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Hello
I’m currently working on my first feature screenplay, in which my characters sail from the Northernmost coast of Norway up to the island of Svalbard in the post apocalypse.
While I am taking some slight liberties with things to allow a smoother narrative, I would still like to be as accurate as possible.
Can anyone recommend some small sailboats that would be suitable for a journey like this?
The journey will be happening in the summer, and since this apocalypse is the result of global warming, polar ice isn’t an issue. I’ve calculated the distance on Bednblue and it comes out at roughly 520NM depending on when you start from (I couldn’t use the exact location as it was too small a settlement to come up on the site). Ideally the journey should take a couple of days, but I can extend it if necessary.
The boat itself is manned by 3 characters, 2 with sailing experience in this region. There will also be a storm on the journey back that has to be survived.
I can write in explanations for how they get fuel and additional supplies, but ideally nothing that needs hyperspecific gear.
Thank you for any and all assistance.
Jamie
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Hi Jamie,
Interesting project. If you are looking for accuracy, it is not realistic to cover 520 nm in two days in a small sailboat unless you are you open to using a catamaran. The reason is, that would require sailing an average of about 11 kts/hour. Monohull keelboats have what’s called a “hull speed.” They cannot sail (or motor) through the water faster than approx. 1.34 x √LWL (in feet). Translated, a monohull would need a waterline of almost 70 feet to sail that fast.
With perfect conditions, wind strong enough to keep the boat at hull speed the entire time, without factoring in current, a monohull with a 30 ft waterline could cover the distance in about 3 days. So that would be your minimum time on a boat about 35 – 40′ length overall. Factoring in an adverse current and four days is probably more realistic.
There are a number of excellent Nordic builders (which would probably make the most sense). Including Arcona, FinnFlyer, FinnGulf. CR Yachts, Linjett, Malo, Marin, Maxi, Najad, NautorSwan, Ohlson, Sweden Yachts, X-yachts… I’m sure there are more.
Hope this helps.
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