. The ocean may be the same element surrounding him, but no two days are quite alike.

That's part of offshore sailing, too: accepting that you can't control everything, learning to observe and finding your rhythm amid the elements.

Heading South, with Madeira in Sight

As he approaches Cape Finisterre, Éric passes the maritime traffic separation scheme (TSS) and continues outside the designated traffic lanes. His next target is Madeira, with the route depending on how the weather develops.

Winds are expected to build again to around 30 knots before easing gradually. Conditions on board are uncomfortable, but Éric is reassuring: Skiboo 2 remains safe, and the situation is manageable.

True to form, he adds that nobody forced him to come out here in the first place!

It's a typically Éric way of reminding us that adventure comes with its fair share of uncomfortable moments. The key is to adapt, trust your preparation and keep making the right decisions.

The Adventure Continues, One Mile at a Time

This first week at sea already offers a glimpse into what a solo Atlantic crossing really takes: anticipating the weather, managing your energy, finding your rhythm and accepting that the route is shaped as much by forecasts as by the conditions you actually encounter.

Aboard Skiboo 2, the goal remains the same: reach the Caribbean under sail, nonstop. There's still a long way to go, and each day will bring new decisions, new discoveries and, hopefully, a few more exhilarating surfs down the waves.

The adventure continues. Fair winds, Éric!

Follow Skiboo 2's progress across the Atlantic on Excess Lab.