Part 2.

Ilkka is not happy with the normal way of sailing only during daytime. When the yacht sails 24 hours a day, you reach much farther and have the chance to visit more distant places during a normal vacation. Last year he sailed to Shetland during his six-week holiday. Seawater there was about 13 degrees Centigrade (55 F), and the weather was at times even cooler, but according to Ilkka, the weather was quite nice.

First, I sailed the yacht with two friends to Stavanger in Norway. We sailed in four-hour shifts so that each of us worked on deck for four hours and then had four hours free. We saw 19 Baltic coastal towns from the sea. We also visited six harbours and stayed there overnight.

In Stavanger, Ilkka's crew changed: his friends were replaced by his wife and a married couple, with whom they continued to Shetland and back to coast of Norway. The tour was a success in many ways, but Ilkka admits that it was not always enjoyable. There were also some moments of discomfort and even danger.
Ilkka has sailed many seas. From a yacht, he has seen the Mediterranean, Turkey, the Greek islands, the coasts of former Yugoslavia, The Caribbean area, Mexico and the French Polynesia. He even crossed the Atlantic 13 years ago.

For Ilkka, there are many great sailing waters, and he would rather not choose one favourite place. He likes to say that a yachtsman has reached his destination when the ropes are cast off.
- I prefer to sail my own yacht. In summer, the Finnish archipelago is the world's finest, but actually it is as beautiful in Sweden. My favourite place is Norway with the fantastic fjords and the rugged scenery.