Würzburg couple dares to take on the adventure: own their own sailing boat to cross the Atlantic!

Würzburg couple dares to take on the adventure: own their own sailing boat to cross the Atlantic!

In Baden-Württemberg, Simone Nagel, a native of Würzburg, and Tobias Meinel from Tauberbischofsheim embarked on an exciting adventure. They plan to build a sailboat to cross the Atlantic. Such an undertaking is not only a matter of the heart, but also part of their goal to take part in the “Globe 5.80 Transat 2028”. This event promises an exciting challenge for all seafarers.

In April 2022, the couple began sourcing materials and developing their plans. They have decided to build their boat themselves, which requires not only skill but also a lot of creativity. “We don’t just want to take the ship, we want to design the entire experience ourselves,” explains Tobias enthusiastically. Their preparations are already in full swing and the anticipation of the upcoming trip can be felt in both Tobias and Simone.

A challenging goal

The Globe 5.80 Transat is an impressive regatta that covers approximately 3,600 miles across the Atlantic. The route runs from Marina Rubicón in Lanzarote to the National Sailing Academy in Antigua. Here, participants can not only put their sailing skills to the test, but also experience the interaction between people and nature up close.

Registrations for the 2026 regatta are already open, but places are limited - only 20 participants can take part. This makes the opportunity even more exciting for Simone and Tobias as they want to be part of a truly exclusive event. Their anticipation is fueled by the example of other participants such as extreme athlete Michal Krysta, who has already gained experience with the Transat and achieved second place last time.

Preparations and challenges

Simone and Tobias know that building a sailboat is no small task. Her plan to do everything herself places high demands on her abilities. But they are determined to realize their vision. “It's a lot of work, but it's also a lot of fun,” says Simone. “We look forward to shaping every step of this process with our own hands.”

One of the biggest challenges will be to design the boat to be safe and seaworthy before embarking on the long journey. But the couple has a good knack for finding solutions and not giving up when faced with difficulties.

With every day that passes, they get closer to their goal and their upcoming participation in the “Globe 5.80 Transat 2028”. Her story is not only inspiring, but also shows how much passion there is in seafaring and that it can be worth pursuing big dreams.

For anyone interested, the Globe 5.80 Transat follow online, where further details about the event and the participants will be provided. We can also look forward to seeing how Simone and Tobias' project develops and what adventures they experience on their way to new horizons. Her journey could inspire each of us to chase our dreams and reach new heights.

You can find out more about the young couple and their construction progress in the Main post read.