West Sweden: canoe sailing paradise [longplay] 9 days solo

In the summer of 2021 I managed to get away for a canoe sailing trip. With restrictions relaxing a week before I would leave, Sweden was in reach. So, after a two days drive from the Netherlands I started from Stromstadt for what turned out to be a trip of 9 days. The canoe, that I built myself, is well tested, but sailing on this kind of open sea is a new level for me. So I added some floats on the side to make matters more safe and relaxing.

The weather cooperated, and already on the first day I chose to take the outside route over the sea. I didn’t have any really hairy moments, but your mind starts playing tricks on you when you are alone, you’re the only boat around, and you see waves crashing onto the rocks.

With sun, sun and more sun, the trip went really well, the feeling of freedom was overwhelming. Similar to earlier trips after 5 or 6 days I found a connection with nature, and got back in touch with my body.

After posted these as short videos, here's one with all the episodes stitched together, hope you'll enjoy.

Tjorns kayak club offers excellent maps of West-Sweden with camping spots and navigation instructions (scroll down for english versions):

My boat:
Design by Axel Schmid

My rig (lugsail cruising rig with carbon mast, and Mylar laminate sail with aluminum mast):
Design by Michael Storer

Ketsa - Good vibes
Kevin Macleod - Slow Burn
Audiobinger - Hunger pains
Crowander - Celtic
Podington Bear - Bittersweet

[mikeu]

Always a pleasure cruising with Koos! Especially on these snowy winter nights in northern Japan... Gives us hope for the "promise of spring". Thank you, Winnips-san, and fair winds!

[rogera]

That was fantastic to watch, thank you for sharing your adventures! Wolf is a fine looking canoe!

[erikwahlberg]

Nice video! Familiar to me, since my summer house is on Sydkoster. Those are my paddeling areas!

[wayfarerchris.]

Really enjoyed your film Koos, what an amazing adventure. Thanks for sharing 👍🙂.

[maartencoeman]

Mooi mooi mooi,
The short vid's pieced together adds an other dimension. Thumbs up!

[WalterFox]

Splendid trip and great footage. Congrats and thanks!

[davepat]

Great video of what looked like a great trip!

[kees]

pulling the boat over the hill was a Fitzcarraldo moment!

[glassassoc]

Great experience Koos, enjoyable from your attitude through your sail craft, so well planned and sharing your chills, thanks, wish I could do.

[fourtysheaven]

Thank you for this beautiful video, you make me dream!! navigation with ease and lightness, that's what I also hope to do soon with my sailing canoe...

[Jarrod_D]

What a great adventure Thank you so much for the long version.
Now that the trip is through what are your thoughts on the outriggers ? Why not sand bags for ballast instead 🤔? I've been looking at purchasing the outriggers as well just wanted to hear your thoughts on the subject. Thanks again for the great video. 👍

[roygumpel]

nicely done. reawakening my desire to go to that part of the world.... in a little boat! I am wondering why you mention the motor boats so much. What was happening that made you so intimidated by the boats?

[chrispalmer]

Beautiful video! Really enjoyed it… I want to do similar. Did you build your boat? What model/size is it?

[sailoutofagarage]

What about doing the east coast next year, there is much to see there as well?