The Final Chapter of an Extraordinary Journey

This is Ditte – part of the XCruising generation, sailing the Xc 47. 

Meet an X-sailor is a series of interviews focusing on X-Sailors and the yachts behind them.

Back story on this piece 

Ditte and her family set sail from Aarøsund in Southern Jutland, Denmark, on July 28th, 2024. Their destination was the Caribbean, and a year set aside to explore the waters along the way. Onboard they are one large family of eight, sharing this incredible experience together. This is our third and final follow up with Ditte after they have returned to Denmark.

After their homecoming, we invited the family to the yard in Haderslev to hear about their cruising adventures as a family. We were lucky to welcome Ditte, her sister Signe, and her father Klaus for lunch at the yard — three family members who were onboard for the entire journey.

We want to thank Ditte and her family for sharing their exceptional story with us, and we hope you enjoy reading along.

From Denmark to the Caribbean and back

After eleven months at sea, countless miles, and a world of experiences, the final stretch of Ditte and her family’s long voyage slowly unfolded. From the turquoise waters of the Caribbean to the misty mountains of Scotland, the journey home became a gentle landing—full of reflection, new encounters, and quiet realizations that the adventure, though nearing its end, still had much to teach.

The Slow Farewell — Life in the Caribbean

The last months they spent in the Caribbean and the months were marked by the ultimate kind of cruising calm. On days without passages between islands, the family snorkeled in crystal-clear bays, wandered through colorful towns, and found shelter in local internet cafés. When they stayed in one place for longer, they ventured inland—hiking, exploring, and absorbing life on shore at their own pace. The boat became a floating home for reading, knitting, tinkering, and simply being.

For Ditte, Tobago became the emotional turning point: the moment she sensed the journey shifting into its final chapter. From there, they traced their route north, welcoming the “homebound crew,” including Anders and Anneke, who joined for the Atlantic crossing.

Crossing the Atlantic — Quiet, Stars, and Ocean

The family left Sint Maarten in late April and arrived in Horta, Azores 17 days later. Their first stop? A cold beer at the legendary Café Sport—celebrated by sailors crossing the Atlantic for generations. “Even before a shower,” they laugh.

Life at sea had become a rhythm: night watches under a rotating canopy of stars, flying fish on deck at dawn, long stretches of silence, and the deep awareness that—even with thousands of boats crossing the Atlantic, as they described it “you are, in many ways, completely on your own. It was, as they describe it”, “the ultimate prepper experience,” living entirely self-sufficiently for weeks on end.

One of the most unexpected joys aboard was their sourdough starter, a farewell gift from Ditte’s aunt. What started as an experiment became a shared daily ritual. As the climate shifted, so did the sourdough, and Signe meticulously adjusted recipes and routines. On multi-day passages, feeding schedules were built directly into the watch plan—ensuring fresh bread every day, from Haderslev to the Caribbean.

Hospitality on Dominica — and the 1.8 m Fish

Among the journey’s most unforgettable moments was an encounter in Portsmouth, Dominica. Signe and Victor met George at a café—a man who had once lived in Denmark and immediately recognized their language. He and his friend worked with whale tours and fishing, and after hearing about the family’s struggles with keeping fish on the line, George offered to check their gear the next morning.

At 8:00 sharp he arrived—bringing a fishing rod to install on the boat, adjusting their lures, and teaching them techniques. He refused payment, saying, “It’s a very Danish thing to want to pay. You’re not taking advantage.” The family insisted on offering something, and a loaf of homemade rye bread made his eyes light up.

Just 90 minutes after sailing off with their newly rigged gear, the reel screamed—this time, they knew exactly how to handle it. The result: a magnificent 180 cm spear fish, the largest catch of the entire voyage.

The Azores to Scotland — Adventure in New Forms

After arriving in the Azores, the family spent two weeks exploring Faial and Pico. A highlight was a cooking course at Fazenda—a small farm run by two passionate newcomers who live entirely from their garden’s harvest and raw milk from neighbouring cows. Their mission: gathering people through food, and ensuring they themselves travel every year.

From the Azores, the route led through Ireland, Scotland, and into the Caledonian Canal—an entirely different kind of sailing. Lock navigation quickly made them the center of tourist attention; crowds gathered at every lock, taking photos and videos as the Xc 47 rose and descended. Sailing across lakes like the iconic Loch Ness, surrounded by towering mountains and 200 meters of water below the keel, felt almost surreal.

The Final Stretch — Arriving Home

The final leg from Inverness to Aarøsund was sailed in one long stretch, offering a unique perspective on Denmark’s coastline. “It suddenly looked like a very small country,” they recall.

Returning home was far from simple. After a year defined by freedom, nature, and simplicity, adjusting to schedules, deadlines, and normal routines was a challenge. Ditte, now back in her studies, reflects on the contrast: from life lived in swimwear to life governed by calendars.

Yet, the family is determined to hold on to what the journey taught them:

• Doing one thing at a time
• Putting the phone away
• Noticing the people around you—strangers included
• Taking time to simply be

Reflections on the Xc 47 — A Home Built for the Long Journey

Throughout the entire voyage, the Xc 47 proved itself to be a reliable, solid, and deeply comfortable long-distance cruiser. With ample storage both above and below deck, the family managed a three-month provisioning cycle—plus spare parts and equipment—without ever feeling short on space.

At sea, the boat’s stability in swell and strong winds provided a constant sense of safety. Even with reefed sails, the Xc 47 maintained its calm, sturdy performance. The electrical systems worked flawlessly despite their complexity, and their anchor equipment never failed, even once.

They sailed conservatively but often carried sails in light wind when others motored, saving fuel and moving quietly through the ocean. When the waves grew, the weight and power of the yacht made all the difference.

During the journey, they added practical upgrades: a boom preventer, sling gear, searchlight socket in the cockpit, an MOB button, and their now-famous custom bookshelf, from where they shared the books they all brought along.

Looking Ahead

The homecoming brought a mix of relief, longing, and new perspective. What they miss most is the calm: the freedom to simply sail, be with nature, watch stars shift night after night, and live without constant noise—from phones or obligations.

They also miss the X-community, which greeted them everywhere they went. As Klaus put it:

X-sailors are proud of their boats. You naturally start talking. Everyone knows X for something good—especially the Xc boats.

Are new adventures already forming? Maybe. For now, the family is enjoying being home—while quietly holding onto the rhythms, thoughts, and memories the ocean gave them.

 

We hope you enjoyed this story from our Meet an X-Sailor series, where we highlight X-Sailors and the yachts behind their journeys.

Once again, we want to give a huge thanks to Ditte and her entire family who have shared their journey with us, we are honored to be able to share this inspiring story with you all.

We hope you have enjoyed reading along this 3-part journey from Denmark to the Caribbean and back home again.

If you haven’t read the first two stories from Ditte and her family, you can find it here:

Part one: https://www.x-yachts.com/en/news/meet-an-x-sailor-ditte/

Part two: https://www.x-yachts.com/en/news/meet-an-x-sailor-ditte-part2/