31 days alone in the Atlantic, without an engine: Éric Pilato stayed the course !

Éric has been sailing for many years, and the idea of owning a boat of his own had been on his mind for some time. The turning point came in 2023, at the Grand Pavois boat show in La Rochelle. There, he came across an Excess 11 and it was love at first sight : comfort, space, safety and genuine sensations at the helm. In short, the perfect balance between enjoyment and freedom.

As the miles passed and the tacks added up, an idea began to take shape, becoming increasingly difficult to ignore : what if he crossed the Atlantic alone, aboard this very boat ?

It was also at this boat show that we first met Éric. First and foremost a boat owner, he gradually became a true ambassador over the following months. So, when he shared his project with us, the decision was obvious : we would be by his side !

For nine months, Éric gets everything ready :

• The boat : He adapts his Excess 11 for solo sailing, fine-tuning the equipment and navigation tools.

• The sailing trips : Increasingly longer outings, with solo manoeuvres and nights spent alone on board.

• Sleep : He trains himself to sleep in sync with the rhythm of solo sailing (an art in itself).

• The mental game : Because in the middle of the ocean, it’s your mind that keeps you on course too.

• Family : Precious moments spent together before departure.

The goal is simple : leave as little as possible to chance. Spoiler alert: the Atlantic always has a few surprises up its sleeve.

On Sunday, 4 October, surrounded by family and friends, Éric casts off from La Rochelle. On board Skiboo 2, he sets course for Guadeloupe.

At sea, the weather sets the pace. Éric makes a tactical decision : instead of heading south towards Cape Verde to pick up the trade winds, he takes advantage of a weather window north of the Canary Islands. The route is more direct, but the sea proves more demanding.

Sailing solo, the crossing is as much a mental challenge as a physical one. He has to contend with fatigue, unexpected events and, above all, himself. And after several weeks far from everything, every connection with the outside world becomes precious.

After more than three weeks and 3,500 miles under his belt, the ocean begins to change its colours. The deep blue of the open sea gives way to lighter shades, and the atmosphere becomes unmistakably tropical. As for Éric, he never tires of taking in the vastness around him. A special bond has developed between him, his boat and the ocean. Even after a few demanding manoeuvres, Skiboo 2 remains a reliable and comfortable crewmate.

But there is no room for slowing down just yet. A vast high-pressure system threatens to leave him becalmed just a few miles from his destination. Staying focused and making the right decisions all the way to the finish is essential.

And then, one day, land appears on the horizon.

31 days, 9 hours and 47 minutes after setting off, Éric Pilato makes landfall in Pointe-à-Pitre. His figures speak for themselves : 4,515 nautical miles covered at an average speed of 5.8 knots, solo, non-stop and without an engine. Not bad for a “little” personal challenge.

What Éric has just achieved aboard his Excess catamaran is exactly what we want to share: the desire to take the plunge, step outside your comfort zone, pursue your dreams to the fullest and feel that little thrill that reminds us we're truly alive.