From Martinique to the Marquesas: Four friends exploring the Pacific aboard a Feeling 416

Fatu Hiva, off the coast of the Marquesas Islands
Fatu Hiva, off the coast of the Marquesas Islands © Alice Matte

Four friends, a Feeling 416, and a shared goal: to sail to French Polynesia. Setting sail from Martinique in mid-March 2026, the crew of the Toulcoun set course for the Panama Canal before embarking on their Pacific crossing. An adventure filled with discoveries, encounters, and unexpected events, where every stop brings its own share of surprises.

Passing through the locks of the Panama Canal alongside massive container ships, preparing their sailboat for several weeks at sea, exploring the Ecuadorian coastline, or taking their first watches in the middle of the Pacific: for this crew of four friends, the journey is as rich in learning experiences as it is in scenery.

Because an ocean crossing doesn't always go as planned. Between weather considerations, administrative constraints, minor and major repairs, and changes to the itinerary, sailors must regularly adjust their course?without losing sight of what matters most: the joy of sailing and discovering new horizons.

In this series of stories published on Bateaux.com, the crew of Toulcoun takes us from the Panama Canal to the Marquesas Islands. A vivid and concrete account of a long-distance cruise, combining practical advice, sailing experiences, and the joy of travel.

An invitation to set sail for the Pacific, where the most beautiful memories aren't always the ones you expected.

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